jy o ^ 



'iu 



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s y/ & 



HISTORY 



T A MA County, 



IOWA, 



TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF THEIR TOWNS, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDDCATIONAl 
CIVIL, MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY; PORTRAITS OF PROM- 
INENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF 
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. 



H ISTO R Y OF IOWA, 

EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, AND A BRIEF REVIEW 
OF ITS CIVIL AND MILITARY HISTORY. 



ILLUSTRATED 



>if\<a 



SPRINGFIELD, ILL. 
UNION PUBLISHING COMPANY. 



^ 






TO THE PIONEERS 



Iama County, 

THIS VOLUME IS 

RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, 

WITH THE HOPE THAT VOUK VIUTIIES MAY BE EMULATED 

AND VOUR TOFLS AND SACKIKrCES DULY APPKECIATED 

.BY COMING GENEKATIONS. 

-J? 



•k. 



i 

J- 



PREFACE 



Tlie imjiortance of local history cannot be overestimated. Many of the most 
noted men of the country have given the best part of their lives to the preservation of 
the many incidents that form a part of the early settlement of the county in which 
they live. Hon. E. B. Washburn, Ex-Minister to France, devotes much time to this 
woik; Hon. John Wentworth, of Chicago, has done more to preserve the early records 
of that city than any other person, and spares neither time or money to secure every 
little. incident that serves to render interesting the history of that remarkable place. 
Hon. Lyman C. Draper, Corresponding Secretary, and Hon. Daniel S. Durkee, Libra- 
rian of the Historical Society of Wisconsin, do everything in their power to encourage 
llie compilation and preservation of local history. In the vast library of the Historical 
Society of Wisconsin, no works are more referred to than the local histories of the 
various counties of the States of the Union. 

Believing that Tama county afforded material for a good history, the LTnion Pub- 
lishing Company, of Springfield, Illinois, sent a corps of experienced historians into 
the field with instructions to spare no pains in compiling a complete and reliable woik. 
As preliminary to the work, and in order to insure correctness and a work in which 
every citizen of the county might feel a just pride, the co-operation of the Old Settlers' 
Society was secured. That society appointed a committee to read and revise the 
general history of the county, and a like committee in each township to examine and 
correct the history of their respective townships. With but one or two exceptions, 
every man thus appointed served to the best of his ability, and the wisdom of the 



^-r 



PREFACE 



choice of the committees is shown in the work performed. We feel confident that we 
here present to our patrons a history that is as correct as possible for human beings to 
make it. That errors will be discovered, we have no doubt. Man is a fallible being, 
but every statement herein published is honestly believed in by the parties furnishing 
the information, and by the members of the committee examining it. All desire the 
truth, and nothing but the truth. They gave much time to the work and deserve the 
thanks of the citizens of the county for the faithful manner in which they discharged 
the trust reposed in them. Our thanks they certainly have The thanks of the pub- 
lishers are also tendered to all who have assisted in the compilation of this work. 
We cannot name them all, for their name is legion, but we must not forget to men- 
tion Hons. G. R. Struble, Leander Clark, L. G. Kinne, J. C. Vermilya, J. H. Hollen, 
Thomas Murray, D. D. Appelgate and J. B. Hedge. The historians of the company 
also deserve to be remembered — George A. Ogle, J. I',. Ogle, J. J. Rising, C. H. Shaler, 
G. VV. Davy, C. W. Demmon, E. F. Graves, W. M. Shumaker, H. O. Brown and 
F. H. Schlutsmeyer. They tried to do their work well and to please our jiati'ons. 

In conclusion, we would say that our work is done; the Ilisloiy of Tama Coinity 
is placeo in your hands. We hope you will be pleased with it. 

Union PruMsniNc. Cojipanv. 



"f 



4r 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER I. 

PAGE 

INTROBfCTniiY 17 

OritriiiMl iiihabitiiiits 17 

MouiHl liuil.k-is IK 

Tbe Red Men 18 

Discovery of the Mississippi 19 

Marquette 19 

LaSalle 30 

Purchase of Louisiana 30 



CHAPTER n. 

INDIANS AND INDIAN WARS 

The minis, Sacs and Foxes 

The lowafi 

War between Sacs and Foxes and lowas 

The Simix 

Klaek Hawk W, r 

Rattle of Bad-Axe 



CHAPTER lU. 

INDIAN TREATIES .. 

Black Hawk Treaty 

Sacs and Fox Treaty 

Treaty with the Sioux 

Treaty with the Sacs 

Treaty with the Foxes 

Treaty with the lowas 

Treaty with the Sacs of Rocl£ River 

Treaty of 1824 

Treaty of 1830 

Treaty with Sacs, Foxes and other Tribes . 

Treaty with the Winnebagos 

Treaty of 1836, with the Sacs and Foxes 

Treaty of 1837 

Treaty of Relinquishment 

Treaty of 18i3 



CHAPTER IV. 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS 

The Dubuque Settlement 

The C.iard Sctlli'nicnt 

The M.mtnisi- S.ttli-Tnent 

The Hinliri-K.ri Sciilnnent 

Tbe Keok\ik Settlement 

Rules for the Ciovcrument of Dubuque. 



PAGE 

Military Inteiference with Settlements 4."> 

ExtirifiiiislHiicMt .ii I niliaii Titles 46 

The F.)i-1 MiHii-oii s,iilrin.-iit 47 

Flint llilN, 47 

The Da\ciiiii.ii s.iiliin<iu 48 

Clayton I'otuitr Settlement 4S 

Council Bluffs 48 

DesMoines 49 

CHAPTER" V. 

TERRITORIAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS. .50 

Teriitory of Wisconsin 50 

Territorial Council 60 

Organization of Counties .51 

Territory of Iowa 51 

First Territorial ( ifflcers 51 

First Iciwa Territc.rial Legislature .53 

First Sessiim nl the Legislature 53 

A Stormy Session .52 

Selection of the Capital .52 

lowaCity 53 

Loan for the Completion of the State House. . . .53 

Woman's Rights 54 

TheSlissouri War 55 

Attempt at State Organization .56 

Constitutional Ci .mention .56 

Second Constitutional Convention 57 

Election of Stiite Officers 57 

Salaries of State Officers 58 

CHAPTER VI. 

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OFTHE STATE. .58 

State School Superintendent 58 

Public liuililiTijis 59 

Loeatiiin (if State University 59 

Appoiiuiiunt nt Supreme Judges 60 

Railrcia.l Huil.lillfiS 63 

Oi-ganizatii.ii ..f ilie Republican Party 63 

Constitutiimai lunvention 64 

DesMiiHiis ( li..srn the State Capital 64 

Census by Counties 61 

CHAPTER VII. 

GEOLOGY— TOPOGRAPHY— WATER COURSES 60 

Azoic System 70 

Lower Silurian System 70 

Upper Silurian System 71 






TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



PAQE 

Devonian System Tl 

Carboniferous System 71 

Cretacious System.... 75 

Peat 7ti 

Gypsiiin 7fi 

Minor Diposits Sulphate of Lime 78 

S\ilphati- cif siioiiita 78 

Siilpliiitc- 111 llinyla 78 

Sulpbati' ijf .MiiK-nesia 78 

Climate 79 

Topography 79 

Lakes and Streams 80 

CHAPTER VIII. 

low A AX D TH E UEBELLION Wl 

Ufsponsu to the Nation's Call IK) 

Kirst Infantry 8« 

Second Infantry 97 

Third Infantry 97 

Fourth Infantry 98 

Fifth Infantry 98 

Si.\th Infantry 98 

Seventh Infantry 98 

Eighth Infantry 99 

Ninth Infantrv 99 

Tenth Infantry 9it 

Eleventh Infantry 100 

Twelfth Infantrv 100 

Thirtc'i-iith Infantrv 101 

Kourticlitll Infantry 101 

Fifli-iiitli Iniaiitrv 101 

Si.\ter-ntli InfantLV 102 

Sevi-iit.inth Infantry 102 

EiffUtrciilli Infantry 103 

Nint'tc'ciitU Infantry 103 

Twentiith infantry 103 

Twcnt \-tlrst 1 n fa ntry 103 

Twentv-sccon.l Infantrv 104 

Twi-nty-tliinl Infantry 104 

Twentv-f.inrth Infantrv 105 

Twent v-tllth Infantrv ia5 

Twi-nly-si.vth InfantlT 105 

Twent \ -s( ■; i-uth 1 iifantry 105 

Twentv-citihth Infantrv 106 

Twcnty-nintli Infantry 106 

Thirtieth Infantrv 106 

Thirtv-llTsI Infantrv 107 

Thirty-s,. ((Hill Infantry 107 

Thirtv.fhir.l Infantrv 107 

Thirtv-f.mrtli 1 n fantrv 107 

Thi rt,\ -tit 1 li I n fa ntry . ." 108 

Thirty-sixth Inlantrv 108 

Thirty-scM-nth Infantry 108 

Thirfy-ii'-'hih Infantry 109 

Thirty-ninili Inlantry 109 

Fortieth liitantrv 110 

Forty-tiist Infantrv llll 

F<irtv-f(iM in Infantry lln 

Forlv-liftli Infantry ill 

Fortv-si\th Infantry HI 

Forty-seventh infantry Ill 

Fortv-(■i^'■hth Infantry Ill 

Fii-Bt Cavalry Ill 

Second Cavalry 112 

Third Cavalry 113 

Fourth Cavalry 112 

Fifth Cavalry U3 

Si.t th Cavalry 113 

Seventh Cavalry 113 

Eighth Cavalry 114 

Ninth Cavalry 114 

First Battery 114 

Second Battery 114 

Third Battery 115 

Fourth Battery 115 

Iowa Regiment of Colored Troops 115 

Northern Border Brigade 115 

Sotithern Border Brigade 115 

Promotions 115 



CHAPTER IX. 

PAGE 

ED0CATIONAL— STATE INSTITCTIONS 117 

The First School House 117 

Act for the Estalilishment of Common Schools. 118 

The State L'niversitv 121 

State Noinial Sehdoi 123 

State .\K-ri( Hit iiral College 124 

other Cdlletres and Cniversi ties 124 

Iieaf aii.l Dniiili Institute 126 

Cdllet'e f.ir the Ulnid 126 

Idwa llds|iital ti.r the Insane 127 

ilds)utal Iditlie Insane at Independence 128 

Soldiers- I hiihans' Home 128 

Asvlinn lor Feel. I. ■ Minded Children 129 

Penal lii-titiitions 129 

Anamosa Penitentiary 130 

liovs' K.lonn School 130 

State llMorieal Society 131 

Stute A-iKUltimil Society 131 

Fish-Hatching House 131 



CHAPTER X. 

POLITICAL 13 

First Election 1S2 

Campaign of 1840 132 

Campaign of 1841 132 

Campaign of 1842 134 

Campaign of 1*43 i?A 

( 'ampaign of 18H i:^4 

Ciinstitinional Convention 136 

Campaign of 1H46 1E6 

Campaign of 1847 138 

Campaign of 1848 140 

Campaign of 1849 143 

Campaign of 18.50 145 

Campaign of IWl 147 

Campaign of 1852 147 

Campaign of 18,5:1 149 

(.'ampaign of 1854 150 

Campaign of 1855 152 

Campaign of mw 153 

Campaign of 1857 154 

Campaign of 1858 1,57 

Campaign of 18.59 159 

Campaign of 1860 163 

Campaign of 1861 165 

Campaign of 1862 167 

Campaign of 1863 170 

Campaign of 1864 172 

Campaign of 1865 1'3 

Campaign of 1866 176 

Campaign of 1807 .• 179 

(Campaign of 1868 M) 

Campaign of 1869 ]f2 

( ampaign of 1870 11-3 

Campaign of 1871 184 

Campaign of 1872 If6 

Cmnpaign of 1873 U9 

Campaign of 1874 IH 

Campaign of 1875 194 

Campaign of 1876 liiB 

Campni^rn of 1877 198 

Campaign of 1878 201 

Campaign of 1879 2C6 

Campaign of 1880 210 

Campaign of 1881 212 



CHAPTER XI. 

TERRITORIAL AND STATE OFFICERS— 

Robert Lucas 215 

.lohn Chambers....- 220 

.1 ames ( larke 223 

(nher Territorial Officers 227 

State tilheers 227 



,1 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY . 



CHAPTER II. 

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF TAMA COUNTY 233 

Location - 233 

Topography 2S3 

Geological '. 234 

CHAPTER III. 

INDIAN OCCUPANCY 237 

Indian Agents 240 

The Indian Name 241 

Customs and Habits 242 

CHAPTER IV. 

THE BEGINNING 256 

Early Settlement 246 

County Name 256 

Organization 256 

Location of County Seat 261 

First Events 262 

First Fourth of July Celebration 264 

CHAPTER V. 

COUNTY GOVERNMENT 265 

Acts of County Court 266 

Acta of the Board of Supervisors 270 

CHAPTER VI. 

OTHER OFFICIAL MATTERS 285 

Matrimonial 285 

Abstract of Assessments 289 

County Buildings 289 

Tama County Poor Farm 290 

Attempt to Make a Change 291 

Population of Tama County 292 

First Instruments Recorded 292 

CHAPTER VII. 

PIONEEER LIFE 295 

Early Manners and Customs 296 

Character of the Pioneers 299 

Clothing 300 

Bee Hunting 302 

Snakes 302 

Religion 305 

Agriculture 305 

The Claim System 306 

CHAPTER VIII. 

TAMA COUNTY COURTS 307 

FirstTrials 307 

District Court 308 

Circuit Court 312 

County Court 314 



CHAPTER IX. 

PAGE 

THE BAR OF TAMA COUNTY 314 

TheBarofthe Past 316 

The Present Bar 327 

CHAPTER X. 

THE PRESS a52 

The Toledo Tribune 353 

The Iowa Transcript 354 

Tama County Republican 355 

The Toledo Chronicle 355 

The Press at Montour 357 

The Tama county Union 357 

The Tama Citizen 357 

The Tama Herald 357 

Tama City Herald of Economy 358 

Tama County Liberal 358 

Chelsea Peoples' Friend 358 

The Traer Clipper 358 

Tama County Independent 362 

The Toledo Times m'S 

The Tama County Democrat 364 

Tama City Press 365 

The Penman's Help 365 

Dysart Reporter 365 

Tama County News 371 

The Free Press 373 

The Traer Star 375 

Gl adbrook Courier 376 

Toledo News 379 

The Tama Northern •. . . 380 

The Dysart Record 381 

The Teacher and Student 382 

CHAPTER XI. 

EARLY DAYS 383 

Reminiscence by Mrs. Rachael Vandorin 384 

The Wilkinson Party 386 

Tim Brown's Poetry 390 

Methodism Introduced in Northern Tama 391 

Reminiscence by Newton Miller 393 

The Pioneer Doctor 395 

Toledo Reminiscence by T. Brown 399 

How the Court Got Across the River 401 

Reminiscence of the Eaily Days of Northern 

Tama 402 

Pioneer Life by Christopher Spire 414 



CHAPTER XII. 

POLITICAL 41S 

The First Political Convention 418 

OflicialVote 435 

CHAPTER XIII. 

NATIONAL, STATE AND COUN'l Y REPRESEN- 
TATION 449 

Congressional 449 

Lieutenant Governor 4-52 



Ji=^ 



TABLE OE CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Attorney General m 

Supreme Court Reporter toi 

Collector iif Internal Revenue 457 

Railroail Comissioners 458 

Gi>virnm>Ml Clerkship *59 

Speaker of ibe House ISK 

the General Assembly 459 



• .lu.ls; 



463 



Auditor 4«» 

ler and Recorder 4'0 

Kerorder 47:3 



Clerks of Court* 477 

Slieriir.,. f!- 

County Surveyor *pu 



id Commissioners 485 

ijerintendent 485 



Proseewtliit; Attorney 486 

Drainage Commissioners 4^6 

CHAPTER XIV. 

INSIKANCi;, ENDOWMENT AND OTHER AS- 

SiKlATIiiNS 487 

iild SeitliM-s' Society 487 

Fanners" Mutual Aid Company 488 

Iowa Mutual Henetit Association 48S 

Mutual Endowment Association 490 

CHAPTER XV. 

THE WARFOR THE UNION 493 

Second Inlantry 498 

Fifth Infantry 488 

EiKht h I nf a ntry 498 

Ninth Infantry 498 

Tent li Infantry S-' 

KIcvenlh Infantry ?0o 

Twelth Infantry oUa 

Thirteenth Infantry 505 

Fonileenth Infantry SOo 

Sixteenth Infantry 50i 

Kit-htee„th Infantry o07 

Twentv-lourth Inlantry 508 

Tweni\ -seventh lulantry 519 

Twenl'veinhlh Infantry 519 

Korty-sevinth Infantry 530 

First" Cavalry 530 

Second Cavalry 531 

valry 531 



Fifth 
Sixtl! Ci 



valr 



ilhCavalry • i«\ 

,ight Artillery !».- 

T..iirti-erl DlMld *'" 



Honored Dead. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



535 



EDUCATIONAL _^^ , ... 

County Superintendent of Schools oto 

Normal Institutes ..•••• •.■••. 2tA 

Tama County Teachers' Association 54- 

Western College '>='*' 

CHAPTER XVU. 

THE MEDICAL I'llOFESSION 581 

First Physicians in the County W)i 

Tama Citv Physicians ^- 

T,.licln fhysieiana *» 

Tiaer Physicians »i? 

Dysart Physicians 580 

(iladhronk Physicians J^ 

Chelsea Physicians Sffi 

Garw 



Elbi 



rlti! 



Ph' 
1 Phy 



..idiantown Physicians. 
Montour Physicians — 



-H' 



PAGE 

Richland Physicians 687 

Irving Physicians 558 

Mooreville Physicians 587 

Crystal Physicians 587 

Tama County Medical Association 587 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

ACRICCLTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIE- 
TIES 588 

The first Fair 589 

Tama County Agricultural Society 590 

Agricultural .Association of Tama County 593 

Traer District Agricultural Society .592 

Tama County Horticultural Society .592 

CHAPTER XIX. 

RAILROADS .593 

The First Railroad in Tama County 594 

Chicago i- Northwestenn .596 

Toledo & Northwestern .597 

Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern 605 

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 605 

W^isconsin, Iowa & Nebraska 606 

Projected Railroads 6(ki 

CHAPTER XX. 

BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP 608 

Settlement 608 

Organic 627 

Educational 628 

Religious 629 

Historical Items 631 

Postoflices esi 

The Larches 632 

CHAPTER XXI. 

CUtLTON TOWNSHIP 6:0 

Settlement and Growth 6:14 

Organic 638 

Items of Interest. . IKW 

Religious 640 

Railroad Matters 642 

Kars PostoHice 642 

Town of G.\hwi;; iu;i 

Educational 646 

Postoffice 646 

Societies 646 

CHAPTER XXU. 

CARROLL TOWNSHEP 648 

Settlement of Carroll 6»9 

Organic 653 

Religious 65:j 

Educational 653 

First Things 654 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

CLARK TOWNSHIP 6.55 

Settlement 6.55 

Orjrnnie 6t>l 

Eiluiational 662 

Kttie Postoffice 662 

Historical Items 66:1 

Town ok Dtsabt 66;t 



liusiness Matters and Men 663 

H.itels 667 

Postoilices 670 

Eilcat ional 671 

Hcligiou.s 671 



CH.APTER XXIV. 



COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP 

Early Settlement 

Organic 



s> ^ 




The Township Name 

Educational 

Religious 

Postofflce 

Village of Columbia. 
Historical Items 



CHAPTER XXV. 



CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP. 

Early Settlement 

Organic 

Items of Interest — 

Educational 

Postoffices 

Religious 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



GENESEO TOWNSHIP 

Settlement 

Organic 

Educational 

Religious 

Historical Events 

Postoffice 

ViLL-VGE OF MOOREVILLe. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 



GRANT TOWNSHIP 

Settlement 

Organic 

Educational 

Various Items of Interest. . 

The Church in Grant 

Allendale Stock Farm 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP 

Early settlement 

Organic 

First Things 

Educational 

Religious 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

HOWARD TOWNSHIP 

Settlement 

FirstEvents 

Organic 

Religious 

MoNTicELLO Village 



CHAPTER XXX. 



INDIAN VILLAGE TOWNSHIP.... 

Early Settlement 

Organic 

Historical Items 

Educational 

indiantown, ob bntlerville. 

LeGrand Station 

Potter 

Town of MONTonB 

Development 

Postofflce 

Organic 

Religious 

Societies 

Educational 



CHAPTER XXXI. 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP 

Settlement 

Organic 

Fifteen Mile Grove Postofflce . 

Colville Postofflce 

Items of Interest 



CHAPTER XXXII. 



ONEIDA TOWNSHIP 829 

Early Settlement S30 

.Historical Items °37 

CHAPTER XXXin. 

OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP 838 

Early Settlement 838 

Organic 842 

Postoffices 843 

Gladstone '?<3 

Educational 844 

Historical Items of Interest 844 

CHAPTER XXXn'. 

PERRY TOWNSHP 844 

Early Settlement 844 

Organic 868 

Historical Items 868 

Educational 869 

Religious 870 

Wolf Creek Postofflce 873 

West Union Village 873 

Buckingham Village 874 

City of Tr.aer 874 

Development 874 

Postofflce 891 

Educational 892 

Religious 8^ 

Societies 896 

CHAPTER XXXV. 

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP 898 

Settlement 898 

Historical Items AW 

Organic 905 

Educational 90* 

Religious 906 

Village of Helena 908 

ViLL-\GE OF Eureka 908 

CHAPTER XXXVL 

SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP 909 

Early Settlement 909 

Organic 916 

Historical Items •. 916 

Educational -Jig 

ReUgious 917 

Irving 91i 

Chelsea 918 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



921 



SPRING CREEK TOWNSHIP 

Settlement ^1 

Organic J^ 

Various Items 932 

B.ADGER Hill 933 

Gladbrook 935 

Growth and Business Development 9:35 

Postofflce 944 

Incorporation 945 

Educational 946 

HeUgious 946 

Societies 948 

CHAPTER XXXVIII. 

TAMA TOWNSHIP 948 

Settlement 949 

Items of Interest 955 

Postofflce 956 

Organic 956 

Tama City 958 

Banks 960 

Tama City Brewery 974 

Tama Creamery 974 



•F 






TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Paper Mill 



»:5 

Brfck 975 

Furniture Manufactory 9ia 

Tama Hvdi-aulic Power »76 

Postofflce • 9S0 

Incorporation S85 

Educational 9*6 

Religious ""Si 

Societies "91 

CHAPTER XXXrX. 

TOLEDO TOWNSHIP 993 

Early Settlement S94 

Historical Items 1005 

Organic 1WJ6 

City of Toledo ino8 

Early Settlers UWii 

Busines Interests IIW 

Toledo City Bank 1038 

Organic 1032 

Postofflce 1034 

Educational 1035 

Religious 10-39 



CHAPTER XL. 



YORKTOWNSHfP ''^°^ 

Early Settlement losj 

Organic 1059 

\ILLAGE OF WAI.TAM 1059 

Village of Eluekso.v 106I 

Village of Vinisq 1062 

Postofflces loij 

Mills ■ ■ 1004 

Historical Items ioa5 

Religious io6« 

Education iggj; 



CHAPTER XLI. 

EVENTS OF INTEREST 1067 

Criminal io67 

Gold in Tama county !m!I..'.'.10"H 

A Blizzard 11.! 1070 

Accidents Ii!"!"!!ll070 

First Settlement in Tama County !."!l081 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



PAQB 

Abbott, John 792 

Abbott, Washington... 702 

Adams, N. H. H 7fi0 

Adelbert, Sydney 8.5G 

Aldrii-h. Sylvcs 



Ale 



I, ,. 111 
i.Jr 10 



Ale.xiiinliT, 

Ale.xandiT, (icorKc Oils 

Allard, .loseph 724 

A Hard, Jonathan 724 

AUard, Albert »40 

Allard, G. P 931 

Allen, Isaac L 318 

Allen, Isaac I> 4.57 

A lien, John 467 

Ames, J.T 632 

Antrim, Adin 867 

Appelgate, D. D 329 

Appolgate, W. E 1024 

Appleton, Richard W.. 58B 

Arbuthnot, S. W 6fi9 

Armstrong, T. K 1019 

Arter, Jacob 653 

Asher, Isaac 250-791 

Austin, Robert E 34tj 

Austin, Michael 325 

Averill, J. C 8"S| 

Babb.navid 771 

Babb, Quincy 771 

Babli, Anthony L 771 

Biibcmk. Maxson 841 

Baker. D.W 712 

Bailey, Jehial 1002 

Bailey, Alanson H 781 

Bailey, George L 3:!;j 

Baldv, P. L .ifiS 

Baldy H. T .571 

Baldwin, Henry 102s 

Baldwin, C. H 820 

Balfour, William 715 

Ballard, Jeremiah 571 

Barbour, Dr.vden 8fil 

Barker, George 7.50 

Barnes. Charles 900! 

Barton, Edward 569 

Baxter, C. A 784 

Beach. R. B 6.VJ 

Bcardshear, W. M 559 



PAGE 

Beatty , Henry 856 

Beery, Samuel E 637 

Relden, H. B 1027 

Bent, Lorenz .569 

Henesh, Frank 1063 

llrntley, C. B 975 

liciison, Alvin 629 

lii'nnett, Eli S 751 

Benedict, E. H 351 

Best, B 880 

Bern, A. C 824 

Berry, S. W 940 

Billerbeck. Jacob 825 

Bisel. Benjamin 733 

Bishop, J. B. M 475 

Bishop, Jonathan S .... 697 

Bishop, Charles A 698 

Bishop. John 1000 

Blodgett. Miron 478 

Boehmke, F. 

Uolens, Eugene B 320 

isomer, F. A. 
Bonnov, M. II 
Bonney, O. D 
Bowe,' E. R 1031 



Brown, Fred W.. . 

Brown, Timothy 

Bruner, D. F 

Bruner, Benjamin. 

Bruner, Adam 

Bruner, Solomon . 

Brush. John B 

Bull, John G 

Bunee, Hiram 

Burge, James 

Burt, L. N. B. C 

Burris, H. C 

Burright, Orrin 

Butler, M. S 

Bvwater, A 

By water, W. C 

Bywater. Napoleon. 

Calderwood, Hugh. 
Camery, ,James M . . 
Camery, Denton .. 

Cainpljell, John 

Campbell, John P.. 

Cannon, E. J 

Gary, Lyman 



PAGE 

. 370 
. 316 
. 470 



Bowen, W. H 887 Gary, L. H 



Bowdle, J 
Bovennrer, Samuel 

Boynton, H. W 

Bradley, James M.. 
Bradbrook. Walter.. 

Bradford, T. F 

Bradshaw, Homer S. 

Bradshnw, C. B 

Bruinerd. Orson T.. 

Itninnan. W. L 

llninaman. Henry.. 

lirnsh, Hugh 

lireebt. Adam 

Bronnan, Edward 730 

Brewer, James 947k'lay. Hiram 

Bricker, .-inthony KMlClausen, Hein; 

Bricker, Truman 983 Cleveland, E. 

Brooks, J. H 982 Clough, J. E.. 

Brooks, James H 951 Ciidy, Lynmn 

BrockwaT, A. L 827 Cohrt, Johann 

Brockman, N.J 64:1 Cold, F. G... 

Brown, William 751 Cold, C.J. C. 

Brown, H. A ,546(Cold, J. F. G.. 



469 Cart, S. M 

781|Carpenter, E. S 

.571lCarmichael. Lewis.. 
795 Carmichael, E. L . . 
6ti6,Carraiehael, H. F. ... 

Casey, Michael 

Casey, Patrick 

Chambers, G. M 

Chase, Tallman 

Chase, Stephen. . . 

Churchill, Harry E.. 

Clark. Leander 

Clark, Rush 

lark. 



.., . ^ PAGE 

Colebauph, A . F 813 

Collins, C. C 877 

Collins, Andrew 857 

. 744 Conant, George W.. 636 

.1004 Conant. Marion A Kio 

. VM Conant. W. L 581 

. 711 Conant William 5.83 

. 02KCimnell. Daniel, Sr. . 945 

. .569|Connell, Daniel 944 

. . 9.55jConnell, John 457 

. 636iCoolidge, Liberty.....' 903 

. 837lCone, Albert G 865 

. lOSOiConklin, Charles H 311 

. 565,Conrerse, John T 663 

, . 922|(yOry, Henry 920 

, . 922 Cory, John". ' t;8;) 

.. 6;J7 Cory, William .'.'68:1 

I Corns, William 567 

. . 657 Cordner. Adam... . I0;i9 

..1020|Corfman, John loOI 

..102l!Co8krey, William H 
. . 661 Countryman, S. S 

. . 902 Covell, C. E 

.1034 Cowan, Robert.. 

.. 476 Cram, J. F 

. . 572jCrawford, C. H 
.. 987|Crenshaw, B. F 
.. 968:Crittenden, George 
.. 964|Cron, James.. 
. . 965|Cronk, J. G... 
. 966|Croskrey, Wesley'.. 
. . 730Cumming8, Martin. 

. . 611 Cummings, A 

. . 913 Cummings, John... 621 
.. 463 Cummings, Thomas.... 618 

.. 794 Cummings, W. H 958 

. . 1012 Cuther, M. L SSO 

.. 465 Cuthbertson, A ..... 785 

. . 888 Daniel, Wesler A ,561 

.. 901 Davis, Franklin 483 

. . 714 Davis, C. L 705 

.. 976 Davis, John R 761 

.. 664 Davis, Henry E 625 

. 855 Davis, Henry F 914 

.. 7irDavies. A ft' 106O 

. 8241 Davidson, James 762 

. 824 Davenport, George L. 241 
.. 828Day, H 909 



lft5.S 
915 

. 718 
901 
324 



618 









TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



ncLnn.l. W. A 

Dp Lung, Gibson W. 

Dillmuii, S. S 51 

Diiifri'o, Allen 

Dinsdale, James.... 

Dinsdale. L. P 

Di.Ton, L. J 

Dodd. Edward 

Dodd, Andrew 

Donavon, Jerry 

Donaldson, Andrew 

Dooley , M. V 

Dowd, J. J 

Downs, T. L 

Downs. W. A 

Doyle, John 

Draper. Norman 

Duncan. Charles F... 

Dnpre, T. A 

Dysart, Joseph 



Ebersole, E. C 

Edmonds, Alonzo... 

Edwards, G. G 

Edwards, George A. 
Ellwood, George C. 

Ellwood, J. D 

Elmer, O. F 

Emmett, Patrick... 
Eraerling, Charles... 
Enderton. James — 
Eshbiiugh, Frank.. 
Fshliaufih, John A. 

F.<lil.aii-h, W. F 

RviTOtt. Samuel 

Everett, K. E 

Evy, .I.H 

Farnham, Eber C... 



Fedderson Brothers. 

Fee, W. A 

Fee, George M 

Kelter, Nelson 

Fellows, B. W 

Fink, James 

Findley, J. T 

Fisher, Nathan 

Fitzgerald, Richard. 

Fitzgerald, J. C 

Fleming, John 

Fleming, John 

Fleming, William F 

Flint, J.C 

Flint, E. A 

Fowler, Allen S 

Foster, C. J. L 

Foster, H. C 

Fowler, James 

Frank. George M... 
Franks, William. ... 

Fimee, R. H 

Free, Thomas S 

Furrow, Joseph 



PACE 

.. nsi Gotthold, W. C 

.. "H8 Gould, Samuel...... 

i7-]03,«> G ower, J. W 

.. 793Grau, J. M 

.. K2(iGray, John K 

. TliS Gray, Charles 

.. T9ti fii-aham, James R.. 

■ T12 Graham. T. A 

'*'■' Graham, J. H 

■ 9WGravatt, O 

■ W Graham, William H 
.. :i52 Granger, Robert... 

..1029Green, J.V.B 

.. 545 Greve, Johann 

.. 809 Gregory, D. B 

68*Grinnell, J. B. 

. 622|(}rover, George H.. 
.. 669[Guernsey, Elijah... 
. .. 843 Guernsey, A. W.... 

Haagen, Charles. .. 



Gait, John 

Gallagher, William. 
Gallagher, D. K... 
(;allagher, William, 
(iallagly, Thomas... 

(iarner, William 

Gardiner, John 

Gaston, Hugh F.... 
Gethmann, Louis... 

Giger, JohnH 

(iiger, Samuel 

Giger, I. F 

Gloss, Albert 

Goding, O. W 

Goding, F. W 

Goodenow, Fitch... 
Goodric-b, G. H 



naiigrii, v.iiHiicc 

:334 Habenioh, J. H 

•JfiliHall, H. A 

10« Haminitt, Benjamin. 

"3" Hamilton, J. M 

939 Haney, O. M 

"10 Hancock, AmosB... 

93' Hai-t, John W 

"2f Harris, J. F 

"■t- Harris, Thomas 

"57 Harris, William 

1)8- Harman. E 

'>f'~ Hartsock, William. .. 

'i'^1 Harmsen. John 

''■■'8 Harrison, W. H 

■ *'0'' Harrison, W. H 

■ (iTO Harrison, E. W 

o34 Hartshorn, H. A . . 

jHaworth, James 

■ ™8|Haworth, Alpheus... 
10'l;Haworth, Shepard... 

• 651lHawk, W. H 

. 696 Hayes, C. E 

• SO'iiHaves, J. M 

• "ISlHealT, Henry M... 

• 6.i9'Hedge, James B 

■ ■'84iHeidlebaugh, John... 

■ 3.5i;Helm,Woodhull 

■ 479|i.fg]nj, Varnum 

• "^TiHelm, Phineas 

■ 624 Hendrirks, John P.. . 
"oSI Hendricks, John... . 
?«JlHild, John 

• 900|HiU, Joseph 

• S58|Hinegardner, D. S .. 

■ SaijHitchner, W. D 

■ J^^Hixson, P 

• 34niHoag. Joel 

. 8bo;Hodgin, K. F 

• ^I'Hollen, J. H 

101-' Holstead, W.H 

4*'9 Homan, Charles 

• 6b5 Horton, Silas H 

Houghton, William.. 
61b Howard, H. W 

■ '80 Howard, John 

■ "**'' Howard, A. L 

■ ?84Huey, John 

■ 8.<) Hufford, Abraham... 

^^8 Hughes, D. L 

''26 Hull, James L 

■ *«liHulett, L. D. 

■ 930 Hurd, Fayette 

""Hutchison, G. A 

. T7BI 

• flj tngham, S. W 

. 902i[nnes, James 

■ 56«lrrish, CharlesW 

• 5«6:ives, T. N 

• "831jacobs, Hoface 

■ 325 Jacobs, Claus F 



Jackson, Andrew — 
Jackson, T. Walter.. 
Jameyson, Charles... 

Jaqua, Gamaliel 

Jensen, P 

Jensen, John 

Johnson, Alexander 

Johnson, Charles 

Johnston, W. F 

Johnston. W. S 

Johnston, Wesley — 

Jons, Claus 

Jones, P. C 

.Toralemon, J. C 

Junker, F. W 



Keeler, R. W 

Keith, L. P 

Kelly, S. V. R 

Kellogg, William P . . 

Kendrick, J. C 

Keown, William 

Kephart, E. B 

Kenp, Martin 

Kiescr. J..hn G 

Kile. Mrs. Ibl.v. . - 

■. Nidi, liis 

a. William B... 

Kinne, L. G 

Kinner, William 

Kinner, James M — 

Ivinner. John A 

Kline, Walter 

Kline, William 

Klingamon, George. 

Knapp, B. L 

Knight, Thomas L. . 

Knoop, Christian 

Knowlton. C. F 

Kober, John 

Kober, George 

KoUman, William... 
Kremenak, J. W — 
Krouse, William — 



PAGE 

I McAlpine, John 886 

'McAnulty, Hugh 982 

iMcClain, Willliam 6.52 

1 McClaskey, John R 474 

SBR MrCliirr. George W. 



n \I, 



James.. 



967 
782 



LaDow, B. B 

LaDow, Alexander, 

Ladd, John A 

Ladd, Daniel C 

Ladd, W. T. V...... 

Lage, Fred 

Lamb, Wi.liam L .. 

Lamb, D. C 

Lamb, Jacob W 

Langley. E. T 

Lauderdale, J. H.. 

Law, Andrew 

Lawson, G. B 

Lee, Simon A 

Leibrandt, C. A — 

Leland, S. C 

Lesser, Wallace B.. 
Levering, Noah — 

Lewis, Norman 

Liebty, Peter 

Life, John 

Life. George M 

Livingston, David. 

Loder, William 

Logan, .James 

Long, Simeon D — 

Loop, Anson 

Loop, Charles 

Loupee, Lewis.. .. 

Louthan, John B 

Loiithan, Wallace B... 

Ludwig, H 

Lnndt, John 

Lynde, Edward 

McAlevy, Samuel E... 



,k, JuhnF.... 
--.' w.-i Miniiick Brothers., sss 

I.",' Ml ( ,.~h. Andrew 861 

I \i( ( ijiikcn, Alexander 755 

KHii M,( r.iith. James 755 

111::: Mctiiilugh, James 825 

5WI McDonald, George W.. 664 

.575iMcGee, Charles F 941 

1023lMcIlhinney, Andrew.. 744 

iMcIntire, Daniel 745 

int7M,-Tntire, R. G 346 

.<!.", MiKav, Benjamin 733 

■sill MiK.im, John 313 

, SINS McKuile, John W 696 

4S6|McKunc, George 696 

7.50 McKune, John E 697 

557 McMillan, Gilbert 704 

687 McPherran, Robert.... 715 

9JP McPherran. A . S 868 

S.V McTurk. William 717 

s."..'- Maden, Isaac 95t 

4iiii Magee, James 794 

3:iO!Magee, Robert 794 

Magee, James L 795 

Maiden, George 1003 

Mann, Thomas E 380 

Mann, S. S 928 

Marsh, Levi..... 910 

Martens, F 930 

.1022 Marston, H. L 937 

Mason, O. N 8.31 

Mattern, Joseph 781 

Malin, William G 461 

Malin, Thomas M 884 

Malin, George M 684 

Maltbie, S. W 816 

Mathern. A 974 

Matthieson, Mathias... 836 

Matthews, Lewis 808 

Maynard, SamuelP — 736 

Meagher, M 990 

Meeker, William 841 

Meeker, Lathrop 841 

Meggers, Frank 837 

Meinger, Charles, .. 729 

Melick, Robert 1002 

Merritt, James B 770 

Merritt, James A 339 

Meiritt, Theodore J 742 

Merchant, Lewis 983 

...Merrill, William 925 

89j|Metz, Keinhard 678 

.. 988Mills, O. H 341 

. 569 Miller, William E .310 

.. 337 Miller, C. W .578 

.. 375 Millard, J.C 804 

. 318Millard. O. P 809 

. 9.53 Mitchell, James 761 



.1004iMo£fart, John B 810 

. 734 Monroe, Gilbert J T.i7 

737i Moore, Edwin 714 

. 895 Moore, Theodore 727 

. 863 Moore, Theodore 742 

. 862 Moore, J. S 1014 

. 760 Moore, 11. H 881 

. 8.59 

. 860 Moore, Z. T 886 

.1022 Morton, John 698 

. 586 Morton, Margaret 698 

. 3401Morton, Jonathan.. . 701 
. 825 Morton, Newman W.... 701 

. 827lMorgan, F. K 833 

. 717| Morgan, M.R 833 

Morford, Isaac R 902 

93:3lMoreton, Isaac 914 



-"« • \ 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 






Mowrv, Welcome. 
Mu<l^'i-tt. Newton 
Mm-niy, Thcmas. . 
Murray, .hiines... 
Mutch, Juines... . 

Myers, t'httrles 

Myers, C. H 



Newcomb, A. G .. 
Newi^omer, Smith. 
Nichols, JohnG.... 
Nicholson, John.. . 
Nutt Romanzo 



ONeill, James 

Olney, Clinton 

Ormiston, J. S 

Osliorne, N L 

Iitterman, Georg^e W 

Ottcrman, Philip 

iiverniirc, Peter ; 

Owen. J. A 

Owens. Henry A 



Pageler, Gerhard. 

Parker, J. C 

T'a.Yson. Josiah. .. 
'"enrose, E. G 



PAGE 

.. SM Hhoads, L. L 

.. im Kite. N. C 

.. 478, Rice, Alfred 

Rich, Alanson P. ... 

Riggr, Robert N 

Riley, John 

Roberts, C.H 

Rogers, Reuben 

Rogers, Amos R 

Rogers, Reuben O.. . 

Rogers, Warren 

Ross, John 

Hoss, Henry 

Rothrock, James H. 

Ruggles, Edward . . . 



645 



PAOE| PACE 

.. H81 Springer, J.N 'tTJ 

. . 547 .Stalev, T. J 470 

.. 8'JOStautrer, Issac MS 

.. 899Staveley, Anthony 

.. T39 Starr, Arthur P 



PAGE 

Vertnilya. John C 464 

Voege, Joachin 930 

Vogi, George 852 



Peniiell, V. B. . 

Pennell. L. H 

Peter.i. Henry.... 
Peterson, John .. .. 
Peterson, Jonathan. 
Peverill. William... 

Philp, William 

Pnilp, James 

Phillips, James 

Pickett, .Moses 

Pierce. .Milton H 

PinkertoM. .1. II. 



.10.^ 



Piiikerti 
I'loei 



W, li.. 



I'eter.. 
H. A 




. Williii 


n 


tiel.lllr. 


I hers .. 



The 



I'mvers. Knbert M 
Powell, Robert.... 

I'oyneer, E. M 

I'oyneer, A. N 

Prinrtle, Truman. . 
Putman, J. M 



Queal, Paul 

Ionian, Abraham... 

Quinn, Peter 

()uintard. Charles C 

Rainsdell, John... 

Rawson, A. Z 

Ray, David 

Reamer. Daniel.... 
Rebok. Philip K. jr 
Reed. .1. D. E. 
Keilniond, John F. 
Heed. Milton... 

Heed, George 

Iteedv, John S 

Reedy, S. C 

Heiehnmn, Rudolph., 
Reichman, Edward 
Keickhotr, William... 

Ueid. Samuel 

Keh.ler. Marx H 

U.h.ler, P 

Uehiler, Jurgen 



Safely, John G 

Salsbury, W. C 

Sapp, M. B 

Sehoel, August 

Schmidt, John 

Schroeder, Madison.. 

Scott, Robert A 

Scott. Jasper H 

Seamons, M. L 

Sears, W. G 

Sexton, Lemuel 

Shane, John 

Sharp, John 

Sharp, John B 

Sharp, William 

Shaler, Jacob W' 

Sherman, Phineas L. 

Sherrett, Thomas 

Shower, Isaiah 

Shugart, Z. T 

Shugart, Levi H . . 

Shultz, Valentine 

Shultz, Peter H 

n, Joseph 

n, Frank 

"imon, Moses 

krable, Charles 

. krable, John 

Skyles, Thomas 

Slessor, James .... 

Slessor, W. H 

Slessor, W. T 

Sloss, George 

Sloss, Allan 

Sloss, James 

Smith, Henry L.. 

Smith, E. H 

Smith, E. R 

Smith, Frank S 

Smith, Robert S. 

Smith, J. H 

Smith, James H.. . 

Smith, Frank E... 

914 Smith, C. A 

943 Smith, John C 

at] Smith Jeremiah 

1020 Smith Barzilla 

660 Smith, S. P 

660 Smith, Henrv 

984 Smyth, William 

'.H)l|Sn.Tdcr, Levi 

99.1 Soleman, Garrett 

77'<ISoleman, H 

362[Souster, W. W 

lU24lSpayde, J. L 

:!i5 Spayth, D 

7.i9;Spaeford, L. M 

822>Spiers, Alexander 

822 Spire, Christopher. 
822JSprole, William 



MCi Wager, Harvey 728 

Stevens, H. J 943 Wagner, H 1014 

Stevens, J. H .j8(i Waldon, M. M 451 

.1055 Stevens, C.J 477VValls, Solomon 707 

laiS Stewart. Andrew J.... 913 Walker, G. W 904 

1K)6 Stewart. James 7.i9 Walters, W. C 1012 

888|Stewart, William 660 Walz, John 678 

470 Stewart. Joseph .546, Ward, J. F 970 

6:i8jSterretl, A. H 546iWarren, T. E 475 

Stevi nson, .lohn 708i Watson, James 757 

Stivers, William H ;J27 Watsor, 'I homas 758 

Stiger, H.J 3:!9 Way. 

Stiger, S 1016' 

Stone. Benjamin Iol3 ' 

,323 Stoner, David. ' 



.1054 



1013 



jjOjIStoakes, Henry S.54 

1030 Stoakes, George 8.54 

9,39 Stoakes, John 853 

"tiolStoakes, Eleazer 728 

-fijStoakes. William H... 
>i.-|Stniikes, Mathias 

■ ;,;,:Sto:,kes. .1.x 

s-.-ISt. 1(1.1,11.1. Lvman H.. 

■ :j'4i,jst.,.l.iar,|, William H 

■ ,i,s.-,.St..d.,ar.i. I,e,.nunl.,, 
31., Stoddiir.l. William,., 

■ 7,3ist<,d.l.ir<l, Albert 
Stoelting, C 

Stnible, G. R ,328-349 

.Struble, James H 476 

Struve, John MV 

Stuart, Jame,") W S64 

Stuart, David M 
Surfac 
Swan, Peter 
Swan, John 
Swartz, William 
Swift, H. S 

884 



.1056 



.1029 



J Talmage, T. S . 
1061 Tappen, W. W. 

figti Tauk, Hinrich 

7.5«l Taylor, David.. 

rj^lTaylor, William 

7,5.5 Ta.vlor, Ira 

X91 Taylor. Giles 

;5)j Tedford. John L 72 

. 756 ''<'">Ple. T. C 7:s 

.loeOiTemple. E. W 73 

304 Terpenning, Hansom . . . 83i 
. 570 Thomas, B. F 6.5' 

.585 Thomas. Enos 64; 

. 660 Thompson, Benjamin, ijfi' 
. 686 Thompson, S ,57; 

77.) Ihompson, J. A 90! 

. 1026 Tlerney, Daniel 621 

y^:^ Tiffany, W. H 34 

gijITode, Claus Wi 

900 Toland, David. . . . 9.V 
. it;7 Tompkins. A 460-8;« 

j<77 r.imlinsnn, William 

Sol Townsend, J. S 

Qnq Townsend. .lohn S.. 

7^Turbett. W. S 

;is> Turnbull. Richard 

575 rrowbndgo, James 680 

. 671 1 

.1003 

. 883 Van.^nken. .Tames I 

. H-)7 VanHoiii. i>..t,.r s 

■ 079 VanVlier. Heniy. 

, 800 \ anilever, Willinm. 



W'eaver, Frank... 
Weaver, Solomon . 

Weir, Thompson 749 

Wentch, P. P 656 

West, S. Newell 733 

West, Alexander W... 842 

Wescott. D. G 9a5 

Whannell, Peter 707 

(>5tiiW"hannell, Robert 74.8 

0.58 Whannell, Thomas 708 

07slWheaton, Andrew J... 473 

077 White, Isaac W 732 

OTTiWhite, Nathan 862 

i;:: Whitten. C. C 604 

Whitaker, Thomas 959 

Whitmoie, William 834 

Wiebenson, E 939 

Wies, Claus 826 

Wieting, Nathan C 319 

Wild, John 1025 

Wiles, J. C 833 

Willey, James A 910 

Wilson, John , 855 

Wilson, M. C 959 

Wilson, James 458 

Wilson, C. A 774 

Wilbur, George L 348 

Wilson. West 701 

Willett.J. W 336 

Wilcox, Svlvester 842 

Willard, H. F 926 

Williams, (JeorgeS. .. 912 

Wilcoxon,T. D. H 795 

Wilkinson, A 250 

Wilkinson, Wm 250 

Williamson, W. H 836 

Williamson, H. A 479 

Winn. Walter F 379 

Wing. J. B 569 

Winders. Hiram 772 

Wise, Adam &51 

Withers, W. J 884 

Withington. H. H 78.5 

Wood. F. C 347 

Wood.W. H :H7 

Wood, George 670 

Wood, Alfred 611 

Wood, Joshua C. 



Wood. Lynia _ 

Wood. Lvman E 

Wonser, W. W. . 

Wonser, F.J. M 

Worrall, W. P 

Worden, William 

Woolley, E. M 

Woolley, H. M 

Woodward, J. H 

Wylie, Robert 



84« 
847 



Veiser. Jacob 

\'e. iiniins, Rfibert. 
^ .mug, W. K . .. 
i^'oungman, J. W. 



PORTRAITS 



-9 ^ 



PAOE 

Dailev, George L 321 

Baldwin, C. H 499 

lieardshear, W. M 553 

Brooks, J. H 509 

Brunei-,1). F 303 



Carmichael, L nm 

Clark, Leander 3.57 

Corns, William 961 

CumminffS, A 619 



Ebersole, E. C 



Fellows, B. W..., 

Guernsey, A. W. 

Harrison, W. H 
Hartshorn, H . A 
Haworth, James 
Hedge, James B 
Hollen, J. H 



Kccler, R. W.. 
Kephart, E. B. 
Kinne, L, G... 



331 



Lamb, Jacob W 436 

Lite, John 471 

Mann, S. S 93:) 

Murray, Thomas 275 

McAnulty, Hugh 415 

Parker, J. C 481 



PAGE 

Sleesor, James 76;) 

Sl.'ssor, W. T 753 

Smith, E. K .377 

Smith, Franks 583 

Struble, G. K 4!I9 

Thompson, Benjamin.. 563 
Townsend, J. L 699 

Whannell, Thomas 709 

Winn, W. F 933 

Willett, J. W 454 

Wilkinson, A 347 



Certificates of the Committees. 



Below is given a copy of the certificate, signed by the committee appointed by the Old Settlers' Society, 
to revise and correct the' general history of Tnma county, and also committees from each township to revise 
and correct the histories of the various townships, showing that the publishers have complied with their prom 
ises, and did their utmost to produce a reliable and complete history of the county. The following is the cei^ 
tiflcate of the general committee: 

' "We, the undersigned, members of the general committee, appointed by the Old Settlers' Society of Tama 
county, to correct and revise the manuscript of the History of 'Tama county, written 'and compiled by the 
Union Publishing Company, of Springfield, Illinois, do hereby certify that wo did, to the best of our ability 
and recollection, examine said manuscript, and made all the changes and additions that we in our judgment 
deemed necessary, and as corrected approve the same : W. C. Salsbury, i 

J.C. Vermilya, | 

F. Davis, I 

J. H. Hollen, \Ciimmiitee. 

D. F. Bruner, I 
L. Clark, 

G. H. Struble, J 

Following is the certificate of the committee for the respective cities and townships: 

"We, the committee appointed by the Old Settlers' Society, to revise and correct the history [of our res- 
pective townships] for the History of 'Tama county, written and compiled liy the Union Publishing Company, 
of Sprin'. field, Illinois, do hereby certify that said manuscript was submitted to us, and that we diii make all 
the changes, corrections and additions that we in our judgment deemed necessary, and as corrected approve 
the same:" 



J. V. B. Greene, 
W. A. Daniel, 
J. C. Wood, 
J. T. Ames, 

— Buvliinghain 

Kobert Whannell, 
William Kline, 
J. C. Fleming, 
J. H. Scott, 

—Grant. 

C. H. Baldwin, 
8. V. K. Kellev, 
J. F. G. Cold, 

—Lineuln. 



J. P. Wood, 
G. Taylor, 

—Perm. 

William li. King, 
R. Yeomans, 
A. Bywater, 

—Sprlnij Creek. 



C. W. Dobson, 
John Peterson, 

—Carltim. 

.James Trowbridge, 
L. Stoddard, 
Jacob Croskrey, 
Eli Chase, 

—Columhia. 

Quincy W. Babb, 
Jacob Koons, 
J. B. Merritt, 

-HiiihUtiMl. 

J. C. Wiles, 
O. N. Mason, 
—Oneida. 

A. Wilkinson, 
James A. Wllley, 

—Salt I 'reck. 

L. H. Shugart, 
Amos Rogers, 
Jas. li. VanAnken. 



James Haworth, 
G. M. Fee, 
Adam Wise, 



J. L. Townsend, 
J. B. Wvlle, 
J. B. M. Bishop, 

— ( 'rystal. 

J H. Giger, 
J. H. Tindall, 
L F. Hammitt, 

—HuwarO. 

Abram Tompkins, 
J. M. Hayes, 

C. E. Haye», 

D. C. Lamb, 

—Utter Crcelt. 



W. T. Hollen, 
William Blodget, 
B. A. Hall, 

—Tama titwn.'*hii) and City. 



Joseph Dvsart, 
T. S.Talmage, 
Charles L'nger, 

— riiii*. 

J. L. Gedford, 
Harney Wager, 
Theodore Moore, 
John Riley, 
—Geneeeo. 

Edward Ruggles, 
.\ . N . Poy neer, 
.1. M. Bradley, 
(i. 1). H. Wilcoxon, 

—Indiiin Vniygr. 

James F. Cram, 
John M. Ramsdell, 
—BicliUiml. 



Franklin Davis, 
A. La Dow, 
A.J. Wheaton, 
William E. Rogers, 

—Tiiledii tiiwH.'ttiipand City. 






2y_ 



k. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE traveler, in wending his way 
across the fair State of Iowa, with 
its evidences of civilization upon every 
hand; its magnificent churches with spires 
pointing heavenward; its school-houses 
almost upon every hill; palatial residences 
evincing wealth and refinement, cannot 
realize that, less than a half century ag-', 
this "beautiful land" was the home only 
of the red man, who roamed at will over 
the fair and fertile prairies, hunting in the 
woods and fi-hing in its streams. The 
change would seem too great for him to 
realize. But it is in 'eed true. These 
churches, these school-houses, these pala- 
tial residences, th'se railroads, these tele- 
graph and telephone wires, all have been 
erected or placed here within the space of 
a half century. 

Before the advent of the Red Men, who 
were found in possession by the Europeans, 
-who inhabited this country, is a subject 
yet unsolved, and is shronded in mystery. 
That there were human beings of a distinct 
race from the red men of later days, is gen- 



erally conceded, but scientists fail as yet 
to agree as to their nature and origin. 
That this continent is co-existent with the 
world of the ancients cannot be questioned. 
Every investigation instituted under the 
auspices of modern civilization confirms 
this fact. It is thought by many that the 
firs' inhabitants came fr^m Asia, by way 
of Behring's Strait, and in large numbers. 
Majrnificent cities and monuments were 
raised at the bidding of tribal leaders, and 
populous settlements centered with thriv- 
ing villages sprang up everywhere in man- 
ifestation of the progress of the people. 
For the last four hundred years the colo- 
nizing Caucasian has trodden on the ruins 
of a civilization whose greatness he could 
on'y surmise. Among these ruins are 
pyramds similar to those which have ren- 
dered Egypt famous. The f'yramid of 
Chalula is square, each side of its base 
being 1,3-35 feet, and its height 172 feet. 
Another pyramid north of Vera Cruz is 
formed of large blocks of highly polished 
porphyry, and bears upon its front hiero- 



-» — sRT 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



glyphic inscriptions and curious sculpture. 
It is 32 feet square, and a fli<;ht of 57 steps 
conducts to its summit, which is 65 feet 
high. The ruins of Palenque are said to 
extend 20 miles along the ridge of a moun- 
tain, and the remains of an Aztec city, near 
the banks of the Gila, are spread over 
more than a square league. The principal 
feature of the Aztec civilization which has 
come down to us was its religion, which 
we are told was of a dark and gloomy 
character. Each new god created by their 
priesthood, instead of arousing new life in 
the people, brought death to thousands; 
and their grotesque idols exposed to drown 
the senses of the beholders in fear, wrought 
wretchedness rather than spiritual happi- 
ne.ss. In fact, fear was the great animating 
principal, the motive power which sustained 
this terrible religion. Their altars were 
sprinkled with blood drawn from their own 
bodies in large quantities, and on them 
thousands of human victims were sacri- 
ficed in honor of the demons whom they 
worshipped. The head and heart of 
every captive taken in war were offered 
up as a sacrifice to the god of battles, 
while the victorious legions feasted on the 
remaining portions of the bodies. It is 
said that during the ceremonies attendant 
on the consecration of two of their tem- 
ples, the number of prisoners offered up 
in sacrifice was 12,210, while they them- 
selves contributed large numbers of volun- 
tary victims to the terrible belief. 

The race known as the Mound-Builders 
next attracts the attention of the ethnolo- 
gists. Throughout the Mississippi Valley, 
including many portions of Iowa, are found 
mounds and wal's of earth or stone, which 



can only have a human origin. These 
mounds vary in size from- a few feet to 
hundreds of feet in diameter. In them 
are often found stone axes, pestles, arrow- 
heads, spear-points, pieces of flint, and 
other articles. Pottery of various de- 
signs is very common in them, and from 
the material of which they are made geol- 
ogists have attempted to assign their age. 

Some have thought that the Miund- 
Builders were a race quite distinct from 
the modern Indians, and that they were in 
an advanced state of civilization. The 
best authorities now agree that while the 
comparatively civilized people called the 
Aztecs built the cities whose ruins are 
occasionally found, the Mound-Builders 
were the immediate ancestors of the In- 
dians De Soto first saw, and little different 
from the Indians of to-day. 

The origin of the Red Men, or Ameri- 
can Indians, is a subject which interests 
as well as instructs. It is a favorite topic 
with the ethnologist, even as it is one of 
deep concern to the ordinary reader. A 
review of two works lately published on 
the origin of the Indians, treats the matter 
in a peculiarly reasonable light. It says : 

"Recently a German writer has put for- 
ward one theory on the subject, and an 
English writer has put forward another 
and directly opposite theory. The differ- 
ence in opinion concerning our aboriginals 
among authors who have made a profound 
study of races, is at once curious and in- 
teresting. Blumenbach treats them in his 
classifications as a distinct variety of the 
human family; but, in the three- fold divi- 
sion of Dr. Latham, they are ranked among 
the Mongolidie. Other writers on races 



r- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



H 



regard them as a branch of the great Mon- 
golian family, which at a distant period 
found its way from Asia to this continent, 
and remained here for centuries separate 
from the rest of mankind, passing, mean- 
while, through divers phases of barbarism 
and civilization. Morton, our (minent 
ethnologist, and his followers, Nott and 
Gliddon, claim for our native Red Men an 
origin as distinct as the flora and fauna of 
this continent. Pricliard, whose views are 
apt to differ from Morten's, finds reason to 
believe, on comparing the American tribes 
together, that they must have formed a 
separate department of nations from the 
earliest period of the world. The era of 
their existence as a distinct and isolated 
people must probably be dated back to the 
time which separated into nations the in- 
habitants of the Old World, and gave to 
each its individuality and primitive lan- 
guage. Dr. Robert Brown, the latest 
authority, attributes, in his 'Races of Man- 
kind,' an Asiatic origin to our aboriginals. 
He says that the Western Indians not only 
personally resemble their nearest neighbors 
— the Northeastern Asiatics — but they re- 
semble them in language and tradition. 
The Esquimaux on the American and the 
Tchuktcis on the Asiatic side understand 
one another perfectly. Modern anthro- 
pologists, indeed, are disposed to think 
that Japan, the Kuriles, and neighboring 
regions, may be regarded as the original 
home of the greater part of the native 
American raoe. It is also admitted by 
them that between the tribes scattered 
from the Arctic sea to Cape Horn there 
is more uniformity of physical feature 
than is seen in any other quarter of the 
globe. The weight of evidence and au- 



thority is altogether in favor of the opin- 
ion that our so-called Indians are a branch 
of the Mongolian family, and all additional 
researches strengthen the opinion. The 
tribes of both North and South America 
are unquestionably homogeneous, and, in 
ail likelihood, had their origin in Asia, 
though they have been altered and modi- 
fied by thousands of years of total separa- 
tion from the present stock " 

If the conclusions arrived at by the 
reviewer is correct, how can one account 
for the vast difference in manner and form 
between the Red Man as he is now known, 
or even as he appeared to Columbus and 
his successors in the field of discovery, and 
the comparatively civilized inhabitants of 
Mexico, as seen in 1521 by Cortez, and of 
Peru, as witnessed by Pizarro in 1532 ? 
The subject is worthy of investigation. 

In the year 1541, Ferdinand DeSoto, a 
Spaniarl, discovered the Mississippi river, 
at the mouth of the Washita. He, how- 
ever, penetrated no further north than 
the 35th parallel of latitude, his death ter- 
minating the expedition. It was thus left 
for a later discoverer to first view the 
"beautiful land." 

In a grand council of Indians on the 
shores of Lake Superior, they told the 
Frenchmen glowing stories of the "great 
river" and the countries near it. Mar- 
quette, a Jesuit father, became inspired 
with the idea of discovering this noble 
river. He was delayed in this great un- 
dertaking, however, and spent the interval 
in studying the language and habits of the 
Illinois Indians, among whom he expected 
to travel. In 1673 he completed his pre- 
parations for the journey, in which he was 
to be accompanied by Joliet, an agent of 



-^ 



20 



HISTOKY OF IOWA. 



the French Government. The Indians, 
who had gathered in large numbers to wit- 
ness his dej)arture, tried to dissuade him 
from the undertaking, representing that 
the Indians of the Mississippi Valley were 
cruel and blood thirsty, and would resent 
the intrusion of strangers upon their do- 
main. The great river itself, they said, 
was the abode of terrible monsters, who 
could swallow both canoes and men. But 
Marquette was not diverted from his pur- 
pose by these reports, and set out on his 
adventurous trip May 13; he reached, first, 
an Indian village where once had been a 
mission, and where he was treated hospit- 
ably; thence, with the aid of two Miami 
guides, he proceeded to the Wisconsin, 
down which he sailed to the great Missis- 
sippi, which had so long been anxiously 
looked for; floating down its unknown 
waters, the explorer discovered, on the 
25ih of June, traces of Indians on the west 
bank of the river, and landed a little above 
the river now known as the Des Moines. 
For the first time Europeans trod the soil 
of Iowa. Marquette remained here a short 
time, becoming acquainted with the In- 
dians, and then proceeded on his explora- 
tions, lie descended the Mississippi to 
the Illinois, by which and Lake Michigan 
he returned to French settlements. 

Nine years later, in 1682, La Salle de- 
scended the M'ssissippi to the Gulf of 
Mexico, and, in the name of the king of 
France, took formal posession of all the 
immense region watered by the great river 
and its tributaries from its source to its 
mouth, and named it Louisiana, in honor 
of his master, Louis XIV. The river he 
called " Colbart," in honor of the French 
Minister, and at its mouth erected a column 



and a cross bearing the inscription, in 
French: 

' 'LOUIS THE OHEAT, KING OP FBANCE AND .NAVAnilE, 
KEIGMN'G APEIL 9, 1682." 

France then claimed by right of dis- 
covery and occupancy the whole valley of 
the Miss'ssippi and its tributaries, includ- 
ing Texas. Spiin at the same time laid 
claim to all the region about the Gulf of 
Mexico, and thus these two great nations 
were brought into collision. But the 
country was actually held and occupied by 
the native Indians, especially the great 
Miami Confederacy, the Miamis proper 
(anciently the Twightwees) being the east- 
ern and most powerful tribe. 

Spain having failed to make any settle- 
ment in the newly-dii-covercd country, it 
was left for France to occupy the land, 
and that government, soon after the dis- 
covery of the mouth of the Mississippi by 
La Salle, in 16S2, began to encourage the 
policy of establishing a line of trading 
posts and missionary stations, extending 
through the west from Canada to Louis- 
iana. 

In 1762, France, in a time of extreme 
weakness, ceded all the territory west of 
the Mississippi, including what is now 
Iowa, to Spain, which power retained pos- 
session until October 1, 1800, when it 
retroceded it to France. This latter power 
ceded it to the United States in 1303, for 
the sum of $15,000,000. 

On assuming control, the United States 
organized all that region west of the Mis- 
sissippi and north of the Territory of 
Orleans as the District of Louisiana. In 
1805 the District of Louisiana was organ- 
ized into the Territory of Louisiana. 



«C «" 



^— ^1^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Thib Territory was subsequently divi'ied, 
and now forms seven great States — Louis- 



iana, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, 
Kansas and Nebraska. 



CHAPTER II. 



INDIANS AND INDIAN WARS. 



For more tban one hundred years after 
Marquette and Joliet trod tbe virgin soil 
of Iowa, and admired its fertile plains, 
not a single settlement had been made or 
attempted, nor even a trading post estab- 
lished. The whole country remained in 
the undisputed pos.session of the native 
tribes, who often poured out their life 
blood in obstinate contest for supremacy. 
That this Stale, so aptly styled "The 
Beautiful Land," had been the theatre of 
numerous fierce and bloody struggles be- 
tween the rival nations for possession of 
the favored region long before its settle- 
ment by civilized man, there is no_ room 
for doubt. In these savage wars the 
weaker party, whether aggressive or de- 
fensive, was either exterminated or driven 
from its ancient hunting grounds. 

When Marquette visited this country 
in 1673, the Illini were a very powerful 
people, occupying a large portion of the 
State ; but when the country was again 
visited by the whites, not a remnant of 
that once powerful tribe remained on the 
west side of the Mississippi, and Iowa 
was principally in the possession of the 



Sacs and Foxes, a warlike tribe which, 
originally two distinct nations, residing 
in New York and on the waters of the 
St. Lawrence, had gradually fought their 
way westward, and united, probably after 
the Foxes had been driven out of the Fox 
River country in 1846, and crossed the 
Mississippi. The death of Pontiac, a 
famous Sac chieftain, was made the pre- 
text for war against the Illini, and a fierce 
and bloody struggle ensued, which con- 
tinued until the Illini were nearly de- 
stroyed, and their hunting grounds pos- 
sessed by their victorious foes. The lowas 
also occupied a portion of the State, for a 
time, in common with tbe Sacs, but they, 
too, were nearly destroyed by the Sacs 
and Foxes, and in " The Beautiful Land " 
these natives met their equally warlike 
foes, the northern Sioux, with whom they 
maintained a constant warfare for the pos- 
session of the country for many years. 

In 180.3, when Louisiana was purchased 
by the United States, the Sacs, Foxes and 
lowas possessed the entire State of Iowa, 
and the two former tribes, also, occupied 
most of Illiuois. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



The Sacs had four principal villages, 
where most of them resided. Their 
largest and most important town — if an 
Indian village may be called such — and 
from which emanated most of the ob- 
stacles encountered by the Government in 
the extinguishment of Indian titles to 
land in this region, was on Eock river, 
near Kock Island ; another was on the 
east ba.k of the Mi^sissippi, near the 
mouth of Henderson river ; the third 
was at the head of the Des Moines Rap- 
ids, near the present site of Montrose ; 
and the fourth was near the mouth of the 
upper Iowa. 

The Foxes had thr^e principal villages. 
One was on the west side of the Missis- 
sippi, six miles abovo the rapids of Rock 
river; another was about twelve miles 
from the river, in the rear of the Dubuque 
lead mines ; and the third was on Turkey 
river. 

The lowas, at one time identified with 
the Sacs of Rock river, had withdrawn 
from them and become a separate tribe. 
Their principal village was on the Des 
Moines river, in Van Buren county, on 
the site where lowavillenow stands. Here 
the last great battle between the Sacs and 
Foxes and the lowas was fought, in which 
Black Hawk, then a young man, com- 
manded one division of the attacking 
f. rces. The following account of the bat- 
tle has been given: 

"Contrary to long established custom of 
Indian attack, this battle was commenced 
in the day-time, the attending circum- 
stances justifying this departure from the 
well-settled usages of Indian warfare. The 
Rattle-field was a level river bottom, about 
four miles in length, and two miles wide 



near the middle, narrowing to a point at 
either end. The main area of this bottom 
rises perhaps twenty feet above the river, 
leaving a narrow strip of low bottom along 
the shore, covered with trees that belted 
the prairie on the river side with a thick 
forest, and the immediate bank of the river 
was fringed with a dense growth of -wil- 
low. Near the lower end of this prairie, 
near the river bank, was situated the Iowa 
village. About two miles above it and 
near the middle of the prairie is a mound, 
covered at the time with a tuft of small 
trees and underbrush growing on its sum- 
mit. In the rear or this little elevation or 
mound lay a belt of wet prairie, covered, 
at that time, with a dense growth of rank, 
coarse grass. Bordering this wet prairie 
on the north, the country rises abruptly 
into elevated broken river bluffs, covered 
with a heavy forest for many miles in ex- 
tent, and in places thickly clustered with 
undergrowth, affording convenient shelter 
for the stealthy approach of the foe. 

"Through this forest the Sac and Fox war 
party made their way in the night, and 
secreted themselves in the tall grass spoken 
of above, intending to remain in ambush 
during the day and make such observa- 
tions as this near proximity to their in- 
tended victims might afford, to aid them 
in their contemplated attack on the town 
during the following night. From this 
situation their spies could take a full sur- 
vey of the village, and watch every move- 
ment of the inhabitants, by which means 
they were soon convinced that the lowas 
had no suspicion of their presence. 

"At the foot of the mound above men- 
tioned the lowas had their race course, 
where they diverted themselves with the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



23 



excitement of horse-racing, and schooled 
their young warriors in cavalry evolutions. 
In these exercises mock battles were fought, 
and the Indian tactics of attack and defense 
carefully inculcated, by which means a 
skill in horsemanship was acquired that is 
rarely excelled. Unfortunately for them 
this day was selected for their equestrian 
sports, and, wholly unconscious of the 
proximity of their foes, the warriors re- 
paired to the race-ground, leaving most of 
their arms in the village, and their old 
men, women and children unprotected. 

"Pash-a-po-po, who was chief in com- 
mand of the Sacs and Foxes, perceived at 
once the advantage this state of things 
afforded for a complete surprise of his now 
doomed victims, and ordered Black Hawk 
to file off with his young warriors through 
the tall grass and gain the cover of the 
timber along the river bank, and with the 
utmost speed reach the village and com- 
mence the battle, while he remained with 
his division in the ambush to make a sim- 
ultaneous assault on the unarmed men 
whose attention was engrossed with the 
excitement of the races. The plan was 
skillfully laid and most dexterously exe- 
cuted. Black Hawk with his forces 
reached the village undiscovered, and 
made a furious onslaught upon the de- 
fenseless inhabitants by firing one general 
volley into their midst, and completing the 
slaughter with the tomahawk and scalping- 
knife, aided by the devouring flames with 
which they enveloped the village as soon 
as the fire-brand could be spread from 
lodge to lodge. 

"On the instant of the report of fire-arms 
at the village, the forces under Pash-a-po-po 
leaped from their couchant position in the 



grass, and sprang, tiger-like, upon the un- 
armed lowas in the midst of their racing 
sports. The first impulse of the latter natur- 
ally led them to make the utmost speed to- 
ward their arms in the village, and protect, 
if possible, their wives and children from 
the attack of their merciless assailants. 
The distance from the place of attack on 
the prairie was two miles, and a great 
number fell in their flight by the bullets 
and tomahawks of their enemies, who 
pressed them closely with a running file 
the whole way, and the survivors only 
reached their town in time to witness the 
horrors of its destruction. Their whole 
village was in flames, and the dearest 
objects of their lives lay in slaughtered 
heaps amidst the devouring element, and 
the agonizing groans of the dying, mingled 
with the exulting shouts of the victorious 
foe, filled their hearts with maddening 
despair. Their wives and children who 
had been spared the general massacre were 
prisLiners, and together with their arms in 
the hands of their victors; and all that 
could now be done was to draw off their 
shattered and defenseless forces, and save 
as many lives as possible by a retreat 
across the Des Moines river, which they 
effected in the best possible manner, and 
took a p.^sition among the Soap Creek 
hills." 

Previous to the settlement of their vil- 
lage on Rock river, the Sacs and Foxes 
had a fierce conflict with the Winnebagos, 
subdued them and took possession of their 
lands. At one time this village contained 
upward of 60 lodges, and was among the 
largest Indian villages on the continent. 
The number of Sacs and Foxes in 1825 
was estimated by the Secretary of War to 



24 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



be 4,600. Their village was situated in 
the immediate vicinity of the upper rapids 
of the Mifsissippi, where the flourishing 
towns of Rock Island and Davenport are 
now situated. The extensive prairies 
dotted over with groves, the beautiful 
scenery, the picturisque bluffs along the 
river banks, the rich and fertile soil pro- 
ducing large crops (if Corn, squash and other 
vegetables with little labor, the abundance 
of wild fruit, game, fish, and almost every- 
thing calculated to make it a delightful 
spot for an Indian village, which was 
found there, had made this place a favorite 
home of the Sacs, and secured for it the 
strong aitachment and veneration of the 
whole nation. 

The Sioux located their hunting grounds 
north of the Sacs and Foxes. They were 
a fierce and warlike nation, who fflen dis- 
puted possessions with their rivals in savage 
and bloody warfare. The possessions of 
these tribes were mostly located in Minne- 
sota, but extended over a portion of 
Norlhira and Western Iowa to the Mis- 
souri river. Their descent from the north 
upon the hunting grounds of Iowa fre- 
qui utly brought them into collision with 
the Sacs and Foxes, a: d after many a con- 
flict and bloody struggle, a boundary line 
was established between them by the 
Government of the United States, in a 
treaty held at Prairie du Chien in l.'-25. 
Instead of settling the difficulties, this 
caused them to quarrel ail the more, in 
conse<iuence of alleged trespasses upon 
each other's side of the line. So bitter 
and unre'enting became these contests, 
that, in IS 30, the Government purchased of 
the respective tribes of the Sacs and Foxes, 
and the Sioux, a strip of land twenty miles 



wide on both sides of the line, tLus throw- 
ing them forty miles apart by creating a 
"neutral ground," and commanded them 
to cease their hostilities. They were, 
however, allowed to fish and hu' t on the 
ground unmolested, provided they did not 
interfere with each other on United States 
territory. 

Soon after the acquisition of Louisiana, 
the United States Government adopt' d 
measures for the exploration of the i.ew 
Territory, having in view the conciliation 
of the numerous tribes "f Indians by 
■;\hora it was possessed, and a. so the se- 
leclion of pn per sites for the establish- 
ment of military posts and trading sta- 
tions. The Army of the West, Gen. Wil- 
kinson commanding, had its hradquarters 
at St. Louis. From this post Captains 
Lewis and Clarke, with a sufficient force, 
were detailed to explore the unknown 
sources of the Missouri, and Lieut. Zebu- 
Ion M. I 'ike to ascend to the head waters 
of the Mississippi. Lieut. Pike, with 
one sergeant, two corporals and seven- 
teen privates, left the military camp, 
near St. Louis, in a keel boat, with four 
months' rations, August 9ih, 16-05. On 
_tlie 20. h of the same month the expedition 
arrived within the present limits of Iowa, 
at the foot of the Des Moines Rapids, 
where Pike met William Ewing, who had 
jistbeen appointed Indian Agent at this 
point, a French interpreter, four chiefs, 
fifteen Sacs and Fox warriors. At the 
head of the rapids, where Montrose is now 
situated. Pike held a council with the 
Indians, in which he addresjed them sub- 
stantially as follows: 

" Your great father, the President of the 
United States, wishes to be more intimately 



H^ s- 



^^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



acquainted with the situation and wants 
of the different nations of Red people in 
our newly acquired Territory of Louis- 
iana, and has ordered the General to send 
a number of his warriors in different 
dirtctions to take them by the hand and 
make such inquiries as might afford the 
satisfaction required." 

At the close of the council he presented 
the Red Men with some knives, tobacco 
and whi.sky. On the 23d of August he 
arrived at what is suppoi-ed, from his de- 
scription, to be the site of the present city 
of Burlington, which he selected as the 
location of a military post. He describes 
the place as "being on a hill, about forty 
miles above the River de Moyne Rapids, 
on the west side of the river, in latitude 
about 40 deg. 21 min. north. The channel 
of the river runs on that shore. The hill 
in front is about 60 feet perpendicular, 
and nearly level at the top. About 400 
yards in the rear is a small prairie, fit for 
gardening, and immediately under the hill 
is a limestone spring, sufficient for the 
consumption of a whole regiment." In 
addition to this description, which corres- 
ponds to Burlington, the spot is laid down 
on his map at a bend in the river a short 
distance below the mouth of the Hender- 
son, which pjurs its waters into the Mis- 
sissippi from Illinois. The fort was built 
at Fort Madisou, but from the distance, 
latitude, description and map furnished by 
Pike, it could not have been the place se- 
lected by him, while all the circumstances 
corroborate the opinion that the place he 
selected was the spot where Builington is 
now located, called by the early voyagers 
on the Mississippi " Flint Hills " In c> m- 
pany with one of his men, I'ike went on 



shore on a hunting expedition, and follow- 
ing a stream which they supposed to be a 
part of the Mississippi, they were led away 
from their course. Owing to the intense 
heat and tall grass, his two favorite dogs, 
wliicli he had taken with him, became ex- 
hausted, and he left them on the prairie, 
supposing that they would follow him as 
soon as they should get rested, and went 
on to overtake his boat. After reaching 
the river he waited some time for his 
canine friends, but they did not come, and 
as he deemed it inexpedient to detain the 
boat longer, two of his men volunteered to 
go in pursuit of them, and he continued on 
his way up the river, expecting that the 
two men would soon overtake him They 
lost their way, however, and for six days 
were without food, except a few morsels 
gathered from the stream, and might have 
perished had they not accidentally met a 
trader from St. Louis, who induced two 
Indians to take them up the river, and they 
overtook the boat at Dubuque. At the 
latter place Pike was cordially received by 
Julien Dubuque, a Frenchman, who held a 
mining claim under a grant from Spain. 
He had an old field piece, and fired a salute 
in honor of the advent of the first Amer- 
ican who had visited that part of the Ter- 
ritory. He was not, however, disposed to 
publish the wealth of his mines, and the 
young and evidently inquisitive ofiicer 
obtained but little information from him. 

Upon leaving this place. Pike pursued 
his way up the river, but as he passed 
beyond the limits of the present State of 
Iowa, a detailed history of his explora- 
tions does not propm'ly belong to this vol- 
ume. It is sufficient to say that, on the 
site of Fort Snelling, Miunesita, he held a 



^^ 



26 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



council with the Sioux, Sept. 2.3, and ob- 
tained from them a grant of 100,000 acres 
of land. Jan. 8, 1806, he arrived at a trad- 
ing post belonging to the Northwest Com- 
pany, on Lake De S.able, in latitude 47 * . 
Tills company at that time carried on their 
immense operations from Hudson's Bay to 
the St. Lawrence ; up that river, on both 
sides along the great lakes, to the head of 
Lake Superior, thence to the sources of the 
Re^l Eiver of the North, and west to the 
R cky Mountains, embracing within the 
sco))e of their operations what was subse- 
quently the State of Iowa. After suc- 
cessfully accomplishing his mission and 
performing a valuable service to the whole 
Northwest, Pike returned to St. Louis, ar- 
riving there April 30, 1806.. 

Before the Territory of Iowa could be 
open to settlement by the whites, it was 
necessary that the Indian title should be 
extinguished and the original owners re- 
moved. The Territory had been pur- 
cha-^ed by the United States, but was still 
occupied by the Indians, who claimed title 
to the soil by right of possession. In 
order to accomplish this purpose, large 
sums of money were expended, besides the 
frontier being disturbed by Indian wars, 
terminated repeatedly by treaty, only to 
be renewed by some act of oppression on 
the part of the whiles, or gome violation 
of treaty stipulation. 

When the United States assumed con- 
trol of the country, by virtue of the Louis- 
iani purchase, n arly the whole Stale was 
in possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a 
powerful and warlike nation, who were 
not disposed to submit without a struggle 
to what they C'jnsidered the encroachment 
of the pale faces. Among the most noted 



chiefs, and on.e whose restlessness and 
hatred of the Americans occasioneil more 
trouble to the Government than any other 
of his tribe, was Black Hawk, who was 
born at the Sac Village, on Rock river, in 
1767. He was simply the chief of his own 
band of Sac warriors; but by his energy 
and ambition he became the leading spirit 
of the united nation of Sacs and Foxes, 
and one of the prominent figures in the 
history of the country from 1804 till his 
death. 

In early manhood he attained dist no- 
tion as a fighting chief, leaving led c;»m- 
jiaigns against the O.-ages and other neigh- 
boring tribes. About the beg nning of 
the present century he began to appear 
prominent in affairs on ihe Mississippi. 
His life was a marvel. He is said by 
some to have been ihe victim of a narrow 
prejudice and bitter ill-will against the 
Americans. 

Upon the cession of Spain to France, in 
1801, it did not give up possession of the 
country, but retained it, and by the au- 
thority of France transferred it to the 
United States in 1804 At that time 
Black Hawk and his band were in St. 
Louis, and were invited to be present and 
witness the transfer; but he refused the 
invitation, and it is but just to say thai 
this refusal was caused probably more 
from regret that the Indians were to be 
transferred from the jurisdiction of the 
Spanish authorities than from any t-pecial 
hatred toward the Americans. In his life 
he says: "1 found many sad and gloomy 
faces because the United Slates were about 
to take possession of the town and country. 
Soon after the Americans came I took my 
b md and went to lake leave of my Spanish 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



27 



father. The Americans came to see 
him also. Seeing them approach, we 
passed out of one door as they entered an- 
ot^er, and immediately started in our 
canoes for our village on Buck river, not 
liking the change any belter than our 
friends appeared to at St. Louis. On 
arriving at our village, we gave the news 
that strange people had arrived at St. 
Louis, and that we shouh! never see our 
Spanish father again. Tne information 
made all our people sorry." 

IJovember 3, 1804, a treaty was con- 
cluded between William Henry Harrison, 
then Governor of Indiana Territory, on 
behalf of the United States, and five chiefs 
of the Sac and Fox nation, by which the 
latter, in consideration of §2,234 worth of 
goods then delivered, and a yearly annuity 
of $1,000 to be paid in goods at just cost, 
ceded to the United States all that land on 
the east side of the Mississippi, extending 
from a point opposite the Jefferson, in 
Missouri, to the Wisconsin river, embra- 
cing an area of over 51,000,000 of acres. 
To this treaty Black Hawk always objected, 
and always refused to consider it binding 
upon his people. He asserted that the 
chiefs or braves who made it had no au- 
thority to relinquish the title of the nation 
to any of the lands they held or 'occu- 
pied, and, moreover, that they had been 
sent to St. Louis on quite a different 
errand, namely: to get one of their people 
released, who had been imprisoned at St. 
Louis for killing a white man. 

lu 1805 Lieutenant Pike came up the 
river for the purpose of holding friendly 
i-ouncils with the Indians and selecting 
sites for forts within the territory recently 
acquired from France by the United 



States. Lieut. Pike seems to have been 
the first American whom Black Hawk 
ever met or had a personal interview with, 
and he seemed very much prepossessed in 
his favor. He gives the following account 
of his visit to Rock Island: "A boat came 
up the river with a young American chief 
and a small parly of soldiers. We heard 
of them soon afier we passed Salt river. 
Some of our young braves watched them 
every day to see what sort of people he 
h.ad on board. The boat at length arrived 
at Rock river, and the young chief came 
on shore with his interpreter, made a 
speech and gave us some presents We 
in turn presented him with meat and such 
other provisions as we had to spare. We 
were well pleased with the young chief; 
he gave us good advice, and said our 
American father would treat us well." 

Fort Edwards was erected soon after 
Pike's expedition, at what is now Warsaw, 
Illinois, also Fort Madison, on the site of 
the present town of that name, the latter 
being the first fort erected in Iowa. These 
movements occasioned great u:. easiness 
among the Indians. When work was 
commenced on Fort Edwards, a delegation 
from their nation, headed by some of their 
chiefs, went down to see what the Ameri- 
cans were doing, and had an interview 
with the commander, after which they 
returned home and were apparently satis- 
fied. In like manner, when Fort Madison 
was being erected, they sent down another 
delegation from a council of the nation 
held at Rock river. According to Black 
Hawk's account, the American chief told 
them that he was building a house for a 
trader, who was coming to sell them goods 
cheap, and that the soldiers were coming 



^ 



28 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



to keep him company — a statement which 
Black Hawk says they distrusted at the 
lime, believing that the fort was an en- 
croachment upon their rights, and designed 
to aid it getting their lands away frcra 
thorn. It is claimed, by good authority, 
that the building of Fort Madison was a 
violation of the treaty of 1804. By the 
11th article of that treaty, the United 
States had a right to build a fort near the 
mouth of the Wisconsin river, and by 
article 6 they had bound themselves "that 
if any citizen of the United States or any 
other white persons should form a settle- 
ment upon their lands, such intruders 
should forthwith be removed." Probably 
the authorities of the United States did not 
regard the establishment of military posts 
as coming properly within the meaning of 
the term "settlement" as used in the treaty. 
At all events, they erected Fort Madison 
within the territory reserved to the Indi- 
ans, who became very indignaut. 

Very soon after the fort was built, a 
party led by Black Hawk attempted its 
destruction. They sent spies to watch the 
movements of the garrison, who ascer- 
tained that the soldiers were in the habit 
of marching out of the fort every mornini; 
and evening for parade, and the plan of 
the party was to conceal themselves near 
the fort, and attack and surprise them 
when they were outside. On the morning 
of the proposed day of the att ck, five 
soldiers came out. and were fired upon by 
the Indians, two of them being killed. 
The Indians were too hasty in their move- 
ment, for the parade had not commenced. 
However, they kept up the attack several 
days, attempting the old Fox strategy of 
setting fire to the fort with blazing arrows; 



but finding their efforts unavailing, they 
soon gave up .ind rtturned to Rock river. 
In 1812, when war was declared between 
this country and Great Britain, Black 
Hawk and his band allied themselves with 
the British, partly because he was dazzled 
by their specious promises, but more prob- 
ably because they were deceived by the 
Americans. Black Hawk himself declared 
thai the}' were forced into war by being 
deceived. He narrates the circumstances 
as follows: "Several of the head men and 
chiefs of the Sacs and Foxes were called 
upon to go to Washingt n to see their 
Great Father. On their return they re- 
lated what had been said and done. Th^y 
said the Great leather wished them, in the 
event of a war taking place with England, 
not to interfere on eiiher side, but tore- 
main neutral He did not want our help, 
but wished us to bunt and suppoit our 
families, and live in peace. He said that 
Britii-h traders would not be permitted to 
come on the Mississippi to furnish us with 
goods, but that we should be supplied with 
an American trader. Our chiefs then told 
him that the British traders always gave 
ihfm credit in the fall for guns, powder and 
goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe our 
families. He repeated that the traders at 
FortMadison would have plenty of good?; 
that we should go there in the fall and he 
would supply us on credit, as the British 
traders had done." Black Hawk seems to 
have accepted the proposition, and he aud 
his people were very much pleased. Act- 
ing in g lod faith, they tilted out for their 
winter's hunt, and went to Fort Madison 
in high spirits to receive from the trader 
their outfit of supplies; but after waiting 
some time, they were told by the trader 



M'y 



HISTORY OP IOWA. 



!^ 



that he would not trust them. In vain 
they pleaded the promise of their Great 
Father at Washington; the trader was 
inexoiable. Di.s.appuinted and crest fallen, 
the Indians turned sadly to their own vil- 
lage. Says Black Hawk: "Few of us slept 
that night. All was gloom and discon- 
tent. In the moruiug a canoe was seen 
ascending the river; it soon arrived bear- 
ing an express, who brought inte'iigence 
that a British trader had landed at Rock 
Island with two boats filled with goods, and 
requested us to comu up immediately, be- 
cause he had good news for us, and a 
variety of presents. The express presented 
us with tobacco, pipes and wampum. The 
news ran through our camp like fire on a 
prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down 
and all started for Kock Island. Here 
ended all our hopes of remaining at peace, 
having been forced into the war by being 
deceived." He joined the British, who 
flattered him, and styled him "Gen. Black 
Hawk," decked him with medals, excited 
his jealousy against the Americans, and 
armed his band; but he met with defeat 
and disappointment, and soon abandoned 
the service and came home. 

There was a portion of the Sacs and 
Foxes, whom Black Hawk, with all his 
skill and cunning, could not lead into hos- 
tilities to the United States. With 
Keokuk ("The Watchful Fox") at their 
head, they were disposed to abide by the 
treaty of 1804, and to cultivate friendly 
relations with the American people. So, 
when Black Hawk and his band joined the 
fortunes of Great Britain, the rest of the 
nation remained neutral, and, for protec- 
tion, organized with Keokuk for their 
chief. Thus, the nation was divided into 



the "War and Peace party." Black Hawk 
says he was informed, after he had gone to 
the war, that the nation, which had been 
reduced to so small a body of fighting 
men, were unable to defend themselves in 
case the Americans should attack them, 
and, having all the old men, women and 
children belonging to the warriors who 
had joined the British, on their hands to 
provide for, a council was held, and it was 
agreed that Quasb-qua-me (The Lance) 
and other chiefs, together with the old 
men, women and children, and such others 
as chose to accom^jany them, should go to 
St. Louis and place themselves und' r the 
American Chief stationed there. Accord- 
ingly they went down, and were received 
as the "friendly band" of Sacs and Foxes, 
and were provided for and sent up the 
Missouri river. 

On Black Hawk's return from the 
British army, he says Keokuk was intro- 
duced to him as the war chief of the 
braves then in the village. He inquired 
how he had become chief; and was in- 
formed that their spits had seen a large 
armed force going toward Peoria, and 
fears were entertained of an attack upon 
the village; whereupon a council was held, 
which concluded to leave the village, and 
cross over to the other side of the Mis- 
sissippi. Keokuk had been standing at 
the door of the lodge when the council 
was held, not being allowed to enter on 
account of never having killed an enemy, 
where he remained until Wa-co-me came 
out. Keokuk asked permission to speak 
to the council, whiih Wa-co-me obtained 
for him. He then addressed the chiefs. 
He remonstrated against the desertion 
of their vill.age, their own homes, and the 



^' 



30 



HISIORY OF IOWA. 



graves of their fathers, and offered to 
defend the village. 

The couucil consented that he shou'd be 
their war chief. lie marshaled his braves, 
sent out spies, and advanced on the lead- 
ing trail to Piioria, but returned without 
seeing the enemy. The Americans did 
not disturb the village, and all were satis- 
fied with the appo niment of Keokuk. 
Like Black Hawk, he was a descendant of 
the Sac branch of the nation, and was born 
on Rock river in 17S0. He was of a pacific 
disposition, but possessed the elements of 
true courage, and could fi.:ht when occa- 
sion required with cool judgment and 
heroic energy. In his first battle he en- 
countered and killed a Sioux, which placed 
him in the rank of warriors, and he was 
honored with a public feast by his tribe 
in commemoration of the event. 

In person, Keokuk was tall and of portly 
bearing. In his public speeches he dis- 
played a commanding attitude and grace- 
ful gestures. He has been described as 
an orator, entitled to rank with the most 
gifted of his race. He spoke rapidly, but 
his enunciation was clear, distinct and 
forcible; he culled his figures from the 
stores of nature, and based his arguments 
on skill !"ul logic. Unfortunately for his 
reputation as an orator among white people, 
he was never able to obtain an interpreter 
who could claim even a slight acquaint- 
ance with philosophy. With one excep- 
tion only, his interpreters were unac- 
quainted with the elements of their 
mother tongue. Of this serii,.us liindrance 
to his fame he was well aware, and re- 
tained Frank Labershure, who had re- 
ceived a rudiniental education in the French 
and English languages, until the latter 



broke down by dissipation and died. 
Kei'kuk was thus compelled to submit his 
spetches for translation to uneducated 
men, whose range of thought fell far 
below the flights of a gifted mind, and the 
fine imagery drawn from nature was be- 
yond their power of reproduction. 

Keokuk had sufficient knowledge of the 
English language to make hir.i sensible of 
this bad rendering of his thoughts, and 
often a feeling of mortification at the 
buiiglin^efforts was depicted on his coun- 
tenance while speaking. The proper 
])!ace to form a correct estimate of his 
ability as an orator was in the Indian 
council, where he addressed himself ex- 
clusively to those who understood his lan- 
guage, and witnessed the electrical effect 
of his eloquence upon his council. He 
seems to have possessed a more sober 
judgment, and to have had a more intelli- 
gent view of the great strength and re- 
sources of the United States, than his 
noted and restless cotemporary, Black 
Hawk. He knew from the first that the 
reckless war which Black Hawk and his 
band had determined to carry on could 
result in nothing but disaster and defeat, 
and he used every argument against it. 
The large number of warriors whtim he 
had dissuaded from following Black Hawk 
became, however greatly excited with the 
war spirit after Stillman's defeat, and but 
for the signjl tact displayed by Keokuk on 
that occasion, would have forced him to 
submit to their wishes in joining the rest 
of the warriors in the field. A war dance 
was held, and Keokuk took part in it, 
seeming to be moved with the current of 
the rising storm. When the dance was 
over, he called the council together to pre- 



'^. ^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



pare for war. He made a 8peech,in which 
he admitted the justice of their complaints 
against the Americans. To seek redress 
was a noble aspiration of their nature. 
The blood of their brethren had been shed 
by the white man, and the spirits of their 
braves, slain in battle, called loudly for 
vengeance. 

' I am your chief," said he, " and it is 
my duty to lead you to battle, if after fully 
considering the matteryou are determined 
to go; but before you decide to take this 
important step, it is wise to inquire into 
the chances of success " 

He then portrayed to them the great 
power of the United States, against whom 
they would have to contend, and thought 
their chances of success was utterly hope- 
less. 'But," said he, "if you do deter- 
mine to go upon the warpath, I will agree 
to lead you on one condition — that before 
we go we kill our old men and our wives 
and children, to save them from a linger- 
ing death of starvation, and that every one 
of us determine to leave our homes on the 
other side of the Mississippi." This was 
a strong but truthful picture of the pros- 
pect before them, and was presented in 
such a forcible light as to cool their ardor 
and cause them to abandon their rash 
undertaking. From this time there was 
no serious troulle with the Indians until 
the Black Hawk war. 

The treaty of 1804, between the United 
States and the chiefs of the Sac and Fox 
nations was never acknowledged by Black 
Hawk, and, in 1831, he established him- 
self with a chosen band of warriors u|)()n 
the disputed territory, ordering the whites 
to leave the country at once. The settlers 
complaining. Governor Reynolds, of Illi- 



nois, dispatched General Gaines with a 
company of regulars and 1,500 volunteers 
to the scene of action. Taking the Indians 
by surprise, the troops burnt their village, 
and forced them to conclude a treaty, by 
which they ceded all their lands east of 
the Mississippi, and agreed to remain on 
the west side of the river. 

Necessity forced the proud spirit of 
Black Hawk into submission, which made 
him more than ever determined to be 
avenged upon his enemies. Having ral- 
lied around him the warlike braves of the 
Sac and Fox nations, he recrossed the Mis- 
sissippi in the spring of 1832. Upon 
hearing of the invasion, Govenior Rey- 
nolds hastily collected a body of 1,800 
volunteers, placing them under command 
of Brig.-Gen. Samuel Whiteside. 

The army marched to the Mississijipi, 
and, having reduced to ashes the Indian 
village known as " Prophet's Town," pro- 
ceeded several miles up Rock river, to 
Dixon, to join the regular forces under 
Gtn. Atkinson. They formed, at Dixon, 
two companies of volunteers, who, sighing 
for glory, were dispatched to reconnoiter 
the enemy. They advanced, under com- 
mand of Major Stillman, to a creek after- 
wards called "Stillman's run," and, while 
encamping there, saw a party of mounted 
Indians at a dittance of a mile. Several of 
Stillniin's party mounted their horses and 
charged the ludians, killing three of them; 
but, attacked by the main body, under 
Black Hawk, they were routed, and, by 
their precipitate flight, spread such a panic 
through the camp that the vhole company 
ran off to Dixon as fast as their legs could 
carry them. On their arrival it was found 
that there had bi-en eleven killed. The 



-=> pv 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



party came straggling into camp all night 
long, four or five at a time, each squad 
positive that all who were left behind were 
massacred. 

It is said that a big, tall Kontuckian, 
with a loud voice, who was a Colonel of the 
militia, upon his arrival in camp gave to 
Gen. Whiteside and the wondering multi- 
tu4e the following glowing and bombastic 
account of the battle: 

"Sirs," said he, "our detachment was 
encamped among some scattering timber 
on the north side of Old Man's creek, with 
the prairie from the north gently sloping 
down to our encampment. It was just 
after twilight, in the gloaming of the even- 
ing, when we discovered Black Hawk's 
army coming down upon usin solid column; 
they displayed in the form of a crescent 
upon the brow of the prairie, and such 
accuracy and precision of military move- 
ments were never witnessed by man; they 
were equal to the best troops of Wellington 
in Spain. I have said that the Indians 
came down in solid columns, and displayed 
in the form of a crescent; and, what was 
most wonderful, there were large squares 
of cavalry resting upon the points of the 
curve, which squares were supported again 
by other columns fifteen deep, extending 
back through the woods and over a swamp 
three-quarters of a mile, which again rested 
on th; main body of Black Hawk's army, 
bivouacked upon the banks of the Kish- 
wakee. It was a terrible and a glorious 
bight to see the tawny warriors as they 
rode along our flanks attempting to out- 
flank us, with the glittering moonbeams 
g.istening from tlieir polished blades and 
burning spears. It was a sight well calcu- 
lated to strike consternation in the stoutest 



and boldest heart; and, accordingly, cur 
men soon began to break, in small squads, 
for tall timber. 

"In a very little time the rout became 
general, the Indians were soon upon our 
flanks, and threatened the destiuclion of 
our entire detachment. About this time 
Maj. Stillman, Col. Stephenson, Maj. Per- 
kins, Capt. Adams, Mr. Hackelton and my- 
self, with some others, threw ourselves into 
the rear to rally the fugitives and protect 
the retreat. But in a short time all my 
companions fell bravely fighting hand-to- 
hand with the savage enemy, and I alone 
was left upon the field of battle About 
this time I discovered not far to ihe left a 
corps of horsemen, which seemed to be in 
tolerable order. I immediately deployed 
to the left, when, leaning down and placing 
my body in a recumbent posture upon the 
mane of my horse, so as to bring the heads 
of the horsemen between my eye and the 
horizon, I discovered, by the light of the 
moon, that they were gentlemen who did 
not wear hats, by which token I knew they 
were no friends of mine. I therefore made 
a retrograde movement, and recovered my 
position, where I remained some time, in 
thinking what further I could do for my 
country, when a random ball came whist- 
ling by my ear, and plainly whispered to 
me, 'Stranger, you have no further busi- 
ness here.' Upon hearing this, I followed 
the example of my companions-in-arms, 
and broke for tall timber, and the way I 
ran was not a little." 

For a long time afterward Maj. Stillman 
and his men were subjects of ridicule and 
merriment, which was as undeserving as 
their expedition was disastrous. Still- 
man's defeat spread consternation through- 



^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



33 



out the Slate and nation. The number of 
Inilians was greatly exaggerated, and the 
name of Black Hawk carried with it asso- 
ciations of great military talent, savage 
cunning and cruelty. 

A regiment sent to spy out the country 
between Galena and Rock Island, was sur- 
prised by a parly of seventy Indians, and 
was on the point of being thrown into dis- 
order, when Gen. Whiteside, then serving 
as a private, shouted out that he would 
shoot the first man who turned his back on 
th3 enemy. Order being restore'd, the bat- 
tle began. At its very outset Gen. White- 
side shot the leader of the Indians, who 
thereupon commenced a hasty retreat. 

In June, 1832, Black Hawk, with a band 
of one hundred and fifty warriors, attacked 
the Apple River Fort, near Galena, de- 
fended by twenty-five men. This fort, a 
mere palisade of logs, was erected to afford 
protect!' >n to the miners. For fifteen con- 
secutive hours the garrison had to sustain 
the assault of the savage enemy; but, 
knowing very well that no quarter would 
be given them, they fought with such fury 
and desperation that the Indians, after 
losing many of {heir warriors, were com- 
pelled to retreat. 

Another party of eleven Indians mur- 
dered two men near Fort Hamilton. They 
were afterward overtaken by a company 
of twenty men, and every one of them 
killed. 

A new regime: t, under the command of 
Gen. Atkinson, assembled on the banks of 
the Illinois, in the latter part of June. 
Major Dement, with a small party, was 
sent out to rtjconnoiter the movements of 
a large body of Indians, whose endeavors 
to surround him made it advisable for him 



to retire. Upon hearing of this engage- 
ment. Gen Atkinson sent a detachment to 
intercept the Indians, while he with the 
main body of his army, moved north to 
meet the Indians under Black Hawk. 
They moved slowly and cautiously through 
the cjunlry, pissed through Turtle Vil- 
lage, and marched up along R ick river. 
On their arrival news was brought of the 
discovery of the main trail of the Indians. 
Considerable search was made, but they 
were unable to discover any vestige of In- 
dians, save two, who had shot iwo soldiers 
the day previous. 

Hearing that Black Hawk was encamped 
on Ro k River, at the Manitou village, 
they resolved at once to advance upon the 
enemy, but in the execution of their de- 
sign they met with opposiiion from their 
officers and men. The officers of Gen. 
Henry handed to him a written protest; 
but he, a man equal to any emergency, 
ordered the officers to be arrested and 
escorted to Gen Atkinson. Within a few 
minutes after the stern order was given, 
the officers all collected around the Gen- 
eral's quarters, many of them with tears in 
their eyes, pledging themselves that if for- 
given they would return to duty and never 
do the like again. The General rescinded 
the order, and they at once resumed duty. 

THE BATTLE OF BAD-AXK. 

Gen. Henry marched, on the 15th of 
July, in pursuit of the Indians, reaching 
Rock river after three days' juuiney, where 
he learned Black Hawk was encamped 
further up the river. On July 19 the 
troops were ordered to commence their 
march. After having made 50 miles, they 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



were overtakon by a terrible thunder 
storm, which lasted all night. Nothing 
cooled, however, in their courage and zeal, 
they marched again .^0 miles the next day, 
encamping near the place where the In- 
dians encamped the niglitbefore Hurrying 
along as fast as they could, the infantry 
keeping up an equal pace with the mounted 
force, the troops, on the morning of the 
2 St, crossed the river connecting two of 
the four lakes, by which the Indians had 
been endeavoring to escape. They found, 
on their way, the ground strewn with ket- 
tles and articles of baggage, which, in the 
haste of retreat, the Indians were obliged 
to throw away. The troops, inspired with 
new ardor, advanced so rapidly that at 
noon they fell in with the rear guard of 
the Indians. Those who closely pursued 
them were saluted by a sudden fire of 
musketry from a body of Indians who had 
concealed them elves in the high grass of 
the prairie. A most desperate charge was 
made upon the Indians, who, unable to 
resist, retreated obliquely in order to out- 
flank the volunteers on the right; but the 
latter charged the Indians in their ambush 
and expelled them frc.m their thickets at 
the point of the bayonet, and dispersed 
them. Night set in and the battle ended, 
having cost the Indians sixty-eight of their 
br.avest mm, while the loss of the lUinois- 
ans amounted to but one killed and eight 
wounded. 

Soon after this battle. Gens. Atkinson 
and Henry joined their forces and pursued 
the Indians. Gen. Henry struck the main 
trail, left his horses behind, formed an 
advance guard of eight men, and marched 
forward upon their trail. When these 
eight men came within sight of the river, 



they were suddenly fired upon, and five of 
them killed, th^ remaining three maintain- 
ing their ground till Gen. Hei ry came up. 
Then the Indians, charged upon with the 
bayonet, fell back upon their main force; 
the battle now. became general; the In- 
dians fought with desperate valor, but 
were furiously assailed by the volunteers 
with their bayonets, cutting many of the 
Indians to pieces and driving the rest into 
the river. Those who escaped from being 
drowned found refuge on an island. On 
hearing tte frequent discharge of mus- 
ketry, indicating a general engagement. 
Gen. Atkinson abandoned the pursuit of 
the twenty Indians under Black Hawk 
himself, and hurried to the scene of action, 
where he arrived too late to take part in 
the battle. He immediately forded the 
river with his troops, the water reaching 
up to their necks, and landed on the island 
where the Indiana had secreted them- 
selves. The soldiers rushed upon the 
Indians, killed several of them, took the 
others prisoners, and chased the rest into the 
river, where they were either drowaed or 
shot before reaching the opposite shore. 
Thus ended the battle, the Indians losing 
three hundred, besides fifty prisoners; the 
whites, but seventeen killed and twelve 
wounded. 

Black Hawk, with his twenty braves, 
retreated- up the Wisconsin river. The 
Winnebagos, desirous of securing the 
friendship of the whites, went in pursuit 
and captured and delivered them to Gen. 
Street, the United States Indian Agent. 
Among the prisoners were . the son of 
Black Hawk and the prophet of the tribe. 
These, with Black Hawk, were taken to 



*?!< 



f- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Washington, D. C, and soon consigned 
as prisoners at Fortress Monroe. 

At the interview Black Hawk bad with 
the President, he closed his speech deliv- 
ered on the occasion in the following 
words: "We did not expect to conquer 
the whites. They have too many huuses, 
too mmy men. I took up the haichet, for 
my part, to revenge injuries which my 
people could no longer endure. Had I 
borne them longer without striking, my 
people would have said : 'Black Hawk is a 
woman; he is too old to be a chief; he is 
no Sac' These reflections caused me to 
raise the war-whoop. I say no more. It 
is known to you. Keokuk once was here; 
you took him by the hand, and when he 
wished to return to his home, you were 
willing. Black Hawk expects, like Keo 
kuk, he shall be permitted to return, too." 

By order of the President, Black Hawk 
and his companions, who were in confine- 
ment at Fortress Monroe, were set free on 
the 4th day of June, 1833. 

After tlieir release from prison they 
were conducted in charge of Major Gar- 
land, through some of the principal cities, 
that they might witness the power of the 
United Slates and learn their own inability 
to cope with them in war. Great multi- 
tudes flocked to see them wherever they 
were taken, and the attention paid them 
rendered their progress through the coun- 
try a triumphal procession, instead of the 
transportation of prisoners by an officer. 
At Rock Island the prisoners were given 
their liberty amid great and impressive 
ceremony. In 1838 Black Hawk built him 



a dwelling near Des Moines, this State, 
and furnished it after the manner of the 
whites, aid' engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits and hunting and fishing. Here, with 
his wife, to whom he was greatly attached, 
he passed the few remaining days- of his 
life To his credit, it may be said that 
Black Hawk remained true to his wife, 
and served her with a devotion uncommon 
air.ong Indians, living with her upward of 
forty years. 

At all times when Black Hawk visited 
the whites he was received with marked 
attention. He was an honored guest at 
the old settlers' reunion in Lee county, 
Illinois, at some of their meetings, and 
received marked tokens of esteem. In 
September, 1838, while on his way to 
Rock Island to receive his annuity from 
the Government, he contracted a severe 
cold, which resulted in a severe attack of 
bilious fever, and terminated his life Oct 
3. After his death he was dressed in the 
uniform presented to him by the President 
while in Washington. He was buried in a 
grave six feet in depth, situated upon a 
beautiful eminence. The body was placed 
in the middle of the grave, in a sitting 
position upon a seat constructed for the 
purpose. On his left side the cane given 
him by Henry Clay was placed upright, 
with his right hand resting upon it. His 
remains were afterwards stolen and car- 
ried away, but they were recovered by the 
Governor of Iowa, and placed in the 
museum of the Historical Society at Bur- 
lington, where they were finally destroyed 
by fire. 



-^. 



nsr- 



J^ 



36 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER III. 



INDIAN TREATIES. 



As has already been stated, all Iowa was 
in actual possession of the Indians when 
purchased by the United States Govern- 
ment, and for purposes of settlement by 
the whites, could only be obtained by 
forcible ejectment or re-purchase from 
those inhabiting the country. This was 
effected in a series of treaties and pur- 
chases, of which a synopsis is given: 

The territory known as the "Black 
Hawk Purchase," although not the first 
portion of Iowa ceded to the United States 
by the Sacs and Foxes, was the first opened 
to actual settlement by the tide of emi- 
gration which flowed acro's the Missis- 
sippi as soon as the Indian title was 
extinguished. The treaty which provided 
for this cession was made at a council held 
on the west bank of the Mississippi, where 
now stands the thriving city of Davenport, 
on ground now occupied by the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific R. R. Co , Sept. 21, 
18.32. This was just after the "Black 
Hawk War," and the defeated savages had 
retired from east of the Mississippi. At 
the council the Government was repre- 
sented by Gen. Winfield Scott and Gov. 
Reynolds, of Illinois. Keokuk, Pashapaho 
and some thirty other chiefs and warriors 
were present. By this treaty the Sacs and 
Foxes ceded to the United States a strip 
of land on the eastern border of Iowa, fifty 
miles wide, from the northern boundary of 



Missouri to the mouth of the Upper Iowa 
river, containing about 6,000,000 acres. 
The western line of the purchase was 
parallel with the Mississippi. In consider- 
ation of this cession, the United States 
Government stipulated to pay annually to 
the confederated tribes, for thirty con- 
secutive years, ISO, 000 in specie, and to 
pay the debts of the Indians at Rock 
Island, which had been accumulating for 
seventeen years, and amounted to -§.50 000, 
due to Davenport & Farnham, Indian 
traders. The Government also generously 
donated to the Sac and Fox women and 
children whose husbands and fathers had 
fallen in the Black Ilawk War, 35 beef 
cattle, 12 bushels of salt, 30 barrels of 
pork, 50 barrels of flour, and 6,000 bushels 
of corn. 

The treaty was ratified February 13, 
1833, and took effect on the 1st of June 
following, when the Indians quietly re- 
moved from the ceded territory, and this 
fertile and beautiful region was opened to 
white settlers. 

By terms of the treaty, out of the Black 
Hawk purchase was reserved for the Sacs 
and Foxes 400 square miles of land, sit- 
uated on the Iowa River, and including 
within its limits Keokuk village, on the 
right bank of that river. This tract was 
known as Keokuk's reserve, and was occu- 
pied by the Indians until 1836, when, by 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



37 



a treaty made in September between them 
and Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin Territory, 
it was ceded to the United States. The 
council was held on the banks of the Mis- 
sissippi, above Davenport, and was the 
largest assemblage of the kind ever held by 
the Sacs and Foxes to treat for the sale of 
lands. About one thousand of their chiefs 
and braves were present, and Keokuk was 
the leading spirit of the occasion, and 
their principal speaker. 

By the terms of this treaty, the Sacs 
and Foxes were removed to another reser- 
vation on the Des Moines river, where an 
agency was established at what is now the 
town of Agency City. The Government 
also gave out of the Black Hawk purchase 
to Antoine LeClare, interpreter, in fee 
simple, one section of land opposite Rock 
Island, and another at the head of the first 
rapids above the island on the Iowa side. 
This was the first land title granted by 
the United States to an individual in Iowa. 

Gen. Joseph M. Street established an 
agency among the Sacs and Foxes very 
soon after the removal of the latter to their 
new reservation. He was transferred from 
the agency of the Winnebagos for this 
purpose. A tarm was selected, upon which 
the necessary buildings were erected, in- 
cluding a comfortable farm house for the 
agent and his family, at the expense of the 
Indian fund. A salaried agent was era- 
ployed to superintend the farm and dispose 
of the crops. Two mills were erected — 
one on Soap creek, and the other on Sugar 
creek. The latter was soon swept away 
by a flood, but the former remained and 
did good service for many years. 

Connected with the agency were Joseph 
Smart and John Goodell, interpreters. The 



latter was interpreter for Hard Fishes' 
band. Three of the Indian chiefs — Keo- 
kuk, Wapello and Appanoose — had each 
a large field improved, the two former on 
the right bank of the Des Moines, back 
from the river, in what is now " Keokuk's 
Prairie," and the latter on the present 
site of the city of Ottumwa. Among the 
traders connected with their agency were 
the Metsrs. Ewing, from Ohio, and Phelps 
& Co , from Illinois, and also J. P. Eddy, 
who established his post at what is now 
the site of Eddy ville. The Indians at this 
agency became idle and listless in the ab- 
sence of their natural and wonted excite- 
ments, and many of them plunged into 
dissipation. Keokuk himself became dis- 
sipated in the latter years of his life, and 
it has been reported that he died of de- 
lirium tremens after his removal with his 
tribe to Kansas. On May, 1S43, most of 
the Indians were removed up the Des 
Moines river, above the temporary line of 
Red Rock, having ceded the remnant of 
their lands in Iowa to the United States, 
Sept. 21, 1837, and Oct. 11, 1842. By the 
terms of the latter treaty, they held pos- 
session of the "New Purchase" till the 
autumn of 1845, when most of them were 
removed to their reservation in Kansas, 
the balance being removed in 1846. 

Before any permanent settlement was 
made in the Territory of Iowa, white ad- 
venturers, trappers and traders, many of 
whom were scattered along the Mississippi 
and its tributaries, as agents and employes 
of the American Fur Company, intermar- 
ried with the females of the Sac and Fox 
Indians, producing a race of half-breeds, 
whose number was never definitely ascer- 
tained. There were some respectable and 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



excelleut people among them, children of 
some refinement and education. For in- 
stance: Dr. Muir, a gentleman educated at 
Edinburg, Scotland, a Surgeon in the 
United States Army, stationed at a mili- 
tary post located on the present site of 
Warsaw, married an Indian woman, and 
reared his family of three daughters in the 
city of Ivei)kuk. Other examples might 
be cited, but they are probably exceptions 
to the general rule, and the race is now 
nearly or quite extinct in Iowa. 

August 4, I82+, a treaty was made be- 
tween the United States and the Sacs and 
Foxes, by which that portion c f Lee county 
was reserved to the half-breeds of those 
tribes, and which was afterward known as 
the "half-breed tract." This reservation 
is the triangular piece of land containing 
about 119,000 acres, lying between the 
Mississippi and the Des Moines rivers. It 
is bounded on the north by the prolonga- 
tion of the northern line of Missouri. This 
line was intended to be a straight one, run- 
ning due east, which would have caused it 
to strike the Mississippi river at or below 
Monlrose;.but the surveyor who runit took 
no notice of the change in the variation of 
the needle, as he proceeded eastward, and, 
in consequence, the line he run was bent, 
deviating more and more to the northward 
of a direct line as he approached the Mis- 
sissippi river, so that it struck that river at 
the lower edge of the town of Fort Madi- 
son. "This erroneous line," says Judge 
Mason, '"has been acquiesced in as well in 
fixing the northern limit of the half-breed 
tract as in determining the northern 
boundary line of the Slate of Missouri." 
The line thus run included in the re'»erva- 
tion a portion of the lower part of the city 



of Fort Madison, and all of the present 
townships of Van Buren, Charleston, Jef- 
ferson, Des Moines, Montro.ie and Jackson. 

Under the treaty of 182+,the half-breeds 
had the right to occupy the soil, but could 
not convey it, the reversion being reserved 
to the United Stales. But Janu.iry 30th, 
1843, by act of Congress, this reversionary 
right was relinquished, and the half-breeds 
acquired the Ian Is in fee simple. Tbis no 
sooner done than a horde of speculators 
rushed in to buy laud of the half-breed 
owners, and, in many instances, a gun, 
blanket, a pony or a few quarts of whisky 
was sufficient for the purchase of large 
estates. There was a deal of sharp prac- 
tice on both sides. Indians would often 
claim ownership of laud by virtue of being 
half-breeds, and had no difficulty in prov- 
ing their mixed blood by the Indians, and 
they would cheat the speculators by selling 
land to which they had no rightful title. 
On the other hand, speculators often 
claimed land in which they had no owner- 
ship. It was diamond cut diamond, until 
at last things became badly mixed. There 
werj no authorized surveys, and no boun 
dary lines to claim, and, as a natural 
result, numerous conflicts and quarrels 
ensued. 

January 16, 1838, Edward Johnstone, 
Thomas S. Wilson and David Brigham 
were appointed commissioners by the Wis- 
consin Legislature, clothed with power to 
settle their difficulties, and to decide upon 
the validity of claims, or sell them for the 
benefit of the real owners. The act pro- 
vided that these commissioners should be 
paid six dollars a day each. Tne commis- 
sion entered upon its duties, and continued 
until the next session of the Legislature, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



when the act creating it was repealed, in- 
validating all that had been done, and 
depriving the commissioners of their pay. 
The repealing act, however, authorized the 
commissioners to commence action against 
the owners of the half-breed tract, to re- 
ceive pay for their services in the District 
of Lee county. Two judgements were 
obtained, and on execution the whole tract 
was sold to Hugh T. Reid,the sherifiE exe- 
cuting the deed. Mr. Reid sold portions 
of it to various parties; but his own title 
■was questioned, and he became involved 
in litigation. Decisions in favor of Reid 
and those holding under him were made 
by both District and Supreme Courts; but 
in December, 1850, these decisions were 
finally reversed by the Supreme Court of 
the United States, in the case of Joseph 
Web-ter, plaintiff in error, vs. Hugh T. 
Reid, nnd judgement titles failed. 

About nine years before the judgement 
titles were finally abrogated as above, 
another class of titles were brought into 
competition with them, and, in the conflict 
between the two, the final decision was 
obtained. These were the titles based on 
the "decree of partition" issued by the 
United States District Court for the Ter- 
ritory of Iowa, May 8, 1841, and certified 
to by the clerk on the 2d day of June of 
the same year. Edward Johnstoae and 
Hugh T. Reid, then law partners at Fort 
Madison, filed the petition for the decree 
in behalf of the St. Louis claimants of 
half-breed lands. Francis S. Key, author 
of the Star-Spangled Banner, who was 
then attorney for the New York Land 
Company, which held heavy interests in 
these lands, took a leading part in the 
measure, and drew up the documents in 



which it was presented to the court. 
Judge Charles Mason, of Burlington, pre- 
sided. The plan of partition divided the 
the tract into 101 shares, and arranged that 
each claimant should draw his proportion 
by lot, and should abide the result, what- 
ever it might be. The arrangement was 
entered into, the lots drawn, and the plat 
of the same filed in the Recorder's oflice, 
October 6, 1841. Upon this basis the titles 
to the land in the Half-Breed Tract are 
now held. 

We subjoin a synopsis of the different 
treaties male with the Indians of Iowa: 

1. Treaty with the Sioux. — Made July 
15, 1815; ratified December 16, 1815, This 
treaty was made at Portage dus Sioux of 
Minnesota and Upper Iowa, and the United 
States, by William Clark and Ninian Ed- 
wards, Commissioners, and was merely a 
treatise of peace and friendship on the 
part of these Indians toward the United 
States at the close of the war of 1812. 

2. Treaty icith the Sacs. — A similar 
treity of peace was made at Portage des 
Sioux, between the United States and the 
Sacs, by William Clark, Ninian Edwards 
and Auguste Choteau, on the 13th of Sep- 
tember, 1815, and ratified at the same date 
as the ab )ve. In this the treaty of 1804 
was re-aflirmed, and the Sacs here repre- 
sented promised for themselves and their 
bands to keep entirely separate from the 
Sacs of Rac'c river, who, under Black 
Hawk, had joined the British in the war 
just then closed. 

3. Treaty with the Foxes. — A separate 
treaty of peace was made with the Foxes 
at Portage des Sioux, by the same commis- 
sioners, on the 14th of September, 1815, 
and ratified the same as the above, wherein 



1" I - 



^k 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



the Foxes re-affirmed the treaty of St. Louis, 
of November 3d, 1804, and agreed to de- 
liver up all their prisoners to the officer in 
command at Fort Clark, now Peoria, Illi- 
nois. 

4 Treaty with the loicas. — A treaty of 
peace and mutual good-will was made 
between the United States and the Iowa 
tribe of Indians, at Portage des Sioux, by 
the same commissioners as above, on the 
16th of September, 1815, at the close of the 
war with Great Britain, and ratified at the 
same date as the others. 

5. Treaty with the Sacs of Hock 
Jiiver. — Made at St. Louis, on the 13th of 
May, 1816, between the United States and 
the Sacs of Rock river, by the Commis- 
sioners, William Clark, Ninian Edwards 
and Auguste Choteau, and ratified Dec. 30, 
1816. In this treaty that of 1804 was re- 
established and enforced by the chiefs and 
head men of the Sacs of Rock river, and 
Black Hawk himself attached to it his sig- 
nature, or, as he said, "touched the goose- 
quill." 

6. Treaty of 1824.— On the 4th of 
August, 1824, a treaty was made between 
the United States and the Sacs and Foxes, in 
the city of Washington, by William Clark, 
Commissioner, wherein the Sac and Fox 
nations relinquished their title to all lands 
in Missouri, and that portion of the south- 
east corner of Iowa known as the "half- 
breed tract" was set off and reserved for 
the use of the half breeds of the Sacs and 
Foxes, they holding title in the same man- 
ner as Indians. Ratified Jan. 18, 1825. 

7. Treaty of August 19, 1825. — At this 
date a treaty was made by William Clark 
and Lewis Cass, at Prairie du Chien, be- 



tween the United States and the Chippe- 
was. Sacs and Foxes, Menominees, Winue- 
bagos, and a portion of the Oliawas and 
Pot awatomies. In this treaty, in order 
make peace between the contending tribes 
as to the limits of their respective bunting 
grounds in Iowa, it was agreed that the 
United States Government should run a 
biHindary line between the Sioux, on the 
north, and the Sacs and Foxes on the south, 
as follows : 

Commencing at the mouth of the Upper 
Iowa river, on the west bank of the Mis- 
sissippi, and ascending said Iowa river to 
its west fork; thence up the fork to its 
source; thence crossing the fork of Red 
Cedar river in a direct line to the lower 
fork of the Calumet river, and down that 
fork to its junction with the Missouri river. 

8. Treaty of 1830.— On the loth of 
July, 1830, the confederate tribes of the 
Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States 
a strip of country lying south of the above 
line, twenty miles in width, and extending 
along the line aforesaid from the Missis- 
sippi to the Des Moines river. The Sioux 
also, whose possessions were north of the 
line, ceded to the Government, in the same 
treaty, a strip on the north side of the 
boundary. "I'hus the United States, at the 
ratification of this treaty, February 24, 
1831, came into possession of a portion of 
Iowa forty miles wide, extending along 
the Clarke and Cass line of 1825, from the 
Mississippi to the Des Moines river. This 
territory was then known as the "Neutral 
Ground," and the tribes on either side of 
the line were allowed to fish and hunt on 
it unmolested until it was made a Winne- 
bago reservation, and the Winnebagos 
were removed to it in 1841. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



9. Treati/with the Sacs and Foxes and 
other tribes. — At the same time of the 
above treaty respecting the "Neutral 
Ground" (July 15, 1830), the Sacs and 
Foxes, Western Sioux, Oraahas, lowas and 
Missouris ceded to the United States a por- 
tion of the western slope of Iowa, the 
boundaries of which were defined as fol- 
lows: Beginning at the upper fork of the 
Des Moines river, and passing the sources 
of the Little Sioux and Floyd rivers, to the 
bank of the first creek that falls into the 
Big. Sioux, or Calumet, on the east t-ide; 
thence down said creek and the Calumet 
river to the Missouri river; thence down 
said Missouri river to the Missouri State 
line above the Kansas; thence along said 
line to the northwest corner of said State; 
thence to the high lands between the 
waters falling into the Missouri and Des 
Moines, passing to said h'gh lands along 
the dividing ridge between the forks of 
the Grand river; thence along said high 
lands or ridge separating the waters of the 
Missouri from those of the Des Moines, to 
a point opposite the source of the Boyer 
river, and thence in a direct line to the 
upper fork of the Des Moines, the place of 
beginning. 

It was understood that the lands ceded 
and relinquished by this treaty were to be 
assigned and allotted, under the direction 
of the President of the United States, to 
the tribes then living thereon, or to such 
other tribes as the President might locale 
thereon for hunting and other purposes. 
In consideration of three tracts of land 
ceded in this treaty, the United States 
agreed to pay to the Sacs |i3,00(i; to the 
Foxes, $3,000; to the Sioux, $ ?,000; to the 
Yankton and Siutee bands of Sioux, $3,000; 



to the Omahas, $1,500; and to the Ottoes 
and Missouris, $2,500— to be paid annually 
for ten successive years. In addition to 
these annuiiies, the Government agreed to 
furnish some of the tribes with b'ack- 
sniiths and agricultural implements to the 
amount of 1:200, at the expense of the 
United States, and to set apart $3,000 an- 
nually fur the education of the children of 
these tribes. It does not appear that any 
fort was erected in this territory prior to 
the erection of Fort Atkinson on the Neu- 
tral (iround in IS-to-''!!. 

This treaty was made by William Clark, 
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and Col. 
Willoughby Morgan, of the United States 
First Infantry, and came into effect by 
proclamation, February 24, 1831. 

10. Treaty with the Winnebagos. — 
Made at Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, 
September 15th, 1832, by General Wiufie'd 
Scott and Hon. John R-ynolds, Governor 
of Illinois. In this treaty the Winne- 
bagos ceded to the United States all their 
land lying on the east side of the Missis- 
sippi, and in part consideration therefor 
the United States granted to the Winne- 
bagos, to be held as other Indian lands 
are held, that portion of Iowa known aa 
the Neutral Grounds The exchange of 
the two tracts of country was to take place 
on or before the Ist day of June, 1833. la 
addition to the Neutral Grounds, it was 
stipulated that the Uuiled States should 
give the Winnebagos, beginning in Sep- 
tember, 1833, and continuing for twenty- 
seven fcuccessive years, $10,000 in specie, 
and establish a school among them with a 
farm and garden, and provide other facili- 
ties for the education of their chi dren, not 
to exceed in cost $3,000 a year, and to con- 



^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



tinue the same twenty-seven successive 
years. Six agriculturists, twelve yoke of 
oxen, and plows and other farming tools 
were to be supplied by the Government. 

11. Treaty of 183-2 loith the Sacs and 
Foxes. — Already mentioned as the Black 
Hawk purchase. 

12. Treaty o/ 1836 with the Sacs and 
Foxes. — Ceding Keokuk's reserve to the 
United States, for which the Government 
stipulated to pay $30,000, and an annuity 
of 110,000 for ten successive years, to- 
gether with other sums and debts of the 
Indians to various parties 

13. Treaty of 1837.— On the 21st of 
October, 1837, a treaty was made at the 
city of Washington, between Carey A. 
Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 
and the confederate tribes of Sacs and 
Foxes, ratified February 21, 1838, wherein 
another slice of the soil of Iowa was ob- 
tained, described in the treaty as follows: 

"A tract of country containing 1,250,000 
acres, lying west and adjoining the tract 
conveyed by them to the United States in 
the treaty of September 21, 1832. It is 
understood that the points of termination 
for the present cession shall. be the north- 
ern and southern points of tract as fixed 
by the survey made under the authority of 
the United States, and that a line shall be 
drawn between them so as to intersect a 
line extended westwardly from the angle 
of said tract nearly opposite to Rock Island, 
as laid down in the above survey, so far as 
may be necessary to include the number of 
acres hereby ceded, which last mentioned 



line, it is estimated, will be about twenty- 
five miles." 

This piece of land was about twenty-five 
miles in the middle, and ran off to a point 
at both ends, lying directly back to the 
Black Hawk purchase, and of the same 
length. 

14. Treaty of Relinquishment. — At the 
same date as the above treaty, in the city 
of Washington, Carey A.Harris, Commis- 
sioner, the Sacs and Foxes ceded to tl e 
United States all their right and interest 
in the country lying south of the boundary 
line between the Sacs, Foxes and Sioux, as 
described in the treaty of August 19, 1825, 
and between the Missouri and Mississippi 
rivers, the United S ates paying f<r the 
same $160,000. The Indians also gave up 
all claims and interests under the treaties 
previously made with them, for the satis- 
faction of which no appropriations had 
been made. 

15. Treaty of 1842.— The last trfaty 
was made with the Sacs and Foxes October 
11, 1842; ratified March 23, 1843. It was 
made at the Sac and Fox agency (Agency 
City), by John Chambers, Commissioner 
on behalf of the United States. In this 
treaty the Sac and Fox Indians ceded to 
the United States all their lands west of 
the Mississippi to which they had any 
claim or title By the terms of this treaty 
they were to be removed from the country 
at the expiration of three years, and all 
who remained after that were to move at 
their own expense. Part of them were 
removed to Kansas in the fall of 1845, and 
the rest the spring following. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER IV. 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 



The first permanent settlement made by 
whites within the limits of Iowa, was by 
Julien Dubuque, in 1788, when, with a small 
party of miners, he settled on the site of 
the city that now bears his name, where he 
lived until his death, in 1810. What was 
known as the Girard settlement, in Clayton 
county, was made by some parties prior to 
the commencement of the present century. 
It consisted of three cabins, in 1805. Louis 
Honori settled on the site of the present 
town of Montrose, probably in 1799, and 
resided thereuntil 1805, when his property 
passed into other hands. Indian traders 
had established themselvesatvarious points 
at an early date. Mr. Johnson, an agent 
of the American Fur Company, had a 
trading post below Burlington, where he 
carried on traffic with the Indians some- 
time before the United States purchased 
Louisiana. In 1820, LeMoiiese, a French 
trader, had a station at what is now San- 
dusky, six miles above Keokuk, in Lee 
county. The same year, a cabin was built 
where the city of Keokuk' now stands, by 
Dr. Samuel C. Muir, a surgeon in the 
United Slates Army. His marriage and 
subsequent life were very romantic. While 
stationed at a military post on the Upper 
Mississippi, the post was visited by a beau- 
tiful Indian maiden — whose native iLime, 
unfortunately, has not been preserved — 
wlio, in her dreams, had seen a white brave 



unmoor his canoe, paddle it across the 
river, and come directly to her lodge. She 
felt assured, according to the superstitious 
belief of her race, that in her dreams she 
had seen her future husband, and had come 
to the fort to find him. Meeting Dr. Muir, 
she instantly recognized him as the hero of 
her dream, which, with childlike innocence 
and simplicity, she related to him. Her 
dream was indeed prophetic. Charmed 
with Sophia's beauty, innocence and devo- 
tion, the doctor honorably married her; but 
after awhile the sneers and gibes of his 
brother officers — less honorable than he, 
perhaps — made him feel ashamed of his 
dark-skinned wife, and when his regiment 
was ordered down the river to Bellefon- 
taine, it is said he embraced the opportu- 
nity to rid himself of her, never expecting 
to see her again, and little dreaming that 
she would have the courage to follow him. 
But, with her infant child, this intrepid 
wife and mother started alone in her canoe, 
and after many days of weary labor and a 
lonely journey of 900 miles, she at last 
reached him. She afterward remarked, 
when speaking of this toilsome journey 
down the river in search of her husband: 
'■When I got there I was all perished 
away — so thin!" The doctor, touched by 
such unexampled devotion, took her to his 
heart, and ever after, until his death, treat- 
ed her with marked respect. She always 



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:k 



44 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



presided at his table with gr.ice and dig- 
nity, but n<?ver abandoned her native style 
of dress. In 18l9-'20 he was stationed at 



Fort Edward, now Warsaw, but the sense 



less ridicule of some of his br.jther officers 
on account of his Indian wife induced him 
to resign his commission He then built 
a cibin, as above stated, where Keokuk is 
now situated, and made a claim to some 
land. This claim he leased to Otis Rey- 
nolds and John Culver, of St Louis, and 
went to La Pointe (afterward Galena), 
where he practiced his profession for ten 
years, when he returned to Keokuk. His 
Indian wife bore to him four children — 
Louise, James, Mary and Sophia. Dr. 
I\Iuir died suddenly of cholera, in 1832, 
but left his property in such a condition 
that it was soon wasted in vexatious liti- 
gation, and his brave and faithful wife, left 
friendless and penniless, became discour- 
aged, and, with her two younger children, 
disa(ipeared. It is said she returned to her 
people, on the Upper Missouri. 

The gentleman who had leased Dr. 
Muir's claim at Keokuk, subsequently em- 
ployed as their agent Moses Stillwel), who 
arrived with his family in 1828, and took 
possession. His brothers in-law, Amos and 
Valencourt Van Ansdal, came with him 
and settled near. Mr Stillwell's daughter 
Maigaret (afterward Mrs. Ford), was born 
in 1831 at the foot of the rapids, called by 
the Indians Puckashetuck. She was prob- 
ably the first white American child born 
in Iowa. 

In 1829 Dr. Isaac Galland made a set- 
tlement on the Lower Rapids, at what is 
now Nashville. The same year James S. 
Langworthy, who had been engaged in 
lead mining at Galena since 1824, resolved 



to visit the Dubuque mines The lead 
mines in the Dubuque region were an 
objoct of great ii terest to the mitM is about 
Galena, for they were known to be rich in 
lead ore. To explore these mines, and to 
obtain permission to work them was there- 
fore eminently desirable. Crossing the 
Mississippi at a point now known as Dun- 
leith, in a canoe, and swimming his horse 
by his side, he landed on the spot known 
as the Jones Street Levee Before him 
was spread out a beautiful prairie, on 
which the city of Dubuque now stands. 
Two miles south, at the mouth of Catfish 
creek, was a village of Sacs and Foxes. 
Thither Mr. Langworthy proceeded, and 
was well received by the natives. He 
endeavored to obtain permission from 
them to mine in their hills; but this they 
refused. He, however, succeeded in gain- 
ing the confidence of the chief to such an 
extent as to be allowed to travel in the 
interior for three weeks, and explore the 
country. He employed two young Indians 
as guides, and traversed in different direc- 
tions the whole region lying between the 
Maquoketa and Turkey rivers. He re- 
tu ned to the village, secured the good will 
of the Indians, and, returning to Galena, 
formed plans for future operations, to be 
executed as soon as the circum-itances 
would permit. In the following year, with 
his brother, Lucuis H., and others, havinj;' 
obtained the consent of the Indians, Mr 
Langworthy crossed the Mississippi and 
commenced mining in the vicinity around 
Dubuque. 

Although these lands had been pur- 
chased from France, they were not in the 
actual posession of the United States. 
The Indian titles had not been ex- 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



tiiiguished, and these adventurous persons 
were beyond the linaits of any State or 
Territorial government. The first settlers 
were therefore obliged to be their own 
law-makers, and to agree to such regula- 
tions as the exegencies of the case de- 
manded. The first act resembling civil 
legislation in Iowa was done by the miners 
at this point, in June, 1830. They met on 
the bank of the river, by the side of an old 
Cottonwood drift log, at what is now the 
Jones Street Leevee, Dubuque, and elected 
a committee, consisting of J. C. Lang- 
worthy, H F. Lander, James McPhetres, 
Samuel Scales and E. M. Wren. This may 
be called the first Legislature in Iowa, the 
members of which gathered around that 
old Cottonwood log, and agreed to and re- 
ported the following, written by Mr. Lang- 
worthy, on a half sheet of coarse, unruled 
paper, the old log being the writing desk: 

"We, a committee, having been chosen 
to draft certain rules and regulations 
(laws), by which we, as miners, will be 
governed, and, having duly considered the 
subject, do unauiiHOusly agree that we will 
be governed by the regulations on the east 
side of the Mississippi river, with the fol- 
lowing exceptions, to-wit: 

Article I. That each and every man 
shall hold two hundred yards square of 
ground by working said ground one day 
in six." 

'•Article II. We further agree that 
there shall be chosen by the majority of 
the miners present, a person who shall hold 
this article, and who shall grant letters of 
arbitration on application having been 
made, and that said letters of arbitration 
shall be obligatory on the parties so apply- 



The report was accepted by the miners 
present, who elected Dr Jarote in accord- 
ance with article second. Here, then, we 
have, in 1830, a primitive Legislature 
elected by the people, the law drafted by 
it being submitted to the people for ap- 
proval, and under it Dr. Jarote was elected 
first Governor. And the laws thus enacted 
were as promptly obeyed as any have been 
since. 

After this, the miners, who had thus 
erected an independent government of 
their own on the west side of the Missis- 
sippi river, continued to work succ ssfully 
for a long time, and the new settlement 
attracted considerable attention. But the 
west side of the Mississippi belonged to 
the Sao and Fox Indians, and the Govern- 
ment, in order to preserve peace on the 
frontier, as well as to protect the Indians 
in their rights under the treaty, ordered 
the settlers not only to stop raining, but to 
remove from the Indian Territory. They 
were simply intruders. The execution of 
this order was intrusted to Col. Zachary 
Taylor, then in command of the military 
post at Prairie du Chien, who, early in 
July, sent an officer to the miners to forbid 
settlement, and to command the miners to 
remove, within ten days, to the east s'de 
of the Mississippi, or they would be driven 
off by armed force The miners, how- 
ever, were reluctant about leaving the rich 
"leads" they had already discovered and 
opened, and were not disposed to obey the 
order to remove with any considerable 
degree of alacrity. 

In due time Colonel Taylor dispatched 
a detachment of troops to enforce his 
order. The miners, anticipating their 
arrival, had, excepting three, recrossed the 



-.jV 



^^ 



46 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



river, and from tlie east bank saw the 
troops land on the western shore. The 
lliree who had lingered a little too long 
were, however, permitted to make their 
escape unmolested. From this time a mil- 
itary force was stationed at Dubuque o 
prevent the settlers from returning, until 
June, 1832. The Indians returned, and 
were encouraged to operate the rich mines 
opened by the late white occupants 

In June, 1832, the troops were ordered 
to the east side of the Mississippi to assist 
in the annihilation of the very Indians 
whose rights they had been protecting on 
the west side. Immediately after the close 
of the Black Hawk war, and the negotia- 
tions of the treaty in September, 1832, by 
which the Sacs and Foxes ceded the tract 
known as the "Black Hawk Purchase," the 
settlers, supposing that now they had a 
right to re-enter the territory, returned and 
took possession of their claims, built cab- 
ins, erected furnaces and prepared large 
quantities of lead for market. But the 
prospects of the hardy and enterprising 
settlers and miners were again ruthlessly 
interferred with by the Government, on 
the ground that the treaty with the Indians 
would not go into force until June Ist, 
1833, although they had withdrawn from 
the vicinity of the settlement. Col. Taylor 
was again ordered by the War Department 
to remove the miners, and, in January, 
1833, troops were again sent from Prairie 
du Chien to Dubuque, for that purpose. 
This was a serious and perhaps unneces- 
sary hardship imposed upon the miners. 
They were compelleU to abandon their 
cabins and homes in mid-winter. This, 
too, was only out of respect for forms, fur 
the purchase had been made, and the In- 



dians had retired. After the lapse of fifty 
years, no very satisfactory reason for this 
rigorous action of the Government can be 
given. Hut the orders had been given, 
and there was no alternative but to obey. 
Many of the settlers re-crossed the river, 
and did not return; a few, however, re- 
moved to an island near the east bark of 
the river, built rude cabins of poles, in 
which to store their lead until spring, when 
they could float the fruits of their labors 
to St. Louis for sale, and where they could 
remain until the treaty went into force, 
when they could return. Among these 
were the Langworthy brothers, who had 
on hand about 300,000 poumls of lead. 

No sooner had the miners left than Lieu- 
tenant Covington, who had been placed in 
command at Dubuque, by Colonel Taylor, 
ordered some of the cabins of the settlers 
to be torn down, and wagons and other 
property to be destroyed. This wanton 
and inexcusable action on the part of a 
subordinate, clothed with a little brief 
authority, was sternly rebuked by Col. 
Taylor, and Covington was superseded by 
Lieut. George Wilson, who pursued a just 
and friendly course with the p'oneers, who 
were only waiting for the time when they 
could repossess their claims. 

The treaty went formally into effect 
June, 1833; the troops were withdrawn, 
and the Langworthy brothers and a few 
others at once returned and resumed pos- 
session of their homes and claims. From 
this time must date the first permanent set- 
tlement of this portion of Iowa Mr. John 
P. Sheldon was appointed superintendent 
of the mines, by the Government, and a 
system of permits to miners and licenses 
to smelters was adopted, similar to that 



^ 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



which had been in operation at Galena 
since 1825, under Lieut. Martin Thomas 
and Capt. Thomas C. Legate. Substan- 
tially the primitive law enacted by the 
miners assembled around that old cotton- 
wood drift log in 1830, was adopted and 
enforced by the United States Govern- 
ment, except that miners were required to 
sell their mineral to licensed smelters, and 
the smelter was required to give bonds for 
the payment of six per cent, of all lead 
manufactured, to the Government. 

The rule in the United States mines, 
on Fever river, in Illinois, had been, 
until 1830, that the miners must pay a ten 
per cent. tax. This tax upon the miners 
created much dissatisfaction among the 
miners on the west side, as it had on the 
east side of the Mississippi. They thought 
they had suffered hardships and privations 
enough in opening the way for civilization, 
without being subjected to the imposition 
of an odious Government tax upon their 
means of subsistence, when the Federal 
Government could better afford to aid than 
to extort from them. The measure soon 
became very unpopular. It was difficult 
to collect the taxes, and the whole system 
was abolished in about ten years. 

About five hundred people arrived in 
the mining district in 1833, after the In- 
dian title was fully extinguished, of whom 
one hundred and fifty were from Galena. 
In the same year Mr. Langworthy assisted 
in building the first school-house in Iowa, 
and thus was formed the nucleus of the 
populousand thriving city of Dubuque. Mr. 
Langworthy lived to see the naked prairie 
on which he first settled become the site 
of a city of 15,000 inhabitants; the 
small school-house which he aided in cm- 



structing replaced by three substantial ed- 
ifices, wherein 2,000 children were being 
trained; churches erected in every part of 
the city, and railroads connecting the wil- 
derness, which he first explored, with all 
the eastern world. He died suddenly, on 
the 13th of March, 1865, while on a trip 
over the Dubuque & Southern railroad, at 
Monticello, and the evening train brought 
the news of his death, and his remains. 

Lucius H. Langworthy, his brother, was 
one of the most worthy, gifted and influ- 
ential of the old settlers of this section of 
Iowa. He died greatly lamented by many 
friends, in June, 1865. 

The name "Dubuque" was given to the 
settlement by the miners, at a meeting held 
in 1834. 

Soon after the close of the Black Hawk 
war, in 1832, Zachariah Hawkins, Benja- 
min Jennings, Aaron White, Augustine 
Horton, Samuel Gooch, Daniel Thom])8on 
and Peter Williams made claims at Fort 
Madison. In 1833, Gen. John H Knapp 
and Col. Nathaniel Knapp purchased these 
claims, and, in the summer of 1835, they 
laid out the town of "Fort Madison," and 
lots were exposed for sale early in 1836. 
The town was subsequently re-surveyed 
and platted by the United States Govern- 
ment. The population rapidly increased, 
and in less than two years the beautiful 
location was covered by a flourishing town 
containing nearly 600 inhabitants, with a 
large proportion of enterprising merchants, 
mechanics and manufacturers. 

In the fall of 1832, Simpson S. White 
erected a cabin on the site of Burlington, 
79 miles below Rock Island During the 
war, parties had looked longingly upon the 
"Flint Hills" from the opposite side of the 



- s 

r 



mSIORY OF IOWA. 



river, and White was soon followed by 
others. David Totliers made a claim on 
the prairie, about three miles back from 
the river, at a place since known as the 
farm of Judge Morgan. The following 
winter the settlers were driven off by t^e 
military from Rock Island, as intruders 
upon the rights of the Ind'ians. While's 
cabin was burned by the soldiers. He 
returned to Illinois, where he remained 
during the winter, and, in the following 
summer, as soon as the Indian title was 
extinguished, returned and re-built his 
cabin. White was joined by his brother- 
in-law, Doolittle, and they laid out the 
town of Burlington in 1834, on a beautiful 
area of sloping eminences and gentle de- 
clevities, enclosed within a natural amphi- 
theater formed by the surrounding hills, 
which were covered with luxuriant forests, 
and presented the most picturesque scenery. 
The same autumn witnessed the opening 
of the first dry goods stores, by Dr. W. R. 
Ross and Major Jeremiah Smith, each well 
supplied with Wet-tern merchandise. Such 
was the beginning cf Burlington, which, 
in less than four years, became the seat of 
goveri.ment for the territory of Wisconsin, 
and, in three years more, contained a pop- 
ulation of 1,400 persons. 

Immediately after the treaty with the 
Sacs and Foxes, in September, 1832, Col. 
George Davenport made the first claim on 
the site of the present thriving city of 
Davenport. As early as 1827, Col. Daven- 
port had eslablislied a flat-boat ferry, which 
ran between the island and the main shore 
of Iowa, by which he carried on a trade 
with the Indians west of the Mississippi. 

In 183.3 Capt. Benjamin W. Clark moved 
from Illinois, and laid the foundation of 



the town of Buffalo, in Scott county, which 
was the first actual settlement within the 
limits of that county. 

The first settlers of Davenport were 
Antoine LeClaire, Col. George Davenport, 
Major Thomas Smith, Major Wm. Gordon, 
Philip Hambough, Alex. W. McGregor, 
Levi S. Col ton, Captain James May, and 
others. 

A settlement was made in Clayton county 
in the spring of 1832, on Turkey river, by 
Robert Hatfield and Wm. W. Wayman. 
No further settlement was made in this 
part of the State until 1836 

The first settlers of Mu,*catine county 
were Benjamin Nye, John Vanater and G. 
W. Kasey, all of whom came in 1834. E. 
E. Fay, Wm. St. John, N. Fullington, H. 
Reece, Jona Pettibone,R. P.Lowe, Stephen 
Whicher, Abijah Whitney, J. E Fletcher, 
W. D. Abernethy and Alexis Smith were 
also early settlers of Muscatine. 

As early as 1824 a French trader named 
Hart had estab'ished a trading post, and 
built a cabin on the bluffs above the large 
spring now known as "Mynster Spring," 
within the limits of the present city of 
Council Bluffs, and had probably been 
there some time, as the post was known to 
the employes of the American Fur Com- 
pany as "La Cote de Hart," or "Hart's 
Bluff." 

In 18.i7 an agent of the American Fur 
Company, Fiancis Guitar, with others, en- 
camped in the timber at the foot of the 
bluffs, about on the present location of 
Broadway, and afterward settled there. 
In 1839 a block house was built on the 
bluff in the cast part of the city. The 
I'ottawatomie Indians occupied this part 
of the State until 1846 7, when they re- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



liiiquished the territory and removed to 
Kansas. Billy Caldwell was then princi- 
pal chief. There were no white settlers in 
that part of the State except Indian traders, 
until the arrival of the Mormons under the 
lead of Brigham Young. These people, 
on their way westward, halted for the win- 
ter of 1846-7 on the we.^t bank of the Mis- 
souri river, about five miles above Omaha, 
at a place now called Florence. Some of 
them had reached the eastern bank of the 
river the spring before, in season to plant 
a crop In the spring of 1847 Young and 
a portion of the colony pursued their j''Ur- 
ney to Salt Lake, but a large portion of 
them returnerl to the Iowa side and settled 
mainly within the present limits of Potta- 
watomie County. The principal settlement 
of this strange community was at a place 
first called ''Miller's Hollow," on Indian 
creek, and afterward named Kanesville, in 
honor of Col. Kane, of Pennsylvania, who 
visited them soon afterward. The Mor- 
mon settlement extendtd over the county 
and into neighboring counties, wherever 
timber and water furnished desirable loca- 
tions. Orson Hyde, priest, lawyer and 
editor, was installed as President of the 
Quorum of Twelve, and all that part of the 
Slate remained under Mormon control for 
several years. In 1847 they raised a bat- 
talion, numbering 500 . men, for the Mexi- 
can war. In 1848 Hyde started a paper, 
called the Frontier Gv,ardian, at Kanes- 
ville. 



In 1849, after many of the faithful had 
left to join Brigham Young, at Salt Lake, 
the Mormons in this section of Iowa num- 
bered 6,552, and, in 1850, 7,828, but they 
were not all within the limits of Pottawat- 
omie county. This county was organized 
in 1848, all the first oflioials being Mor- 
mons. In 1852 the order was promulgated 
that fll the true believers should gather 
together at Salt Lake. Genti es flocked 
in, and in a few years nearly all the first 
settlers were gone. 

May 9, 184.3, Capt. James Allen, with a 
small detachment of troops, on board the 
steamer "lone," arrived at the present site 
of the capital of the State, DesMoines. 
This was the first steamer to ascend the 
DesMoines river to thi.s point. The troops 
and stores were landed at what is now the 
foot of Court AvenuQ, DesMoines, and 
Capt. Allen returned in the steamer to 
Fort Sanford, to arrange for bringing up 
more soldiers and supplies. In due time 
they, too, arrived, and a fort wrs built 
near the mouth of Raccoon Fork, at its 
confluence with the DesMoines, and named 
Fort DesMoines. Soon after the arrival of 
the troops, a trading post was established 
on the east side of the river, by two noted 
Indian traders, named Ewing, from Ohio. 
Among the first settlers in this part of 
Iowa were Benjamin Bryant, J. B. Soott, 
James Drake (gunsmith), John Sturtevant, 
Robert Kinzie, Alexander Turner, Peter 
Newcomer, and others. 



^^ 



■t. 



50 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER V. 



TERRITORIAL AND STATE ORGANIZATIONS. 



The immigration to Iowa after the Black 
Hawk purchase was so rapid and steady 
that gome provision for civil government 
became necessary. Accordingly, in 1834, 
all the territory comprising the present 
States of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota 
was made subject to the jurisdiction of 
Michigan Territory. Up to this time there 
had been no county or other organization 
in what is now the State of Iowa, although 
one or two justices of the peace had been 
appointed, and a postoffice was established 
at Dubuque in 1833. In September of 
1834, therefore, the Territorial Legislature 
of Michigan created two counties on the 
west side of the Mississippi river — Du- 
buque and DesMoines — separated by a line 
drawn westward from the foot of Rock 
Island. These counties were partially or- 
ganized. John King was appointed Chief 
Justice of Dubuque county, and Isaac Lef- 
fler (of Burlington) of DesMoines county. 
Two associate justices, in each county, 
were appointed by the Governor. 

In October, 1835, Gen. George W. Jones, 
now a citizen of Dubuque, was elected a 
delegate to Congress. April 20, 1836, 
through the efforts of Gen. Jones, Con- 
gress passed a bill creating the Territory 
of Wisconsin, which went into operation 
July 4, of the same year. Iowa was then 
included in the Territory of Wisconsin, of 
which Gen. Henry Dodge was appointed 



Governor; John S. Horner, Secretary; 
Charles Dunn, Chief Justice; David Irwin 
and William C. Frazer, Associate Justices. 

Sept. 9, 1836, Governor Dodge ordered 
a census of the new Territory to be taken. 
This census showed a population of 10,531, 
of which DesMoines county contained 
6,257, and Dubuque 4,274. Under the 
apportionment, the two above named 
counties were entitled to six members 
of the Council and thirteen of the House 
of Representatives. The Governor issued 
his proclamation for an election to be held 
on the first Monday of October, 1836, on 
which day the following members of the 
first Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin 
were elected from the two counties in the 
Black Hawk purchase : 

DuBUQiE — Council: John Fally, Thos. 
McKnight, Thos. McCraney. House: Lor- 
ing Wheeler, Haldin Whelan, Peter Hill 
Engle, Patrick Quigly, Hosea F. Camp. 

DesMoines — Council: Jeremiah Smith, 
Jr., Joseph B. Teas, Arthur B. Ingram. 
House: Isaac Leffler, Thos. Blair, Warren 
L. Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, 
Eli Reynolds, David R Chance. 

The Legislature assembled at Belmont, 
in the present State of Wisconsin, October 
25th, 1 836, and organized by electing Henry 
Baird President of the Council, and Peter 
Hill Engle (of Dubuque) Speaker of the 
House. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



At this session tlie county of DesMoines 
was divided into DesMoines, Lee, VanBu- 
ren, Henry, Muscatine and Cook. This 
last is now called Scott county. The first 
Legislature adjourned December 9lh, 1836. 

The second Legis'alure assembled at 
Burlington, November 9, 1 837. It divided 
Dubuque into the counties of Dubuque, 
Clayton, Fayette, Delaware, Buchanan, 
Jackson, Jones, Linn, Benton, Clinton and 
Cedar, and adjourned January 20th, 1838. 

A third session was held at Burlington, 
commencing June 1st, and ending June 
12th, 1^38. Most of the new counties 
were not organized nntil several years 
afterward 

. The question of the organization of the 
Territory of Iowa now began to be agi- 
tated, and the desires of the people found 
expression in a convention held Nov. 1st, 
which memoralized Congress to organize a 
Territory west of the Mississippi, and to 
settle the boundary line between Wiscon- 
sin Territory and Missouri. The Territorial 
Legislature of Wisconsin, then in session 
at Burlington, joined in the petition Gen. 
George W. Jones, of Dubuque, then re- 
siding at Linsinawa Mound, in what is now 
Wisconsin, was delegate to Congress from 
Wisconsin Territory, and labored so earn- 
estly that the act was passed dividing the 
Territory of Witconsin, and providing for 
the territorial government of Iowa. This 
was approved June 12, 1838, to take effect 
and be in force on and after July 3, 1838. 

The new Territory embraced "all that 
part of the pr. seflt Territory of Wisconsin 
west of the Mississippi river, and west of 
a line drawn due north from the head- 
waters or sources of the Mississippi to the 
Territorial line." The organic act pro- 



vided for a Governor, whose term of office 
should be three years; and for a Secretary, 
Chief Justice, two Associate Justices, and 
Attorney and Marshal, who should serve 
four years, to be appointed by the Presi- 
dent, by and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate. 

The act also provided for the election, by 
the white male inhabitants, citizens of the 
United Slates, over 21 years of age, of a 
House of Representatives, consisting of 
26 members, and a council, to consist of 13 
members. It also appropriated $5,000 for 
a public library, and $20,000 for the erec- 
tion of public buildings. 

In accordance with this act, President 
Van Buren appointed ex-Governor Robert 
Lucas, of Ohio, to be the first Governer of 
the new Territory. Wm. B. Conway, of 
Pittsburg, was appointed Secretary of the 
Territory; Charles Mason, of Burlington, 
Chief Justice, and Thomas S. Wilson, of 
Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of Penn- 
sylvania, Associate Judges of the Supreme 
and District Courts; Mr. Van Allen, of 
New York, Attorney; Francis Gehon, of 
Dubuque, Marshal; Augustus C. Dodge, 
Register of the Land Office at Burlington, 
and Thos. McKnight, Receiver of the Land 
Office at Dubuque. Mr. Van Allen, the 
District Attorney, died at Eockingham 
soon after his appointment, and Col. Chas 
Weston was appointed to fill his vacancy. 
Mr. Conway, the Secretary, also died at 
Burlington during the second session of 
the Legislature, and James Clarke, editor 
of the GazetteyWas appointed to succeed him. 

Governor Lucas, immediately after his 
arrival, issued a proclamation for the elec- 
tion of members of the first Territorial 
Legislature, to be held on the 10th of Sep- 



:k 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



tember, dividing the Territory into election 
districts for that purpose, and appointing 
the l2th of November for the meeting of 
the Legislature to be elected at Burlington. 
The members were elected in accordance 
with this proclamation, and assembled at 
the appointed time and place. The fol- 
lowing are their names : 

Council — Jesse B. Brown, J. Keith, E 

A. M. Swazey, Arthur Ingram, Robert 
Riilston, George Hepner, Jesse J. Payne, 
D B. Hughes, James M. Clark, Charles 
Whittlesey, Jonathan W. Parker, Warner 
lewis, Stephen Hempstead. 

House — Wm. Patterson, Hawkins Tay- 
lor, Calvin J. Price, James Brierly, James 
Hall, Gideon S. Bailey, Samuel Parker, 
James W. Grimes, George Temple, Van 

B. Delashmutt, Thomas Blair, George H. 
Beeler, Wm. G. Coop, Wm. H. Wallace, 
Asbury B. Porter, John Frierson, Wm. L. 
Toole, Levi Thornton, S. C. Hastings, 
Robert G. Roberts, Laurel Summers, Ja- 
bez A. Burchard. Jr , Chauncey Swan, An- 
drew Bankson, Thomas Cox and Hardin 
Nowlin. 

Although a large majority of both 
branches of the Legislature were Demo- 
ocrats. Gen. Jesse B. Brown (Whig), of 
Lee county, was ekcted President of the 
Council, and Hon.Wm H.Wallace (Whig), 
of Henry county, Sptaker of the House of 
Representatives — the former unanimously 
and the latter with but little opposition 
At that time national politics were little 
heeded by the people of the new Territory, 
but in 1840, during the Presidential cam- 
paign, parly lines were strongly drawn. 

At the same time with this Legislature, 
a Congressional delegate was also elected. 



Out of four candidates, William W. Chap- 
man was elected. 

The first session of the Iowa Territorial 
Legi.'^lature was a stormy and exciting one. 
By the organic law the Governor was 
clothed with almost unlimited veto power. 
Governor Lucus seemed disposed to make 
free use of it, and the independent Hawk- 
eyes could not quietly submit to arbitrary 
and absolute rule, and the result was an 
unpleasant controversy between the execu- 
tive and legislative departments; Congress, 
however, by act approved March 3d, 1839, 
amended the organic law by restricting 
the veto pow^ of the Governor to the two- 
thirds rule, and took from him the power 
to appoint sheriffs and magistrates. Among 
the first important matters demanding at- 
tention was the location of the Beat of 
government, and provision for the erection 
of public buildings, for which Congress 
had appropriated $20,000. Gov. Lucas, 
in his message, had recommended the ap- 
pointment of commissioners with a view 
to selecting a central location. The extent 
of the future State of Iowa was not known 
or thought of. Only a strip of land fifty 
miles wide, bordering on the Mississippi 
river, was the Indian title extinguished, 
and a central location meant some central 
point in the Black Hawk Purchase. 

The friends of a central location sup- 
ported the Governor's suggestion. The 
Southern members were divided between 
Burlington and Mount Pleasant, but finally 
united on the latter as the proper location 
for the seat of government. The central 
and southern parties were very nearly equal, 
and, in consequence, much excitement pre- 
vailed. The central party at last tri- 
umjihed, and, on January 21st, 1839, an act 



l^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



53 



was passed appoiuting Chauiicey Swan, of 
Dubuque county, John Ronalds, of Louisa 
county, and Robert Ralston, of DesMoines 
county. Commissioners to select a site for 
a permanent seat of government within 
the limits of Johnson county. 

The first settlement within the limits of 
JohnsDn county was made in 1837. The 
county was created by act of the Territorial 
Legislature of Wisconsin, approved Dec. 
21, 1837, and organized by act pased at 
the special session at Burlington, in June, 
1838, the organization to date from July 4, 
following. Napoleon, on the Iowa river, 
a few miles below the future Iowa City, 
was designated as the temporary county 
seat. 

All things considered, the location of 
the capital in Johnson county was a wise 
act. The Territory was bounded on the 
north by the British possessions; east, by 
the Mis,sissippi river to its source; thence 
by a line drawn due north to the northern 
boundary of the United States; south, by 
the State of Missouri, and west by the 
Missouri and White Earth rivers. But 
this immense territory was in undisputed 
possession of the Indians, except a strip 
on the Mississippi, known as the Black 
Hawk Purchase. Johnson county was, 
from north to south, in the geographical 
center of this purchase, and as near the 
east and west geographical center of the 
future State of Iowa as could then be made, 
as the boundary line between the lauds of 
the United States and the Indians estab- 
lished by the treaty of Oct. 21, 1837, was 
immediately west of the county limits. 

Aftei selecting the site, the Commission- 
ers were directed to lay out 640 acres into 
a town, to be called Iowa City, and to pro- 



ceed to sell lots and erect public buildings 
thereon. Congress having granted a section 
of land to be selected by the Territory for 
this purpose. The Commissioners met at 
Napoleon, Johnson county. May 1, 1839, 
selected for a site section 10, in township 
79 north, of range 6 west of the fifth prin- 
cipal meridian, and immediately surveyed 
it and laid off the town. The first sale of 
lots took place Aug. 16, 1839. The site 
selected for the public buildings was a 
little west of the center of the section, 
where a square of 10 acres, on the elevated 
grounds overlooking th6 river, was reserved 
for the purpose. The capitol is located in 
the center of this square. The second Ter- 
ritorial Legislature, which assembled in 
November, 1839, passed an act requiring 
the Commissioners to adopt such plan for 
the building that the aggregate cost, when 
complete, should not exceed $51,' 00, and 
if they had already adopted a plan involv- 
ing a greater expenditure, 'they were direct- 
ed to abandon it. Plans for the building 
were designed and drawn by Mr. John F. 
Rague, of Springfield, Ills., and July 4, 
1840, the corner-stone of the edifice was 
laid with appropriate ceremonies. Samuel 
C. Trowbridge was marshal of ihe day, 
and Governor Lucas delivered the address 
on that occasion. 

On July 13, 1840, Governor Lucas an- 
nounced to the Legislature then as- 
sembled in special session, that on the 
4th of that month he had visited Iowa 
City, and found the basement of the cap- 
itol nearly completed. A bill authorizing 
a loan of $^0,000 for the building was 
passed January 15, 1841, the unsold lots of 
I jwa City being the security offered, but 
only $5,5(i0 was obtained under the act. 



- '9 



J^t 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Monday, December 6, 1841, the fourth 
Legislative Assembly met at the new cap- 
ital, Iowa City, but the capitol building 
could not be used, and the Legislature oc- 
cupied a temporary frame house, that had 
been erected for that purpose during' the 
session of 1841-2. At this session, the 
Superintendent of Public Buildings (who, 
with the Territorial Agent, had superseded 
the Commissioners first appointed,) esti- 
mated the expense of completing the build- 
ing at ^33,330, and of completing rooms 
for the use of the Legislature at §15,600. 

During the following year the Superin- 
tendent commenced obtaining stone from a 
new quarry about ten miles northeast of the 
•city. This is now known as the "Old Cap- 
itol Quarry," and is thought to contain an 
immense quantity of excellent building 
stone. Here all the stone for completing 
the building was obtained, and it was so 
far completed that, on the 5th day of De- 
cember, 1842, the Legislature assembled in 
the new Capitol. At this session the Su- 
perintendent estimated that it would cost 
$39,143 to finish the building. This was 
nearly $6,000 higher than the estimate of 
the previous year, notwithstanding a large 
sum had been expended in the meantime. 
This rather discouraging discrepancy was 
accounted for by the fact that the officers 
in charge of the work were constantly 
short of funds. Except the Congressional 
appropriation of 820,000, and the loan of 
$5,500 obtained from the Miners' Bank of 
Dubuque, all the funds for the prosecution 
of the work were derived from the sale of 
the city lots (which did not sell very rap- 
idly), from certificates of indebtedness, 
and from scrip, based upon unsold lots, 
which was to be received in payment for 



such lots when they were sold. At one 
time the Superintendent m dea requisition 
for bills of iron and glass, which could not 
be obtained nearer than St. Louis. To 
meet this, the agent sold some lots for a 
draft payable at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 
for which he was compelled to pay 25 per 
cent, exchange. This draft amounted to 
$507, which that officer reported to be more 
than one-half the cash actually handled by 
him during the entire season, when thf dis- 
bursements amounted to very nearly $24,- 
000. With such uncertainty, it could not 
be expected that the estimate could be 
very accurate. With all these disadvan- 
tages, however, the work appears to have 
been prudently prosecuted, and as rapidly 
as circumstances would permit. 

In 1841, John Chambers succeded Robert 
Lucas as Territorial Governor. The office 
was held by him until 1845, when it was 
filled by James Clarke. 

The first Legislative Assembly laid the 
broad foundation of civil equality, on which 
has been constructed one of the most lib- 
eral governments in the Union. Its first 
act was to recognize the equality of woman 
witji man, before the law, by providing 
that " no action commenced by a single 
woman, who marries during the pendency 
thereof, shall abate on account of such 
marriage." This principle has been 
adopted in all subsequent legislation in 
Iowa, and to-day woman has full and equal 
rights with man, excepting only the right 
of the ballot. 

Religious toleration was also secured to 
all, personal liberty strictly guarded the 
rights and privileges of cilizenship ex- 
tended to all white persons, and the purity 
of elections secured by heavy penalties 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



against bribery and corruption. The 
judiciary power was vested in a Supreme 
Court, District Court, Probate Court and 
justices of the peace. Real estate was 
made divisible by will, and intestate pro- 
perty divided equitably among heirs. 
Murder was made punishable by death, 
and proportionate penalties fixed for lesser 
crimes. A system of free schools, open 
for every class of white citizens, was estab- 
lished. Provision was made for a system 
of roads and highways. Thus, under the 
Territorial organization, the country began 
to emerge from a savage wilderness, and 
take on the foims of civil government. 

The Territorial Legislature held its 
eighth and last session at Iowa City, com- 
mencing December 1, 1845. James Clark 
was the same year appointed the successor 
of Governor Chambers, and was the third 
and last Territorial Governor. In 184-3 the 
Territorial Legislature compiled and pub- 
lished a code of general statutes, making 
a volume of 800 pages, that continued in 
force until July, 1851. 

THE MISSOtJRI WAR. 

In defining the boundaries of the conn- 
ties bordering on Missouri, the Iowa 
authorities had fixed a line which has 
since been established as the boundary 
between Iowa and Missouri. The consti- 
tution of Missouri defined her northern 
boundary to be the parallel of latitude which 
passes through the rajiids of Des Moines 
river. The lower rapids of the Mississippi 
immediately above the mouth of the Des 
Ml ines river had always been known as 
the Des Moines Rapids, or the " rapids of 
the Des Moines river." The Missourians 
(evidently not well versed in history or 



geography), insisted on running the 
northern boundary line from the rapids in 
the Des Moines river, just lelow Keosau- 
qua, thus taking from Iowa a strip of ter- 
ritory eight or ten miles wide. Assuming 
this as her norihern boundary line, Missouri 
attempted to exercise jurisdiction over the 
disputed territory by assessing taxes, and 
sending ber sheriffs to collect them by 
distraining the personal property of the 
settlers. The lowans, however, were not 
disposed to submit, and the MLssouri offi- 
cials were arrested by the sheriffs of Davis 
and Van Buren counties and confined in 
jail. Governor Boggs, of Missouri, called 
out his mllita to enforce the claim aLd 
sustain the officers of Missouri. Governor 
Lucas called out the militia of Iowa. 
About 1,200 men were enlisted, and 500 
were actually armed and encamped in 
Van Buren county, ready to defend the 
integrity of the Territory. Subsequently, 
Gen. A. C. Dodge, of Burlington, General 
Churchman, of Dubuque, and Dr. Clark, 
of Fort Madison, were sent to Missouri as 
envoys plenipotentiary, to effect, if possi- 
ble, a peaceable adjustment of the diffi- 
culty. Upon their arrival, they found that 
the county commissioners of Clark county, 
Missouri, had rescinded their order for tha 
collection of taxes, and that Governor 
Boggs had dispatched messengers to the 
Governor of Iowa proposing to submit an 
agreed case to the Supreme Court of the 
United States for the settlement of the 
boundary question. This proposition was 
declined; but afterward, upon petition of 
Iowa and Missouri, Congress authorized a 
suit to settle the controversy. The suit 
was duly instituted, and resulted in the 
decision that Iowa had only asserted "the 



^1 



56 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



truth of history," and that she knew 
where the rapids of Des Moines river were 
located. Thus ended the Missouri war. 
"There was much good sense," saya Hon. 
C. C. Noiirse, "in the basi^ upon whit-h 
peace was secured, to-wit: 'If Missourians 
did not know where the rapids of the river 
Des Moines were located, that was no suf- 
ficient reason for killing them ofE with 
powder and lead; and if we did know a 
little more of history and geography than 
they did, ve ought not to be shot for our 
learning. We commend our mutual for- 
bearance to older and greater people.' " 
Under an order from the Supreme Court 
of the United States, William G. Miner, of 
Missouri, and Henry B. Hendershott, of 
Iowa, acted as commissioners, and surveyed 
and established the boundary. The ex- 
penses of the war on the part of Iowa were 
never paid, either by the United States or 
the Territorial Government. The patriots 
who furnished supplies to the troops had 
to bear the cost and charges of the struggle 
The population being sufficient to justify 
the formation of a State government, the 
Territorial Legislature of Iowa passed an 
act, which was approved February 12th, 
1844, submitting to the people the ques- 
tion of the formation of a State constitu- 
tion and providing for the election of 
delegates to a convention to be convened 
for that purpose. The people voted upon 
this at their township elections in the fol- 
lowing April. The measure was carried 
by a large majority, and the delegates 
elected assembled in convention at Iowa 
City October 7th, 1844. On the first day 
of November following, the convention 
completed its work, and adopted the first 
State constitution. 



Hon. Shepherd Lttflfr. the president of 
this convention, was instruced to transmit 
a certified copy of this constitution to the 
delegate in Congress, to be by him sub- 
mitted to that body at the earliest practi- 
cable day. It also providt^d that it should 
be submitted, together with any conditions 
or changes that might be made by Con- 
gress, to the People of the Territory, fi r 
their approval or rejection, at the township 
election in April, 1845. 

The Constitution, as thus prepared, pro- 
vided the following boundaries for the 
State: Beginning in the middle of the 
channel of the Mississippi river, opposite 
the mouth of the Des Moines river; thence 
up the said river Des Moines, in the mid- 
dle of the main channel thereof, to a point 
where it is intersected by the old Indian 
bounda-y line, or line run by John C. Sul- 
livan in 1816; thence westwardly along 
said line to the "old" northwest corner of 
Missouri; thence due west to the middle 
of the main channel of the Missouri river; 
tl>ence up the middle of the main channel 
of the river last mentioned, to the mouth 
of the Sioux or Calumet river; thence in a 
direct line to the middle of the main chan- 
nel of the St. Peters river, where the Wa- 
tonwan river — according to Nicollelt's 
map— enters the same; thence down the 
middle of the main channel of the said 
river to the middle of the main channel 
of the Mississippi river; thence down the 
middle of the main channel of said river 
to the place of beginning. 

These boundaries were considerably 
more extended than other Western States, 
and Congress therefore amended the '^'on- 
stituiion, by act approved March 3, 1845, 
as follows: Beginning at the mouth of 



TV 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



57 



the Des Moines river, at the middle of the 
Mississippi; thence by the middle of the 
channel of that river to a parallel of lati- 
tude, passing through the moulh of the 
Mankato or Blue Earth river; thence west, 
along said parallel of latitude, to a point 
where it is intersected by a meridia > line 
17 ® 30' west of the meridian of Wash- 
ington City; thence due south, to the 
northern boundary line of the State of 
Missouri; thence eastwardly, following 
that boundary to the point at which the 
same intersects the Des Moines river; 
thence by the middle of the channel of 
that river to the place of beginning. 

Had these boundaries been accepted, 
they would have placed the northern 
boundary of the State about 30 miles 
north of its present location, and would 
have deprived it of the Missouri slope and 
the boundary of that river. The western 
boundary would have been near the west 
line of what is now Kossuth county. But 
it was not so to be. In consequence of 
this radical and unwelcome change in the 
boundaries, the people refused to accept 
the act of Congress, and rejected the Con- 
stitution, at the election held Aug. 4, 1845, 
by a vote of 7,656 to 7,235. 

May 4, 1846, a second Convention met 
at Iowa City, and on the 18th of the same 
month another Constitution, prescribing 
the boundaries as they now are, was 
adopted. This was accepted by the people, 
August 3, by a vote of 9,492 to 9,036. The 
new Constitution was approved by Con- 
gress, and Iowa was admitted as a sov- 
ereign State in the American Union, Dec. 
28, 1846. 

The people of the State, anticipating 
favorable action by Congress, held an 



election for State officers October 26, 
which resulted in Ansel Briggs being de- 
clared Governor; Elisha Cutler, Jr., Secre- 
tary of State; Joseph T. Fales, Auditor; 
Morgan Reno, Treasurer; and members of 
the Senate and House of Representatives. 

The act of Congress which admitted 
Iowa gave her the 1 6th section of every 
township of land in the State, or its 
equivalent, for the support of schools; 
also, 72 sections of land for the purpose of 
a university; also, five sections of land for 
the completion of her public buildings; 
also, the salt springs within her limits, not 
exceeding 12 in number, with sections of 
land adjoining each; also, in consideration 
that her public lands should be exempt 
from taxation by the Slate, she gave the 
State five per cent, of the net proceeds of 
the sale of public lands within the State. 
Thus provided for as a bride with her 
marriage portion, Iowa commenced house- 
keeping on her own account. 

A majority of the Constitutional Con- 
vention of 1846 were of the Democratic 
party; and the instrument contains some 
of the peculiar tenets of the party of that 
day. All banks of issue were prohibited 
within the State. The State was prohibited 
from becoming a stockholder in any cor- 
poration for pecuniary profit, and the Gen- 
eral Assembly could only provide for pri- 
vate corporations by general statutes. The 
constitution also limited the State's indebt- 
edness to $100,000. It required the Gen- 
eral Assembly to provide public schools 
throughout the State for at least three 
months in the year. Six months previous 
residence of any white male citizen of the 
United States constituted him an elector. 



A 



HISTOET OF IOWA. 



The government was started on an 
economical basis. The members of the 
General Assembly received, each, two dol- 
lars per day for the first fifty days of the 
session, and one dollar per day thereafter. 
The sessions were to be biennial. The 
salaries of the State officers were limited 
the first ten years as follows: Governor, 
$1,000 per annum; Secretary of State, $500; 
Treasurer of State, $400; Auditor of State, 
$600; and Judges of the Supreme Court, 
$1,000 each. And it may be said here that 



these prices did not discourage the best 
talent of the State frorn seeking these 
positions, and that during these ten years 
none of these officers were ever known to 
receive bribes, or to steal one dollar of the 
public money. At the time of organiza- 
tion as a S'ate, Iowa had a population of 
116,651, as appears by the census of 1847. 
There weie twenty-seven organized coun- 
ties in the State, and the settlements were 
being rapidly pushed toward the Missouri 
river. 



CHAPTER VI. 



GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OP THE STATE. 



The first General Assembly was com- 
posed of nineteen Senators and forty Rep- 
resentatives. It assembled in Iowa City, 
November 30th, 1840, about one month be- 
fore Congress passed the act of admission. 
The most important business transacted 
was the passage of a bill authorizing a 
loan of $50,000 for means to run the State 
government and pay the expenses of the 
Constitutional Convention. The election 
of United States Senators was called up at 
this session, and was the occasion of much 
e.xcitement and no little hard feeling. Tbe 
Whigs had a majority of two in the House 
and the Democrats a majority of one in 



the Senate. After repeated attempts to 
control these majorities for caucus nom- 
inees, and frequent sessions of a joint con- 
vention for purposes of an election, the 
attempt was abandoned. A public school 
law was passed at this session, for the or- 
ganization of public schools in the State. 
In pursuance of its provisions, an election 
f.r superintendent of public instruction 
was held the following spring, and James 
Harlan received a majority of the votes 
cast. After the election the Democratic 
Secretary of State discovered that the law 
contained no provision for its publication 
in the newspapers, and he claimed it had 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



59 



not gone into effect. He, therefore, and 
the Governor, refused Harlan a certificate 
of election. The Supreme Court sustained 
their action. 

At this first session of the General As- 
sembly, the Treasurrr of State reported 
that the capitol building was in a very 
exposed condition, liable to injury from 
storms, and expressed the hope that some 
provision would be made to complete it, at 
least sufficiently to protect it from the 
weather. The General Assembly re- 
sponded by appropriating 12,500 for the 
completion of the public buiMings. At 
the first session, also, arose the question of 
the relocation of the capitol. The western 
boundary of the Stale, as now determined, 
left Iowa City too far toward the eastern 
and southern boundary of the State; this 
was conceded. Congress had appropri- 
ated five sections of land for the erection 
of public buildings, and toward the close 
of the session a bill was introduced pro- 
viding for the relocation of the seat of 
government, involving to some extent the 
location of the State University, which 
had already been discussed. This bill 
gave rise to much discussion, and parlia- 
mentary maneuvering almost purely sec- 
tional in its character. It provided for 
the appointment of commissioners, who 
were authorized to make a location as near 
the geographical centre of the State as 
a healthy and eligible site could be ob- 
tained; to select the five sections of land 
donated by Congress, to survey and plat 
into town lots not exceeding one section of 
the land so selected; to sell lots at public 
sale, not to exceed two in each block. 
Having done this, they were then required 
to suspend further operatioi s, and make a 



report 9f their proceeding to the Governor. 
The bill passed both Houses by decisive 
votes, received the signature of the Gov- 
ernor, and became a law. Soon after, by 
"An act td locate and establish a State 
University," approved Feb. 25, 1847, the 
unfinished public buildings at Iowa City, 
together withthe ten acres of lands on which 
they were situated, were granted for the 
use of the University, reserving their use, 
however, by the General Assembly and the 
State officers, until other provisions were 
made by law. 

The Commissioners forthwith entered 
upon their duties, and selected four sec- 
tions and two half sections in Jasper 
county. Two of these sections are in what 
is now DesMoines township, and the others 
in Fairview township, in the southern part 
of that county. These lands are situated 
between Prairie City and Monroe, on the 
Keokuk & DesMoines railroad, which runs 
diagonally through them. Here a town 
was platted called Monroe City, and a sale 
of lots took place. The number of 415 
lots were sold, at prices that were not con- 
sidered remarkably remunerative. The 
cash payments (one-fourth) amounted to 
11,797.43, while the expenses of the sale 
and the claims of the Commissioners for 
services amounted to $2,206.67. The Com 
missioners made a report of their proceed 
ings to the Governor, as required by law 
but the location was generally condemned 

When the report of the Commissioners 
showing this brilliant financial operation 
had been read in the House of Represent 
atlv.s, at the next session, and while it was 
under consideration, an indignant member, 
aTterward known as the eccentric Judge 
McFarland, moved to refer the report to a 



A 



60 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



select committee of five, with instrHctions 
to report "how much of said city of Mon- 
roe was under water, and how much was 
burned." The report was referred, with- 
out the instructions, but Monroe City never 
became the seat of government. By an 
act approved January 15, 1849, the law by 
which the location had been made was re- 
pealed, and the new town was vacate'd,the 
money paid by purchasers of lots being 
refunded to them. This, of course, re- 
tained the seat of government at Iowa 
City, and precluded for the time the occu- 
pation of the building and grounds by the 
University. 

At the same session $3,000 more were 
appropriated for completing the State 
building at Iowa City. In 1852, the fur- 
ther sum of 15,000, and in 1854 $4,000 
more were appropriated for the same pur- 
pose, making the whole cost $123,000, paid 
partly by the general Government and 
partly by the State, but principally by the 
proceeds of the sale of lots in Iowa City. 

After the adjournment of the first Gen- 
eral Assembly, the Governor appointed 
Joseph Williams, Chief Justice, and Geo. 
Green and John F. Kinney Judges, of the 
Supreme Court. They were afterward 
elected by the second General Assembly, 
and constituted the Supreme Court until 
1855, with the exception that Kinney re- 
signed in January, 1854, and J. C. Hall, of 
Burlington, was appointed in his place. 
Hall was one of the earliest and ablest 
lawyers of the State, and his memory will 
long be cherished by the early members of 
the profession. Some changes having 
occurred by death and removal, the Gov- 
ernor was induced to call an extra session 
of the General Assembly in January, 184S, 



with the hope of an election of United 
States Senators. The attempt, however, 
was again unsuccessful. At this ses.sion, 
Charles Maion, William G. Woodward and 
Stephen Hempstead were appointed Com- 
missioners to prepare a code of laws for 
the State. Their work was finished in 
1850, and was adopted by the General As- 
sembly. This "code" contained, among 
other provisions, a code of civil practice, 
superseding the old common-law forms of 
actions and writs, and it was admissible 
for its simplicity and method. It remained 
in force until 1863, when it was superseded 
by the more complicated and metaphys- 
ical system of the revision of that year. 

The first Representatives in Congress 
were S. Clinton Hastings, of Muscatine, 
and Shepherd Lefiier, of DesMoines county. 

The second General Assembly elected 
to the United States Senate, Augustus 
Caesar Dodge and George W. Jones. The 
State government, after the first session, 
was under the c -ntrol of Democratic ad- 
ministration till 1855. The electoral vote 
of the State was cist for Lewis Cass, in 
1848, and for Franklin Pierce in 1852. 
The popular vote shows that the Free-Soil 
element of State during this period very 
nearly held the balance of power, and thai 
up to 1854 it acted in the State elections 
to some extent with the Democratic party. 
In 1848 Lewis Cass received 12,093 votes, 
Zachary Taylor 11,043, and Martin Van 
Buren,the Free-Soil candidate, 1,226 votes, 
being 176 less than a majority for Cass. 

In 1862, Pierce lec^ived 17,762 votes, 
Scott 15,855, and Hale (Free-Soil) 1,606, 
being for Pierce 301 votes more than a 
majority. 



7\s 






?A 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



The question of the permanent location 
of the seat of government was not settled, 
and in 1851 bills were introduced for its 
removal to Fort DesMoines. The latter 
appeared to have the support of the major- 
ity, but was finally lost in the House on 
the question of ordering it to its third 
reading. 

At the next session, in 1853, a bill was 
again introduced in the Senate for the re- 
moval of the seat of government to Fort 
DesMoines, and, on final vote, w^as just 
barely defeated. At the next session, how- 
ever, the effort was more successful, and 
January 15th, 1855, a bill relocating the 
Capital within two miles of the Raccoon 
Fork of the DesMoines, and for the ap- 
pointment of Commissioners, was approved 
by Gov. Grimes. The site was selected in 
1856, in accordance with the provisions of 
this act; the land being donated to the 
State by citizens and property-holders of 
DesMoines. An association of citizens 
erected a building for a temporary capitol, 
and leased it to the State at a nominal 
rent. 

The passage by Congress of the act 
organizing the Territories Of Kansas and 
Nebraska, and the provision it contained 
abrogating that portion of the Missouri 
bill that proh bited slavery and involuntary 
seivitude north of 36 ° 30' was the begin- 
ning of a political revolution in the North- 
ern States, and in none was it more marked 
than in the Slate of Iowa. Iowa was the 
"first free child born of the Missouri com- 
promise," and has always resented the de- 
struction of her foster parent. 

In the summer of 185i there was a tacit 
coalition or union of the Whig and Free- 
Soil elements of the State. Alarmed at 



the aggressive spirit manifested by the ad- 
herents of the peculiar institution, the 
Free-Soilers, who almost held the balance 
of power in the State, readily adopted as 
their candidate the Whig nominee for Gov- 
ernor. Many of the old-line Whigs aban- 
doned their party because of this coalition, 
but many strong and able men among the 
Demo'crats co-operated with it. James W. 
Grimes was the nominee of the Whigs, 
and Curtis Bates, of Polk county, was the 
nominee of the Democratic party. Grimes 
was then in the vigor of his manhood, and 
all the energies of his being appeared to 
be aroused by what he denominated the 
aggressions of the slave power. He was 
thoroughly in earnest, and canvassed most 
of the organized counties of the State. 
The people flocked by the thousands to 
hear him, and were electrified by his elo- 
quence. No one of the opposition at- 
tempted to meet him in debate. The re- 
sult was his election by a majority of 1 ,404 
in a vote of 21,794. A majority was also 
secured in the General Assembly on joint 
ballot of the two Houses in opposition to 
the Democratic party. The opposition 
party in 1854-'5 were known as anti-Ne- 
braska Whigs. A caucus of this opposing 
element nominated James Harlan as their 
candidate for United States Senator, Geo. 
G. Wright for Chief Justice, and Norman 
W. Isbell and Wm. G. Woodward for 
Judges of the Supreme Court. 

A portion of the opposition, however, 
refused to go into this C-iucus, or to abide 
by its decision as to the United States Sen- 
ator. They were the personal friends of 
Ebenezer Cook, of Scott county. 

A joint convention was secured, and the 
Judges of the Supreme Court were elected. 



62 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



After frequent balloting and adjournments, 
it was at last understood tbat Cook's 
friends had yielded, and would support 
Mr. Harlan. When the hour arrived to 
which the joint convention had adjourned, 
messengers were sent to the Senate by the 
House, to inform that body that the House 
was ready to meet them in joint conven- 
tion. Before this message could be de- 
livered, the Senate had adjourned over 
until the next day. The anti-Nebraska 
Senators, however, entered the hall of the 
House and took their seats in joint conven- 
tion. Much confusion prevailed, but 
finally a President /»'(? tem, of the conven- 
tion was chosen, and Mr." Harlan was 
elected. His seat was contested, and his 
eltclion declared invalid by the United 
States Senate. 

At the next session of the General As- 
sembly, held in 1857, Mr. Harlan was re- 
elected, and was permitted to take his seat. 

The year 1856 marked a new era in the 
history of Iowa. In 1854 the Chicago & 
Rock Island railroad had been completed 
to the east bank of the Mississippi river, 
opposite Davenport. In the same year the 
corner-stone of a railroad bridge that was 
to be the first to span the "Father of 
Waters," was laid with appropriate cere- 
monies, at this point. St Louis had re- 
solved that the enterprise was unconstitu- 
tional, and by writs of injunction made an 
unsuccessful effort to prevent its comple- 
tion. Twenty years later in her history 
St. Louis repented her folly, and made 
atonement for her sin by imitating Iowa's 
example. January 1st, 1856, this railroad 
was completed to Iowa City. In the mean- 
time two other railroads had reached the 
east bank of the Mississippi — one opposite 



Burlington and one opposite Dubuque — 
and these were being extended into the 
interior of the State. Indeed, four other 
lines of railroads had been projected across 
the State, from the Mississippi to the Mis- 
souri, having eastern connections. 

May 15th, 1856, Congress passed an act 
granting to the State, to aid in the con- 
struction of railroads, the public lands in 
alternate sections, six miles on each side 
of the proposed lines An extra session 
of the General Assembly was called in 
July of this year, that disposed of the 
grant to the several companies that pro- 
posed to complete these enterprises. The 
population of Iowa was now 500,000. Pub- 
lic attention had been called to the neces- 
sity of a railroad across the continent. 
The position of Iowa, in the very heart 
and center of the republic, on the route 
of this great highway of the continent, 
began to attract attention. Cities and 
towns sprang up through the State as if 
by magic. Capital began to pour into the 
State, and had it been employed in devel- 
oping the vast coal measures and establish- 
ing manufactories, or if it had been 
expended in improving the lands, and in 
building houses and barns, it would have 
been well. But all were in haste to get 
rich, and the spirit of speculation ruled the 
hour. 

In the meantime, every effort was made 
to help the speedy completion of the i ail- 
roads. Nearly every county and city on 
the Mississippi, and many in the interior, 
voted large corporate subscriptions to the 
stock of the railroad companies, and issued 
their negotiable bonds for the amount. 
Thus enormous county and city debts were 
incurred, the payment of which these mu- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



nicipalities tried to avoid, upon the plea 
that they had exceeded the constitutional 
limitation of their powers. The Supreme 
Court of the United States held these 
bonds to be valid, and the courts, by man- 
damus, compelled the city and county 
authorities to levy taxes to pay the judg- 
ments recovered upon them. These debts 
are not all paid, even to this day; but the 
worst is over, and the incubus is in the 
course of ultimate extinction. The most 
valuable lessons are those learned in the 
school of experience, and, accordingly, the 
corporations of Iowa have ever since been 
noted for economy. 

In 1856 the Republican party of the 
State was duly organized, in full sympathy 
with that of the other free States, and at 
the ensuing presidential election the elec- 
toral vote of the State was cast for John 
C. Fremont. The popular vote was as 
follows : Fremont, 43,954; Buchanan, 36,- 
170, and Fillmore, 9,180. This was 1,396 
less than a majority for Fremont. The 
following year an election was held, after 
an exciting campaign, for State officers, 
resulting in a majority of 1,406 for Ralph 
P. Lowe, the Republican nominee. The 
Legislature was largely Republican in both 
branches. 

In June, 1854, a Board of State Com- 
missioners contracted with the DesMoines 
Navigation Railroad Company, an organ- 
ization composed principally of New York 
capitalists, to undertake the work, agree- 
ing to convey to the company lands at 
$1.25 an acre for all moneys advanced 
and expended. In the meantime difficul- 
ties arose in regard to the extent of the 
grant. The State claimed lands through- 
out the whole extent of the river to the 



north line of the State. The Department 
of the Interior changed its rulings under 
the several administrations. The Com- 
missioner of the General Land Office cer- 
tified to the State about 320,000 acres of 
land bel. w the Raccoon Fork of the river, 
and about 270,000 acres above it prior to 
1857, when he refused to certify any more. 
This led to a settlement and compromise 
with the Navigation Company in 1858, 
whereby the company took all the land 
certified to the State at that date, and paid 
the State ?!20,0C0 in addition to what they 
had already expended, cancelled their con- 
tract and abandoned the work. 

The General Assembly granted to the 
DesMoines Valley Railroad Company the 
remainder of the grant to the State line, to 
aid in building a railroad up and along the 
DesMoines Valley ; and Congress, in 1862, 
extended the grant, by express enactment, 
to the r.orth line of the State. 

The most injurious result to the State, 
arising from the spirit of speculation pre- 
valent in 1856, was the purchase and entry 
of great bodies of Government land within 
the State by non-residents. This land was 
held for speculation, and placed beyond 
the reach of actual settlers for many 
ye.ars. 

From no other one cause has Iowa suf- 
fered so much as from the short-sighted 
policy of the Federal Government in sell- 
ing lands within her borders. The money 
thus obtained by the Federal Government 
has been comparatively inconsiderable. 
The value of this magnificient public do- 
main to the United States was not in the 
few thousands of dollars she might exact 
from the hardy settlers, or that she might 
obtain from the speculator who hoped to 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



profit by the settlers' labors in improving 
the country. Statesmen should have taken 
a broader and more comprehensive view 
of national economy, and a view more in 
harmony with the divine economy that had 
prepared these vast fertile plains of the 
West for the "homes of men and the seats 
of empire." It was here that new States 
were to be builded up that should be the 
future strength of the nation against for- 
eign invasion or home revolt. A single 
regiment of Iowa soldiers during the dark 
days of the Rebellion was worth more to 
the nation than all the money she ever ex- 
acted from the toil and sweat of Iowa's 
early settlers. Could the statesmen of 
forty years ago have looked forward to this 
day, when Iowa pays her $1,000,000 annu- 
ally into the treasury of the nation for the 
extinction of the national debt, they would 
have realized that the founding of new 
States was a greater enterprise than the 
retailing of public lands. 

In January, 1857, another Constitutional 
Convention assembled at Iowa City, which 
framed the present State constitution. One 
of the most pressing demands for this con- 
vention grew out of the prohibition of banks 
under the old constitution. The practical 
result of this pro^iibition was to flood the 
State with every species of "wild-cat" 
currency. Our circulating medium was 
made up in part of the free-bank paper of 
Illinois and Indiana. In addition to this, 
we had paper issued by Iowa brokers, who 
had obtained bank charters from the Ter- 
ritorial Legislature of Nebraska, and had 
their pretended headquarters at Omaha and 
Florence. Our currency was also well 
assorted with the bills from other States, 
generally such as had the best reputation 



where they were least known. This paper 
was all at 2, and some of it from lu to 15 
per cent, discount. Every man who was 
not an expert in detecting counterfeit bills, 
and who was not posted in the history of 
all manner of banking institutions, did 
business at his peril. The new constitution 
made ample provisions for house banks 
under the supervision of our own laws. _ 
The limitation of our State debt was en- 
larged to $-'50,000, and the corporate in- 
debtedness of the cities and counties were 
also limited to five per cent, upon the valu- 
ation of their taxable properly. 

The Judges of the Supreme Court were 
to be elected by the popular vote. 

The permanent seat of government 
was fixed at DesMoines, and the State Uni- 
versity located at Iowa City. The qualifi- 
cations of electors remained the same as 
under the old constitution, but the schedule 
provided for a vote of the people upon a 
separate proposition to strike the word 
"white" out of the suffrage clause, which, 
had it prevailed, would have resulted in 
conferring the right of suffrage without 
distinction of color. Since the early or- 
ganization of Iowa there had been upon 
the statute books a law providing that no 
negro, mulatto or Indian should be a com- 
petent witness in any suit or proceeding to 
which a white man was a party. The Gen- 
eral Assembly of 1856-'7 repealed this law, 
and the new constitution contained a clause 
forbidding such disqualification in the 
future. It also provided for the education 
of "all youth of the State" through a sys- 
tem of common schools. This constitution 
was adopted at the ensuing election by a 
vote of 40,311 to .38,681. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



65 



October 19, IBS'?, Gov. Grimes issued a 
proclamation declaring the City of Des- 
Moiues to be the capital of the State of 
Iowa. The removal of the archives and 
offices was commenced at once and con- 
tinued through the fall. It was an under- 
taking of no small magitude; there was 
not a mile of railroad to facilitate the 
work, and the season was unusually dis- 
agreeable. Rain, snow and other accom- 
paniments increased the difficulties, and it 
was not until December that the last of the 
tffects, — the safe of the State Treasurer, 
loaded on two large "bob-sleds," drawn by 
ten yokes of oxen, — was deposited in -the 
new oapitol. Thus Iowa City ceased to be 
the capital of the State after four Territo- 
rial Legislatures, six State Legislatures and 
three Constitutional Conventions had held 
their sessions there. 

In 1856 and 1858 large appropriations 
were made for the erection of public build- 
ings and the support of the unfortunate 
classes, and a loan of $200,000 was author- 
ized. 

During the years 1858-60, the Sioux In- 
dians became troublesome in the north- 
western part of the State. They made 
frequent raids for the purpose of plunder, 
and on several occasions murdered whole 
families of settlers. In 1861 several com- 
panies of militia were ordered to that por- 
tion of the State to hunt down and expel 
the thieves. No battles were fought, the 
Indians fleeing as soon as they ascertained 
systematical measures had been adopted 
for their punishment. 

In 1870 the General Assembly made an 
appropriation and provided for the appoint- 
ment of a Board of Commissioners to 
commence the work of building a new cap- 



itol. The corner-stone was laid with ap- 
propriate ceremonies November 23, 1871. 

The building is a beautiful specimen of 
modern architecture. 

When Wisconsin Territory was organ- 
ized, in 1836, the entire population of that 
portion of the Territory now embraced in 
the State of Iowa, was 10,531. The Terri- 
tory then embraced two counties, Dubuque 
and DesMoines, erected by the Territory 
of Michigan, in 1834. Since then, the 
counties have increased to ninety-nine, and 
the population in 1880 was 1,624,463. The 
following table will show the population at 
different periods since the erection of Iowa 
Territory: 

Year. Population. 

1838 22,589 

1840 43,115 

1844 ■ 75,152 

1846 97,588 

1847 1 16,651 

1849 1 52,988 

1850 191,982 

1851 204,774 

1852 230,713 

1854 326 013 

1856 ..5:9,055 

1859 638,775 

1860 674,913 

1863 701,732 

] 865 750,699 

1867 902,040 

1869 1,040,819 

1870 1,191,727 

1873 1,251,333 

1875 1,366,000 

1880 1,624,463 

The most populous county is Dubuque, 
42,997. Polk county has 41,395, and Scott 
41,270. Noli only in population, but in 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



everything contributing to the growth and 
greatness of a State has Iowa made rapid 
progress. In a little more than thirty-five 
years its wild but beautiful prairies have 
advanced from the home of the savage to 
a highly civilized commonwealth, embra- 
cing all the elements of progress which 
ciiaracterize the older States. 

Tlie first railroad across the State was 
completed to Council BlufiFs in January, 
ISGt The completion of three others 
soon followed. 

In 1854 there was not a mile of railroad 
in Iowa. Within the succeeding twenty 
years, 3,765 miles were built and put in 
successful operation. 

The present value of buildings for State 
institutions, including the estimated cost 
of the capitol, is as follows : 

State Capitol $2,500,000 

State University 400,000 

Agricultural College and Farm. 300,000 

Institution for the Blind 150,000 

Institution for the Deaf and 

Dumb 225,000 

Iii>littitions for the Insane 1,149,000 

Orphans' Home 62,000 

Penitentiaries 408,000 

Normal School 50,000 

R form School 90,000 

The State has never levied more than 
two and one-half mills on the dollar for 
State tax, and this is at present the consti- 
tutional limit. The State has no debt. 

No other influence has contributed so 
much to the progress and development of 
Iowa as the newspapers of the State. No 
class of men have labored more assiduously 
and disinterestedly for the development of 
the State and the advancement of her ma- 
terial interests, than her editors. There 



are now published in Iowa 25 daily papers, 
364 wtekly papers, and 13 monthly publi- 
cations. These are as a rule well supported 
by the people. 

Such is briefly a summary of the history 
and resources of I.wa. There is perhaps 
no other country on earth where so few 
people are either rich or poor as in Iowa; 
where there is such an equality of condi- 
tion, and where so many enjoy a compe- 
tence. The law exempts from execution 
a homestead to every head of a family. 
Every sober, industrious man can in a short 
time acquire a home. Iowa is the home 
for the immigrant. The children of the 
laboring man have no prejudice of caste to 
overcome in the effort they may choose to 
make for the improvement of their condi- 
tion in life. Here all men enjoy the alien- 
able blessings of 'life, liberty and the pur- 
suit of happiness," not only unfettered by 
legal disabilities, but also uutrammeled by 
those fixed conditions of social and busi- 
ness life that elsewhere result from accu- 
mulated wealth in the possession of the 
few. As education is free, so also the ave- 
nues of success are open in every pursuit 
and calling. The highest, incentives exist 
to exertion. Labor and effort, whetiier 
manual or mental, are held alike honorable; 
and idleness and crime are alone consid- 
ered disreputable. 

Thriving cities and towns dot the lanil; 
an iron network of thousands of miles <>f 
railroads is woven over its I road acres; 
10,000 school-houses, in which more than 
500,000 children are being taught the rudi- 
ments of education, testify to the culture 
and liberality of the people; high schools, 
colleges and universities, are generously 
endowed by the State; manufactories are 



--r 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



busy on all her water-courses, and in most 
of her cities and towns. 

We quote from judge Nourse: ''The 
great ultimate fact that America would 
demonstrate is, the existence of a people 
capable of attaining and preserving a su- 
perior civilization, with a government self- 
imposed, self-administered and self-perpet- 
uated. In this age of wonderful progress, 
America can exhibit nothing to the world 
of mankind more wonderful or more glo- 
rious, than her new Stales — young empires. 



born of her own enterprise, and tutored at 
her own political hearlh-stone. Well may 
she say to the monarchies of the old world, 
who look for evidence of her regal grandeur 
and state: 'Behold, these are my jewels !' 
And may she never blush to add: 'This 
one in the center of the diadem is called 
Iowa !" ' 

The following is the census of Iowa 
by counties, as taken by the National Gov- 
ernment at each decade: 



CENSUS OF IOWA. 



COUNTIES. 


1840. 


1850. 


1860. 


1870. 


18c0. 








984 
1.533 
12. 237 
11,931 

451 
8,4tl6 
8.244 
4,232 
4 915 
7,906 
57 
3.724 

147 

281 
1,612 

12, 949 
940 

58 
4,336 
5, 427 
52 
20,728 
18, 938 
383 
5,244 

13. 764 
8,677 

11. 024 

19,611 

180 

31.164 

105 

12,073 

3,744 

1, 309 

5,074 

1. 374 

793 

3,058 


3, 982 
4,614 

17, 868 

16. 466 
1,319 

22, 4S4 
S1.7f6 
14, 584 
1S.528 

17, 034 
1,5P5 
9.951 
1,602 
2,451 
S 464 

19, 731 
4,722 
1,967 

10, 180 
8,735 
l,.'i23 

27, 771 

35, 3.57 
2, 530 

12,019 

16, 565 
12,018 

17, 432 
S7. 2.56 

1,389 
38, 969 

1,392 
16, 973 

10. 768 

4, 738 

11, 174 
4. 627 
6, 399 
7,061 


11, 199 








11, 188 






777 

3, lai 


19.791 


. * 




16. 636 






7,448 






673 
135 
735 


24. 888 






23,913 






20, 833 


Bremer 




14.0 1 






517 


18, 547 






7,537 








14, 293 








5, .'>95 


..11 






12 351 








16, 943 




1,253 


3,941 


18, 937 




11,461 








8, 240 








14, .S34 






709 


11,512 






4,248 




1,101 

8i!l 


3,873 
2,822 


28,829 




36, 764 




12,413 


Dallas 




834 

7,264 

965 

1,759 

12, 988 


18, 746 


Davia . . 




16. 468 






15, 336 


Delaware 


163 
.5, 577 


17, 9. 2 




33, 099 




1.901 




3,069 


10,841 


42, 997 




1.550 






625 


22, 258 






14, 677 








10. 248 






1,244 


17,653 






IS, 725 


frnn Iv" 






12,639 


Guthrie 






14, 863 



T^ 



6 

1 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CENSUS OF IOWA— Continued. 



COUNTIES. 


18-10. 


1850. 


1860. 


1870. 


1880. 








1,6H9 
179 

5,440 

3,621 
18,701 

3, 168 
332 
43 

8, OiO 
18. 493 

9,883 
15. o:i8 
17, 573 
13.306 
13,271 
416 
29, ■.'32 
18,!M7 
10, 370 

5,766 


6, 0.55 
!»9 
13, 6S4 
8, 9:il 
21. 4«3 
6, 8S2 
2, 5;'6 
2-.'C 

16, 664 
22.619 
8., 116 

17. 839 

24, 898 
19, 731 
19,4)4 

3,351 
37,910 
28.8,va 
12,877 
10, S-'S 
221 
13, 884 

25. 5 8 
84, 436 
17, 576 

8,718 
9.588 
3,654 

12,724 
5, 934 

21,688 
715 


11,252 
3, 453 

17,808 








Hardin 










8,' 707""' 




3, 172 


20, 8-26 
10,837 
6,341 










Ida 










822 
7,210 
1,280 
9,904 
4, 4T2 
3,007 
4, 822 

'18,861'" 

5,444 

4, 9:i9 

471 


19, '221 




1,411 


Jnsper 


25, 9li8 
17, 478 
25, 4-J'J 




2,773 

1, ■19 1 

471 




Jones 


Keokuk 


81, 'J.')!) 


Kossuth 


6,093 

1,373 
1,937 


6,179 


Linn 




Louisa 


13, 14K 




Lyon 










1.173 
5, 9-9 

5,483 
338 


7,3.39 
14,816 
16, 81 1 
6,015 
4,481 
3,40a 
832 
8,612 
1, 256 
16, 444 
8 


17, 825 


Mahaska 






Marion 




85, 111 


Marshall 




23, 7..2 


Mills 




Mitchell 














9,055 


MOIIOB 




«,884 


13,719 






15, 895 




1,942 


5,731 




O'Biion 


4, 155 








2,219 






551 


4^419 

132 

143 

103 

11,6-2t 

4.»Ud 

5,668 

2,9-23 

246 

25, 9.W 

818 

10 

4, OSl 

5.285 

3, .190 

2 012 

17, 081 

14,518 

10. 281 

14,835 

6,4(9 

2,B04 

168 

13,942 

1,119 

751; 

653 


9, 97.') 
1,336 
2,1!<9 
1.446 
27. 857 
16. 893 

15, 581 
5,691 
1,411 

88,509 

8,549 

. .170 

11, e.'ii 

16, 131 
6,989 
fi,9r6 

17, 672 
22, 346 
17,980 

18, 958 
11,287 
10, 484 

1, 52K 
S3. 570 
6. 172 
2,892 
2,392 


19,66r 






4, 131 


Plymouth 






8,Sf'7 








3,713 


Polk 




4.511 

7, 828 

615 


48. 395 






39, 846 


Poweshiek 




18, 93n 






12, 0.-J5 












2,140 


.^986 


41, 270 


Shelby 


12, 696 








6,426 








16, 966 






8 
804 


81,5-5 






15, 635 


Union 




14 9S0 




6,146 


12,270 

8,471 

961 

4,957 

340 


17, 042 




2S,88J 


Warren 




19, 578 




1,594 


20. 373 


wavne ...::::::"::::"::::;::::::::::: 


16, 127 






15. 9.-.0 








4,917 






f«6 


23. 9;i7 






14,997 








7,953 


Wright 






5.062 










Total 


43. lis 


192, 214 


674,913 ' 


1,191,792 


1,6'34,463 



r 





<p *.. 








^ 


'■>-% 


^ 


HISTORY OF IOWA. 69 


r 




CHAPTER .VII, 






GKOLOGY — TOPOGKAPHT — WATER COURSES. 






Geologists divide the soil of Iowa into 


State, and adjacent to the Missouri river. 






three general divisions — drift, bluff and 


Although it contains less than one per cent. 






alluvial. The drift occupies a much larger 


of clay in its composition, it is in no re- 






part of the surface of the State than both 


spect inferior to the best drift soil. The 






the others. The bluff has the next greatest 


alluvial soil is that of the flood plains of 






area of surface, and the alluvial least. All 


the river valleys, or bottom lands. That 






soil is disintegrated rock. The drift de- 


which is periodically flooded by the riveis 






posit of Iowa was derived, to a consider- 


is of little value for agricultural purposes; 






able extent, from the rocks of Minnesota; 


but a large part of it is entirely above the 






but the greater part of Iowa drift was de- 


reach of the highest flood, and is very pro- 






rived from its own rocks, much of which 


ductive. 






has been transported but a short distance. 


The stratified rocks of Iowa range from 






In northern and northwestern Iowa the 


the Azoic to the Mesozoic, inclusive; but 






drift contains more sand and gravel than 


the greater portion of the surface of the 






elsewhere. In southern Iowa the soil is 


State is occupied by those of the Palaeozoic 






frequently stiff and clayey. The bluff soil 


age. The table below will show each of 






is found only in the western part of the 


these formations in their order: 






BTSTEMB. 
AGES. 


GROUPS 
PEKIOUS. 


FORMATIONS. 

EPOCHS. 


THICKN-E88 
L\ FliET. 










Dr 

\ 

1 


ift 


10 to 200 

50 
130 
lOii 
200 
20 

aoo 

75 
90 
196 

ns 

ao 

35(J 
80 






i L ower Cretaceons 
















■^ishnahotaiiy Sanrietone 












1 Sabcarboniferons 

Hamilton 

Niagara 












































a^aia Llme^toiie 


















1 
\ 

Si 




S50 

SOU 
80 
250 
300 
50 








Tr^nt^.n Lmit-stnDe 








■;t Peter's Saiirtstone 


^ 




Huronian 




























t"^' 




^ 




(s r 


" 



^^ 



_±=£k: 



70 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



AZOIC SYSTEM. 

The Sioux quartzite is found exposed in 
natural ledges only upon a few acres in 
the extreme northwest corner of tbe State, 
upon the banks of the Big Sioux river, 
for which reason the specific name of 
Sioux quanzite has been given them. It 
is an intensely hard rock, breaks in 
splintery fracture, and of a color varying, 
in different localities, from a light to deep 
red. The process of metamorphism has 
been so complete throughout the whole 
formation, that the rock is almost every- 
where of uniform texture. The dip is 
four or five degrees to the northward, and 
the trend of the outcrop is eastward and 
westward. 

LOWER SILURIAN STSTEH. 

Primordial Group. — The Potsdam sand- 
stone formation is exposed only in a small 
portion of the northeastern part of the 
State. It is only to be seen in the bases 
of the bluffs and steep valley sides which 
border the river there. It is nearly value- 
less for economic purposes. No fossils 
have been discovered in this formation in 
Iowa. 

Lower M'ignesian Limestone. — This 
formation has but little greater geographi- 
cal extent in Iowa than the Potsdam sand- 
stone. It lacks a uniformity of texture 
and stratification, owing to which it is not 
generally valuable for building purposes 
The only fossils found in this formation in 
the State are a few traces of crinoids, near 
McGregor. 

The St. Peters sandstone formation is 
reraarkab'v uniform in thickness through- 



out its known geographical extent, and it 
occupies a large portion of the northern 
half of Allamakee county, immediately 
beneath the drift. 

I'reyiton Group — With the exception of 
the Trenton limestone, all the limestones 
of both Upper and Lower Silurian age in 
Iowa are magnesian limestone — nearly 
pure dolomites. This formation occupies 
large portions of Winneshiek and Allama- 
kee counties and a small part of Clayton 
The greater part of it is useless for eco- 
nomic purposes; but there are some com- 
pact, even layers that furnish fine material 
for window-caps and sills. Fossils are so 
abundant in this formation that in some 
places the rock i.s made up of a mass of 
shells, corals and fragments of trilnbites, 
cemented by calcareous material into a 
solid rock. Some of these fossils are new 
to science and peculiar to Iowa. 

The Galena limestone is the upper form- 
ation of the Trenton Group. It is 150 
miles long, and seldom exceeds 12 miles 
in width. It exhibits its greatest develop- 
ment in Dubuque county. It is nearly a 
pure dolomite, with a slight admixture of 
silicous matter; good blocks for dressing 
are sometimes found near the top of the 
bed, although it is usually unfit for such a 
purpose. This formation is the source of 
the lead ore of the Dubuque lead mines. 
The lead region proper is confined to an 
area of about 15 miles square in the vicinity 
of Dubuque. The ore occurs in vertical 
fissures, which traverse the rock at regular 
intervals from east to west; some is found in 
those which have a north and south direc- 
tion. This ore is mostly that known as 
Galena, or sulphuret of lead, very small 






-^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



quantities only of the carbonate being 
found with it. 

Cincinnati Group. — The surface occu- 
pied by the Maquoketa shales is more than 
100 miles iu length, but is singularly long 
and narrow, seldom reaching a mile or two 
in width. The most northern exposure 
yet recognized is in the western part of 
Winneshiek county, while the most south- 
erly is in Jackson county, in the bluffs of 
the Mississippi. The formation is largely 
composed of bluish and brownish shales, 
sometimes slightly arenaceous, sometimes 
calcareous, which weather into a tenacious 
clav uj5on the surface, and the soil derived 
from it is usually stiff and clayey. Several 
species of fossils which characterize the 
Cincinnati Group are found in the Maquo- 
keta shales, but they contain a larger num- 
ber than have been found anywhere else 
in these shales in Iowa, and their distinct 
faunal characteristics seem to warrant the 
separation of the Maquoketa shales as a 
distinct formation from others in the 
group. 

UPPER SILURIAN STSTBM. 

Niagara Group. — The area occupied by 
the Niagara limestone is 40 and 50 miles 
in width, and nearly 160 miles long, from 
north to south. This formation is entirely 
a magnesian limestone, with a considerable 
portion of silicious matter, in some places, 
in the form of chert or coarse flint. A 
large part of it probably affords the best 
and greatest amount of quarry rock in the 
State. The quarries at Anamosa, LeClaire 
and Failey are all opened in this forma- 
tion. 

DEVONIAN SYSTEM. 

ITamilton Group. — The area of surface 
occupied by the Hamilton limestone and 



shales is as great as those by all the form- 
ations of both Upper and Lower Silurian 
age in the State. Its length is nearly 200 
miles, and width from 40 to 50. A large 
p^rt of the material of this is quite worth- 
less, yet other portions are valuable for 
economic purposes; and, having a large 
geographical extent- in the State, is a very 
important formation. Its value for the 
production of hydraulic lime has been 
demonstrated at Waverly, Bremer county; 
the heavier piers and other material re- 
quiring strength and durability. All the 
Devonian strata of Iowa evidently belong 
to a single epoch The most conspicuous 
and characteristic fossils of this formation 
are brachiopodes, corals and mullusks. 
The coral Acervularia Davidsoni occurs 
near Iowa City, and is known as "Iowa 
City marble" and "Bird's Eye marble." 

CARBONIFEROUS SYSTEM. 

Of the three groups of formations that 
constitute the carboniferous, viz: the sub- ■ 
carboniferous, coal measures and Permian, 
only the first two are found in Iowa. 

Subcarboniferous Group. — This gioup 
occupies a very large area of surface. Its 
eastern border passes from the northeast- 
ern part of Winnebago county, with con- 
siderable directness in a southeasterly 
direction to the northern part of Washing- 
ton county. It then makes a broad and 
direct bend nearly eastward, striking the 
Mississippi at Muscatine. The southern 
and western boundaries are to a consider- 
able extent the same as that which separates 
it from the real field. From the southern 
part of Pocahontas county it passes south- 
east to Fort Dodge, thence to Webster 
City, thence to a point 3 or 4 miles north- 



J. 



:k 



72 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



east of Pldora, in Hardin county, thence 
southward to the middle of the north line 
of Jasper county, thence southeastward to 
Sigourney, in Keokuk county, thence to 
the northeastern corner of Jefferson county, 
thence sweeping a few miles eastward to 
the southeast corner of Van Buren county. 
Its arc is about 250 miles long, and from 
20 to 50 miles wide. 

The Rinderhook Bech — The most south- 
erly exposure of these beds is in Des- 
Moines county, near the mouth of Skunk 
river. The most northerly now known is 
in the eastern part of Pocahontas county, 
more than 200 miles distant. The princi- 
pal exposures of this formation are along 
the bluffs which border the Mississippi and 
Skunk rivers, where they form the eastern 
and northern boundary of DesMoines 
county; along English river, in Washing- 
ton county; along the Iowa river in Tama, 
Marshall, Hamlin and Franklin counties, 
and along the DesMoines river in Hum- 
boldt county. This formation has consid- 
erable economic value, particularly in the 
northern portion of the region it occupies. 
In Pocahontas and Humboldt counties it 
is invaluable, as no other stone except a 
few boulders are found here. At Iowa 
Falls the lower division is very good for 
building purposes. In Marshall county all 
the limestone to be obtained comes from 
this formation, and the quarries near Le 
Grand are very valuable. At this point 
some of the layers are finely veined with 
peroxide of iron, and are wrought into both 
useful and ornamental objects. In Tama 
county the oolitic member is well exposed, 
where it is manufactured into lime. Upon 
exposure to atmosphere and frost it crum- 



bles to pieces; consequently it is not valu- 
able for building purposes. 

The remains of fishes are the only fossils 
yet discovered in this formation that can 
be referred to the sub-kingdom Vertebrata; 
and so far as yet recognized, they all be- 
long to the order Selachians Of Articu- 
ticulates, only two species have been recog- 
nized, both of which belong to the genus 
Phillipsia. The sub-kingdom Mollusca is 
also largely represented The Radiata are 
represented by a few crinoids, usually 
found in a very imperfect condition. The 
sub-kingdom is also represented by corals. 
The prominent feature in the life of this 
epoch was molluscan. It overshadowed 
all other branches of the animal kingdom. 
The prevailing classes are: Lamellibranch- 
iates, in the more arenaceous portions; and 
Brachropods in the more calcareous por- 
tions. No remains of vegetation have 
been detected in any of the strata of this 
formation. 

The Burlington limestone formation 
consists of two distinct calcareous divi- 
sions, separated by a series of siliceous 
beds; both divisions are crinoidal. The 
Burlington limestone is carried down by 
the southerly dip of the Iowa rocks, so that 
it is seen for the last time in the State in 
the valley of Skunk river, near the south- 
ern boundary of DesMoines county, which 
is the most northerly point that it has been 
found, but it probably exists as far north 
as Marshall county. Much valuable mate- 
rial is afforded by this formation for eco- 
nomic purposes. The upper division 
furnishes excellent common quarry rock. 
Geologists are attracted by the great 
abundance and variety of its fossils — cri- 
noids — now known to be more than .300. 



•e*1(S — ^ 



fV 



J, 



^L^ 



HISTORY OB^ IOWA. 



73 



The only remains of vertebrates discov- 
ered in this formation are those of fishes, 
and consist of teeth and spines. Bones of 
bony fish, on Buffingtou creek, Louisa 
county, is an exposure so fully charged 
with these remains that it might with pro- 
priety be called bone breccia. 

Remains of Articulates are rare in this 
formation; so far as yet discovered, they 
are confined to two species of trilobites of 
the genus Phillipsia. Fossil shells are 
very common. 

The two lowest classes of the sub-king- 
dom Radiataare represented in the genera 
Zaphrentis, Amplexus and Syringaposa, 
while the highest class, Ecliiiioderms, are 
found in -most extraordinary profusion. 

The Keokuk limestone formation is to 
be seen only in four counties — Lee, Van 
Buren, Henry and DesMoines. In some 
localities the upper siliceous portion is 
known as the Geode bed; it is not recog- 
nizable in the northern portion of the 
formation, nor in connection with it where 
it is exposed, about 80 miles below Keo- 
kuk. The geodes of the Geode bed are 
more or less masses of silex, usually hol- 
low and lined with crystals of quartz; the 
outer crust is rough and unsightly, but the 
crystals which stud the interior are often 
very beautiful; they vary in size from the 
size of a walnut to a foot in diameter. 

This formation is of great economic 
value. Large quantities of its stone have 
been used in the finest structures in the 
State, among which are the postoffices at 
Dubuque and DesMoines. The principal 
quarries are along the banks of the Missis- 
sippi, from Keokuk to Nauvoo. The only 
vertebrate fossils in the formation are 
fishes, all belonging to the order Selachians, 



some of which indicate that thdlr owners 
reached a length of 25 or 30 feet. Of the 
Articulates, only two species of the genus 
Phillipsia have been found in this forma- 
tion. Of the Mollusks no Ceph.alopods 
liave yet been recognized in this forma- 
tion in Iowa. Gasteropods are rare; 
Brachiopods and Polyzoans are quite 
abundant. Of Radiates, corals of genera 
Zaphrentis, Amplexus and Aulopora are 
found, but crinoids are most abundant. Of 
the low forms of animal life, the proto- 
zoans, a small fossil related to the sponges, 
is found in this formation in small num- 
bers. 

The St. Louis limestone is the uppermost 
of the sub-carboniferous group in Iowa. It 
occupies a small superficial area, consisting 
of long, narrow strips, yet its extent is 
very great. It is first seen resting on the 
geode division of the Keokuk limestone, 
near Keokuk; proceeding northward, it 
forms a narrow border along the edge of 
the coal fields in Lee, De.-^Moines, Henry, 
Jefferson, Washington, Keokuk and Ma- 
haska counties; it is then lost sight of 
until it appears again in the banks of 
Boone river, where it again passes out of 
view under the Coal Measures, until it is 
next seen in the banks of the DesMoines, 
near Fort Dodge. As it exists in Iowa, it 
consists of three tolerably distinct sub- 
divisions — the magnesian, arenaceous and 
calcareous. The upper division furni-shes 
excellent material for quicklime, and when 
quarries are well opened, as in the north- 
western part of VanBuren county, large 
blocks are obtained. The sandstone, or 
middle division, is of little economic value. 
The lower, or magnesian division, furnishes 
a valuable and durable stone, exposures of 



N" 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



which ar# found on Lick creek, in Van 
Buren county, and on Long creek, seven 
miles west of Burlington. 

Of the fossils of this formation, the 
vertebra'es are represented only by the 
remains of fish, belonging to the two 
orders. Selachians and Ganoids. The 
Articulates are represented by one species 
of the trilobite, genus Phillipsia; and two 
ostracoid genera, Cythra and Beyricia. 
The MoUusks distinguished this formation 
more than any other branch of the animal 
kingdom. Radiates are exceedingly rare, 
showing a marked contrast between this 
formation and the two preceding it. 

The Coal Measure Group is properly 
divided into three formations, viz: the 
Lower, Middle and Upper Coal Measures; 
each having a vertical thickness of about 
two hundred feet. 

The Lower Coal Measures exists eastr 
ward and northward of the DesMoines 
river, and also occupy a large area west- 
ward and southward of that river; but 
their southerly dip passes below the Middle 
Coal Measure at no great distance from 
the river. This formation possesses 
greater economic value than any other in 
the whole Stale. The clay that underlies 
almost every bed of coal, furnishes a large 
amount of material for potters' use. The 
sandstone of these measures is usually soft 
and unfit for use; but in some places, as in 
Red Rjck, in Marion county, blocks of 
large diuiensions are obtained, which make 
good bui'diiig material, samples of which 
can be seen in the State; Arsenal, at Des 
Moines. 

But few fossils have been found in any 
of the strata of the Lower Coal Measures, 
but such animal remains as have been 



found are, without exception, of marine 
origin. All fossil plants found in these 
measures, probably belong to the class 
Acrogens. Specimens of Calamites and 
several species of ferns are found in all the 
Coal Measures, but the genus Lepidoden- 
dron seems not to have existed later than 
the epoch of the Middle Coal Measures. 
The latter formation occupies a narrow 
belt of territory in the southern-central 
portion of the State, embracing a superfi- 
cial area of about 1,400 square miles The 
counties underlaid by this formation are, 
Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Madison, Warren, 
Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Wayne and Appa- 
noose. 

Few species of fossils occur in these 
beds. Some of the shales and sandstone 
have afforded a few imperfectly preserved 
land plants, three or four species of ferns, 
belonging to the genera. Some of the 
carboniferous shales afford beautiful speci- 
mens of what appears to have been sea- 
weed. Radiates are represented by corals. 
The Mollu.<k3 are most numerous!y repre- 
sented. Trilobites and ostracoids are the 
only remains known of Articulates. Ver- 
tebrates are only known by the remains of 
Selachians, or sharks and ganoids. 

The Upper Coal Measures occupy a very 
large area, comprising thirteen whole 
counties, in the southwestern part of the 
State. By its northern and eastern b )un- 
daries it adjoins the area occupied by the 
Middle Coal Measures. This formation 
contains a considerable portion of shales 
and sandstone, but the prominent litho- 
logical features are its limestones. Al- 
though it is known by the name of Upper 
Coal Measures, it contains but a single bed 
of coal, and that only about 20 inches in 



'W 



A 



k. 



HISTORY OF IOWA, 



75 



maximum thickness. The limestone ex- 
posed in this formation furnishes good 
building material, as in Madison and Fre- 
mont counties. The sandstones are quite 
worthless. No beds of clay, for potters' 
use, are found in the whole formation. 
The fossils are more numerous than in 
either the Middle or Lower Coal Measures. 
The vertebrates are represented by the 
fishes of the orders Selachians and Ganoids. 
The Articulates are represented by the 
trilobites and ostracoids. Mollusks are 
represented by the classes Cephalapoda, 
Gasterapoda, Lamellibranchiata, Brachio- 
poda and Polyzoa. Radiates are more 
numerous than in the Middle and Lower 
Coal Measures. Protozoans are repre- 
sented in the greatest abundance, some 
layers of limestone being almost entirely 
composed of their small fusiform shells. 

CBETACEOUS SYSTEM. 

The next strata in the geological series 
are of the Cretaceous age. They are found 
in the western half of the State, and do 
not dip, as do all the other formations 
upon which they rest, to the southward 
and westward, but have a general dip of 
their own to the north of westward, which, 
however, is very slight. Although the 
actual exposures of cretaceous rocks are 
few in Iowa, there is reason to believe that 
nearly all the western half of the State was 
originally occupied by them; but they have 
been removed by denudation, which has 
taken place at two separate periods. The 
first period was during its elevation from 
the cretaceous sea, and during the long 
Tertiary age that passed between the time 
of that elevation and the commencement 
of the Glacial epoch. The second period 



was during the Glacial epoch, wjien the ice 
produced their entire removal over consid- 
erable areas. All the cretaceous rocks in 
Iowa are a part of the same deposits farther 
up the Missoai-i river, and, in reality, form 
their eastern boundary. 

The Nishnabotany sandstone has the 
most easterly and southerly extent of the 
cretaceous deposits of Iowa, reaching the 
southeastern part of Guthrie county and 
the southern part of Montgomery county. 
To the northward, it passes beneath the 
Woodbury sandstones and shales, the latter 
passing beneath the Inoceramus, or chalky 
beds. This sandstone is, with few excep- 
tions, valueless for economic purposes. 
The only fossils found in this formation 
are a few fragments of angios permous 
leaves. The strata of Woodbury sand- 
stones and shales rest upon the Nishnabot- 
any sandstone, and have not been observed 
outside of Woodbury county; hence their 
name. Their principal exposure is at Ser- 
geant's Bluffs, seven miles below Sioux 
City. This rock has no value, except for 
purposes of common masonry. Fossil re- 
mains are rare. Detached scales of a lepi- 
doginoid species have been detected, but 
no other vertibrate remains of vegetation, 
leaves of Salix Meekii and Sassfras creta- 
ceum have been occasionally found. 

The Inoceramus beds rest upon the 
Woodbury sandstone and shales. They 
have not been observed in Iowa except in 
the bluffs which border the Big Sioux river 
in Woodbury and Plymouth counties. 
They are composed almost entirely of cal- 
careous material, the upper portion of 
which is extensively used for lime. No 
building material can be obtained from 
these beds, and the only value they possess, 



^f^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



except lime, are the marls, which at some 
time may be useful on the soil of the adja- 
cent region. The only vertebrate remains 
found in the oretaceouH rocks are the fishes. 
Those in the Inoceramus beds are two 
spec'es of squaloid Selachians, or certra- 
cionts, and three genera of teliosts Mol- 
luscan remains are rare. 



Extensive beds of peat exist in Northern 
Middle Iowa, which, it is estimated, con- 
tain the following areas: Cerro Gordo 
county, l,.'iOO acres; Worth, 2,000; Winne- 
bago, 2,000; Hancock, 1,500; Wright, 500; 
Kossuth, 700; Dickinson, 80. Several con- 
tain peat beds, but the peat is inferior to 
that in the northern part of the State.' 
The beds are of an average depth of four 
feet. It is estimated that each acre of 
these beds will furnish 250 tons of dry 
fiul for each foot in depth. At present 
ihi.s peat is not utilized, but, owing to its 
great distance from the coal fields, and the 
absence ot timber, the time is coming when 
their value will be fully realized. 



The only sulphate of the alkaline earth 
of any economic value is gypsum, and it 
may be found in the vicinity of Fort 
Dodge, in Webster county. The deposit 
occupies a nearly central position in the 
county, the De Moines river running nearly 
centva'ly through it, along the valley sides 
of wliich the gyp'-um is seen in the form of 
on'inaiy r(>ck cliff and ledges, and also oc- 
curring abundantly in similar positions 
along both sides of the valleys of the 
smaller streams and of the numerous 
ravines coming into the river valley. The 



most northerly known limit of the deposit 
is at a point near the mouth of Liza d 
creek, a tributary of the DesMoines river 
and almost adjoining the town of Fort 
Dodge. The most southerly point at which 
it has been exposed is about six miles by 
way of the river, from the north jrly point 
mentioned. The width of the area is un- 
known, as the gypsum becomes lost be- 
neath the overlying drift, as one goes up 
the ravines and minor vallej'S. 

On either side of the creeks and ravines 
which come into the valley of the Dcs 
Moines river, the gypsum is seen jutting 
out from beneath the drift in the form of 
ledges and bold quarry fronts, having 
almost the exact appearance of oidinary 
limestone expo ures, so horizontal and reg- 
ular are its lines of stratification, and so 
similar in color is it to some varieties of 
that rock. The principal quarries now 
opened are on Two-Mile creek, a couple of 
miles below Fort Dodge. 

Age of the Gijpsimi Depmit — No trace 
of fossil remains has been found in the 
gypsum or associated clays; neither h.is 
any other indication of its geologic age 
been observed except that which is affoided 
by its stratigraphical relations; the most 
that can be said with certainly is that it is 
newer than the coal measures, and older 
than the drift. The indications afforde I 
by the stratigraphical relations of the gy| - 
sum deposit of Fort Dodge are, however, 
of considerable value. No Tertiary de- 
posits aie known to exist within or near 
the borders of Iowa, to suggest that it 
might be of that age, nor are any of the 
Palaeozoic strata newer than the subcar- 
boniferous unconformable upon each other 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



ihL^ 



as the other gypsum is unconformable upon 
the strata beneath it. It therefore seems, 
in a measure, conclusive that the gypsum 
is of Mesozoic age; perhaps older than 
the cretaceous. 

The lithological origin of this deposit is 
as uncertain as its geological age. It seems 
to present itself in this relation, as in the 
former one, — an isolated fact. None of 
the associated strata show any traces of a 
double decomposition of pre-existing ma- 
terials, such as some have supposed all de- 
posits of gypsum to have resulted from. 
No considerable quantities of oxide of iron 
nor any trace of native sulphur have been 
found in connection with it, nor has any 
salt been found in the waters of the region. 
These substances are common in associa- 
tion with other gypsum deposits, and by 
many are regarded as indicative of the 
method of or resulting from their origin 
as such. Throughout the whole region the 
Fort Dodge gypsum has the exact appear- 
ance of a sedimentary deposit. From 
these facts it seems not unreasonable to en- 
tertain the opinion that this gy|)sum origin- 
ated as a chemical precipitation iu com- 
paratively still waters which were satu- 
rated with sulphate of lime and destitute 
of life; its stratification and impurities 
being deposited at the same lime as clayey 
impurities which had been suspended in 
the same waters. 

Physical Properties. — ATurh has already 
been said of the physical character of this 
gypsum; but as it is so different in some 
respects from other deposits, there are still 
other matters worthy of mention in con- 
nection with those. According to the re- 
sults of a complete analysis of Pr.if.Einery, 



the ordinary gray gypsum contains only 
about eight per cent, of impurity, and it 
is possible that the average impurity for 
the whole deposit will not exceed that pro- 
portion, .so uniform in quality is it from 
top to bottom and from one end of the 
region to the other. As plaster for agri- 
cultural purposes is sometimes prepared 
from gypsum that contains thirty per cent, 
of impurity, it will be seen that this is a 
very superior article for such purposes. 
The impurities are of such a character 
that they do not in any way interfere with 
its value for use in the arts. 

Although the gyp.sum rock has a gray 
color, it becomes quite white by grinding, 
and still whiter by the calcimining process 
necessary in the preparation of plaster of 
Paris. These tests have all been practi- 
cally made in the rooms of the Geological 
Survey, and the quality of the plaster of 
Paris still further tested by actual use and 
experiment. The only use yet made of 
the gypsum by the inahabitants is for the 
purposes of ordinary building stone. It is 
so compact it is found to be comparatively 
unaffected by frost, and its ordinary situa- 
tion in walls of houses is such that it is 
protected from the dissolving action of 
water, which can, at most, reach it only 
from occasional rains, and the effect of 
these is too slight to be perceived after the 
lapse of several years. Hon. John F. 
Buncombe, of Fort Do'^ge, built a fine 
residence of it in 1861, the walls of which 
appear as unaffected by exposure and as 
beautiful as they were when first erected. 
Several other houses in Fort Dodge have 
been constructed of it,includii)g the depot 
buildings of the Dubuque and Sioux City 
Railroad. Marv of the sidewalks iu the 



V8 



fflSTORY OF IOWA. 



town are made of the slabs or flags of gyp- 
sum which occur in some of the quarries 
in the form of thin layers. 

MINOR DEPOSITS OF SULPHATE OF LIME. 

Sulphate of lime in the various forms 
of fibrous gypsum, selenite and small 
amorphous masses, has also been discov 
ered in various formations in different 
parts of the State, including the Coal 
Measure shales near Fort Dodge, where it 
exists in small quantities, quite independ- 
ently of the great gypsum deposit there. 
The quantity of gypsum in these minor 
deposits is always too small to be of any 
practical value, usually occurring in shales 
and shaly clays. Associated with strata 
that contain more or less sulphuret of 
iron, gypsum has thus been detected in 
the Coal Measures, the St. Louis lime- 
stone, the Cretaceous strata, and also in 
the Dead Caves of Dubuque. 

SULPHATE OF STEONITA. 

This mineral is found at Fort Dodge, 
which is, perhaps, the only place in Iowa 
or in the valley of the Mississippi where 
it has as yet been discovered. There, it 
occurs in very small quantities in both the 
shales of the Lower Coal Measures and in 
the clays that overlie the gypsum deposit, 
and which is regarded as of the same age 
with it. The mineral is fibrous and crys- 
talline, the fibers being perpendicular to 
the plane of the layer; it resembles, in 
physical character, the layer of fibro-crys- 
talline gypsum, before mentioned. Its 
color is of light b'ue, is transparent, and 
shows crystalline facets upon both the 



upper and under surfaces of the layer, of 
the upper surface being smaller and more 
numerous. The layer is probably not 
more than a rod in extent in any direction, 
and about three inches in maximum thick- 
ness. Apparent lines of stratification 
occur in it, corresponding with those of 
the shales which imbed it. The other 
deposit was still smaller in amount, and 
occurred as a mass of crystals imbedded 
in the clays that overlie the gypsum at 
Cummins' quarry, in the valley of Sol- 
diers' creek, upon the north side of the 
town. The mineral in this clay is nearly 
colorless, and somewhat resembles masses 
of impure salt. The crystals are so closely 
aggregated that they enclose but little im- 
purity in the mass, but in almost all other 
cases their fundamental forms are ob- 
sured. This mineral has almost no prac- 
tical value, and is only interesting as a 
mineralogical fact. 

SULPHATE OF BAKTTA. 

In Iowa this mineral has been found 
only in minute quantities. It has been de- 
tected in the Coal Measure shales of De- 
catur, Madison and Marion counties, 
Devonian limestone of Johnson and Bre- 
mer counties, and, also, in the lead caves 
of Dubuque. It is in the form of crystals 
or small crystalline masses. 

SULPHATE OF MAGNESIA. 

Epsomite, or native Epsom salts, having 
been discovered near Burlington, all the 
sulphates of alkaline earths of natural 
origin have been recognized in Iowa; all 
except the sulphate of lime being in very 
small quantity. The Epsomite mentioned 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



was found beneath the overhanging cliff of 
Burlington limestone near Starr's Mill. It 
occurs in the form of eiBorescent encrusta- 
tions upon the surface of stones, and in 
similar small fragile masses among the 
pine debris that has fallen down beneath 
the overhanging cliff. The projection of 
the cliff over the perpendicular face of the 
strata beneath, amounts to near 20 feet at 
the point where Epsomite was found. The 
rock upon which it accumulates is an im- 
pure limestone, containing also some car- 
bonate of magnesia, together with a small 
proportion of iron pyrites, in a finely 
divided condition. By experiments with 
this native salt in the office of the Survey, 
a fine article of Epsom salts was produced, 
but the quantity obtained there is very 
small, and would be of no practical value 
on account of the cheapness in the market. 

CLIMATH. 

The greatest objection to the climate of 
this State is the prevalence of wind, which 
is somewhat greater than in the States 
south and east, but not so great as it is 
west. The air is pure and generally bra- 
cing, — the northern part particularly so 
during the winter. The prevailing direc- 
tion of the wind during the whole year is 
easterly. Correspondingly, thunder-storms 
are somewhat more violent in this State 
than east or south, but not near so much bo 
as toward the mountains. As elsewhere in 
the Northwestern States, easterly wind- 
bring rain and snow, while westerly ones 
clear the sky. While the highest temper- 
ature occurs here in August, the month of 
July aver.ges the hottest, and January the 
coldest. The mean temperature of April 
and October nearly corresponds to the 



mean temperature of the year, as well as to 
the seasons of spring and fall, while that 
of summer and winter is best represented 
by August and December. Indian summer 
is delightful and well prolonged. Untimely 
frosts sometimes occur, but seldom severely 
enough to do great injury. The wheat 
crop being a staple product of the State, 
and is not injured at all by frost, this great 
resource of the State continues intact. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

All the knowledge we have at present 
of the topography of the State of Iowa is 
that derived from incidental observations 
of geological corps, from the surveys made 
by railroad engineers, and from barometri- 
cal observations made by authority of the 
Federal Government. No complete topo 
graphical survey has yet been made, lut 
this will doubtless be attended to in a few 
years. 

The State lies wholly within, jnd com- 
prises a part of, a vast plain, and there is 
no mountainous or even hilly country 
within its borders; for the highest point is 
but 1,200 feet above the lowest point; these 
two points are nearly 3U0 miles apart, and 
the whole State is traversed by gently 
flowing rivers. A clearer idea of the great 
uniformity of the surface of the State may 
be obtained from a statement of the gen- 
eral i^lope8 in feet per mile, from point to 
point, in straight lines across it. 

Per Mile. 

From N. E. corner to S. E. cor- 
ner of State 1 ft. 1 in. 

From N. E. corner to Spirit Lake, 5 ft. 5 in 
FromN.W corner toSpiritLake, 5 ft 
From N.W. corner to SW. cor- 
ner of the State 2 ft. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



From S. W. corner to highest 
ridge between the two great 
rivers (iu Ringgold county).. 4 ft. 1 in. 
From the highest point in the 
Slate (near Spirit Lake) to the 
lowest point in the Slate (at 
the mouth of DesMuines river) 4 ft. 
We thus find that there is good degree 
of propriety in regarding the whole State 
as belonging to a great plain, the lowest 
point of which within its border, the south- 
eastern corner of the State, is only 444 
feet above the level of the sea. The aver- 
age height of the whole State above the 
level ot the sea is not far from 800 feet, 
although it is a thousand miles from the 
nearest ocean. 

These remarks are, of course, to be un- 
derstood as applying to the State as a 
whole. On examining its surface in detail, 
•we find a great diversity of surface by the 
formation of valleys out of the general 
level, which have been evolved by the 
actions of streams during the unnumbered 
years of the terrace epoch. These river 
valleys are deepest in the northwestern 
part of the State, and consequently it is 
there that the country has the greatest di- 
ver.sity of surface, and its physical features 
are most strongly marked.- 

The greater part of Iowa was formerly 
one vast prairie. It has, indeed, been 
estimated that seven-eighths of the surface 
of the State was prairie when first settled. 
By prairie it must not be inferred that a 
level surface is meant, for they are found 
in hilly countries as well Nor are they 
confined to any particular variety of soil, 
for they rest upon all formatiors, from 
those of the Azotic to those of the Creta- 



ceous age, inclusive. Whatever may have 
been their origin, their present existence 
in Iowa is not due to the influence of cli- 
mate, of the soil, or of any of the under- 
lying formations. The real cause is the 
prevalence of the annual fires. If these 
had been prevented fifty years ago, Iowa 
would now be a timbered country. The 
encroachment of forest trees upon prairie 
farms as soon as the bordering wood- 
land is protected from the .innual prairie 
fires, is well known to farmers throughout 
the State. The soil of Iowa is justly 
famous for its fertility, and there is prob- 
ably no equal area of the earth's surface 
that contains so little untillable land, or 
whose soil has so high an average of fer- 
tility. Ninety-five per cent, of its surface 
is capable of a high state of cultivation. 

LAKES AND STREAMS. 

Lakes — T he lakes of Iowa may be prop- 
erly divided into two distinct classes The 
first may be called drift lakes, having had 
their origin in the depressions left in the 
.'surface of the drift at the close of the gla- 
cial epoch, and have rested upon the undis- 
turbed surface of the drift deposit ever 
since the glaciers disappeared. The others 
may be properly termed flumatile or allu- 
vial lakes, because they'^ have had their 
origin by the action of rivers while cut- 
ting their own valleys out from the surface 
of the drift as it existed at the close of the 
glacial epoch, and are now found resting 
upon the alluvium. By "alluvium" is 
meant the deposit which h.as acciMnulated 
in the valleys of rivers by the action of 
their own currents. It is largely composed 
of sand and other coarse material, and 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Lk 



upon that deposit are some of the best 
productive soils in the State. It is this 
deposit which forms the flood plains and 
deltas of our rivers, as well as the terraces 
of their valleys. The regions to which the 
drift lakes are principally confined are near 
the head waters of the principal streams 
of the State. They are consequently found 
in those regions which lie between the 
Cedar and DesMoines rivers, and the Des 
Moiues and Little Sioux. No drift lakes 
are fouud in Southern Iowa. The largest 
of the lakes to be found in the State 
are Spirit and Okoboji, in Dickinson 
county, Clear Lake in Cerro Gordo county, 
and Storm Lake in Buena Vista county. 

Spirit I-ake. — The width and length of 
this lake are about equal, and it contains 
about 12 square miles of surface, its north- 
ern border resting directly on the boun- 
dary of the State. It lies almost directly 
upon the great water-shed. Its shores 
are mostly gravelly, and the country about 
it fertile. 

Okoboji Lake. — This body of water 
lies directly south of Spirit Lake, and has 
somewhat the shape of a horse-shoe, with 
its eastern projection within a few rods 
. of Spirit Like, where it receives the out- 
let of the latter. Okoboji Lake extends 
about five miles southward from Spirit 
Lake, thence about the same distance 
westward, and it then bends northward 
about as far as the eastern projection. 
The eastern portion is narrow, but the 
western is larger, and in some places 100 
feet deep. The surroundings of this and 
Spirit Lake are very plea-aut; fish are 
abundant in them, and they are the re- 
sort of myriads of water-fowl. 



Clear Lake. — This lake is situated 
upon the water-shed between the Iowa and 
Cedar rivers. It is about 5 miles long, 2 
or 3 miles wide, and has a maximum 
depth of only 15 feet. Its shores and the 
country around are like that of Spirit 
Lake. 

Stokm Lake. — This lake rests upon the 
great water-shed in Buena Vista county. 
It is a clear, beautiful sheet of water, con- 
taining a surface area of between 4 and 5 
square miles. The outlets of all these 
drift lakes are dry during a portion of the 
year, except Okoboji. 

Walled Lakes. — Along the water-sheds 
of Northern Iowa great numbers of small 
lakes exist, varying from half a mile to a 
mile in diameter. One of the lakes in 
Wright county, and another in Sac, have 
each received the name of "Walled Lake," 
i,>n account of the embankments on their 
borders, Trhich are supposed to be the work 
of ancient inhabitants. These embank- 
ments are from 2 to 10 feet in height, and 
from 5 to 30 feet across. They are the 
result of natural causes alone, being refer- 
able to the periodic action of ice, aided to 
some extent by the action of the waves. 

These lakes are very shallow, and in win- 
ter freeze to the bottom, so that but little 
unfrozen water remains in the middle. The 
ice freezes fast to everything on the bot- 
tom, and the expansive power of the water 
in freezing acts in all directions from the 
center to the circumference, and whatever 
was on the bottom of the lake has been 
thus carried to the shore. This has been 
going on from year to year, from century 
to century, forming the embankments 
which have caused so much wonder. 



k. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Springs issue from all the geological 
formations, and form the sides of almost 
every valley, but they are more numerous, 
and assume proportions which give rise to 
the name of sink-boles, along the uplard 
borders of the Upper Iowa river, owing to 
the peculiar (issued and laminated charac- 
ter and great thickness of the stra'a of the 
age of the Trenton limestone which under- 
lies the whole regioa of the valley of that 
stream. No mineral springs, properly so- 
called, have yet been discovered in Iowa, 
though the water of several artesian wells 
is frequently found charged with soluable 
mineral substances. 

Rivers. — The two great rivers, the Mis- 
sissipi and Missouri, from the eastern and 
the western bouirdaries, respectively, of 
the State, receive the eastern and western 
drainage of it. The Mississippi with its 
tributaries in Eastern Iowa drain two- 
thirds of the State, and the Missouri with 
its tributaries drain the western third. The 
great water-shed which divides these two 
systems is a land running southward from 
a point on the northern boundary line of 
the State, near Spirit Lake, in Dickinson 
county, to a nearly central point in the 
northern part of Adair county. From the 
last named point this highest ridge of land 
between the two great rivers continues 
southward, without change of character, 
through Ringgold county, into the State 
of Missouri; but it is no longer the great 
watershed. From that point another ridge 
bears off southward, through the counties 
of Madison, Clarke, Lucas and Appanoose, 
which is now the water-shed. 

All streams that rise in Iowa occupy, at 
first, only slight depressions of the land, 



and are scarcely perceptible. These uniting 
into larger streams, though still flowing 
over drift and bluff deposits, reach consid- 
erable depth into these deposits, in some 
cases to a depth of nearly 200 feet from 
the general prairie level. 

The great(=r part of the streams in West- 
ern Iowa run either along the whole or a 
part of their course, upon that peculiar 
deposit known as bluff deposit. The 
banks even of the small streams are often 
five to ten fe<^t in height and quite perpen- 
dicular, so that they render the streams 
almost everywhere unfordable, and a greij. 
impediment to travel across the open 
country where there are no bridges. 

This deposit is of a sHghtly yellowih 
ash color, except when darkened by decay- 
ing vegetation, very fine and silicious, but 
not sandy, cot very cohesive, and not at 
all plastic. It forms excellent soil, and 
does not bake or crack in drying, except 
limy concretions, which are generally dis- 
tributed throughout the mass, in shape 
and size resembling pebbles; but not a 
stone or a pebble can be found in the 
whole df posit. It was called "silicious 
marl" by Dr. Owen, in his geological re- 
port to the Government, and he atlribuies 
its origin to an accumulation of sediment ■ 
in an ancient lake, which was afterwaid 
drained, and the sediment became dry land. 
Prof. Swallow gives it the name of "bluff," 
which is here adopted; but the term, "la- 
custrine" would have been more appro- 
priate. The peculiar properties of this 
deposit are that it will stand recurely with 
a precipitous front 200 feet high, and yet 
is easily excavated with a spade. Wells 
dug in it require only to be walled to a 
point just above the water-line. Yet, com- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



ik 



pact as it is, it is very porous, so that 
water wbich falls on it does not remain at 
the surface, but percolates through it; 
neither does it accumulate within it at any 
point, as it does upon and within the drift 
and the stratified formations. 

The thickest deposit yet known in Iowa 
is in Fremont county, where it reaches 200 
feet. It is found throughout a region 
more than 200 miles in length, and nearly 
100 miles in width, and through which the 
Missouri runs almost centrally. 

This fine sediment is the same which 
the Missouri once deposited in a broad 
depression in the surface of the drift that 
formed a lake-like expansion of that river 
in the earliest period of the history of its 
valley. The extent of the deposit shows 
this lake to have been 100 miles wide and 
more than twiee as long. The water of 
the river was muddy then as now, and the 
broad lake became filled with the sediment 
which the river brought down. After the 
lake became filled with the sediment, the 
valley below became deepened by the con- 
stant erosive action of the waters, to a 
depth sufficient to have drained the lake 
of its first waters; but the only effect then 
was to cause it to cut its valley out of the 
deposits its own muddy waters had formed. 
Thus along the valley of that river, so far 
as it forms the western boundary of Iowa, 
the bluffs which border it are composed of 
that sediment known as bluff deposit, 
forming a distinct border along the broad, 
level flood plain, the width of which varies 
from five to fifteen miles, while the orig- 
inal sedimentary deposit stretches far in- 
land. 

Chariton and Grand rivers rise and 
run for twentj'-five miles of their course 



upon the drift deposits alone. The first 
strata that are exposed by the deepening 
valleys of both these streams belong to 
the Upper Coal Measures, and they both 
continue upon the same formation until 
they make their exit from the State, (the 
former in Appanoose county, the latter in 
Ringgold county,) near the boundary of 
which they passed nearly or quite through 
the whole of that formation to the Middle 
Coal Measures. Their valleys deepen 
gradually, and 15 or 20 miles from the 
river they are nearly 150 feel below the gen- 
eral level of the adjacent highland. When 
the rivers have cut their valleys down 
through the series of limestone strata, they 
reach those of a clayey composition. Upon 
these they widen their valleys, and make 
broad flood plains or " bottoms," the soil 
of which is stiff and clayey, except where 
modified by sandy washings. These 
streams are prairie streams in their upper 
branches and tributaries, but flow through 
woodland farther down. The proportion 
of lime in the drift of Iowa is so great that 
the water of all the wells and springs is 
too " hard " for washing purposes, and the 
game substance is so prevalent in the drift 
clays that they are always found to have 
sufficient flux when used for the manufac- 
ture of brick. 

Platte river belongs mainly to Missouri. 
Its upper branches pass through Ringgold 
county. Here the drift deposit reaches its 
maximum thickness on an east and west 
line across the State, and the valleys are 
eroded in some instances to a depth of 
200 feet, apparently, through this deposit 
alone. Tha term "drift deposit " applies 
to the soil and sub soil of the greiter part 



^7 



T' 



A 



■^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



of the State, and in it alone many wells 
are dug and our forests take root. It rests 
upon the stratified rocks. It is composed 
of clay, sand, gravel and boulders, promis- 
cuously intermixed without stratification, 
varying in character in different parts of 
the State. 

One Hundred and Two river is repre- 
sented in Taylor county, the valleys of 
which have the same general character of 
those just described. The country around 
and between the east and west forks of 
this stream is almost entirely prairie. 

Nbdmnay river is represented by east, 
middle and west branches. The two for- 
mer rise in Adair county, the latter in 
Cass county. These rivers and valleys are 
fine examples of the small rivers au,d 
valleys of Southern Iowa. They have the 
general character of drift valleys, and with 
beautiful undulating and sloping sides. 
The Nodaway drains one of the finest 
agricultural regions in the State, the soil 
of which is tillable almost to their very 
banks. The banks and the adjacent nar- 
row flood-plains are almost everywhere 
composed of a rich, deep, dark loam. 

N'ishnabotany river is represented by 
east and west branches, the former having 
its source in Anderson county, the latter 
in Shelby county. Both these branches, 
from their source to their confluence, and 
also the main stream from there to the 
point where it enters the great flood-plain 
of the Missouri, run through a region, the 
surface of which is occupied by the bluff 
deposit. 

The West Nishnabotany is probably 
without any valuable mill-sites. In the 
western part of Cass county, the East 



Nishnabotany loses its identity by becom- 
ing abruptly divided up into five or six 
different creeks. A few good mill-sites 
occur here on this stream. None, how- 
ever, that are thought reliable, exist on 
either of these rivers, or on the main 
stream below the confluence, except, per- 
haps, one or two in Montgomery county. 
The valleys of the two branches, and the 
intervening upland, possess remarkable 
fertility. 

Boyer river, until it enters the flood- 
plain of the Missouri, runs almost, if net 
quite, its entire course through the region 
occupied by the bluff deposit, and has cut 
its valley entirely through it along most of 
its passage. The only rocks exposed are 
ihe upper coal measures, near Reed's mill, 
in Harrison county. The exposures are 
slight, and are the most northerly now 
known in Iowa. The valley of this river 
has usually gently sloping sides, and an in- 
distinctly defined flood-plain. Along the 
lower half of its course the adjacent up- 
land presents a surface of the billowy 
character, peculiar to the bluff deposit. 
The source of this river is in Sac county. 

Soldier rivet The east and middle 

branches of this stream have their source 
in Crawford county, and the west brancli 
in Ida county. The whole course of this 
river is through the bluff deposit. It has 
no exposure of strata along its course. 

Little Sioux river. — Under this head are 
included both the main and west branches 
of that stream, together with the Msplo, 
which is one of its branches. The west 
branch and the Maple are so similar to 
the Soldier river that they need no sep- 
arate description. The main stream has 



, 4^ 



'^ 



HISTORY OB" IOWA. 



its boundary near the northern boundary 
of the State, and runs most of its course 
upon drift deposit alone, entering the 
region of the blufP deposit in the southern 
part 'of Cherokee county. The two prin- 
cipal upper branches near their source in 
Dickinson and Osceola counties are small 
prairie creeks within distinct valleys. On 
entering Clay county the valley deepens, 
and at their confluence has a depth of 200 
feet. Just as the valley enters Cherokee 
county it turns to the southward, and be- 
comes much wii^ened, with its sides gently 
sloping to the uplands. When the valley 
enters the region of the blufif deposit, it 
assumes the billowy appearance. No ex- 
posures of strata of any kind have been 
found in the valley of the Lttle Sioux or 
any of its branches. 

Floyd river. — This river rises upon the 
drift in O'Brien county, and flowing south- 
ward enters the region of the bluff deposit 
a little north of the centre of Plymouth 
county. Almost from its source to its 
mouth it is a prairie stream, with slightly 
sloping valley sides, which blend gradually 
with the uplands. A single slight exposure 
■ of sandstone of cretaceous age occurs in the 
valley near Sioux City, and which is the 
only known exposure of rock of any kind 
along its whole length. Near this exposure 
is a mill-site, but farther up the stream it 
is not valuable for such purposes. 

Hock river. — This stream passes through 
Lyon and Sioux counties. It was, evi- 
dently, so named from the fact that con- 
siderable exposures of the red Sioux 
quartzite occur along the main branches 
of the stream in Minnesota, a few miles 
north of the State boundary. Within the 



State the main stream and its branches are 
drift streams and strata are exposed. The 
beds and banks of the streams are usually 
sandy and gravelly, with occasionally 
boulders intermixed. 

Biff Sioux River. — The valley of this 
river, from the northwest corner of the 
State to its mouth, possesses much the 
same character as all the streams of the 
surface deposits. At Sioux Falls, a few 
miles above the northwest corner of the 
State, the streams meet with remarkable 
obstructions from the presence of Sioux 
quartzite, which outcrops directly across 
the stream, and causes a fall of about 60 
feet within a distance of half a mile, pro- 
ducing a series of cascades. For the first 
25 miles above its mouth, the valley is 
very broad, with a broad, flat flood-plain, 
with gentle slopes, occasionally showing 
indistinctly defined terraces. These ter- 
races and valley bottoms constitute some 
of the finest agricultural land of the re- 
gion. Oa the Iowa side of the valley the 
upland presents abrupt bluffs, steep as the 
materials of which they are composed will 
stand, and from 100 to nearly 200 feet 
high above the stream. At rare intervals, 
about 15 miles from its mouth, the creta- 
ceous strata are exposed in the face of the 
bluffs of the Iowa side. No other strata 
are exposed along that part of the valley 
which borders our State, with the single 
exception of Sioux quartzite at its extreme 
northwestern corner. Some good mill- 
sites may be secured along that portion of 
this river which borders Lyon county, but 
below this the fall will probably be found 
insufficient and the locations for dams in- 
secure. 



*^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Missouri River. — This is one of the 
muddiest streams on tbe globe, and its 
waters are known to be very turbid far 
toward its source.- The chief peculiarity 
of this river is its broad flood-plains, and 
its adjacent bluff deposits. Much the 
greater part of the flood-plain of this river 
is upon the Iowa side, and continues from 
the south boundary line of the State to 
Sioux City, a distance of more than 100 
miles in length, varying from three to five 
miles in width. This alluvial plain is esti- 
mated to contain more than half a million 
of acres of land within the State, upward 
of 400,000 of which are now tillable. 

The rivers of the eastern system of 
drainage have quite a different character 
from those of the western system. They 
are larger, longer and have their valleys 
modified to a much greater extent by the 
underlying strata. For the latter reason, 
water-power is much more abundant upon 
them than upon the streams of the western 
system. 

DesMoines River. — This river has its 
source in Minnesota, but it enters Iowa 
before it has attained any size, and flows 
almost centrally through it from northwest 
to southeast, emptying into the Mississippi 
at the extreme southeastern corner of the 
State. It drains a greater area than any 
river within the State. The upper portion 
of it is divided into two branches, known 
as the east and west forks These unite 
in Humboldt county. The valleys of these 
branches above their confluence are drift 
valleys, except a few small exposures of 
subcarboniferous limestone about five 
miles above their confluence. These ex- 
posures produce several small mill-sites. 



The valleys vary from a few hundred yards 
to half mile in width, and are the finest 
agricultural lands. In the northern part 
of Webster county the character of the 
main valley is modified by the presence of 
ledges and low cliffs of the subcarbonifer- 
ous limestone and gypsum. From a point 
a little below Fort Dodge to near Am.ster- 
dam, in Marion county, the river runs all 
the ivay through and upon the lower Coal 
Measure strata. Along this part of the 
course the flood-plain varies from an 
eighth to a mile or more in width. From 
Amsterdam to Ottumwa the subcarbonifer- 
ous rocks pass beneath the river again, 
bringing down the Coal Measure strata 
into its bed; they rise from it in the ex- 
treme northwestern part of VanBuren 
county, and subcarboniferous strata re- 
sume and keep their place along the valley 
to the north of the river. 

From Fort Dodge to the northern part 
of Lee county the strata of the Lower 
Coal Measures are present in the valley. 
Its flood-plain is frequently sandy from 
the debris of the sandstone and sandy 
shales of the Coal Measures produced by 
their removal in the process of the forma- 
tion of the valley. 

The principal tributaries of the Des 
Moines are upon the western side. These 
are the Raccoon and the three rivers, viz: 
South, Middle and North rivers. The 
three latter have their sources in the re- 
gion occupied by the Upper Coal Measure 
limestone formation, fl )W eastward over 
the Middle Coal Measure.'^, and enter the 
valley of the DesMoines upun the Lower 
Coal Measures. These streams, especially 
South and Middle rivers, are frequently 
bordered by high, rocky cliffs. Raccoon 



'C <s" 



>?-, 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



87 



river has its source upon the heavy surface 
deposits of the middle region of Western 
Iowa, and along the greater part of its 
course it has excavated its valley out of 
those deposits and the Middle Coal 
Measure alone. The valley of the Des 
Moines and its branches are destined to 
become the seat of extensive manufac- 
turies, in consequence of the numerous 
mill-sites of immense power, and the fact 
that the main valley traverses the entire 
length of the Iowa coal fields. 

Sku?ik river. — This has its source in 
Hamilton county, and runs almost its en- 
tire course upon the border of the outcrop 
of the Lower Coal Measures, or, more prop- 
erly speaking, upon the subcarboniferous 
limestone, just where it begins to pass be- 
neath the Coal Measures by its southerly 
and westerly dip. Its general course is 
southeast. From the western part of 
Henry county, up as far as Story county, 
the broad, flat flood-plain is covered with a 
rich, deep clay soil, which, in time of long- 
continued rains and overflows of the river, 
has made the valley of Skunk river a ter- 
ror to travelers from the earliest settlement 
of the country. There are some excellent 
mill-sites on the lower half of this river, 
but they are not so numerous or valuable 
as on other rivers of the eastern system. 

Iowa river. — This river rises in Han- 
cock county, in the midst of a broad, 
slightly undulating drift region. The first 
rock exposure is that of subcarboniferous 
limestone, in the southwestern corner of 
Franklin county. It enters the region of 
the Devonian strata near the southwestern 
corner of Beaton county, and in this it 
continues to its confluence with the Cedar 



in Louisa county. Below the junction 
with the Cedar, and for some miles above 
that point, its valley is broad, and especi- 
ally on the northern side, with a well- 
marked flood-plain. Its borders gradually 
blend with the uplands as they slope away 
in the distance from the river The Iowa 
furnishes numerous and valuable mill-sites. 

Cedar river. — This stream is usually 
understood to be a branch of the Iowa, but 
it ought, really, to be regarded as the main 
stream. It rises by numerous branches in 
the northern part of the State, and flows 
the entire length of the State, through the 
region occupied by the Devonian strata and 
along the trend occupied by that formation. 
The valley of this river, in the upper part 
of its course, is narrow, and the sides slope 
so gently as to scarcely show where the 
lowlands end and the uplands begin. Be- 
low the confluence with the Shell Rock, 
the flood-plain is more distinctly marked, 
and the valley broad and shallow. The 
valley of the Cedar is one of the finest re- 
gions in the State, and both the main 
stream and its branches afford abundant 
and reliable mill-sites. 

Wapsipinnicon river. — This river has 
its source near the source of the Cedar, 
and runs parallel and near it almost its en- 
tir^course, the upper half upon the same 
formation — the Devonian. In the north- 
eastern part of Linn county it enters the 
region of the Niagara limestone, upon 
which it continues to the Mississippi. It 
is 100 miles long, and yet the area of its 
drainage is only from 12 to 20 miles in 
width. Hence, its numerous mill-sites are 
unusuallv secure. 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



Turkey river — This river and the Upper 
Iowa are, in many respects, unlike other 
Iowa rivers. The difference is due to the 
great depth to which they have eroded 
their valleys and the different character of 
the material through which they have 
worked Turkey liver rises in Howard 
county, and in Winneshiek county, a few 
miles from its source, its valley has attained 
a depth of more than 200 feet, and in Fay- 
ette and Clayton counties its depth is in- 
creased to 300 and 400 feet. The summit 
of the uplands, bordering nearly the whole 
length of the valley, is capped by the Ma- 
quoketa shales. These shales are under- 
laid by the Galena limestone, between 2C0 
and 300 feet thick. The valley has been 
eroded through these, and runs upon the 
Trenton limestone. Thus all the forma- 
tions along and within this valley are Lower 
Silurian. The valley is usually narrow, 
and without a well-marked flood-plain. 
Water-power is abundant, but in most 
places inaccessible. 

Upper Iowa river. — This river rises in 
Minnesota, just beyond the northern boun- 
dary line, and enters our State in Howard 
county before it has attained any consider- 
able size. Its course is nearly eastward 
until it reaches the Mississippi. It rises in 
the region of the Devonian rocks, and 
flows across the outcrops, respectively^ of 
the Niagara, Galena and Trenton lime- 
stone, the lower raagnesian limestone, and 
Potsdam sandstone, into and through all 
of which, except the last, it has cut its val- 
ley, which is the deepest of any in Iowa. 
The valley sides are almost everywhere 
high and steep, and cliffs of lower raagne- 
sian and Trenton limestone give them a 



wild and rugged aspect. In the lower part 
of the valley the flood-plain reaches a 
width sufficient for the location of small 
farms, but usually it is too narrow for such 
purposes. On the higher surface, however, 
as soon as you leave the valley you come 
immediately upon a cultivated country. 
This stream has the greatest slope per mile 
of any in Iowa, and consequently it fur- 
nishes immense water-power. In some 
places where creeks come into it, the valley 
widens and affords good locations for 
farms. The town of Decorah, in Winne- 
shiek county, is located in one of these 
spots, which makes it a lovely location; 
and the power of the river and the small 
spring streams around it offer tine facilities 
for manufacturing. This river and its 
tributaries are the only trout streams in 
Iowa. 

Mississippi river. — This river may be 
described, in general terms, as a broad 
canal cutk,out of the general level of the 
country through which the river flows. It 
is bordered by abrupt hills or bluffs. The 
bottom of the valley ranges from one to 
eight miles in width. The whole space 
between the bluffs is occupied by the river 
and its bottom, or flood-plain only, if we 
except the occasional terraces or remains 
of ancient flood-plains, which are not now 
reached by the highest floods of the river. 
The river itself is from half a mile to 
nearly a mile in width. There are but four 
points along the whole length of the State 
where the bluffs approach the stream on 
both sides. The Lower Silurian formations 
compose the bluffs in the northern part of 
the State, but they gradually disappear by 
a southerly dip, and the Ijluffs are con- 



^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



89 



tinued successively by the Upper Silurian, 
Devonian and Subcarboniferous rocks 
which are reached near the southeastern 
corner of the State. 

Considered in their relation to the pres- 
ent general surface of the State, the rela- 
tive ages of the river valley of Iowa date 



back only to the close of the glacial epoch; 
but that the Mississippi and all the rivers 
of Northeastern Iowa, if no others, had at 
least a large part of the rocky portions of 
their valleys eroded by pre-glacial, or, per- 
haps, by palaeogoic rivers, can scarcely be 
doubted. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



IOWA AKD THE REBELLION. 



By her record in tlie war of the rebellion 
Idwa proved herself a truly loyal State. 
The Presidential campaign of 1860 was 
an exciting one, and the fact that civil war 
might be inaugurated in case Abraham 
Lincoln was elected, was well understood 
and duly considered. The people of Iowa 
indulged in no hatred or ill-will toward 
any section of the country, but were deter- 
mined to hold such opinions upon questions 
of public interests, and vote for such men 
as to them seemed for the general good, 
uninfluenced by any threat of violence or 
civil war. 

The General Assembly of the State of 
Iowa, as early as 1851, had by joint resolu- 
tion declared that the State of Iowa was 
" bound to maintain the union of these 
States by all the means in her power." 
The same year the State furnished a block 



of marble for the Washington Monument 
at the national capitol, and by order of the 
General Assembly there was inscribed 
upon its enduring surface the following: 
'•Iowa — Her affections, like the rivers of 
her borders, 'flow to an inseparable Union." 
The time was now approaching in her his- 
tory when these declarations of attachment 
and fidelity to the nation were to be put 
to a practical test. 

Certainly the people of no State in the 
nation could be more vitally interested in 
the question of our national unity than the 
people of Iowa. The older Stales of the 
Union, both North and South, were repre- 
sented in its population. lowans were 
nearly all immigrants, bound to those older 
communities by the most sacred ties of 
blood, and most endearing recollections of 
early days. In addition to these consider- 



^ 



90 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



alions of a personal cliaracler, there were 
others of the gravest political importance. 
Iowa's geographical position as a State 
made the dismemberment of the Union a 
matter of serious concern. The Missis- 
sippi had been for years its highway to 
the markets of the world. The people 
could not entertain the thought that its 
navigation should pass under the control 
of a foreign government. But more than 
this was to be feared the consequence of 
introducing and recognizing in our national 
system the principal of secession or disin- 
tegration. 

If this should be recognized as a right, 
what security had the States of the interior 
against their entire isolation from the com- 
merce of the world, by the future secession 
of the Atlantic and Pacific States? And 
the fact also remained, that secession or 
separation removed none of the causes of 
war. Whatever there was in the peculiar 
institution that created differences of sen- 
timent or feeling, or caused irritation, still 
existed after the separation, with no court 
or constitution as the arbiter of rights, and 
with the one resort, only, of the sword to 
settle differences. In secession and its 
logical and necessary results, we saw 
nothing but dire confusion and anarchy, 
and the utter destruction of that nation- 
ality through which alone we felt that our 
civil liberties as a people could be pre- 
served, and the hopes of our civilization 
prepetuated. 

The declaration of Mr. Buchanan's last 
annual message, that the nation posssesed 
no constitutional power to coerce a seced- 
ing State, was received by the great 
majority of our citizens with humiliation 



and distrust. Anxiously they awaited the 
expiring hours of his administration, and 
looked to the incoming President as to an 
expected deliverer that should rescue the 
n.ation from the hands of traitors, and the 
control of those whose non-resistance in- 
t'^vJ her destruction. The firing upon the 
national flag at Sumter aroused a burning 
indignation throughout the loyal States of 
the Republic, and nowhere was it more 
intense than in Iowa. And when the 
proclamation of the President was pub- 
lished, April 15, 186r, calling for 75,000 
citizen soldiers to "maintain the honor, 
the integrity, and the existence of our 
national Union, and the perpetuity of pop- 
ular government," ihey were more than 
willing to respond to the call. Party lines 
gave way, and for a while, at least, party 
spirit was hushed, and the cause of our 
common country was supreme in the affec- 
tions of the people. Peculiarly fortunate 
were the people of Iowa at this crisis, in 
having a truly representative man as ex- 
ecutive of the State. Thoroughly honest 
and thoroughly earnest, wholly imbued 
with the enthusiasm of the hour, fully 
aroused to the importance of the crises, 
and the ra^-^nitude of the struggle upon 
which '' were entering, with an indomit- 
able A'lU under the control of a strong 
common sense, Samuel J. Kirkwood, was, 
indeed, a worthy chief to organize and 
direct the energ.es of the people. Within 
thirty days af ler the date of the President's 
call for troops, the First Iowa Regiment 
was mustered into the service of the 
United States, a second regiment was in 
camp ready for the service, and the Gen- 
eral Assembly of the State was convened 
in special session, and had by joint resolu- 



% 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



^W 



tion solemnly pledged every resource of 
men and money to the national cause. 

So urgent were the offers of companies, 
that the Governor conditionally accepted 
enough additional companies to compose 
two additional regiments. These were 
soon accepted by the Secretary of War. 
Near the close of May, the Adjutant Gen- 
eral of the State reported .that 170 compa- 
nies had been tendered the Governor to 
serve against the enemies of the Union. 
The question was eagerly asked, " Which 
of us will be allowed to go? " It seemed 
as if Iowa was monopolizing the honors 
of the period, and would send the larger 
part of the 75,000 wanted frcm the whole 
North. 

There were much difficulty and consid- 
erable delay experienced in fitting the first 
three regiments for the field. For the 
First Infantry a complete outfit (not uni- 
form) of clothing was extemporized, prin- 
cipally by the volunteered labor of loyal 
women in the different towns — from mate- 
rial of various colors and qualities, ob- 
tained within the limits of the State. The 
same was done in part for the Second 
Infantry. Meantime, an extra session of 
the General Assembly had been called by 
the Governor, to convene on the 15lh of 
May. With but little delay, that body 
authorized a loan of $800,000, to meet the 
extraordinary expenses incurred, and to be 
incurred, by the Executive Department, 
in consequent e of the new emergency. A 
wealthy merchant of the Stale (ex-Guv 
-Merrell, then a resident of McGregor) 
immediately took from the Governor a 
contract to. supply a complete outfit of 
clothing for three regiments organized, 
agreeing to receive, should the Governor 



so elect, his pay therefor in the State bonds 
at par. This contract he executed to the 
letter, and a portion of the clothing (which 
was manufactured in Boston, at his order) 
was delivered at Keokuk, the place at 
which the troops had rendezvoused, in ex- 
actly one month from the day in which 
the contract had been entered into. The re- 
mainder arrived only a few days later. This 
clothing was delivered to the soldiers, but 
was subsequently condemned by the Gov- 
ernment, for the reason that its color was 
gray, and blue had been adopted as the 
color to be worn by the National troops. 
Other States had also clothed their troops, 
sent forward under the first call of Presi- 
dent Lincoln, with gray uniforms, but it 
was soon found that the Confederate forces 
were also clothed in gray, and that color 
was at once abandoned by the Union 
troops. If both armies were clothed alike, 
annoying, if not fatal, mistakes were liable 
to be made. 

While engaged in these efforts to dis- 
charge her whole duty in common with all 
the other Union-loving States in the great 
emergency, Iowa was compelled to make 
immediate and ample provision for the 
protection of her own borders from threat- 
ened invasions on the south by the seces- 
sionists of Missouri, and from danger of 
incursions from the west and northwest by 
bands of hostile Indians, who were freed 
from the usual restraint imposed upon 
them by the presence of regular troops 
stationed at the frontier posts. These 
troops were withdrawn to meet the greater 
and more pressing danger threatening the 
life of the Nation at its very heart. 

The Governor of the State, in order to 
provide for the adequate defense of Iowa's 



^i 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



L 



borders from the ravages of both rebels 
in arms against the Government and of the 
more irresistible foes from the Western 
plains, was authorized to raise and equip 
two regiments of infantry, a squadron of 
cavalry (not less than five companies) and 
a battalion of artillery (not less than three 
companies). Only cavalry were enlisted 
for home defense, however, but in times of 
special danger, or when calls were made 
by the Unionists of Northern Missouri for 
assistance against their disloyal enemies, 
large numbers of militia on foot often 
turned out, and remained in the field until 
the necessity for their services had passed. 
June 13th, Gen. Lyon, then command- 
ing the United States forces in Missouri, 
issued the first order for the Iowa volun- 
teers to move to the field. The First and 
Second Infantry immediately embarktd in 
steamboats and proceeded to Hannibal. 
Two weeks later the Third Infantry was 
ordered to the same point. These three, 
together with many other of the earlier 
organized Iowa regiments, rendered their 
first field service in Missouri. The First 
Infantry formed a part of the little army 
with which Gen. Lyon moved on Spring- 
field, and fought the bloody battle of Wil- 
son's creek. It received unqualified praise 
for its gallant bearing on the field. In the 
following month (September), the Third 
Iowa, with but very slight support, fought 
with honor the sanguinary engagement of 
Blue Mills Landing; and in November the 
Seventh Iowa, as a part of the force com- 
manded by Gen. Grant, greatly distin- 
guished itself in the battle of Belmont, 
where it poured out its blood like water — 
losing more than half of the men it took 
into action. 



The initial operations in which the bat- 
tles referred to took place were followed 
by the more important movements led by 
Gen. Grant, Gen. Curtis, of this State, and 
other commanders, which resulted in de- 
feating the armies defending the chief 
strategic lines held by the Confederates in 
Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and Arkan- 
sas, compelling their withdrawal from 
much of the territory previously controlled 
by them in those States. In these and 
other movements, down to the grand cul- 
minating campaign by which Vicksburg 
was captured and the Confederacy perma- 
nently severed on the line of the Missis- 
sippi river, Iowa troops took part in 
steadily increasing numbers. In the in- 
vestment and siege of Vicksburg, the 
State was represented by thirty regiments 
and two batteries, in addition to which 
eight regiments and one battery were 
employed on the outposts of the besieg- 
ing army. The brilliancy of their exploits 
on the many fields where they served, 
won for them the highest meed of praise, 
both in military and civil circles. Mul- 
tiplied were the terms in which expres- 
sion was given to this sentiment, but these 
words of the journals of a neighVjoring 
State: "The Iowa troops have been heroi s 
among heroes," embody the spirit of all. 
In the veteran re-enlistment that dis- 
tinguished the closing month of 1863, 
above all other periods in the history of 
re-enlistment for the National armies, the 
Iowa three-years' men (who were rela- 
tively more numerous than those of any 
other State), were prompt to set the ex- 
ample of volunteering for another term 
of equal length, thereby adding many 
thousands to the great army of those who 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Iht^ 



gave ibia reueweJ and practical assurance 
that the cause of the Union should not 
be left without defenders. 

In all the important movements of 1864 
and '65, by which the confederacy was pen- 
etrated in every quarter, and its military 
power finally overthrown, the Iowa troops 
took part. Their drum-beat was heard on 
the banks of every great river of the 
South, from the Potomac to the Ilio Grande, 
and everywhere they rendered the same 
faithful devoted service, maintaining on 
all occasions their wonted reputation for 
valor in the field, and endurance on the 
march. 

T«-o Iowa 3-year cavalry regiments were 
employed during their whole term of ser- 
vice in the operations that were in progress 
from 1863 to 1866 against the hostile In- 
dians of the Western plains. A portion 
of these men were among the last of the 
volunteer troops to be mustered out of ser- 
vice. The State also supplied a consider- 
able number of men to the navy, who took 
part in most of the naval operations pros- 
ecuted against the Confederate power on 
the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and the riv- 
ers of the West. 

The people of Iowa were early and con- 
stant workers in the sanitary field, and by 
their liberal gifts and personal efforts for 
the benefit of the soldiery, placed their 
State in the front rank of those who be- 
came distinguished for their exhibitions of 
patriotic benevolence during the period 
covered by the war. Agents appointed by 
the governor were stationed at points con- 
venient for rendering assistance to the sick 
and needy soldiers of the Slate, while oth- 
ers were employed in visiting, from time 
to time, hospitals, camps and armies in the 



field, and doing whatever the circumstances 
rendered possible for the health and com- 
fort of such of the Iowa soldiery as might 
be found there. 

Charitable enterprises also found a ready 
support in Iowa. Some of the benevolent 
people of the State early conceived the 
idea of establishing a home for such of the 
children of deceased soldiers as might be 
left in destitute circumstances. This idea 
first took form in 1863, and in the follow- 
ing year a home was opened at Farming- 
ton, VanBuren county, in a building leased 
for that purpose, and which soon became 
filled to its utmost capacity. The institu- 
tion received liberal donations from the 
general public, and also from the soldiers 
in the field. In 1865 it became necessary 
to provide increased accommodations for 
the large number of children who were 
seeking the benefits of its care. This was 
done by establishing a branch at Cedar 
Falls, in Black Hawk county, and by secur- 
ing, during the same year, for the use of 
the parent home. Camp Kinsman, near the 
city of Davenport This property, by act 
of Congress, was soon afterward donated 
to the institution. In 1866, in pursuance 
of a law enacted for that purpose, the Sol- 
diers' Orphans' Home (which then con- 
tained about 450 inmates), became a State 
institution, and thereafter the sums neces- 
sary for its support were appropriated from 
the State treasury. A second branch was 
established at Glenwood, Mills county. 
Convenient tracks were secured, and valu- 
able improvements made at all the different 
points. Schools were also established, and 
employments provided for such of the 
children as were of suitable age. In every 
way the provision made for these wards 






94 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



of the State has been such as to challenge 
the approval of every benevolent mind. 
The number of children who have been 
inmates of the home from its foundation 
to the present time is considerably more 
than 2,000. 

No bounty was paid by the Slate on 
account of the men she placed in the field. 
In some instances, toward the close of the 
war, bounty, to a comparatively small 
amount, was paid by cities and towns On 
only O! e occasion, that of the call of July 
18, 180), was a draft made in Iowa This 
did not occur on account of her proper lia- 
bility, as established by previous rulings 
of the War Department, to supply men 
under that call, but grew out of the great 
necessity that there existed for raising 
men. The Government insisted on tem- 
porarily setting aside, in part, the former 
rule of settlements, and enforcing a draft 
in all cases where sub-districts in any of 
the States should be found deficient in 
their supply of men. In no instance was 
Iowa, as a whole, found to be indebted to 
the General Government for men, on a 
selllemeiit of her quota accounts. 

Not satisfied with merely doing her duty 
under the law, Iowa, of her patriotic gen- 
erosity, did more than was required. The 
I7th, 18th and 37th regiments of infantry, 
the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9lh regiments of cav- 
alry were all enrolled, not to meet any 
call from the General Government, but to 
enable citizens of the State to enlist un- 
der the banners of the Union, in excess of 
all demands which could lawfully be made. 

The State also contributed a large num- 
ber of men and many officers to regiments 
in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and out of a 



population of less than 2,000 arms-bearing 
colored citizens, raised nearly a whole reg- 
iment of African troops. But besides the 
troops thu-i regularly enrolled within the 
State, and those who formed part of regi- 
ments in neighboring States, there were 
not a few of Iowa's citizens in the regular 
army, in the different staff departments of 
the volunteer army, and in commands to 
far distant States. 

Those, also, should be noticed who were 
called upon to protect the Stale and adjoin- 
ing States from raids, to preserve the inter- 
nal peace of the State, etc., in 1861, wlien 
Northern Missouri was overrun by preda- 
tory bands, and the loyal citizens were 
being driven from their homes by hun- 
dreds, and suffering in life, person and 
estate, the border Iowa yeomanry, unskilled 
in anything pertaining to war, responded 
to the Macedonian cry of their neighbors 
and speeded across the line to help them 
to the number of 1,500; they were armed 
with old fowling pieces and antiquated 
militia gear, but they proved effective, 
nevertheless, their hearts being in the right 
place. In the same year three expeditions 
were sent out to beat back the Jackson 
bushwhackers who were advancing on 
Iowa, driving out the Union people on 
their way. These expeditions numbered 
about 1,300 men, and performed valuable 
service in Missouri 

On the northern bordc r, during the 
same year, the Sioux City cavalry, ninety- 
three men, and Captain Tripp's company, 
about fifty men, were employed to protect 
the borders against the Indians. 

In 1862, under authority of the General 
Assembly, the Northern and Southern 
Border Brigades were organized — the one 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



for the protection of the State against 
guerilla bands on the south along the entire 
border, the other to keep in check the dis- 
affected Indians intent on mischief in the 
northwest. There were five companies of 
the Northern Border Brigade, two hun- 
dred and fifty men, and ten companies of 
the Southern Border Brigade, seven hun- 
dred and ninety-four men, judiciously 
stationed at exposed points. For two 
years the State, at her own expense, sup- 
ported these organizations. There can be 
no doubt that this was a wise expenditure, 
considering the service done — that of stay- 
ing murder, rapine and arson, which were 
threatening to stalk through the State. 

Subsequently eight hundred militia in 
eleven companies were called out to sup- 
press the celebrated Talley treason in 
Keokuk county, and five hundred on ac- 
count of the disturbances in Poweshiek 
and Davies counties. 

At the beginning of the war, the popu- 
lation of Iowa included about 150,000 men 
presumably liable to render military ser 
vice. The State raised for general service 
thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine 
regiments of cavalry, and four companies 
of artillery, composed of three years' men; 
one regiment of infantry, composed of 
three months' men, and four regiments 
and one batallion of infantry, composed of 
100 days' men. The original enlistments 
in these various organizations, including 
1,727 men raised by draft, numbered a 
little more than 69,000. The re-enlist- 
ments, including upward of 7,000 vete- 
rans, numbered very nearly 8,000. The 
enlistments in the regular army and navy, 
and organizations of other States, will, if 
added, raise the total to upward of 80,000. 



The number of men who, under special 
enlistments, and as militia, took part at 
different times in the operations on the 
exposed borders of the State, was probably 
as many as 5,000. 

As an inevitable result of war, many 
became prisoners, and suffered the cruel- 
ties of Libby, Andersonville and other 
"pens" in the South, which have become 
famous the world over, solely because of 
the incredible barbarities practiced in 
them. Considerable portions of the 8th, 
12th and 14th Regiments were captured, 
after hard fighting, at Shiloh; the 16ih 
was nearly all surrendered at Atlanta; the 
I7th atTilton; the 19th at Sterling farm; 
the 36th at Mark's Mill. Many escaped 
heroically from rebel imprisonment, and 
the narratives of their sufferings would 
make many interesting volumes. 

Every loyal State of the Union had 
many women who devoted much time and 
great labor toward relieving the wants of 
our sick and wounded soldiery, but for 
Iowa can be claimed the honor of inaugu- 
rating the great charitable movement 
which was so successfully supported b/ 
the noble women of the North. Mrs. 
Harlan, wife of Hon. James Harlan, 
United States Senator, was the first woman 
of our country among those moving in 
high circles of society who personally 
visited the array and ministered to the 
wants of the suffering soldiery. In many 
of her visits to the army, Mrs. Harlan was 
accompanied by Mrs Joseph T. Fales, 
wife of the first State Auditor of Iowa. 
No words can describe the good done, the 
lives saved, and the deaths made easy by 
the host of noble women of Iowa, whose 
names it would take a volume to print. 



'A: 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Every county, every town, every neighbor- 
hood in the State had these true heroines, 
whose praise can never be fully known, till 
the final rendering of all accounts of deeds 
done in the body. The contributions of 
the State to "sanitary fairs" during the 
war were enormous, amounting to many 
hundred thousand dollars. Highly suc- 
cessful fairs were held at Dubuque, Mus- 
catine, Burlington and Marshalltown, 
while all the towns contributed most gen- 
erously to fairs of a less general nature. 
All this must be added to the work of the 
many "Florence Nightingales" of Iowa, 
whose heroic sacrifices have won for them 
the undying gratitude of the nation. 

It is said, to the honor and credit of 
Iowa, that while many of the loyal Stales, 
o'der and larger in population and wealth, 
incurred heavy State debts for the purpose 
of fulfilling their obligations to the Gene- 
ral Government, Iowa, while she was fore- 
most in duty, while she promptly discharged 
all her obligations to her sister States and 
the Union, found herself at the close of 
the war without any material additions to 
her pecuniary liabilities incurred before 
the war commenced. Upon final settle- 
ment after restoration of peace, her claims 
upon the Federal Government were found 
to be fully equal to the amount of her 
bond issued and sold during the war to 
provide the means for raising and equip- 
ping her troops sent into the field, and to 
meet the inevitable demands upon her 
treasury in consequence of the war. 

It was in view of these facts that Iowa 
had done more than her duty during the 
war, and that without incurring any con- 
siderable indebtedness, and that her troops 
had fought most gallantly on nearly every 



battle-field of the war, that the Newark 
Advertiser and other prominent Eastern 
journals called Iowa the " Model State of 
the Republic." 

In the following pages a brief account 
is given of each regiment, which was cred- 
ited to Iowa during the war. 

TnK FiKST Regiment was organized 
under the President's first proclamation 
for volunteers for three months, with John 
Francis Bates, of Dubuque, as Colonel; 
William H. Merritt, of Cedar Rapids, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and A. B. Porter, of 
Mt. Pleasant, as Major. 

The regiment was mustered into the 
service of the United States May 14th, 
1861, at Keokuk. The different compa- 
nies were independent military organize 
tions before the war; and teadeied their 
service before the breaking out of hostili- 
ties. The regiment was in quirters in 
Keokuk for two weeks, During this time 
they became proficient in the use of arms, 
and they learned something of practical 
camp life. June 13th, the regiment re- 
ceived orders to join General Lyon in 
Missouri. They immediately embarked 
on board a steamer, and by midnight were 
at Hannibal, Mo., where they slept on the 
floor of a large warehouse. They pro- 
ceeded without delay to the interior of the 
Slate, where Gen. Lyon had just defeated 
Gov. Jackson with his so-called Stale 
troops. Joining Lyon, they were soon 
given a taste of active service. For two 
months tliey were almost constantly on 
the march, and occasionally skirmished 
with the enemy. August 10th, a sharp 
battle was fought with the enemy at 
Wilson's Creek, when the gallant and 



HISTORY OB^ IOWA. 



noble Gen. Lyoii was killed, and the regi- 
ment lost 10 killed and 50 wounded. 
After the battle the regiment proceeded to 
St. Louis, and tlieir three mouths having 
expired, were mustered out August 25 th, 
1861. The number of officers and men in 
this regiment were 959. Of these 13 were 
killed, 13 died, 141 were wounded, and 
three were missing. 

The Second Infantry was organized 
soon after the commencement of the war, 
with Samuel R. Curtis, of Keokuk, as 
Colonel; James M. Tuttle, of Keosauqua, 
as Lieutenant-Colonel; and M. M. Crocker, 
of DesMoiiies, as Major; and was mustered 
into the service of the United States, at 
Keokuk, in May, 1861. It participated in 
the following engagements: Fort Donel- 
son, Sliiloh, advance on Corinth, Corinth, 
Little Bear Creek, Ala., Resaca, Ga., Rome 
Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Nickajack Creek, in front of Atlanta, Jan- 
uary 22, 1804, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, 
Eden Station, Little Ogeechee, Savannah, 
Columbia, Lynch's Creek and Bentonville; 
went with Sherman on his march to the 
sea, and through the Carolinas, home. 
This regiment was one of Iowa's most 
distinguished commands in the war. It 
was the first three years' regiment, and it 
left for the theatre of war even before the 
First Regiment, by a few hours. 

Its companies were enrolled during that 
first splendid enthusiasm which followed 
the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and 
they contained many men of talent and 
reputation. The regiment especially dis- 
tinguished itself in the capture of Fort 
Donelson, in entering which it was 
awarded the post of honor. It was then 



thai the unenthusiastic Gen. Halleck pro- 
nounced the Iowa Second the " bravest of 
the brave." The Second Veteran Infantry 
was formed by the consolidation of the 
battalions of the Second and Third Vet- 
eran Infantry, and was mustered out at 
Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865. The total 
number of officeis and men who iulisted 
in this regiment was 1,247. Of this num- 
ber during the war 65 were kil ed, 1.S4 
died, 330 were discharged, 268 were 
wounded, 14 were missing and 24 were 
captured. 

The Third Infantry was organized at 
about the same time as the Second, with 
Nelson G. Williams, of Dubuque county, 
as Colonel; John Scott, of Story county, 
Lieutenant-Colonel; William N. Stone, of 
Marian county, as Major, and was mustered 
into the United States service in June, 
1861, at Keokuk. The regiment was en- 
gaged at Blue Mills, Mo., Shiloh, Hatchie 
river, Matamoras, Vicksburg, Johnson, 
Miss., in the Meridian expedition at At- 
lanta, in Sherman's march to the sea, and 
through the Carolinas to Richmond and 
Washington. The regiment was veteran- 
ized and organized as a battalion in 1864, 
but before the officers received their com- 
missions the battalion bravely fought itself 
out of existence at the battle of Atlanta. 

The remnant was consolidated with the 
veterans of the Second, and the regiment 
was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 
12, 1864. The total number of officers 
and men in the regiment was 1,074. Of 
this number, during the war, 57 were 
killed, 133 died, 231 were discharged, 269 
were wounded, 10 were missing, 93 were 
captured and 19 were transferred. 



^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



The Fourth Infantry was organized 
with G. M. Dodge, of Council Bluffs, as 
Colonel; John Galligan, of Davenport, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm R. English, of 
Glenwood, as Major. The regiment was 
engaged at Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, 
Arkansas Post, Vicksbui-g, Jackson, Look- 
out Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Ring- 
gold, Eesaca and Taylor's Ridge. It came 
home on veteran furlough February 26, 
1864; returned in April; was in the cam- 
paign against Atlanta, Sherman's march to 
the sea, and thence through the Carolinas 
to Washington, and home; was mustered 
out at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865. The 
total number of officers and men in this 
regiment was 1,184, of whom 01 were 
killed, 205 died, 299 were discharged, 3.38 
were wounded, 5 were missing, 44 were 
captured and 37 were transferred. 

The Fifth Infantry was organized 
with Wm. H. Worthington, of Keokuk, as 
Colonel; C. Z. Mathias, of Burlington, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; W. S. Robertson, of 
Columbus Ciiy, as Major, and was mus- 
tered into the service of the United States, 
at Burlington, July 15, 1861. The regi- 
ment was engaged at New Madrid, siege 
of Corinth, luka, Corinth, Champion Hills, 
siege of Vicksburg and Chickamauga. 
Went home on veteran furlough in April, 
1864, the non-veterans went home in July, 
1864, leaving 180 veterans, who were trans- 
ferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The 
Fifth Cavalry was mustered out at Nash- 
ville, Tenn., August 11, 1865. The regi- 
ment had done brave service, and amply 
deserves the high encomium passed upon 
it by the generals of the army. The total 
number of officers and men in the regi- 
ment was 1,037, of whom 65 were killed, 



126 died, 244 were discharged, 288 were 
wounded, 103 were captured, and 50 were 
transferred. 

The Sixth Ixfantry was organized 
wiih John A. McDowell, of Keokuk, as 
Colonel; Markoe Cummins, of Muscatine, 
as Lieut-iuant-Colouel; John M Corse, of 
Burlington, as Major; and was mustered 
into the service of the United States July 
6, 1861, at Burlington. It was engaged at 
Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Big 
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Jackson, 
Black River Bridge, Jones' Ford, in Sher- 
man's march, then returned through the 
Carolinas. The regiment served with dis 
tinction at the siege of Jackson, winning 
high praise from General Smith, command- 
ing. It marched through most of the 
Southern States, thousands of miles, and 
bore its share of fatigue with unflinching 
devotion to duty. The total number of 
officers and men in the regiment was 1,013, 
of vhom 109 were killed, 157 died, 265 
wer>. discharged, 355 were wouiidt-d, 3 were 
missuig, and 8 were transferred. 

Tuis Seventh Infantry was organized 
with J. G. Lauman, of Burlington, as Col- 
onel; Augustus Wentz, of Davenport, as 
Lieut. -Colonel; E. M. Rice, of Oskaloosa, 
as Major; and was mustered into the 
United States service at Burlington, July 
24, 1861. The regiment was engaged in 
the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Cor- 
inth, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Big 
Shanty, Keneoaw Mountain, Nickajack 
Creek, siege of Atlanta, July 22d in front 
of Atlanta, Sherman's campaign to the 
ocean, through the Carolinas to Richmond, 
and thence to Louisville. Was mustered 



*^^ 



"t s \ ' 



HISTORY UF IOWA. 



out at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 1865. The 
battle in whicli the Seventh did the most 
service was that of Belmont, in which it 
lost '2-21 in killed, wounded and missing. 
The regiment, by four years of faithful 
service, earned as honorable a name as can 
be found anywhere in the annals of our 
volunteer soldiery. TheSeventii contained 
altogether 1,133 officers and men, and of 
these, during the war, 98 were killed, 178 
died, 21(1 discharged, 354 were wounded, 
and 29 were iransferred. 



. The Eighth Infantry was organized 
with Frederick Sttfel, of the regular army, 
as Colonel; James L. Gedds, of Vinton, 
as Lieutenant-Colonel; J. C. Ferguson, of 
Knoxville, as Major; and was mustered 
into the service of the United States Sep- 
tember 12, 1801, at Davenport, Iowa. The 
regiment was engaged in the following 
battles: Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jack- 
son and Spanish Fort. Was mustered out 
at Selma, Ala., April 20, 1866. The Eighth 
fought nobly at Shiloh for ten hours, but 
was finally forced to surrender. Most of 
the command then suffered in rebel 
prisons for eight months, when they were 
paroled or released. A portion of the 
regiment was not surrendered, and it went 
into the famous "Union Brigade." The 
regiment was re-organized in 1863, and 
performed faithful service until mustered 
out in 1866. It was on duty in Alabama 
nearly a year after the collapse of the Re- 
bellion, and by the "Campaign of Mobile" 
earned as waim a reception as Iowa gave 
to any of her returning heroes. Of 1,027 
officers and men, 53 were killed, 1S7 died, 
314 were discharged, 288 were wounded. 



8 were missing, 394 were captured, and 
38 were transferred. 

The Ninth Infantry was organized 
with Wm. Vandever, of Dubuque, as Colo- 
nel; Frank G. Herron, of Dubuque, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; Wm. H. Coyle, of 
Decorah, as Major. The regiment was in 
the following engagements: Pea Ridge, 
Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, siege of 
Vicksburg, Ringgold, Dallas and Lookout 
Mountain. It also participated in the 
Atlanta campaign, Sherman's march to the 
sea, and the return home through North 
and South Carolipa to Richmond. Was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 18, 1865. 
The Ninth Iowa was recruited and organ- 
ized by its first colonel, W^m. Vandever, 
who was, in 1862, ma<le a Brigadier-Gene- 
ral. The regiment performed most bril- 
liant service during the whole war, and 
took a prominent part in the battle of 
Pea Ridge. It had marched more than 
4,000 miles, been transported by rail and 
siearaer more than 6,000, and traversed 
every State by the Confederacy except 
Florida and Texas. The regiment brought 
home four flags, of which two were de- 
posited with the Adjutaut-Geneial, one 
given to the State Historical Society, and 
one was kept by the regimental associa- 
tion, formed by them on being mustered 
out. Of ],090 men and officers, 84 were 
killed, 275 died, 274 were discharged, 385 
were wounded, 1 was missing, 32 were 
captured, and 30 were transferred. 

The Tenth Infantry was organized 
with Nicholas Perczel, of Davenport, as 
Colonel; W. E. Small, of Iowa City, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; John C. Bennett, of 



- 1 vg 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Polk county, as Major; and was mustered 
into the service of the United States at 
Iowa City, September 6, 1861. The regi- 
ment participated in the following engage- 
ments: Siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, 
Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Cham- 
pion ITills, Vicksburg and Mission Ridge 
Was mustered out August 15, 1865 

The blordiest battle in which the Tenth 
took a prominent part was that of Cham- 
pion Hills, in which it lost half its number 
in killed, wounded and missing. Many 
regiments, on coming home, gave to the 
State banners with the names on them of 
the principal battles in which they had 
been engaged. The Tenth gave up its 
colors with the simple inscription, '"Tenth 
Iowa Veteran Volunteers;" and when a 
visitor to the State Department looks at 
this banner, torn and bloody with four 
years of hard service, he will think that 
"Tenth Iowa Veteran Volunteers" is as 
proud an inscription as flag ever unfurled 
to the breeze of heaven. Of 1,027 officers 
and men, 63 were killed, 170 died, 256 
were discharged, 277 were wounded, 17 
were captured, and 49 were transferred. 

The Eleventh Infantry was organ- 
ized with A. M. Hare, of Muscatine, as 
Colonel; John C. Abercrombie as Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel; Wm. Hall, of Davenport, 
as Maj'.r; and was mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States, at Davenport, 
in September and October, 1861 The 
regiment was engaged in the battle of 
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battles of Cor- 
inth, Vicksburg, Atlanta campaign, and 
battle of Atlanta. Was mustered out at 
Louisville, Ky., July 15, 1865. No regi- 
ment did better service in the war, and no 



regiment met with heartier welcome on its 
return home. Of 1,022 men, 58 were 
killed, 178 died, 158 were discharged, 234 
were wounded, 4 were missing, 63 were 
captured, and 4 2 were transferred. 

The Twelfth Infantry was recruited 
soon after the disaster at Bull Run, under 
a proclamation by President Lincoln call- 
ing for more volunteers. It was organized 
with J. J.Wood, of Maquoketa, as Coloijel; 
John P. Coulter, of Cedar Rapids, as I.ieu- 
tenant-Colonel; Samuel D. Brodtbeck, of 
Dubuque, as Majir; and was mustered into 
the service of the United States in October 
and November, 1861, the last company 
November 25. The regiment was engaged 
at Shiloh, Fort Donelson siege of V cks- 
burg, Tupelo, Mississippi, White River, 
Nashville and Spanish Fort. Was mus- 
tered out at Memphis, January 20, 1866. 
In the battle of Shiloh the Twelfth fought 
gallantly all day in company with the 
Eighth and Fourteenth, and at sunset sur- 
rendered. They endured a loathsome 
captivity in rebel prisons for eight months, 
when they were exchanged, and the regi- 
ment was re-organized. A few who were 
not captured at Shiloh performed ac ive 
service in the " Union Brigade," during 
these eight months. The newly equipped 
regiment immediately joined the army be- 
fore Vicksburg, and served actively the 
rest of the war. When the regiment vet- 
eranized, January 4, 1864, a larger propor- 
tion of men re-enlisted than in any other 
regiment from Iowa The following 
spring the regiment was home for a few 
weeks on veteran furlough. After Lee's 
surrender the regiment was continued in 
the service in Alabama, on guard and gar- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



rison duly for several monlbs. Of 9Sl 
officers and men, 33 were killed, 285 died, 
258 were discharged, 222 were wounded, 
404 were captured, and 23 were trans- 
ferred. 

The Thirteenth Infantry was or- 
ganized with M. M. Crocker, of DesMoines, 
as Colonel; M. M. Price, of Davenport, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; John Shane, of Vin- 
ton, as Major; and was mustered into the 
service of the United States, November 1, 
1861 The regiment was in the battle of 
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, Kenesaw 
Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, campaign 
against Atlanta, Sherman's march to the 
sea, and through the Carolinas, home. 
Was mustered out at Louisville, July 21, 
1865. This regiment was especially fortu- 
nate in having such a commander as Col. 
Crocker. The men at first objected to 
drilling five or six hours every day, and 
other severe discipline; but afterward, in 
the battle of Shiloh and elsewhere, they 
had ample reason to be grateful for their 
drill under Col. Crocker The Thirteenth 
did noble service in many important affairs 
of the war, and had the honor of being the 
first Union troops to enter Columbia, S. C, 
where the secession movement first began. 
Of a total of 959 officers and men, 68 were 
killed, 224 died, 270 were discharged, 313 
were wounded, 6 were missing, 88 were 
captured, and 34 were transferred. 

The Fourteenth Infantry was or- 
ganized in the fall of 1861, under the call 
of October 3. Before the regiment was 
organized, the first three companies raised, 
A, B and C, were ordered on garrison duty 
at Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, and re- 



mained ever afterward detached from the 
regiment. So that, although in form they 
were a part of the Fourteenth Iowa for 
some time, they were never under its com- 
manding officer. Afterward, these com- 
panies for a time were called the First 
Battalion of the 41st Infantry; but this 
regiment never being organized, they . 
finally were attached to a cavalry regi- 
ment. The Fourteenth, therefore, had at 
first hut seven companies. In June, 1863, 
the number of companies was raised to 10, 
and thus constituted for the first time a 
full regiment. The regiment was first 
organized with Wm. T. Shaw, of Anamosa, 
as Colonel; Edward W. Lucas, of Iowa 
City, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hiram Leon- 
ard, of DesMoines county, as Majnr; and 
was mustered into the service of the United 
States at Davenport, in October, 1861. 
The regiment was in the battle of Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Pleasant Hill, 
Meridian, Fort De Russey, Tupelo, Town 
Creek, Tallahatchie, Pilot Knob, Old 
Town, Yellow Bayou, and others. Was 
mustered out, except veterans and recruits, 
at Davenport, November 16,1864. The 
regiment was nearly all captured at the 
battle of Shiloh, but was after a few 
months exchanged and reorganized. The 
Fourteenth did some of the hardest fight- 
ing that was done in the war. Of 840 
officers and men, 31 were killed, 148 died, 
191 were discharged, 186 were wt unded, 1 
was missing, 269 were captured, and 23 
were transferred. 

The Fifteenth Infantry was organ- 
ized in the wnnter of 1861-2, with Hugh 
T. Reid, of Keokuk, as Colonel; William 
Dewey, of Freeraont county, as Lieutenant- 



102 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Colonel; W. W. Belnap, of Keokuk, as 
Maj<jr; and was mustered into the service 
of the United States at Keokuk, March 19, 
1862. 

The regiment participated in the battle 
of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battles of 
Corinth, Vicksburg, campaign against At- 
lanta, battle in front of Atlanta, in Sher- 
man's march to the sea, and through the 
Carolinas to Richmond, Washington and 
LouLsville, where it was mustered out 
August 1, 1864. The regiment was most 
actively engaged at the siege of Atlanta, 
where it was under fire from the rebels 
for 81 days. The gallant Fifteenth will 
long be honored by the grateful people of 
Iowa for its faithful service of three years 
and a half in the heart of the rebellion. 
Of 1,196 men, 58 were killed, 277 died, 
306 were discharged, 416 were wounded, 
7 were missing, 83 were captured, and 27 
were transferred. 

The Sixteenth Infantet was organ- 
ized under the first call of 1861, and was 
at that time sujiposed to be the last Iowa 
would be called upon to furnish. But the 
war was only begun, and Iowa was des- 
tined to furnish more troops after the 
Sixteenth than before. As organized, the 
Sixteenth had Alexander Chambers for 
Colonel; A. H. Sanders, of Davenport, for 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and William Purcell, 
of Muscatine, for Major. It was mus- 
tered into the service of the United States 
at Davenport, December 10, 1861. 

The Sixteenth was in the battles of 
Shiloh, siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, and 
the various battles arouiid Atlanta; in 
Sherman's campaigns, and those in the 



Carolinas. Its first battle was the bloodiest 
of the war — Shiloh; and that they behaved 
80 Well under their first fire, showed that 
they were good men. After the battle of 
Shiloh, the "Iowa Brigade" was formed, 
of which the Sixteenth ever after formed a 
part. This "Iowa Brigade" was most 
highly praised by the Inspector-General of 
the Seventeenth Army Corp-, who de- 
clared in his official report that he had 
never seen a finer looking body of men, in 
any respect. In the battle before Atlanta, 
the greater part of the regiment was cap- 
tured, and remained in captivity two 
months. The Sixteenth was mustefred out 
July 19, 1865, at Louisville. Of its 819 
officers and men, 62 were killed, 255 died, 
211 were discharged, 311 were wounded, 
14 were missing, 257 were captured, and 
29 were transferred. 

The Seventeenth Infantry was raised 
during the hpring of 1862, and organized 
with John W. Rankin, of Keokuk, as 
Colonel; D. B. Hillis, of Keokuk, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and Samuel M. Wise, 
of Mt. Pleasant, as Major. It was mus- 
tered into the service of the United 
States at Keokuk, April 16, 1862. 

The Seventeenth was in the siege of 
Corinth, the battles of luka, Corinth, Jack- 
son, Champion Hills, Fort Hill, siege of 
Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, and Tilton, 
Ga., where most of the regiment were 
made prisoners of war, October 13, 18G4. 
The regiment won special commendation 
at the battle of Corinth. Of its 956 mem- 
bers, 45 weie killed, 121 died, 222 were 
discharged, 245 were wounded, 8 were 
missing, 278 were capiured, and 1:8 were 
transferred. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



The Eightbenth Infantry, as well as 
the Seventeenth, was not recruited in re- 
sponse to any call of the President, but 
was a free gift from the people of Iowa. 
It was raised in the early summer of 1862, 
and was mustered into the service of the 
United States at Clinton, August 5, 6 and 
7, 1862, with John Edwards, of Chariton, 
as Colonel; T. Z. Cook, of Cedar Rapids, 
as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hugh J. Campbell, 
of Muscatine, as Major. It was engaged 
in the battles of Springfield, Moscow, 
Poison Spring, Ark., and others. Much of 
its time was spent in garrison duty, west 
of the Mississippi, and therefore it did not 
share in the brilliant honors of the great 
battles east of that river. Had oppor- 
tunity offered, no doubt they would have 
assaulted Vicksburg, or fought above the 
clouds on Lookout Mountain, as bravely 
as any troops in the Union. It was mus- 
tered out July 20, 1865, at Little Rock, 
Arkansas. Of 875 oflScers and men, 28 
were killed, 122 died, 233 were discharged, 
79 were wounded, 63 were captured, and 
15 were transferred. 

The Nineteenth Infantry was the 

first regiment organized under President 
Lincoln's call of July 2, 1862, made when 
the cause of the Union looked most 
gloomy. It was mustered into the United 
States service August 17, 186-, at Keokuk, 
with Benjamin Crabb, of Washington, as 
Colonel; Samuel McFarland, of Mt Pleas- 
ant, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and Daniel 
Kent, of Ohio, as Major. 

The regiment served faithfully at Prai- 
rie Grove, Vicksburg, in the Yazoo river 
expedition, at Sterling Farm, and at Span- 
ish Fort. At Sterling Farm, September 



,29, 1863, most of the regiment surrend- 
ered, after a hard fight. They were ex- 
changed July 22d of the following year, 
when they rejoined their regiment at New 
Orleans. The Nineteenth was mustered 
out at Mobile, Ala., July 18, 1865. Of 985 
men and officers, 58 were killed, 183 died, 
191 were discliarg-d, 198 were wounded, 
216 were captured, and 43 were transferred. 

The Twentieth Infantry was the sec- 
ond of the twenty-two regiments raised in 
Iowa under the call of July 2, 1862. The 
regiment was raised within two counties, 
Linn and Scott, each of which contributed 
five comjjanies, and which vied with each 
other in patriotism. Wm. McE Dye, of 
Marion, Linn county, was commissioned 
Colonel; J. B. Le.k, of DavenporB, L'eut- 
Colonel; and Wm. G. Thompson, of Ma 
rion, Major. The muster-in took place at 
Clinton, August 25, 1862. The Twentieth 
fought at Prairie Grove and at Ft. Blakely. 
Though not engaged in prominent battles, 
it performed valuable garrison duties on 
the southern coast. It was on Mustang 
Island, off the coast of Texas, seven months. 
Was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., July 8, 
1865, ard on its return home received a 
royal welcome from Iowa's citizens. Of 
925 officers and men in the Twentieth, 9 
were killed, 144 died, 166 were discharged, 
52 were wounded, 13 were captured and 
89 were transferred. 

The TwKNTY-FiEST Infantry was raised 
in August, 1862, with Samuel Merrill (ex- 
Governor of Iowa) as Colonel; Cornelius 
W. Dunlap, of Mitchell, as Lieut.-Coloael; 
S. F. Van Anda, of Delhi, as Major; and 
was mustered into the service of the 



104 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



United States August 1 8, 20, 22 and 23, 
except one company, which had been mus- 
tered in June The Twenty-first was en- 
gaged at Hartsville, Mo., Black River 
Bridge, Fort Beauregard, siege of Viclts- 
burg, and battles of Mobile and Fort 
Blakely. For nearly a year the regiment 
served in Missouri, where it distinguished 
itself by the well-fought baule of Harts- 
ville. Then it fought in Mississippi, in 
Louisiana, in Texas, in Louisiana again, in 
Arkansas, in Tennessee, in Louisiana once 
more, and in Alabama. In the battle of 
Fort Gib on, this and several other Iowa 
regiments were prominent. The Twenty- 
first was mustered out at Baton Rouge, La., 
July 15, 1865. Of its 980 officers and men, 
39 were killed, 192 died, 159 were dis- 
charged, 161 were wounded, 2 were miss- 
ing, 21 were captured, and 56 were trans- 
ferred. 

The Twenty-Second Infantry was or- 
ganized in August, 1862, with Wm. M. 
Stone, of* Knoxville (formerly Major of 
the Third Infantry, and since Governor of 
Iov\a), as Colonel; John A. Garrett, of 
Newton, as Lieut. Colonel; Harvey Gra- 
ham, of Iowa City, as Major; and was mus- 
tered into the United States seivice at Iowa 
City, September 10, 1862. 

The Twenty-second served in many of 
the Southern States, and was engaged at 
Vicksburg, Tompson's Hills, in Sherman's 
campaign to Jackson, at Winchester, Fish- 
er's Hill, and Cedar Creek. The regiment 
particul irly distinguished itself in an as- 
sault upon the enemy's works at Vicks- 
burg, and in the battle of Winchester, in 
the Shenandoah Valley, where it lost 109 
men. In the Vicksburi' assault, the reffi- 



ment lost 164 men. General Grant says 
in that assault, only Sergeant Grifiith and 
11 privates (of the Twenty-second,) suc- 
ceeded in entering the fort. Of these, 
only the Sergeant and one man returned. 
Altogether, there were 30 Iowa regiments 
concerned in the siege of Vicksburg. The 
regiment was mustered out at Savannah, 
Ga., July 25, 1865. Of 1,008 members, 58 
were killed, 182 died, 161 were discharged, 
267 were wounded, 84 were captured, and 
42 were transferred. 

The Twenty-Third Infantry was or- 
ganized with William Dewey, of Fremont 
county, as Colonel; W. II. Kinsman, of 
Council Bluffs, as Lieut.-Colonel; S. L. 
Glasgow, of Corydon, as Major; and was 
mustered into the service of the United 
States at DesMoines, September 19, 1862. 
The regiment was engaged at Vicksburg, 
Port Gibson, Black River, Champion Hills, 
Jackson, Milliken's Bend, and Ft. Blakely. 
The Twenty-thiril are the acknowledged 
heroes of the battle of Black River Bridge, 
and the equal sharers with other troops of 
the honors of many battle-fields At Black 
River but a few minutes were used in as- 
saulting and carrying the rebel works, but 
those few were fought with fearful loss to 
the Twenty-third Iowa. After the success- 
ful fight, in which the Twenty-first also 
took part. Gen. Lawler passed down the 
line and shook every man's hand, so great 
was his emotion. Gen. Grant called it a 
brilliant and daring movement. It was 
mustered out at Harrisburg, Texas, July 
26, 1865. Of its 961 officers and men, 41 
were killed, 233 died, 181 were discharged, 
135 were wounded, 3 were captured, and 42 
transferred. 



'k 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



105 



Thb Twenty-Fourth Infantry, called 
" The Iowa Temperance regiment," was 
raised by Eber C. Byarn, of Linn county, 
and consisted of men who were pledged to 
abstain from the u<e of liquor in any shape. 
Ebet C. Byarn, of Mt Vernon, was Colonel; 
John Q. Wilds, of Mt Vernon, Lieutenant- 
Colonel; Ed. Wright, of Springdale, as 
Major. The regiment was mustered 
into the service of the United States at 
Muscatine, September 18, 1862. The regi- 
ment was engaged at Fort Gibson, Cham- 
pion Hills, General Banks' Red river ex- 
pedition, Winchester, Fishtr's Hill and 
Cedar Creek. The battles in which the 
Twenty-fourth took the nnst prominent 
part were those of Sabine Cross Roads (in 
the Red river expedition) and Fisher's 
Hill. Of 979 men and officers, 56 were 
killed, 259 died, 205 were discharged, 260 
were wounded, 2 were missing, 76 were 
captured and 55 were transferred. 

Thk Twenty Fifth Infantry was or- 
ganized near the beautiful little city of 
Mt. Pleasant, with George A. Stone, of 
Mt. Pleasant, as Colonel; Fabian Bry- 
dolph as Lieutenant-Colonel; and Calom 
Taylor, of Bloomfield, as Major. Was 
mustered into the United States service, 
atMt. Pleasant, September 27, 1862. The 
regiment was engaged at Arkansas Post, 
Vieksburg, Walnut Bluff, Chattanooga, 
Campain, Ringgold, Resaga, Dallas, Kena- 
saw Mountain, battles around Atlanta, 
Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro, Ships Gap, 
Bentonville and was with Sherman on his 
march through Georgia and the Carol inas, 
to Richmond and Washington. The cap- 
ture of Columbia, the capital of the chief 
disloyal State, was effected by Iowa troops. 



among which were those of the Twenty- 
fifth. The regiment was mustered out at 
Washington, D. C , June 6, 1865. Of 995 
men and officers, -39 were k lied, 223 died, 
140 were discharged, 183 were wounded, 4 
were missing, 18 were captured and 71 
were transferred. 

The Twenty-Sixth Infantry was or- 
ganized near the city of Clinton. Milo 
Smith, of Clinton, was Colonel; S. 6. 
Magill, of Lyons, was Lieutenant-Colonel; 
Samuel Clark, of De Witt, was Major; and 
the regiment was mustered in at Clinton, 
in August of 1862. The regiment was 
engaged at Arkansas Post, Vieksburg, 
Snake Creek G^p, Ga., Resaca, Dallas, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, siege of At- 
lanta, Ezra Church, Jonesboro, Lovejoy 
Station, Ship's Gap, in Sherman's cam- 
paign to Savannah and home through the 
Carolinas. The regiment took part in 
many great battles, and did faithful service 
all through the war, after winning com- 
mendations from its Generals. On the re- 
turn home, the regimental flag was depos- 
ited with the State archives, inscribed in 
golden colors with the names of the battles 
and victories in which they had shared. 
It was mustered out of the service at 
Washington, D. C, June 6, 1865. Of 919 
men and officers, 44 were killed, 244 died, 
147 were discharged, 165 were wounded, 
27 were captured and 70 were transferred. 

The Twenty-Seventh Infantry was 
recruited in the northern part of Iowa, and 
was organized with James I. Gilbert, of 
Lansing, as Colonel; Jed. Lake, of Inde- 
pendence, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and G. 
W. Howard, of Bradford, as Major. It 



106 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



was mustered into the service of the United 
States at DuVxique, October 3, 1862. The 
Twenty-seventh was engaged at Little 
Rock, Ark., the battles of the Red river 
expedition, Fort De Russey, Pleasant Hill, 
Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Old Town Creek 
and Fort Blakely. This regiment had 
varied experience in the matter of climate; 
for their first active service was in Minne- 
sota, while before the war was over they 
made a voyage on the gulf, from the 
Balize to Mobile Bay. After faithful ser- 
vice through the rest of the war, the regi- 
ment was mustered out August 8, 1865, at 
Clinton, Iowa. Of 940 officers and men, 
9 were killed, 183 died, 207 were dis- 
charged, 142 wounded, 6 were missing, 32 
were captured and 47 were transferred. 



The Twenty-Eighth Infantry was 
organized during the autumn of 1862, with 
the following officers: Wm. E Miller, of 
Iowa City, Colonel; John Connell, of To- 
ledo, Lieutenant-Colonel; and H.B Lynch, 
of Miliersburg, as Major. The regiment 
was engaged at Port Gibson, Jackson and 
siege of Vicksburg; was in Bank's Red 
river expedition, and fought at Sabine 
Cross Roads, in the Shenandoah Valley, 
at Winchester, Fisher's Hill and C^dar 
Creek. In this last the regiment was most 
prominently engaged. During its service 
it fought a dozen battles, and traveled well- 
nigh the entire circuit of the Confederacy. 
The Twenty-eighth was mustered out of 
the service at Savannah, Ga., July 31, 1865. 
Of its 956 officers and men, 56 were killed, 
111 died, 187 were discharged, 262 were 
wounded, 10 were mis.sing, 93 were cap- 
tured and 44 were transferred. 



The Twenty-Ninth Infantry was or- 
ganized at Council Bluffs and mustered 
into the service of the United States, 
December 1, 1862, with Thomas H. Ben- 
ton, Jr , of Council Bluffs, as Colonel;'R. 
F. Patterson, of Keokuk, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; and Charles B. Shoemaker, of 
Clarinda, as Major. 

The Twenty-ninth was engaged at 
Helena, Arkansas Post, Terre Noir, and 
Spanish Fort. Though it was one of the 
best disciplined and bravest regiments in 
the war, it was long kept from participa- 
tion in active service by being stationed 
in Arkansas The regiment was mustered 
out at New Orleans, August 15, 1865. Of 
a total of 1,005 officers and men, 21 were 
killed, 268 died, 132 were discharged, 107 
were wounded, 1 was missing, 55 were 
captured and 37 were transferred. 

The Thirtieth Infantry was organ- 
ized in the summer of 1862, with Charles 
B. Abbott, of Louisa county, as Colonel; 
William M. G. Torrence, of Keokuk, as 
Lieut -Colonel; Lauren Dewey,of Mt Pleas- 
ant, as Major; was mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States at Keokuk, Sep- 
tember 23, 1862. The regiment was 
engaged at Arkansas Post, Yazoo City, 
Vicksburg, Cherokee, Ala., Chattanooga, 
Ringgold, Re.sacka, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Atlanta, Lovejoy Station, Jonesboro and 
Taylor's Ridge; accompanied Sherman in 
his campaign to Savannah and through the 
Carolinas to Richmond, and was in the 
grand review at Washington, D. C. The 
Thirtieth was in the thickest of the war, 
and came home loaded with honors, leav- 
ing its honored dead on a score of battle- 
fields. It was mustered out June 5, 1865. 



T 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



fb 



Of 978 officers and men in this regiment, 
44 were killed, 264 died, 145 were dis- 
charged, 22-2 were wounded, 2 were miss- 
ing, 19 were captured, and 48 were trans- 
ferred. 

The Thirty-First Infantry was or- 
ganized in the summer of 1862, with 
William Smyth, of Marion, as Colonel; 
J. W. Jenkins, of Maquoketa, as Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel; and Ezekiel Cutler, of Ana- 
mosa, as Major. It was mustered into the 
service of the United States at Davenp. rt, 
October 13, 1862. 

The Thirty-first was engaged at Chicka- 
saw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Raymond, 
Jackson, Black River, Vicksburg, Chero- 
kee, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, 
Ringgold, Taylor's Hills, Snake Cieek 
Gap, Kesaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, 
Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta 
and Jonesboro; was in Sherman's cam- 
paign through Georgia and the Carolinas, 
and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., 
June a", 1865. The regiment always did 
its part nobly. It was received home with 
speeches, feasting, etc., but the people's 
joy was tempered with sadness, as the 
regiment had gone forth 1,000 strong, and 
returned with 370. But had not so many 
regiments returned with thinned ranks, the 
Rebellion had not been conquered — the 
Union had not been saved. Of 977 officers 
and men, 13 were killed, 279 died, 176 
were discharged, 85 were wounded, 13 
were captured, and 72 were transferred. 

The Thirty-Second Infantry was or- 
ganized in the fall of 1862, with John 
Scott, of Nevada, as Colonel; E. II. Mix, 
of Shell Rock, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and 



G. A Eberhart, of Waterloo, as Major. 
The regiment was mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States at Dubuque, 
October 5, 1862. The regiment was en- 
gaged at Fort De Russey, Pleasant Hill, 
Tupelo, Old Tower Creek, Nashville and 
other battles. For some time the regi- 
ment was separated, and the detachments 
in different fields, but at last they were all 
united, and the regiment served as a unit. 
It was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa, 
August 24, 18G5. Of 925 officers and men, 
59 were killed, 242 died, 174 were dis- 
charged, 142 were wounded, 98 were cap- 
tured, and 35 were transferred. 

The Thirty-Third Infantry was or- 
ganized in the fall of 1862, with Samuel 
A. Rice, a popular politician of Central 
Iowa, as Colonel; Cyrus H. Maskey, of 
Sigourney, as Lieutenant-Colonel; Hiram 
D. Gibson, of Knoxville, as Major; and 
was mustered into the service of the 
United States at Oskaloosa, October 1, 
1862 The regiment was engaged at Little 
Rock, Helena, Saline River, Spanish Fort 
and Yazoo Pass. The regiment worked 
to best advantage at the brilliant victory 
of Helena. It remained in Arkansas till 
the early part of 1865, when it moved 
south to take part in the closing scenes in 
Alabama. The Thirty-third was mustered 
out of service at New Orleans, July 17, 
1865. Of 985 men and ofiicers, 26 were 
killed, 241 died, 145 were discharged, 177 
were wounded, 7 were missing, 74 were 
captured, and 32 were transferred. 

The Thirty- Fourth Infantry was 
organized in the fall of 1862, with Ge rge 
W. Clarke, of Indianola, as Colonel; W. 



A 



108 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



S. Dmigan, of Chariton, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; R. D. Kellogg, of Decatur, as 
Major; and was mustered into the service 
of the United States at Burlington, Octo- 
ber 15, 1863. 

The regiment was engaged at Arkansas 
Post, Fort Gaines and other places in 
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Ala- 
bama. January 1, 1P65, the regiment was 
consolidati d with the Thirty-eighth. Re- 
cruits from the Twenty-first and Twenty- 
third had bren, on the muster-out of those 
regiments, transferred to the Thirty-fourth, 
and this regiment had a total of 1,131 offi- 
cers and men at its muster-out at Houston, ] 
Texas, Augu.^t 15, 1865. Of 95.3 properly j 
belonging to this regiment, 4 were killed, j 
234 died, 314 were discharged, 16 were 
wounded, 4 were captured and 22 were 
transferred. The regiment traveled over 
15.000 miles in its service. 

The Thirty-Fifth Infantry was re- 
cruited in the summer of 1862, and mus- 
tered into the service of the United States, 
at Muscatine, September 18, with S. G. 
Hill, of Muscatine, as Colonel; James S. 
Rothrock, of Muscatine, as I>ieutenant- 
Colonel, and Henry O'Conner, of Musca- 
tine, as Major. 

The regiment participated in the battles 
of Jackson, siege of Vicksburg, Bayou 
Ra]iids, Bayou de Glaze, Pleasant Hill, 
Old River Lake, Tupelo, Nashville and 
the Mobile campaign. The Thirty-fifth 
served bravely in a dozen battles, and 
traveled 10,000 miles. On its return home, 
it was greeted with a most hearty recep- 
tion, and a reunion of old soldiers. The 
regiment was mustpred out at Davenport, 
August 10, 1865, and paid and disbanded 



at "Muscatine six days later. Of 984 offi- 
cers and men, 38 were killed, 208 died, 192 
were discharged, 95 were wounded, 3 were 
missing, 15 were captured and 65 were 
transferred. 

The Tiiirtt-Sixth I.vfantry was or- 
ganized in the summer of 1862, with 
Charles W. Kittredge, of Oltumwa, as 
Colonel; F. M. Drake, of Unionville, 
Appanoose county, as Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and T. C. Woodward, of Ottumwa, as 
Major. The regiment was mustered into 
the service of the United States, at Keo- 
kuk, October 4, 1862. 

The Thirty-sixth was engaged at Mark's 
Mills Ark., Elkins' Ford, Camden, Helena, 
Jenkins' Ferry and other places during the 
"Little Hock expedition." The regiment 
suffered greatly from sickness Before it 
was fully organized, even, small-pox and 
measels attacked the men, and the com- 
mand lost 100 men. Then it was obliged 
to encounter the malarial fluences of Yazoo 
river and Helena. Before they recovered 
their vigor fully,more of them were forced 
to surrender to the rebels. The regiment 
was mastered out at Duvall's Bluff, Ark , 
August 24, 1865. Of 986 officers and men, 
35 were killed, 258 died, 191 were dis 
charged, 166 were wounded, 460 were cap- 
tured and 24 were transferred 

Thb Thirty-Sbvbnth Infantry was 
generally known as the "Gray-beard Reg- 
iment." It was composed of men over 45 
years of age, and hence not subject to 
military service, but their patriotism in- 
duced them to enlist, and the services of 
the regiment were accepted by the Secre- 
tary of War, for post and garrison service. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



It was organized with George W. Kincaid, 
of Mu'catine, as Colonel; Geo. R. West, 
of Dubuque, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
Lyman Allen, of Iowa City, as Major. The 
muster-in took place at Muscatine, Decem- 
ber 15, 1862. 

The regiment served at St. Louis in 
guard of military prisons, then on the line 
of the Pacific railway, then at Alton, 111. 
Here they remained guarding the rebel 
prisoners till January, 1864, when they 
moved to Rock Island to perform similar 
duties until June 5. They served the next 
three months, in very hot weather, at 
Mtnipliis. Thence the command moved 
to Indianapolis. From here five compnnies 
went to Cinciniinli, three to Cohirnbus and 
two to Gallipolis, Ohio At these posts 
they remained till i\Iay, 1865 This "Gray- 
b( ard Regiment" was the only one of its 
kind in the war, and it received many 
favorable expressions from commanding 
officers under whom it served. It was 
mustered out ^'ay 24, 186-5, the day of the 
grand review at Washington. The Thirty- 
seventh was the first Iowa three-years' 
regiment to come home, ^nd wa^ mustered 
out thus early by special request of General 
Willich, in whose brigade they were, in 
or' er that they might save their crops, most 
of them being farmers. Of 914 officers 
and men, 3 were killed, 145 died, 359 were 
discharged, 2 were wounded, none were 
missing and none captured. 

The Thirty-Eighth Infantry was re- 
cruited in August, :SG?, and mustered into 
the service of the United States at Du- 
buque, November 4, with D. H. Hughes, 
of Deeorah, as Colonel; J. O. Hudmitt, of 
Waverly, as Lieut -Colonel; and Charles 



Chadwlck, of West Union, as Major. 
The regiment participated in the siege 
of Vicksburg and Banks' Red River expe- 
dition, and was consolidated with the 
Thirty-fourth Infantry, January 1, 1865. 
Of all Iowa's regiments, the Thirty-eighth 
was most unfortunate in regard to sick- 
ness. It had not been in the service two 
years when more than 300 enlisted men 
and a number of ofiicers had died of 
disease. Duiing the same period 100 had 
been discharged for inability. There were 
long weary weeks when there were not 
enough well men to take care of the sick — 
not even enough to bury the dead. It was 
at last obliged to give up its own existence. 
Though the regiment had not had an op- 
portunity to achieve biilliant renown in 
the field, it did fulfill a no less honored 
destiny than many whose banners were 
Covered with the names of battles It did 
all that men could do — it gave itself up 
for the good of the service. Of its 910 
men, 1 was killed, 314 died, 120 were dis- 
charged, 2 were wounded and 14 were 
transferred. 

The Thtrty-Ninth Intantry was or- 
ganized with H. J. B. Cnmmings, of Win- 
terset, as Colonel; James Eedficld, of 
Redfield, Dallns county, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; and J. M. Griftiihs, of DesMoiiies, 
as Major 

The regiment was engaged at Parker's 
Cross Roads, Tenn., Corinth, Allatoona, 
Ga , Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, 
and was in Sherman's march to the sea, 
and through the Carolinas to Rielimond. 
The regiment was one of the most distin- 
guished in the field, and met with a royal 
welcome from the warm hearted people 



^ 



no 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



of Iowa, on its return home. It had pre- 
viously taken part in the grand review at 
Washington. It was mustered out at 
Washington, June 5, 1S65, and was dis- 
banded at Clinton, Iowa. Of its 933 officers 
and men, 41 were killed, 143 died, 123 
were discharged, 113 were wounded, 206 
were captured and 16 were transferred. 

The Fortieth Infantry was the high- 
est in numerical order of Iowa's three- 
year's regiments, but not the last to leave 
the State. Three or four other regimental 
organizations, too, were commenced, but 
not completed. Some 300 men were 
enlisted for the Forty-first, who united 
with the three companies of the Four- 
teenth,, stationed at Fort Randall, Dakota 
Territory; another regiment, to be called 
the Forth-second, was attempted, with 
camp at Dubuque; and still another, at 
Ottumwa, was to be called the Forty- 
third. The.se attempts were unsuccessful 
in so far as the complete formation of an 
infantry regiment after the Fortieth was 
concerned. The Fortieth was organized 
at Iowa City, November 15, 1862, with 
John A. Garrett, of Newton, as Colonel; 
S. F. Cooper, of Griunell, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; and S. G. Smith, of Newton, as 
Major. 

The regiment participated in the siege 
of Vicksburg, Steele's expedition. Bank's 
Red River expedition, and the battle of 
Jenkins' Ferry. It was called the "Cop- 
perhead Regiment," by political partisans, 
but it bore its share of the fatigues of war 
in a patriotic way that might have been 
emulated by some of their political ene- 
mies The fact is, moreover, the regiment 
always gave a small Republican majority. 



though the contrary was believed for a 
lime. The Fortieth was mustered out at 
Port Gibson, August 2, 1865. Of 900 offi- 
cers and men, 5 were killed, 196 died, 
134 were discharged, 43 were wounded, 3 
were captured, and 26 were transferred. 

The Forty-Fiest Infantry was never 
completed as an infantry regiment. It con- 
tained three companies lis infantry or- 
ganization was under the command of John 
Pallee, of Iowa City. Under authority 
h\>ra the War Department, these three 
companies became K, L and M of the Sev- 
enth Cavalry. 

The Forty - Fourth Infantry was 
raised in the summer of 1864. Generals 
Grant and Sherman being actively en- 
gaged with large armies against the enemy, 
the Governors of the Northwestern States 
proposed to the authorities of the War 
Departmeiit to send into the field a consid- 
erable number of troops for a short term 
of service, who might relieve others on 
guard and garrison duly at the rear, and 
thus be the means of adding largely to the 
force of drilled and disciplined men at the 
front. Tliis proposition was, after a time, 
accepted, and the term of service was es- 
tablished at KG days. Gov. Stone accord- 
ingly is!^ued his proclamation calling for 
such troops, and the citizens responded 
with four regiments and one battalion. 
Because commissions had been issued to 
persons designated as officers of the Forty- 
first, Forty-second and Forty-third Regi- 
ments, which were never organized, how- 
ever, although conciderable was done in 
the way of their formation, the number of 
the regiments of 100 days' men commenced 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



with Forty-four. This regiment was under 
the command of Colonel Stephen H. Hen- 
derson, and was mustered in at Davenport, 
June 1, 1864. 

The regiment did garrison duty at 
Memphis and La Grange, Tenn., and was 
mustered out at Davenport, September 15, 
1864 Of 867 officers and men in the 
Forty fourth, 1 was killed and 18 died. 
There were no other casualties. 

The Forty-Fifth Infantry was mus- 
tered in at Keol<uk, May 25, 1864, with 
A. J. Bereman, of Mt. Pleasant, as Colonel; 
S. A. Moore, of Bloomfield, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; and J. B. Hope, of Washington, 
as Major. This was the first of the 
regiments of 100 days' men organized; 
it even preceded the Forty-fourth. It 
performed garrison duty in Tennessee, 
and was mustered out at Keokuk, Septem- 
ber 16, 1864 Of 912 officers and men, 2 
were killed, 19 died, 1 wounded, and 2 
were transferred. 

The Forty-Sixth Infantry was organ- 
ized with D. B. Henderson, of Clermont, 
as Colonel; L. D. Durbin, of Tipton, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and G. L. Tarbet as 
Major. It was mustered in at Dubuque, 
June 10, 1864. 

The Forty-sixth performed garrison 
duty in Tennessee, and was mustered out 
at Davenport, September 23, 1864. Of its 
892 officers and men, 2 were killed, 24 
died, 1 was wounded, and 3 were captured. 

The Forty-Seventh Infantry was 
mustered into the service of the United 
States at Davenport, June 1, 1864, with 
James P. San ford, of Oskaloosa, as Colo- 



nel; John Williams, of Iowa City, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and G. J. Wright, of 
Des Moines, as Major. 

This regiment was stationed at the 
sickly place of Helena, Arkansas, where 
many succumbed to disease. Of 884 
officers and men, 1' was killed, 46 died, and 
1 was transferred. 

The FoktyEighth Infantry (Bat- 
talion) was mustered into the United 
States service at D.ivenport, July 13, 1864, 
with O. H. P. Scott, of Farmington, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel. The battalion served 
its time guarding rebel prisoners on Rock 
Island, in the Mississippi river, opposite 
Davenport. It was mustered out at Rock 
Island barracks, October 21, 1864. Of 340 
officers and men, 4 died and 4 were trans- 
ferred The services of these lOO-days' men 
were of great value to the national cause. 
They were acknowledged by the President 
of the United States, in a special execu- 
tive order, returning his hearty thanks to 
officers and men. 

The First Cavalry was organized in 
the spring of 1861, with Fritz Henry War- 
ren, of Burlington, as Colonel; Charles E. 
M' S8 of Keokuk, as Lieutenant-Colonel; 
E. W. Chamberlain, of Burlington, James 
O. Gower, of Iowa City, and W. M. G. 
Torrence, of Keokuk, as Majors. 

The regiment was engaged at Pleasant 
Hill, Mo , R.illa, New Lexington, Elkin's 
Ford, Little Rock, Bayou Metoe, Warrens- 
bur^, Big Creek Bluff.s, Antwineville, and 
Clear Cre* k. The regiment veteranized 
in the spring of 1864. It did not take the 
usual 30 days' furlough until May, for their 
servicfS were needed in the field, and they 



T' 



112 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



gallantly volunteered to remain. After 
the war was closed the First served in 
Texas, with Gen. Custer, until its muster- 
out, February 15, 1866. Of 1,478 officers 
and men, 43 were killed, 215 died, 207 
were discharged, 88 were wounded, 2 
were missing, 22 were captured, and 39 
were liansferreJ. 

The Second Cavalet was organized 
with W. L. Elliott,"a Captain in the third 
cavalry of the regular army, as Colonel; 
Edward Hatch, of Muscatine, as Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel; and N. P. Hepburn, of Mar- 
shalltown, D. E. Coon, of Mason City, 
and H. W. Love, of Iowa City, as Majors. 
The regiment was mustered in at Daven» 
port, September 1, 1861. 

Tlie Second participated in the siege of 
Corinth, the battles of Farmington, Boone- 
ville, Rienzi, luka, Corinth, Coffeeville, 
Palo Alto, Birmingham, Jackson, Grenada, 
CoUierviile, Moscow, Pontotoc, Tupelo, 
Old Town, Oxford and Nashville. The 
regiment performed active and arduous 
service all through the war, and so often 
distinguished itself as to become well 
known throughout the nation. It was 
mu.stered out at Selma, Ala., September 
19, 1865. Of its 1,394 officers and men, 
41 were killed, 224 died, 147 were dis- 
charged, 173 were wounded, 10 were 
missing, 74 were captured and 42 were 
transferred. 

The Third Cavalry was mustered in at 
Keokuk, August and September, 1861, 
with Cyrus Bussey, of Bloonificld, as 
Colonel; H. II. Trimble, of Bloonifield, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel; and C. H. Perry, H. 
C. Cahlwell and W. C. Drake, of Cory- 



don, as Majors. The Third was engaged 
at Pea Ridge, La Grange, .Sycamore, near 
L'ttle Rock, Columbus, Pope's Farm, Big 
Blue, Kipley, Coldwater, Osage, Talla- 
hatchie, Moore's Mill, near Montevallo, 
near Independence, Pine Bluff, Bolt's 
Farm, Gun Town, White's Station, Tupelo 
and Village Creek. The regiment was 
raised by Hon. Cyrus Bussey, who, in his 
call for volunteers, requested each man to 
bring, with him a good cavalry horse to 
sell to the Government. In two weeks he 
had a thousand men well mounted, in the 
rendesvous at Keokuk. In order to still 
further hasten matters. Colonel Bussey 
personally contracted in Chicago for 
equipments. In this way the delay exper- 
ienced by other regiments in preparing for 
the field was entirely avoided The regi- 
ment took an active part in many battles 
and raids, and always behaved with dis- 
tinguished gallantry. Was mustered out 
at Atlanta, Ga., August 9, 1865. Of 1,3G0 
officers and men, 65 were killed, 251 died, 
311 were discharged, 166 were wounded 
1 was missing, 146 were captured and 34 
were transferred. 

Tub Fourth Cavalry was organized 
and mustered into the service of the 
United States at Mt. Pleasant, November 
21, 1861, with Asbury B. Porter, of Mt. 
Pleasant, as Colonel; Thomas Drummond, 
of Vinton, as Lieutenant-Colonel; and S. 
D. Swan, of Mt. Pleasant, J. E. Jewetf, of 
DesMoines, and G. A. Stone, of Mt. 
Pleasant, as Majors. The Fourth fought 
bravely, and lost men at every one of the 
following engagements: Gun Town, Miss., 
Helena, Bear Creek, Memphis, Town 
Creek, Columbus, Mechanicsburg, Little 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Blue river, Brownsville, Ripley, Black 
River Bridge, Grenada, Tupelo, Yazoo 
River, White River, Osage, Lock Creek, 
Okalona, and St. Francis River. The 
Fourth was one of the bravest and most 
successful regiments in the field, and 
its services were of the utmost value to 
the Union arras. It was mustered out 
at Atlanta, Ga.. August 10, 1865. Of 
1,2-27 officers and men, 44 were killed, 
207 died, 241 were discharged, 119 were 
wounded, 3 were missing, 94 were cap- 
tured, and 35 were transferred. 

The Fifth Cavalhy was but in part an 
Iowa regiment. The States of Minnesota 
and Missouri and the Territory of Ne- 
braska were largely represented; but as 
Iowa had the most, it was designated as an 
Iowa regiment. It was organized and 
mustered into the service at Omaha, with 
Wm. W. Lowe, of the regular army, as 
Colonel; M. T. Patrick, of Omaha, as Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel; and Carl Schaeiferde Bern- 
stein, a German barou, Wn?. Kelsay and 
Alfred B. Bracket! as Majors. This regi- 
ment was engaged at the second battle of 
Fori Donelson, Wartrace, Duck River 
Bridge, Sugar Creek, Newman, Camp Creek, 
Cumberland works, Tenn., Jonesboro, Ebe- 
nezer Church, Lockbridge's Mills, Pulaski 
and Cheraw. The gallant Fifth was in 
many situations requiring the greatest 
coolnes and courage, and always acquitted 
itself with high honor. At one time the 
regiment was surrounded by rebels, and 
the Colonel in charge of the brigade had 
escaped with two other regiments to the 
Union lines, reporting the Fifth all killed 
or captured. But the result was far from 
that. At the critical tim^ the brave M,ijor 



Young, afterward the Colonel of the regi- 
ment, thundered out in the still night air, 
"The Fifth Iowa is going straight through; 
let the brave follow!" Then came the 
single word of command, "Forward ! " and 
when they reached the rebel lines, 
"Chirge!" Fifteen hundred" troopers 
dashed at full speed over the bodies of 
the surprised rebels, and escaped to the 
Union lines with the loss of but 15 men. 
The regiment was finally mu-tered out at 
Nashville, Tenn, August 11, 1865. Of 
its 1,245 officers and men, 47 were killed, 
141 died, 224 were discharged, 56 were 
wounded, 217 were captured and 17 were 
transferred. 

The Sixth Ca valet was organized and 
mustered in at Davenport, January 31, 
1863, with D. S. Wilson, of Dubuque, as 
Colonel; S. M. Pollock, of Dubuque, as 
Lieutenant-Colonel, and T. H. Shepherd, 
of Iowa City, E. P. TenBroeck, of Clin- 
ton, and A. E. House, of Delhi, as Majors 

This regiment was employed on the 
frontier against the Indians, and did excel- 
lent service. Their principal engagement 
was the battle of White Stone Hill, in 
which they severely punished a band of 
hostiles. The Sixth was mustered out at 
Sioux City, October 17, 1865. Of 1,125 
officers and men, 19 were killed, 72 died, 
89 were discharged, 19 were wounded and 
7 were transferred. 

The Seventh Cavalry was organized 
and mustered into the service at Daven- 
port, April 27, 1863, with S. W. Summers, 
of Ottumwa, as Colonel; John Pattee, of 
Iowa City, as Lieutenant-Colonel, and H. 
H. Heath and G. M. O'Brien, of Dubuque, 
and John S. Wood, of Ottumwa, as Majors 



;nr 



114 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



This regiment also served against the 
Indians in the West. It fought bravely 
iu many battles and won the lasting grati- 
tude of the people of the West. It was 
mustered out at Leavenworth, Kan., May 
17, 1866, except Companies K, L and M. 
which were mustered out ai Sioux City, 
June 22, 1866. Of its 562 officers and 
men, 47 were killed, 101 died, 252 were 
discharged, 8 were wounded and 9 were 
transferred. 

' The Eiohth Cavalry was recruited by 
Lieutenant Dorr, of the Twelfth Infantry. 
As the result of his energy, 2,000 were 
soon enlisted for the Eighth. Some 300 
were rejected, 450 were turned over to the 
Ninth Cavalry and about 75 to the Fourth 
Battery. The Eighth was organized with 
Joseph B. Dorr, of Dubuque, as Colonel; 
H. G. Barner, of Sidney, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel; John J. Bowen, of Hopkintou; 
J. D. Thompson, of Eldora, and A. J. 
Price, of Guttenberg, as Majors; and was 
mustered into the United States service, 
at Davenport, September .30, 1863. 

This regiment served gallantly in guard 
ing Sherman's communications, and at the 
battles of Lost Mountain, Lovejoy's Sta- 
tion, Newman and Nashville. It partici- 
pated in Stoneman's cavalry raid round 
Atlanta, and Wilson's raid through Ala- 
bama. After the close of hostilities and 
before the muster-out, Col. Dorr died of 
disease. He was much beloved by his 
command, and highly respected at home, 
where he had been an able editor. The 
Eighth was mustered out at Macon, Ga , 
August 13, 1865. Of its 1,234 officers and 
men, 30 were killed, 106 died, 67 were dis- 



char2ed,87 were wounded, 2 were missing, 
259 were captured and 22 were transferred. 

The Ninth Cavalry was the last three 
years' regiment recruited in Iowa. It was 
organized and mustered into the servi'^e of 
the United States, at Davenport, Novem- 
ber 30, 1.^63, with M. M. Trumbull, of 
Cedar Falls, as Colonel; J. P. Knight, 
of Mitchell, as Lieutenant-Colonel; E. T. 
Ensign, of DesMoines, Wilis Drummond, 
of McGregor, and William Haddock, of 
Waterloo, as Majors. 

The regiment performed heavy scout- 
ing, guard and garrison duties in Ar- 
kansas, for the small part of the war after 
it was organized. It was mustered out 
at Little Rock, Ark., February 28, 1866. 
Of its 1,178 officers and men, 6 were 
killed, 178 died, 64 were discharged, 15 
were wounded, 1 was captured and 11 
were transferred. 

The First Battery op Light Artil- 
lery was enrolled in the counties of Wa- 
pello, DesMoines, Dubuque, Jefferson, 
Blatk Hawk and others, and was mustered 
into the service at Burlington, August 17, 
1861, with C. H. Fletcher, of Burlington, 
as Captain ; was engaged at Pea R'dge, 
Port Gibson, in the Atlanta canip;tig i, at 
Chickasaw Bayou, Lookout Mountain, etc.; 
was mustered out at Davenport, July 5, 
1865. Of 149 membern, 7 were killed, 5'-< 
died, 35 were discharged, 31 were wounded 
and 3 transferred. 

The Seconp Battery was enrolled in 
the counties of Dallas, Polk, Harrison, 
Fremont and Pottawaiamie. and mustered 
in at Council Bluff-, and at Si. Louis, Aug- 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



k. 



ust 8 and 31, 1861, wilh Nelson I. Spoor, 
of Council Bluflfs, as Captain. The bat- 
tery was engaged at Farniington, Corinth, 
and other places Was mustered out at 
Davenport, August 7, 1865. Of a total of 
123 officers and men, 1 was killed, 30 died, 
10 were discharged, 15 were wounded, 1 
was captured, and 6 were transferred. 

The Third Battery was enrolled in 
the counties of Dubuque, Black Hawk, 
Butler and Floyd, and was mustered into 
the service at Dubuque, in September, 
1861, with M. M. Hayden, of Dubuque, as 
Captain. The battery was engaged at Pea 
llalge and other important battles. Was 
mustered out at Davenport, October 23, 
1865. Of 142 officers and men, 3 were 
killed, 34 died, 28 were discharged, and 18 
were wuui.ded. 

The FouRrH Battery was enrolled in 
Mahaska, Henry, Mills and Fremont coun- 
ties, and was mustered in at Davenport, 
November 23, 1863. This battery was on 
duty most of the time in Louisiana, but 
did not serve in any important battles. 
Was mustered out at Davenport, July 14, 
1865. Of 162 officers and men, 6 died, 11 
were discharged, and 1 was transferred. 

The Iowa Regimemt of Colored Troops 
was organized and mustered into the ser- 
vice of the United States, October 23, 1863. 
John G. Hudson, Captain Company B, 
Thirty-third Missouri, was Colonel; M. F. 
Collins, of Keokuk, was Lieut. -Colonel; 
and J. L. Murphy, of Keokuk, was Major. 
This regiment was afterward the Sixtieth 
Regiment of United States Colored Ti-oops. 
It was not called upon to light, but it per- 



formed valuable guard and garrison duties 
at St. Louis and elsewhere South. 

The Noetheen Boeder Brigade was 
organized by the State of Iowa to protect 
the Northwestern frontier. James A. Saw- 
yer, of Sioux City, was elected Colonel. 
It consisted of five companies, all enlisted 
from the northwestern counties. 

The S'.uthern Border Brigade was 
organized by the State for the purpose of 
protecting the southern border of the Slate, 
and was organized iu the counties on the 
border of Missouri. It consisted of seven 
companies in three battalions. 

peomotiovs. 
The following promotions were made by 
the United States Government from Iowa 
regiments : 

MA.IOn-OENERALS. 

Samuel R. Curtis, Brigadier-General, fr m 
Marcli 21, 1862. 

Frederick Steele, Brigadier-General, from No- 
vember 29, 1862. 

Frank J. Herron, Brigadier-General, from No- 
vember 29, 1862. 

Qrenvillc M. Dodge, Brigadier-General, from 
June 7, 1864. 

BRTOADrBR-OENEHAM. 

Siirauel R. Curtis, Colonel 2d Infantry, from 
May 17, 1861. 

Frederick Steele, Colonel 8th Infantry, from 
February 6, 1862. 

Jacob G. Lanman, Colonel 7th Infantry, from 
March 21, 1862. 

Grenville M. ' Dodge, Colonel 4th Infantry, 
from Much 31, 1882. 

James M. Tuttle, Colonel 2d Infantry, from 
June 9, 1862. 



.tv 



116 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Washington L. Elliot, Colonel 2d Cavalry, 
from June 11, 1862. 

Fitz ITrnry Warren, Colonel 1st Cavalry, from 
July 6, 18(;a 

Frank J. Herron, Lieut. -Colonel 9th Infantry, 
from July 30, 1962. 

Charles L. Matthies, Colonel 5lh Infantry, 
fruui November 29, 1862. 

William Vandever, Colonel 9th Infantry, from 
November 29, 1862. 

Marcellus M. Crocker, Colonel 13th Infantry, 
from November 29, 1862 

Hugh T. Reid, Colonel 15th Infantry, from 
March 13, 1863. 

Samuel A. Rice, Colonel 33d Infantry, from 
August 4, 1863. 

John M. Corse, Colonel 6th Infantry, from 
August 11, 1863. 

Cyrus Bussey, Colonel 3d Cavalry, from Jan- 
uary 5, 1864. 

Edvirard Hatch, Colonel 2d Cavalry, from April 
27. 1864. 

Elliott W. Rice, Colonel 7th Infantry, from 
June 20, 1864. 

Wm. W. Belknap, Colonel 5th Infantry, from 
July 30, 1864. 

J -bn Edwards, Colonel 18th Infantry, from 
September 26, 1864. 

James A. Williamson, Colonel 4th Infantry, 
from January 13, 1864. 

James I. Gilbert, Colonel 27th Infantry, from 
February 9, 1865. 

Thomas J. McKean, from November 21, 1861 . 

BREVET MAJOR-OENBRAM. 

John M. Corse, Brigadier-General, from Octo 
bcr 5, 1861. 



Edward Hatch, Brigadier-General, from De- 
cember 15, 1864 

William W. Belknap, Brigadier-General, from 
March 13, 1865. 

W. L. Elliott, Brigadier General, from March 
13, 1865. 

Wm. Vandever, Brigadier-General, from June 
7, 1865. 



BREVET BRTO.\DTER-GENERAl,S. 

Wm. T. Clark, A.A.G., late of 13th Infantry, 
from July ,22. 1864. 

Edward F. Winslow, Colonel 4th Cavalry, from 
December 12, 1864. 

S. 6. Hill, Colonel 35lh Infantry, from Decem- 
ber 15, 1864. 

Thos. H. Benton, Colonel 29th Infantry, from 
December 15, 1864. 

Saiuuel S. Glasgow, Colonel 33d Infantry, from 
December 19, 1864. 

Clark R. Weaver, Colonel 17th Infantry, from 
February 9, 1865. 

Geo. A. Stone, Colonel 25lh Infantry, from 
March 13, 1865. 

Francis M. Drake, Lieut. -Colonel 36th Infant- 
ry, from February 22, 1865. 

Datus E. Coon, Colonel 2d Cavalry, from 
March 8, 1865. 

George W. Clark, Colonel 34th Infantry, from 
March 13, 1865. 

Herman H. Heath, Colonel 7th Cavalry, from 
March 13, 1865. 

J. M. Hedrick, Colonel 15th Infantry, from 
March 18, 1865. 

W. W. Lowe, Colonel 6th Cavalry, from March 
3, 1865. 






\ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



»t 



CHAPTER IX. 



BDUCATIOXAL STATE INSTITUTIOKS. 



The people of Iowa have ever taken a 
deep interer.t in education, and in this 
direction no State in the Union can show 
a better record. The system of free pub- 
lic schools was planted by the early set- 
tlers, and it has expanded and improved 
until now it is one of the most complete, 
comprehensive and liberal in the country. 
In the lead-mining regions of the State, 
the first to be settled by the whites, the 
hardy pioneers provided the means for the 
education of their children even before 
they had comfortable dwellings for them- 
selves. School teachers were among the 
first immigrants to Iowa. Wherever a 
little settlement was made, the school 
house was the first thing undertaken by 
the settlers in a body, and the rude, primi- 
tive structures of the early time only dis- 
appeared when the communities increased 
in population and wealth, and were able to 
replace them with more commodious and 
comfortable buildings. Perhaps in no 
single instance has the magnificent pro- 
gress of the State of Iowa been more 
marked and rapid than in her common 
school system and in her school houses. 
Today the school houses which every- 
where dot the broad and fertile prairies of 
Iowa are unsurpassed by those of any 
other State in this great Union. More 
especially is this true in all her cities and 



villages, where liberal and lavish appro- 
priations have been voted by a generous 
people for the erection of large, commodi- 
ous and elegant buildings, furnished with 
all the modern improvements, and costing 
from 1 1 0,000 to $60,000 each. The people 
of the State have expended more than 
$10,000,000 for the erection of public 
school buildings. 

The first school house within the limits 
of Iowa was a log cabin at Dubuque, built 
by J. L. Langworthy, and a few other 
miners, in the autumn of 18.33. When it 
was completed, George Cabbage was em- 
ployed as teacher during the winter of 
1838-4, and thirty five pupils attended his 
school. Barrett Whittemore taught the 
school term, with twenty-five pupils in at- 
tendance. Mrs. Caroline Dexter com- 
menced teaching in Dubuque in March, 
1836. She was the first female teacher 
there, and probably the first in Iowa. In 
1839, Thomas H. Benton, Jr., afterward 
for ten years Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, opened an English and classi- 
cal school in Dubuque. The first tax for 
the support of schools at Dubuque was 
leviod in 1840. 

At Burlington, a commodious log school 
house, built in 1834, was among the first 
buildings erected. A Mr. Johnson taught 
the first school in the winter of 1834-5. 



^r 



J' 



-''Tre- 



llis rORY OF IOWA. 



Il Scott county, in the wiiitciof 1835-6, 
Simon Crazin tauglit a four-moLtbs term 
of school in the house of J. B. Chambeilin. 

In Muscatine county, the first school 
was taught by George Bumgardter, in the 
spring of 1837. In 1339 a log school 
house was erected in Muscatine, which 
served for a long time as school house, 
church and public hall. 

The first school in Davenport was taught 
in 1838. In Fairfield, Miss Clarissa Saw- 
yer, James F. Chambers and Mrs. Reed 
taught school in 1839. 

Johnson county was an entire wilder- 
ness when Iowa City was located as the 
capital of the Territory of Iowa, in May, 

1839. The first sale of lots took place 
August 18, 1839, and before January 1, 

1840, about twenty families had settled 
within the limits of the town. During 
the same year Mr. Jesse Berry opened a 
school in a small frame building he had 
erected on what is now College street. 

In Monroe county, the first settlement 
was made in 1843, by Mr. John R. Gray, 
about two miles from the present site of 
Eddyville; and in the summer of 1844 a 
log school house was built by Gray, Wm. 
V. Beedle, C. Renfro, Joseph McMullen 
and Willougliby Randolph, and the first 
school was opened by Miss Urania Adams. 
The building was occupied for school 
purposes for nearly ten years. 

About a year after the first cabin was 
built at Oskaloosa, a log school house was 
built, in which school was opened by 
Samuel W. Caldwell, in 1844. 

At Fort DcsMoines, now the capital of 
the State, the first school was taught by 
Lewis Wbitten, Clerk of the District 
Court, in the winter of 1846-'7, in one of 



the rooms on "Coon Row,"' built for 
barracks. 

The first school in Pottawattamie county 
was opened by George Green, a Mormon, 
at Council Point, prior to 1849; and until 
about 1854 nearly all the teachers in that 
vicinity were Mormons. 

The first school in Decorah was taught 
in 185.5, by Cyrus C. Carpenter, since Gov- 
ernor of the State. In Crawford county 
the first school house was built in Mason's 
Grove, in 1856, and Morris McHenry first 
occupied it as teacher. 

During the first twenty years of the his- 
tory of Iowa, the log school house pre- 
vailed, and in ISbl there were 893 of these 
primitive structures in use for school pu; ■ 
po&es in the Stale. Since that time they 
have been gradually disappearing. In 
1865 there were 796; in 1870, 336; and in 
1875, 121. 

January 1, 1839, the Territorial Legisla- 
ture passed an act providing that " there 
shall be established a common school, or 
schools, in each of the counties in this 
Territory; which shall be open and free 
for every class of white citizens between 
the ages of five and twenty-one years." 
The second section of the act provided that 
" the County Board shall, from time to 
time, form school districts in their respec- 
tive counties, whenever a petition may be 
presented for the purpose by a majority of 
the voters resident within such contem- 
plated district." These districts were 
governed by boards of trustees, usually of 
three persons; each district was required 
to maintain school at least throe months 
in every year; and later, laws were enacted 
providing for county school taxes for ihe 
payment of teachers, and that whatever 



>r^ 



^t 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



11! 



additional sum might be required should 
be assessed upon the parents sending, in 
proportion to the length of time sent. 

In 1 846, the year of Iowa's admission as 
a State, there were 20,000 scholars, out of 
100,000 inhabitants. About 400 school 
districts had been organized. In 1850 
there was 1,200, and in 1857 the number 
had increased to 3,265. 

In March 1858, upon the recommenda- 
tion of Hon. M. L. Fisher, then Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, the Seventh 
General Assembly enacted that "each 
civil township is declared a school dis- 
trict," and provided that these should be 
.livided into sub-districts. This law went 
into force March 20, 1858, and reduced 
the number of school districts from about 
3,500 to less than 900. This change of 
school organization resulted in a very 
material reduction of the expenditures for 
the compensation of district secretaries 
and treasurers. An effort was made for 
several years, from 1867 to 1872, to abolish 
the sub-district system. Mr. Kissell, 
Superintendent, recommended thia in his 
report of January 1, 1872, and Governor 
Merrill forcibly endorsed his views in his 
annual message. But the Legislature of 
that year provided for the formation of 
independent districts from the sub-districts 
of district townships. 

The system of graded schools was 
inaugurated in 1849, and ntw schools, in 
which more than one teacher is employed, 
are universally graded. 

Teachers' institutes were organized 
early in the history of the State. The 
tirsl official mention of them occurs in the 
annual report of Hon. Thoo-as U. Benton, 
Jr., made December 2, 1850, who said: "An 



institution of this character was organized 
a few years a^o, composed of the teachers 
of the mineral regions of Illinois, Wiscon- 
sin and Iowa. An association of teachers 
has also been formed in the county of 
Henry, and an effort was made in October 
last to organize a regular institute in the 
county of Jones." At that time, although 
the beneficial influence of these institutes 
was admitted, it was urged that the ex- 
penses of attending them was greater than 
teachers with limited compensation were 
able to bear. To obviate this objection, 
Mr. Benton recommended that " the sum 
of $150 should be appropriated annually 
for three years, to be drawn in installnieiits 
of $50 by the Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, and expended for these insti- 
tutions." He proposed that three institutes 
should be held annually at points to be 
designated by the superintendent. 

The expense of this would be trifling, 
and all recognized the benefits to be 
derived; and yet no legislation was had 
until March, 1858, when an act was passed 
authorizing the holding of teachers' insti- 
tutes for periods not less than six working 
days, whenever not less than 30 teacher^ 
should desire. The superintendent was 
authorized to expend not exceeding $100 
for any one institute, to be paid out by the 
county superintendent, as the institute 
might direct, for teachers and lecturers, 
and 11,000 was appropriated to defray the 
expenses of these institutes. 

Mr. Fisher at once pushed the matter of 
holding institutes, and December 6, 1858, 
he reported 'to the Board of Education 
that institutes had been appointed in 20 
counties within the preceding six months, 
and more would have been held but the 



w 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



appropriation had been exhausted. At the 
first session of the Board of Education, 
commencing December 6, 1858, a code of 
school laws was enacted, which retained 
the existing provisions for teachers' insti- 
tutes. 

In March, 1860, the General Assembly 
amended the act of the Board by appro- 
priating "a sum not exceeding 850 annually 
for one such institute, held as provided by 
law in each county " In 1865, the super- 
intendent, Mr. Favllle, reported that "the 
provision made by the Slate for the benefit 
of teachers' institutes had never been so 
fully appreciated, both by the people and 
the teacher.s, as during the last two years." 

By an act approved March 19, 1874 
normal institutes were established in each 
county, to be held annually by the county 
superintendents. This was regarded a very 
decided step in advance by Mr. Abernethy, 
and in 1876 the General Assembly estab- 
lished the first permanent State Normal 
School, at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk county, 
appropriating the building and property of 
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place 
for that purpose. This school is now "in 
the full tide of successful experiment." 

The present public school system is ad- 
mirably organized, and if the various offi- 
cers who are entrusted with educational 
interests of the commonwealth continue 
faithful and competent, .should and will 
constantly improve. 

Funds for the support of public schools 
are derived in several ways The 16th 
section of every congressional township 
was set apart by the General Government 
for school purposes, being one-thirty-sixth 
part of all the lands in the State. The 
minimum price of these lands was fixed at 



one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. 
Congress also made an additional donation 
to the State of 500,000 acres, and an ap- 
propriation of five per cent, on all the 
sales of public lands to the school fund. 
The State gives to this fund the proceeds 
of the sales of all lands which escheat to 
it; the proceeds of all fines for the viola- 
tion of the liquor and criminal laws. The 
money derived from these sources consti- 
tutes the permanent school fund of the 
State, -which cannot be diverted to any 
other purpose. The penalties collected by 
the courts for fines and forfeitures go to 
the school fund in the counties where col- 
lected. The proceeds of the sale of these 
lands and the five per cent, fund go into the 
State treasury, and the State distributes 
these proceeds to the several counties accord- 
ing to their request, and the counties loan 
the money to individuals, for long terras, at 
eight per cent, interest, on security of land 
valued at three times the amount of the 
loan, exclusive of all buildings and im- 
provements thereon. The interest on 
these loans is paid into the State treasury, 
and becomes the available school fund of 
the State. The counties are responsible 
to the State for all money so loaned, and 
the State is likewise responsible to the 
school fund for all moneys transferred to 
the counties. The interest on these loans 
is apportioned by the State Auditor semi- 
annually to the several counties of the 
State, in proportion to the number of per- 
sons between the ages of five and twenty- 
one years. The counties also levy an 
annual lax for school purposes, which is 
apportioned to the several district townships 
in the same way. A district tax is also 
levied for the same purpose. The money 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



?t^ 



arising from these several sources consti- 
tutes the support of the public schools, 
and is sufficient to enable every sub-district 
in the State to afford from six to nine 
months' school each year. 

The burden of direct taxation is thus 
lightened, and the efficiency of the schools 
increased. The taxes levied for the sup- 
port of the schools are self-imposed. Un- 
der the admirable school laws of the State, 
no taxes can be legally assessed or col- 
lected for the erection of school houses 
iiitil they have been ordered by the elec- 
tion of a district at a school meeting 
legally called. The school houses of Iowa 
are the pride of the State and an honor to 
the people. If they have been built some- 
times at a prodigal expense, the tax-payers 
have no one to blame but themselves. 
The teachers' and contingent funds are 
determined by the Board of Directors, 
under certain legal instructions. These 
Boards are elected annually, except in the 
independent districts, in which the Board 
may be entirely changed every three years 
The only exception to this mode of levy- 
ing taxes for support of schools is the 
county school tax, which is determined by 
the County Board of Supervisors. The 
tax is from one to three mills on the dol- 
lar; usually, however, but one. 

In 1881 there were in the State 4,339 
school districts, containing 11,244 schools, 
and employing 21,776 teachers. The 
average monthly pay of male teachers was 
$32.50, and of female teachers $27 25. 
There were 594,730 persons of school age, 
of whom 431,513 were enrolled in the 
public schools. The average cost of tuition 
for each pupil per month was $1.62. The 
expenditures for all school purposes was 



$5,129,819.49. The permanent school 
fund is now $3,5<7,123.82, on which the 
income for 1881 was $234,622.40. In each 
county a teachers' institute is held annu- 
ally, under the direction of the county 
superintendent, the State contributing 
annually $50 to each of these institutes. 

THE STATE UNIVERSITY. 

By act of Congress, approved July 20, 
1840, the Secretary of the Treasury was 
authorized to "set apart and reserve from 
sale out of any of the jiublic lands within 
the Territory of Iowa not otherwise claimed 
or appropriated, a quantity of land not ex- 
ceeding two entire townshij)s, for the use 
and support of a University within said 
Territory when it becomes a State." The 
first General Assembly, therefore, by act 
approved February 25, 1847, established 
the "State University of Iowa," at Iowa 
City, then the Capital of the State. The 
public buildings and other property.at Iowa 
City, were appropriated to the University, 
but the legislative sessions and State offices 
were to be held in them until a permanent 
location for a Capital was made. 

The control and management of the 
University were committed to a board of 
fifteen trustees, to be appointed by the 
Legislature, and five were to be chosen 
every two years. The Superintendent of 
Public Instruction was made President of 
this Board. The organic act provided that 
the University should never be under the 
control of any religious denomination 
whatever; and that as soon as the revenue 
from the grant and donations should 
amount to $2,000 a year, the University 
should commence and continue the instruc- 
tion, free of charge, of fifty students annu- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



ikL 



allv. Of course the organization of ibe 
University at Iowa City was impracticable, 
80 long as the seat of government was re- 
tainer! there. 

In January, 1849, two branches of the 
University an 1 three normal school-s were 
establisiied. The branches were located 
at Fairfield and Dubuque, and were placed 
upon an equal fooling, in respect to funds 
and all other matters, with the University 
at Iowa City. At Fairfield, the Board of 
Directors organized and erected a building 
at a cost of |;2,500. This was nearly de- 
stroyed by a hurricane the following year, 
but was rebuilt more substantially by the 
citizens of Fairfield. Tnis branch never 
received any aid from the State, and, Jan- 
uary 24, 1853, at the request of the Board, 
the General Assembly terminated its rela- 
tion to the State. The branch at Dubuque 
had only a nominal existence. 

The normal schools were located at An- 
drew, Qskaloosa and Mt Pleasant. Each 
was to be governed by a Board of seven 
Trustees, to be appointed by the Trustees 
of the University. Each was to receive 
$500 annually from the income of the Uni- 
ver.sity fund, upon condition that they 
should educate eight common-school teach- 
ers, free of charge for tuition, and that the 
citizens should contribute an equal sum for 
the erection of the requisite buildings. 
The school at Andrew was organized No- 
vember 21, 1849, with Samuel Ray as 
Principal. A building was commenced, 
and over $1,000 expended on it, but it was 
never completed. The school at Oskaloosa 
was started in the court hor.se, September 
13, 1852, under the charge of Prof G. M. 
Drake and wife. A two-story brick build- 
ing was completed in 1853, costing S2,473 



The school at Mt. Pleasant was never or- 
ganized. Neither of these schools received 
any aid from the University fund, but in 
1857 the Legislature api>ropriated $1,000 
for each of the two schools, and repealed 
the laws authorizing the payment to them 
of money from the University fund. From 
that tifne they made no further effort to 
continue in operation. 

From 1847 to 1855, the Board of Trus- 
tees was kept full by regular elections by 
the Legislature, and the trustees he^d fre- 
quent meetings, but there was no actual 
organization of the University. In March, 
1»55, it was partially opened for a term of 
16 weeks. July 16, 1855, Amos Dean, of 
Albany, N. Y , was elected President, but 
he never entered fully upon its duties. 
The University was again opened in Sep- 
tember, 1855, and continued in operation 
until June, 1S5G, under Professors John- 
son, Wellon, Van Valke: burg and Grifiin. 

The faculty was then re-organized, wiih 
some changes, and the University was 
again opened on the third Wedi:esday of 
September, 1856. There were 124studef)ts 
(83 males and 41 fen)ales) in attendance 
during the years 1856-7, and the first regu- 
lar catalogue was ]niblished 

At a special meeting of the Board, Sep- 
tember 22, 1857, the honoiary degree of 
Bachelor of Arts was conferred <>n D. 
Franklin Wells. This was the first degree 
conferred by the University. 

The new constitution, adopted in 1857, 
definitely fixed the Capital at DesMoines, 
the St^te University at Iowa Ciiy, and pro- 
vided that it should have no branches. In 
December of that year, the old capitol 
building was turned over to the Trustees 
of the University. In 1858, $10,000 wtre 



^; 



^A 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



appropriated for the erection of a board- 
ing hall. The Board closed theUnivtrsity 
April 21, 1858, on account of insufficient 
funds, and dismissed all the faculty ex ept 
Chancellor Dean At the same time a res- 
olution was passed excluding females. 
Tills was soon after reversed by the General 
Assembly. 

The University was re-opened Septem- 
ber 19, 1860, and from this date the real 
existence of the University dates. Mr. 
Dean had resigned before this, and Silas 
Totten, D D ,LL D . was elected President, 
at a salary of 12,000 August 19, 1862, he 
resigned, and was succeeded by Prof. Oli- 
ver M. Spencer. President Spencer was 
granted leaveof absence for fifteen months 
to visit Europe Prof. Nathan R. Leonard 
was elected President j»ro te7n. President 
Spencer resigning, James Black, D D., 
Vice-President of Washington and Jeffer- 
son College, Penn., was elected President. 
ITe entered upon his duties in September, 
1868. 

The Law Department was est.ablished in 
June, lt68, ai.d, soon after, the Iowa Law 
School, at DesMoines", which had been in 
successful operation for three years, was 
transferred to Iowa City and merged in 
the department 

The Meilical Department was established 
in 18ti9. Since April 11, 1870, the gov- 
ernment of the University has been in the 
hands of a Board of Regents. 

Dr. Clack resigned in 1870, to take 
effect December 1; and March 1, 1871, 
Rev George Thatcher was elected Presi- 
dent. 

In June, 1874, the chair of military 
instruction was established, and Lieuten- 
ant A. D. Schenk, Second Artillery, U. S. 



A., was detailed by the President of the 
United States as Professor of Military 
Science and Tactics. 

In June, 1877, Dr. Thatcher's connection 
with the University was terminated, and 
C. W. S'agle was elected Pn sident. He 
was succeeded in 1878 by J L. Pickard, 
LL D., who is the present incumbent. 

The University has gained a reputation 
as one of the leading institutions of the 
West, and this position will doubtless be 
maint.iined. The present educational 
corps consists of the following besides 
President Pickard: in the Collegiate De- 
partment, nine professors and six in- 
structor--, including the Professor of Mili- 
tary Science; in the Law Department, a 
chancellor, two professors and four lec- 
turers; in the Medical Department, eight 
professors and ten assistant professors and 
lecturers. 

■j}fo preparatory work is done in the 
University, but different high schools in 
the State, with approved courses of study, 
are admitted as preparatory departments 
of the University, whose graduates are ad- 
mitted without examination. Common 
schools, high schools and university are 
thus made one connected system. 

The present number of students in the 
Collegiate Departnaent is: males, 163; 
females, 69; total, 2.32; in Law Depart- 
ment, 140; in Medical Department, 195. 

STATK NORMAL SCHOOL. 

This is located at Cedar Falls, Black 
Hawk county, and was opened in 1S76. 
The institution trains teachers for our 
schools, and is doing excellent, thouffh 
limited, work. What is wanted is more 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



room and increased facilities of every 
kind. Other institution.^ of a similar kind 
sliould also be established throughout the 
State. 

STATE AGBICtri.TlTRAT, COTXEGB. 

The State Agricultural College and 
Farm were established by act of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, approved March 23, 1858. 
The farm was located in Story county, at 
Ames. In 1862 Congress granted to Iowa 
240,000 acres of land for the endowment 
of schools of agriculture and the mechani- 
cal arts. In 1864 the Assembly voted 
#20,000 for the erection of the college 
building. In 1866 191,000 more were 
appropriated for the same purpose. The 
building was completed in 1868, and the 
institution was opened in the following 
year. The college is modeled to some 
extent after Michigan Agricultural Col- 
lege. 

Tuition is free to pupils from the State 
over sixteen years of age. Students are 
required to work on the model farm two 
and a half hours each day. The faculty is 
of a very high character, and the institu- 
tion one of the best of its kind. Sale of 
spirits, wine and beer as a beverage is for- 
bidden by law within three miles of the 
college. The current expenses of this 
institution are paid by the income from 
the permanent endowment. A. S. Welch, 
LL. D., is President, and is assisted by 
twelve professors and eight instructors. 
Whole number of students admitted, 2,600; 
present number, 240. The college farm 
consists of 860 acres, of which 400 are 
under cultivation. 

Besides the State University, State 
Agricultural College and State Normal 



School, ample provision for higher edu- 
cation has been made by the different 
religious denominations, assisted by local 
and individual muniBcence. There are, 
exclusive of State institutions, 23 universi- 
ties and colleges. 111 academies and other 
private schools. All these are in active 
operation, and most of them stand high. 
A list of the universities and colleges, and 
a brief notice of each, is herewith given: 

Amity College is located at College 
Springs, Page county. S. C. Marshall is 
President. There are 6 instructors and 
225 students. 

Burlington University is located at Bur- 
lington, Des Moines county. E. F Stearns 
is President of the faculty. There are 5 
instructors and 63 students. 

Callanan College is located at Des 
Moines, Polk county. There are 14 in the 
faculty, of which C. R. Pomeroy is Presi- 
dent, and 18S students are enrolled. 

Central University is located at Pella, 
Marian county. It is an institution of the 
Baptist denomination. Rev. G. W. Gard- 
ner is President of the faculty, which 
numbers 7. There are 196 students. 

Coe College is located at Cedar Rapids, 
Linn county. S. Phelps is President. 
There are 10 in the faculty and 100 
students. 

Cornell College is located at Mt. Vernon, 
Linn county, and is un'"!er the control of 
the M. E. Church. W. F. King is Presi- 
dent. There are 20 instructors and 400 



^' 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



students. This college is oue of the 
highest in character, and has a large at- 
tendance. 

Drake University is located at Des 
Moines, Polk county. G. T. Carpenter is 
President, and is ably assisted by 25 in- 
structors. There are 125 students. 

Grisioold College is located at Daven- 
port, Iscott County, and is under the control 
of the Episcopal Church. W. S. Perry is 
President. There are 7 instructors and 80 
students. 

Iowa College is located at Grinnell, Po- 
weshiek county. G. F. Magoun is Presi- 
dent. There are 14 instructors and 359 
stu lents. The institution is one of the 
leading colleges in Iowa, apd is perma- 
nently endowed. 

Iowa Wtsleyan University is located at 
Mt. Pleasant, Henry county,. W. J. 
Ijpaulding is President. There are 6 in 
the faculty, and over ICO students in at- 
tendance. The University is under the 
auspices of the M. E. Cijurch, and enjoys 
a high degree of prosperity. 

Luther College is situated in Decorah, 
Winneshiek county. L. Larson is Presi- 
dent of the faculty, which numbers 10. 
There are 165 students in' attendance. 

Clin College is located at Olin, Jones 
county. C. L. Porter is President. 

Ofkaloosa College is situated in Oska- 
loosa, Mahaska county. G. H. McLaugh- 
lin is Pres dent. The faculty numbertt 5, 



and the students 190. 
very high. 



The college stands 



Penn College is situated in Oskaloosa, 
Mahaska county. B. Trueblood is Presi- 
dent of the faculty, which numbers 5. 
There are l75 students in attendance. 

Simpson Centenary College is located at 
Indianola, Warren county. E. L. Parks is 
President. There are 9 instructors and 
150 students. " 

Tabor College is located at Tabor, Fre- 
mont county. Wm. M. Brooks is Presi- 
dent. The college was modeled after 
Oberlin college, in Ohio. The faculty 
consists of 6, and there are 109 students. 

Upper Iowa University is located at 
Fayette, Fayette county, and is under the 
control of the M. E. Church. Rev. J. W. 
Bissell is President. There are 11 instruc- 
tors and 350 students. This University 
stands very high among the educational 
institutions of the State. 

University of Des Moines, at DesMoines, 
has 5 instructors and 80 students. 

Whittier College was established at 
Salem, Honry county, by the Friends. J. 
W. Coltrane is President. There are 4 
instructors and 105 students. 

liiverside Institute. — This school is 
located at Lyons, on a beautiful elevation 
overlooking the Mississippi river. Rev. 
W. T. Currie is the Principal of this 
Academy. 



1-20 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



DJJAF AND DUMB INSTIl UTB. 

By an act of the Legislature of Iowa, 
ap^iiovoil January 24, 1855, the Iowa losti- 
tiite for the Deaf and Dumb was estab- 
lished at Iowa City. 

In 186G a great effort was made to re- 
move the Institute to DesMoines; but it 
was finally permanently located at Council 
Bluffs, and the school opened in a rented 
building. In 1868 Commissioners were to 
locate a site, and superintend the erection 
of new building, for which the Legisla- 
ture appropriated $125,000. The Com- 
missioners selected 90 acres of land two 
miles south of the city 

In October, 1870, the main building and 
one wing were completed and occupied. 
In February, 1877, fire destroyed the main 
building and east wing, and during the 
summer following a tornado blew off the 
roof of the new west wing and the walls 
were partially demolished. About 150 
pupils were in attendance at the time of 
the fire. After that, half of the class were 
di>missed, and the number of pupils re- 
duced to 70 

The present officers are: B. F. Clayton, 
President, Macedonia, term expires in 
1886; A Rogers, Secretary, term expires 
1884; John H. Stubenranch, term expires 
in 1884. The county superintendent of 
schools annually reports all persons of 
school age that are deaf and dumb; also 
those too deaf to acquire learning in the 
common schools. The cost per pupil is 
$28 per quarter, and is paid by the parents 
or guardian ; but when unable to do so, the 
expense is borne by the respective county 
The regular appropriation is $11,000 per 
annum, drawn quarterly. Parents and 



guardians are allowed to clothe their 
children. 

The whole number adrnitted to the 
Institution is 631. Present number, 221. 
Last biennial appropriation, $37,83U. 

COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND. 

The first person to agitate the subject of 
an In-titute for the Blind was Prof. Sam- 
uel B^con, himself blind, who, in 1852, 
established a school of instruction at 
Keokuk. The next year the Institute was 
adv)pted by the State, and moved to Iowa 
City, by act of the Legislature, approved 
.January 18, 1853, and opened for the re- 
ception of pupils, April 4, 1853 During 
the first term 23 pu()ils were admitted. 
Prof. Bacon, the Principal, made his first 
report in 1854, and suggested that the 
name be changed from "Asylum for the 
Blind" (which was the name first adopted) 
to that of " Institution for the Instruction 
of the Blind." This change was made in 
1855, and the Legislature made an annaal 
appN'priation of $55 per quarter for each 
pupil; afterward this appropriation was 
changed to $3,000 per annum 

Prof. Bacon was a fine scholar, an eco- 
nomical manager, and in every way adapted 
to his position. During his administration 
the institution was, in a great measure, 
self-supporting by the sale of articles 
manufactured by the blind pupils. There 
'was also a charge of $25 as an admission 
fee for each pupil. Prof. Bacon founded 
the Blind Asylum at Jacksonville, Illinois. 

In 1858 the citizens of Vinton, Benton 
county, donated a quarter section of land 
and $5,000 for the establishment of the 
asylum at that place. On the 8th of May, 






'f^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



127 



that same year, the trustees met at Vinton 
and made arrangements for securing the 
donation, and adopted a plan for the erec- 
tion of a suitable building. In 1860 the 
contract for enclosing was let to Messrs. 
Finkbine and Lovelace, for $10,420. In 
August, 1862, the goods and furniture were 
removed from Iowa City to Vinton, and in 
the fall of the same year the school was 
opened with 24 pupils. 

The institution has been built at a vast 
expenditure of money, much greater than 
it seemed to require for the number of 
occupants. The Legislative Committee, 
who visited the college in 1878, expressed 
tlieir astonishment at this utter disregard 
of the titness of things. They could not 
understand why $282,000 should have been 
expended for a mas.-iive building for the 
accommodation of only 130 people, costing 
the Slate over $5,000 a year to heat it, and 
about $500 a year for each pupil. 

The present officers are: Robert Car- 
others, Superintendent; T. F. McCune, 
Assistant Superintendent; Trustees: Jacob 
Springer, President; M. H. Weslbrook, 
J. F. White, C. O. Harrington, W. H. 
Leavitt, S. H. Watson. Whole number of 
occupants, 436. Present number, males, 
3C; females, 50. Salary of superintendent, 
$1,200; assistant, $700; trustees, $4.00 per 
day and mileage. Annual appropriation, 
$8,000, and $128 per year allowed for each 
pupil. Annual meeting of trustees in June. 
Bienuial appropriation in 1880, $3,000. 

IOWA HOSPITAL FOB THB INSANE 

The Iowa Hospital for the Insane was 
establibhed by an act of the Legislature, 
approved January 24, 1855. Gov. Grimes, 



Edward Johnson, of Lee county, and Chas. 
S. Blake, of Henry county, were appointed 
to locate the institution and superintend 
the erection of the building; $4,425 were 
appropriated by the Legislature for the 
site, and $.500,000 for the building. The 
commissioners located the institution at 
Mount Pleasant, Henry county, and a plan 
of the building was drawn by Dr. Bell, of 
Massachusetts. The building was designed 
to accommodate 300 patients, and in Octo- 
ber work commenced, superintended by 
Henry Winslow. The Legislature had 
appropriated $258,555.67 before it was 
completed. One hundred patients were 
admitted within three months. In April, 
1876, a portion of the building was de- 
stroyed by fire From the opening of the 
Hospital to the close of October, 1877, 
there were admitted 3,684 patients. Of 
these, 1,141 recovered, 505 were improved, 
589 were discharged unimproved, and 1 
died. During this period 1,384 of the pa- 
tients were females. 

The trustees are elected by the Legisla- 
ture, and all officers are cho,sen by the 
trustees. Superintendents are chosen for 
six years. Dr. Eanney was first chosen in 
1865; salary, $2,000 annual. Whole number 
of patients admitted, 4,598; present num-. 
ber males, 298; present number females, 
235 Trustees paid $5 per day and mile- 
age, not to exceed 30 days each year 
Annual meeting, first Wednesday in Octo- 
ber; quarterly, January, April and Sep- 
tember. 

Present officers are: Mark Ranney. M. 
D , Superintendent; H.M.Bassett, M.D., 
J. P. Brubaker, M.D., and Max WiUe, 
M.D., assistant physicians. 



sf'V 



12S 



HISTOKY OF lO'A'A. 



HOaPITAL FOB THE INSANE, AT INDEi'ESD- 

The Legislature of 1S67-8 adopted meas- 
ures providing for an additional hospital for 
the insane, and an appropriation of $125,- 
000 was made for that purpose. Malurin 
L. Fisher, of Clayton county, E G. Mor- 
gan, of Webster county, and Albert Clark, 
of Buchanan county, were appointed com- 
missioners to locate and superintend the 
erection of a building. ' These commis- 
sioners commenced their labors June 8, 
1868, at Independence. They were author- 
ized to select the most desirable location, 
of not less than 320 acres, within two 
miles of the city of Independence, thnt 
might be offered by the citizens free of 
charge. They finally selected a site on the 
west side of the Wapsipinicon river, about 
a mile from its banks, and about the same 
distance from Independence. The contract 
for building was awarded to David Arm 
strong, of Dubuque, for 188,114. It was 
signed November 7, 1868, and work was 
immediately ommi-nced. George Josse- 
lyn was appointed superintendent of the 
work. The first meeting of the trustees 
was called in July, 1872 At the Septem- 
ber meeting, Albert Reynolds, M. D , was 
elected Superintendent of the Hospital; 
George Josselyn, Steward, and Mrs. Anna 
B. Josselyn, Matron. 

The Hospital opened May 1 ,1 873. Whole 
number of patients admitted, 2,000; pres- 
ent number (1882), 533; males, 290; fe- 
males, 243. Biennial appropration (1880), 
$35,300. 

The present officers are: G. H. Hill, 
Superintendent; term expires in 1882; 
salary, IKSOO. H. G. Brainard, M. D., 



Assi.stant Superintendent; salary, 11,000. 
Noyes Anpleman, Steward; salary, ^000. 
Mrs. Lucy M. Gray, Matron; salary, $600. 

soldiers' orphans' home. 

This institution is located at Davenport, 
Scott county, and was originated by Mrs 
Annie Wittenmeyer, during the late rebel- 
lion. This noble woman called a conven- 
tion at Muscatine, September 7, 1S63, for 
the purpose of devising means for the 
education and support of the orphan chil- 
dren of Iowa, whose fathers lost their lives 
in defendiuG; their country's honor. The 
public interest in the moveu ent was so 
great that all parts of the Stale were 
largely represented, and an association was 
organized, called the Iowa State Orphan 
Asylum. The first meeting of the trus- 
tees was held February 14, 1864, at Des 
Moines, when Gov. Kirkwood sixgge-ted 
that a home for disabled soldiers shcu'd be 
connected with the Asylum, and arrange- 
ments were made for raising funds. At 
the next meeting, in Davenport, the fol- 
lowing month, a committee was appointed, 
of which Mr. Howell, of Keokuk, was 
chairman, to lease a suitable building, 
solicit donations, and procure suit.ible 
furniture. This committee secured a l:.rge 
brick building in Lawrence, Van Ruren 
county, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount 
Pleasai.t, as Steward. The work of prepa- 
ration was conducted so vigorously that 
July 13, following, the executive commit- 
tee announced that they were ready to 
receive children. Within three weeks 21 
were admitted, and in a little more than 
six months the soldiers' orphans admitted 
numbered 70. 



-\^ 



^^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Miss M. Elliott, of Washington, was 
appointed the first Matron, but she resigned 
the following Februiry, and was succeeded 
by Mrs. E G. Piatt, of Fremont county. 

The Home was sustained by voluntary 
contributions, until I8tjti, when it was 
taken charge of by the State. The Leg- 
islature appropriated $10 per month for 
each orphan actually supported, and pro- 
vided for the establishment of three 
homes. The one in Cedar Falls was organ- 
ized in 1665; an old hotel building was 
fitted up for it, and by the following Jan- 
uary there were 96 inmates. In Octnber, 
1?69, the Home was removed to a large 
brick building about two mles west of 
Cedar Falls, and was very prosperous for 
several years; but in 1876 the Legislature 
devoted this building to the State Normal 
School. The same year the Legislature 
also devoted the buildings and grounds of 
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Glenwood, 
Mills county, to an Institution for the Sup- 
port of Feeble-Minded Children. It also 
provided for the removal of the soldiers' 
orphans at Glenwood and Cedar Falls 
Homes to the institution located at Daven- 
port. 

The present officers are: S. W. Pierce, 
Superintendent; Mrs F.W. Pierce, Matron. 
Whole number admitted, 1,525; present 
number, males, 79; females, 90. The 18th 
■Grand Army Corps appropriated |-2,000 to 
build eight cottage*, school house and other 
buildings; these have been completed, and 
the home will, when finished, accommo- 
date 200 children. Superintendent's sal- 
ary, 11,200 per annum. Trustees are 
elected for two years. 



ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN. 

An act of the General Assembly, ap- 
proved March 17, 1878, provided for the 
establishment of an asylum for feeble- 
minded children at Glenwood, Mills 
county; and the buildings and grounds of 
the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place 
were taken for this purpose. The asylum 
was placed under the management of three 
trustees, one of whom should be a resident 
of Mills County. 

The grounds to be used were found to 
be in a very dilapidated condition, and 
thorough changes were deemed necessary. 
The institution was opened September ], 
1876, and t^^e first pupil admitted Septem- 
ber 4. By November, 1877, the number 
of pupils had increased to 87. The whole 
r umber admitted has been 257. Present 
inmates number ^00. 

PENAL INSTITUTIONS. 

The first penal institution was estab- 
lished by an act of the Territorial Legisla- 
ture, approved January 25, 1839. This 
act authorized the Governor to draw the 
sum of %20,000, appropriated by an act of 
Congress in 1838, for public buildings in 
the Territory of Iowa. It provided for a 
Board of Directors, consisting of three 
persons, to be elected by the Legislature, 
who should superintend the building of 
a penitentiary to be located within a mile 
of the public square, in the town of Fort 
Madison, county of Lee, provided that the 
latter deeded a suitable tract of land for 
the purpose, also a spririg or stream of 
water for the use of the periitentiary. 

The first directors were John S. David 
and John Claypole. They were given the 
power of appointing the warden, the latter 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



to appoint his owu assistants. The citizens 
of Fort Madison executed a deed of 10 
acres of land for the building, and Amos 
Ladd was appointed superintendent June 
5, 1839. The work was soon entered upon, 
and the main building and warden's house 
were completed in the fall of 1841. It 
conlinued Jo meet ■with additions and im- 
provements until the arrangements were 
all completed according to the design of 
the directors. The estimated cost of the 
building was $55,93.3.90, and was designed 
of suflicient capacity to accommodate 133 
convicts. 

Iowa has adopted the enlightened policy 
of humane treatment of prisoners, and 
utilizes their labor for their own support. 
Their labor is let out to contractors, who 
pay the State a stipulated sum therefor, 
the latter furnishing shops, tools, ma- 
chinery, etc , and the supervision of the 
convicts. 

The present officers of the prison are: 

E. C. McMillen, Warden, elected ISVS and 

1880; Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden; W. C. 

Gunn, Chaplain; A. W. Hoffmeister, 

■ Physician; M. T. Butterfield, Clerk. 

The whole number of convicts admitted 
up to the present time (1882) is 3,387. 
Number of males in 1881, 350; females, 
3; number of guards, 33. The Warden 
is cho.sen biennially by the Legislature, 
and rtceives a salary of S2,000 per annum. 

ANAMOSA PENITENTIAKT. 

In 1872 the first steps toward the erec- 
tion of a prison at Anamosa, Jones county, 
were taken, and by an act of the General 
Assembly, approved April 23, this year, 
William Ure, Foster L. Downing and Mar- 
tin Heisey were appointed commissioners 



to construct and control prison buildings. 
They met on the 4lh of June, following, 
and selected a site donated by the citizens 
of Anamosa. The plan, drawings and 
specifications were furnished by L. W. 
Foster & Co., of DesMoines, and work on 
the building was commenced September 
28, 1872. In 1873, 20 convicts were trans- 
ferred from the Fort Madison prison to 
Anamosa. 

The officers of the Anamosa prison are: 
A E, Martin, Warden; L. B Peet, Deputy 
Warden; Mrs. A. C. Merrill, Chaplain; L. 
J. Adair, Physician; T. P. Parsons, Clerk. 
The whole number admitted since it was 
opened is 8! 6. Number of males in 1882, 
133; females, 2. Salaries of ( ffieers the 
same as those of the Fort Madison peni- 
tentiary. 

BOTS' REFORM SCnOOL. 

By act approved March 31, 18G?, the 
General Assembly established a reform 
school at Salem, Henry county, and pro- 
vided for a Board of Trustees, to consist 
of one person from each Congressional 
District. The trustees immediately leased 
the property of the Iowa Maimal Labor 
Institute, and October 7 following, the 
school received its first inmate. The law 
at first provided for the admission ( f 
children of both sexes under 18 years of 
age. The trustees were directed to organ- 
ize a separate school for girls. 

In 1872 the school was pevmanently 
located at Eldora, Ilar.lin county, and 
§45,000 were appropriated for the neces- 
sary buildings. 

In 1876 the law was so amended that 
only children over 7 and under 16 years of 
age were admitted. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



131 



The children are taught the elements of 
education, in particular the useful branches, 
and are also trained in some regular course 
of labor, as is best suited to their age, dis- 
position and capacity. They are kept 
until they arrive at majority, unless bound 
out to some responsible party, which 
relieves the State of their care. Occasion- 
ally they are discharged before the age of 
21, for good conduct 

The institution is managed by five trus- 
tees, elected by the Legislature. Whole 
number of boys admitted, 8J8. There are 
l04 inmates at present, and also 63 in the 
girls' department, at Micheliville. The 
biennial appropriation for 1880 was 
$.0,900. 

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 

By act of the General Assembly ap- 
proved January 28, 1857, a State Historical 
Society was provided for in connection 
with the University. At the commence- 
ment, an appropriation of §250 was made, 
lo be expended in co'lecting and preserv- 
ing a library of books, pamphlets, papers, 
paintings and other materials illustrative 
of the history of Iowa. There was appro- 
priated the sum of $500 per annum to 
maintain this Society. The management 
consists of a board of 18 curators, nine 
appointed by the Governor and nine 
elected by vote of the Society. 

The State Historical Society has pub- 
lished a series of very valuable collections, 
including history, biography, sketches, 
reminiscences, etc., with quite a large 
number of finely engraved portraits of 
prominent and early settlers, uiuLt the 
title of "Annals of Iowa." 



STATE AGRICULTUKAL SOCIETY. 

This Society is conducted under the 
auspices of the State, and is one of the 
greatest promoters of the welfare of the 
people under the management of the State 
government. It should receive more pe- 
cuniary assistance than it does. The 
Society holds an annual fair, which has 
occurred at Des Moines since 1878. At its 
meetings subjects are discussed of the 
highest interest and value, and these pro- 
ceedings are published at the expense of 
the State 

The officers are a President, Vice-Presi- 
dent, Secretary, and Treasurer and five 
Directors. The last hold office for two 
years, and the other officers one year. 



FISH HATCHING-HOUSE. 

This was established in 1874, and has 
for its object the supplying of rivers and 
lakes with valuable fish. The General 
Assembly first appropriated the sum of 
13,000. Three fish commissioners were 
appointed, and the State is divided into 
three districts, one for each commissioner. 
The Hatching-House was erected near 
Anamosa, Jones county, and is conducted 
in the same manner as similar houses in 
other States. Since 1876 there has been 
but one commissioner, B. F. Shaw. Mr. 
Shaw is enthusiastic in his work, and has 
distributed hundreds of thousands of 
small fish of various kinds in the rivers 
and lakes of Iowa. The 16th General 
Assembly passed an act in 1878 prohibiting 
the catching of any kind of fi,sh oxcept 
brook trout from March until June of each 
year. 



^ 



132 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



CHAPTER X. 



The Territory of Iowa was organized in 
1838, and the following Territorial officers 
were appointed by President VanBuren: 
Governor, Robert Lucas, of Ohio; Secre- 
tary of the Territory, William B. Conway; 
Chief Justice, Charles Mason, of Burling- 
ton; Associate Justices, Thomas S. Wilson, 
of Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of 
Pennsylvania; Attorney-General, M. Van 
Allen, of New York; Marshal, Francis 
Gehon, of Dubuque. 

The first election was for members of 
the Territorial Legislature and a delegate 
to Congress. The Democracy controlled 
the Legislature by a large majority. The 
vote on Delegate was as follows : 

Wm. TV. Chapman, Dem 1,490 

PeterH. Engle, Dem 1,454 

B. F. Wallace, Whig 913 

David Rorer, De;i-. 605 

Mr. Talliafero 30 

The election of 1839 was for members 
of ihe Second Territorial Legislature, and 
created little interest. 

In 1840, the year of the "hard cider 
campaign," the interest was awakened, and 
both parties put in nomination candidates 
for Delegate to Congress. There was also 
an election for Constitutional Convention, 
whicli was defeated. The vote on Dele- 
gate was as follows: 



A. C. Dodge, Dem 4,009-515 

Alfred Rich, Whig 3,494 

Mr. Cburchmaa 93 

The Whigs held a convention in 1841, 
at Davenport, on the 5th day of May, and 
adopted the following platform : 

Whereas, It has pleased the Governor of the 
Universe, by one of those inscrutable acts tlie 
righteousness of which no man may question, 
to take from the Ameiicai; people their beloved 
Chief ^Magistrate, William Henry Harrison, and 
transfer him frvm this to another, and, we trust, 
to a better world; therefore, 

Resolved, Tliat we sincerely mourn over and 
deplorL the loss of one whose services in every 
department of society have been so pre-emi- 
nently useful. As a citizen, he was beloved for 
his rectitude and benevolence; as a soldier, dis- 
tin^;uished for his bravery and success; as a 
statesman, his ability, purity and patriotism 
were remarkable; as a Christian, he was humble 
and pious. In short, his whole character was 
made up of traits seldom to be found in men 
occupying the place in society he filled, and is 
worthy if imitation by all those who love their 
country. 

Beaolced, As a token of our sorrow on this 
providential bereavement, we will wear the 
usual badije of mourning thirty days; and that 
We concur with President Tyler on recommend- 
ing to the people of the Unite I States that the 
14th of May be observed as a day of fasting and 
prayer. 

Resolved, That we have full confidence in the 
ability and current political sentiments of John 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



•K 



Tyler, who, by the voice of the people and the 
Providence of God, now fills the Executive 
Chair of the United States. 

Resolved, That we recognize in John Cham- 
bers, the gentleman lately appointed tcj the Ex- 
ecutive Chair ot Iowa, a sterling Democratic 
Whig; one whose early life is honorably identi- 
fied with the history of our late war with Great 
Britain; imd whose uniform devotion t > the best 
interests of our country affords us a sure guar- 
anty of his usefulness in this Territory. 

Alfred Eich was again nominated for 
Delegate to Congress. 

The Democrats held their convention 
June 7, at Iowa City, and passed the fol- 
lowing resolutions : 

Whereas, The Federalists, or self-styled 
Whigs of Iowa, flushed with their recent victory 
in the Presidential contest, and secure in the 
enjoyment of power, are laboring zealously and 
perseveringly to efl'ect a revolution in the polit- 
ical character of thi; Territory, to accomplish 
which all their united energies wiil be brought 
into action at the next general election; ani. 

Whereas, The Democrasy here, as well as 
elsewhere, believing the principles of their party 
to be based upon the immutable and eternal doc- 
trines of right and justice, feel it to be their 
duty to maintain and assert them upon all prop- 
er occasions — in the heir of defeat as when tri- 
umphant; and. 

Whereas, By union and harmony, exertion 
and activity, we can administer a rebuke to the 
arrogant spirit of Federalism, at our next gen- 
eral election, which, while it will exhibit Iowa 
to the Democracy of the Union in the most en- 
viable light, will also demonstrate to the enemies 
of our principles the futility and hopelessness 
of their efforts to obtain the ascendency; there- 
fore, 

Resolned, That it is the duty of every Democrat 
of Iowa, no matter what may be his station in 
life, to be watchful, vigilant and active in main- 
taining the ascendency of his party in the Ter- 
ritory; audit is earnestly urged upon all that 



they lay aside local questions and sectional feel- 
ings, and unite heart and hand in exterminating 
their common enemy, Federalism, from the 
Territory. . 

Resolved, That Iowa, In defiance of the efibrts 
of the National administration to throw around 
her the shackles of Federalism, is, and will con- 
tinue to be. Democratic to the core; and she 
spurns, with a proper indignation, the attempt 
of those in power to enslave her, by sending 
her rulers from abroad, whose chief recom- 
mendation is, that they have not only been 
noisy, but brawling, clamorous politicians. 

Resolved, That in the appointment of David 
Webster to be Secretary of the State, we see the 
destinies of our beloved country committed to 
the hands of a man who, during the late war 
with Great Britain, pursued a course to which 
the epithet ol "moral treason" was justly ap- 
plied at the time. In the gloomiest period of 
the war, Mr. Webster was found acting, upon 
all occasions, in opposition to every war meas- 
ure brought forward by the friends of the 
country; and the journals of ConjH'ess and 
speeches of Mr. Webster clearly established the 
fact that, though not a member, he connived at 
and leagued in with the traitorous Hartford Con- 
vention. 

Resolved, That the recent astounding and 
extraordinary disclosures made by the stock- 
holders of the United States Bank, with regard 
to the mismanagement, fraud and corruption of 
that wholesale swindling institution, prove the 
correctness of the course of the Democracy of 
the Nation in refusing to grant it a new charter, 
and redounds greatly to the sagacity, honesty 
and Roman firmness of our late venerable and 
iron-nerved President, Andrew Jackson. 

Resolved. That the distribution of the public 
lands is a measure not only fraught with evil, 
on the grounds of its illegality, but that, were it 
carried into effect, would greatly prejudice the 
rights and interests of the new States and Ter- 
ritories. 

Resolved, That a permanent prospective pre- 
emption law is the only cflectual means of 
securing to the hardy pioneer his home, — the 



134 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



result of liis enterprise and toil, which alone 
hii9 brought our lovely and cultivated plains 
from the rude hand of nature to their present 
high state of cultivation. 

Jieaolved, That in Thomas H. Benton, the 
bold -and fearless leader of the Democracy of 
our country, on this as well as all the matters of 
western p ilicy, we behold the poor man's true 
and firmest friend, in whom, as the advocate of 
their interests and rights, they have the highest 
confidence, and on whom they can rely for sup- 
port and protection in the enjoyment of rights 
and privileges which it has ever been the policy 
of the Feder.dists to divest them of. 

Resolved, That Democracy is based upon the 
principles of equal rights and justice to :\11 men; 
that to deprive man of the privileges bestowed 
upon him by the laws of natun'and his country, 
without yielding him a just equivalent, is to 
take from him all that renders lile worthy his 
possession — independence of action; such we 
believe to be the eft'ect of the recent order of the 
present Chief Magistrate. 

Resolved, That we respect all, of whatever 
station, who boldly and fearlessly advocate our 
rights and secure us in the free enjoyment of 
the same, while we heartily despise and con- 
demn those, come from whence they may, who 
are leagued with our enemies in their efforts to 
wrest from us our homes and sacred altars. 

Resolved, That it is the characteristic doctrine 
of Democracy to secure to all the enjoyment of 
rights and privileges inalienable to freemen, 
and that the proscription of foreigners by the 
Federalists is a contracted effort to secure to 
themselves the inestimable privileges of free- 
dom and free government, and thus cut jS a 
l:'.rge portion of the human family from rights 
which the charter of our liberties declare are 
granted tD all. 

Gen. A. C. Dodge was placed in nom- 
ination, and elected by the following vote: 

A. C. Dwdgo, Dem 4,828—513 

Alfred Rich,- Whig 4,315 

No platforms were adopted by the par- 
ties in 1842: neither was there in 1843. 



William 11. Wallace was nominated by 
the Whigs and A. C. Dodge by the Dem- 
ocrats for Delegate to Congress. The 
vote stood: 

A. C. Dodge, Dem 6,084—1,273 

William Wallace, Whig 4,81-3 

On the 9lh day of January, 1844, the 
Whigs met in convention, at Iowa City, 
and without making nominations adopted 
the following platform: 

Resolved, That ■ ublic meetings for the free in- 
terchange of feelings and opinions on the part 
of the American people, in regard to important 
measures, are interwoven with our political insti- 
tutions, and necessary to the perpetuity of our 
national liberty. 

Resolaed, That it is the duty of all patriots 
to keep a watchfui eye upon their rulers, and 
to resist at the threshold every inroad to cor- 
ruption; that we deprecate the prostitution of 
the patronage of the President and of the dif- 
ferent officers of the Government to the services 
of a parly and the practice of offering the officis 
of honor and profit as a reward for political 
treachery; that we believe this exercise of ; owcr 
to be eminently dangerous to the political integ- 
rity and patriotism of the i ountry, and that a 
limitation to one Presidential term \\ould, in a 
great degree, arrest the progress of corruption 
and political profligacy. 

Resolved, That inasmuch as the States, in the 
formation of the constitution, surrendered to tl.e 
General Government exclusive control of all the 
sources of incidental revenue and reserved to 
themselves the right of taxation alone as a 
source of revenue to meet their individual 
wants; justice, reason, and common honesty 
require that the General Government should 
provide an incidental revenue equal to all the 
wants of the Government, without resorting to 
the proceeds of the public lands «r the odious 
and oppressive measure of direct taxation as 
contcnde;! for by the so-called Democratic 
party. 



^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Resolved, That we regard the proceeds of tlie 
sales of public lands as the legitimate property 
of the States, and as only a trust fund in the 
hands of the General Government, and that the 
trust should te executed without further delay 
by a distribution of the same among the States 
and Territories; that this measure is especially a 
debt of justice at this tioie, when many of the 
States are groaning with taxation and almost 
driven to bankruptcy by an accumulation of 
debts, which have resulted in a great measure 
from the ruinous policy of the so-called Demo- 
cratic party. 

Resolved, That we deprecate experiments in- 
legislation where the result is uncertain and un- 
ascertainable, and that while we should avoid 
the errors of the past, we should cling with 
unflinching tenacity to those institutions which 
have successfully stood the test of experiment, 
and have received the sanction and support of 
the framers of the constitution. 

Resolved, That we deem the establishment of 
a national currency of certain value and every- 
where received, as indispensably necessary to 
the greatest degree of national prosperity; that 
the international commerce of this widely ex 
tended country is greatly retarded and heavily 
burdened with taxation by the want of a com- 
mon medium of exchange, and that it is the 
constitutional duty of the Gener.il Government 
to remove all impediments to its successful pros- 
ecution, and to foster and encourage the internal 
commerce and enterprise, the interchange of 
commodities among the States, not only by a 
reasonable system of internal improvements of 
a general character, but also by furnishing to 
the nation a currency of equal value in all parts 
of its wide-spread domain, and that the exper- 
ience of the past fully proves that this end has 
been accomplished by a national bank, can be 
again accomplished by a national bank, aud in 
no way so safely and so certainly as by the 
agency of a well regtdated national bank. 

Resolved, That a tarifif which will allbrd a Rev- 
enue adequate to all the wants of the General 
Government, and at the same time protect the 
agricultural and mechanical industry of the 
American people, is a measure necessary to 
secure the prosperity of the country, and 



warmly advocated by the Whig party of this 
Territory. 

Resolved, That although we have no right to 
vote at the approaching Presidential election, 
yet we look forward to the exertions of our 
friends of the States for the elevation of Henry 
Clay to the Chief Magistracy of the Union with 
intense interest and assurance of our most 
ardent wishes for their success. 

Resolved, That governments should be admin- 
istered so as to produce the greatest good to the 
greatest number, aud that this is true Democracy; 
that the self-styled Democratic party, by the 
policy they have pursued for the last ten years 
in their efforts to destroy the prosperity of our 
farmers and mechanics by rejecting a tariff for 
revenue and protection, by destroying the bett 
currency ever possessed in any nation, by seek- 
ing to deprive us of all currency except gold 
and silver, in refusing to the indebted States 
relief by paying to them their proportion of the 
proceeds of the public lands, in their continued 
uniform and violent opposition to all measures 
calculated to advance the national and individ- 
ual prosperity, by means of the encouragement 
of commerce and internal improvements, by a 
narrow and selfish policy in couv-rting the ex- 
ecutive power into an engine of party, by their 
federal and aristocratic exertions to maintain 
the veto power, and consolidate all the powers 
of Government in one leader, thereby rendering 
the administration of the Government a mere 
machine of party, in their repeated efforts to 
undermine and destroy the constitution and 
laws of Congress, by openly disregarding the 
rights secured by those laws, in their demoraliz- 
ing eflTorts to induce the Slates to disregard their 
honor and repudiate their debts, in their open 
violation of private rights, by repealing charters 
and violating the obligation of contract; in short, 
by their whole policy and principles which, in a 
time of peace, and abundant crops, and with the 
smiles of heaven, have reduced this wealthy, 
proud and prosperous nation to actual bank- 
ruptcy, Lational and individual, they have for- 
feited the name of Democrats, and as a pariy 
are no longer to be trusted with the reins of 
power. 



7^y 



133 



IIISTOEY OF IOWA. 



The Democrats adopted no platform in 
1844. 

The Legislature on the 1 2th of February, 
1844, passed another act submitting the 
question of a constitutional convention to 
the people, which was carried. A consti- 
tution was framed by this convention, and 
Congress passed an act providing for the 
admission of Iowa as a State; but curtail- 
ing the northern and western boundaries. 
At an election held in April, 1845, the 
people rejected the constitution. The 
August election, 184.'), was for Delegate to 
Congress. Ralph P. Lowe secured the 
Whig nomination, while A. C. Dodge was 
nominated for re-election by the Demo- 
crats. The vole stood: 

A.C.Dodge, Dcm 7,513—831 

R. P. Lowe, Whig, 6,681 

In April, 1876, delegates were chosen to 
a second constitutional convention, which 
met at Iowa City, May 4, 1846. The con- 
stitution framed by this body was accepted 
liy the people in August, Congress having 
repealed the obnoxious features respecting 
boundaries, giving Iowa the territory to 
which it was justly entitled. 

After the adoption of this constitution, 
the Whigs met in convention at Iowa 
City, September 25, and nominated the 
following State ticket: Governor, Thos. 
McKnight; Secretary of State, James H. 
Cowles; Auditor of State, Eastin Morris; 
Treasurer of State, Egbert T. Smith. The 
following platform was adopted: 

Resolved, That, considering it our duty, as 
Whigs, to effect a thorough organization of our 
party, and, by use of all honorable means, faith- 
fully and diligently strive to ensure the success 
of our political principles in the State of Iowa. 



Resolved, That we, us Wbigs, do prout'.ly and 
unhesitatingly proclaim to the worl'' the follow- 
ing distinctive and leading principles, that we, 
as a party, avow and advocate, and which, if 
carried out, we honestly believe will restore our 
beloved country to its prosperity, and its insti- 
tutions tc their pristine purity: 

1. A sound national currency, regulated by 
the will and authority of the people. 

2. A tariff that shall afford sufficient revenue 
to the national treasury and just protection to 
American labor. 

3. More ; erfect restraints up"n executive 
power, especially upon the exercise of the vetf.. 

4. An equitable distribution of the proceeds 
of the sales of the pul lie lands among all the 
States. 

5. One Presidential term. 

6. Expenditure of the surplus revenue in 
national improvements that will embrace tht 
great rivers, lakes, and main arteries of com- 
munication througboul our country, thus secur- 
ing the most efficient means of defense in war 
and commercial intercomse in peace. 

Resolved, That the re-enactment of the thrice 
condemned sub-treasury, which will have the 
effect of drawing all coin from circulation and 
locking it up in the vaults and safes of the Gen- 
eral Government, the passage of McKay's Bi'tish 
tariff bill discriminating in favor of foreign and 
against American lubor, and striking a blow, 
intended to be fatal, to home market for Ameri- 
can agricultural productions, and the executive 
veto of the river anJ harbor bill which paralj-zes 
the western farmer's hope of just facilities for 
transporting his surrlus products to a maiket, 
and cripples the euegies of commerce in every 
division of the Union, should consign the present 
administ ration to a condemnation so deep that 
the hand of political resurrection could never 
reach it. 

Resolved, That we hold these truths to be self- 
evident, that the fort^- -ninth degree of north 
latitude is not fifty-four degrees, forty minutes; 
that James K. Polk's late letter was a deception 
and falsehood of a character so base as none but 
the most dishonorable mind would have resorted 
to; that McKay's tariff is not a judicious revenue 



w 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



137 



tariff affording incidental protect to American 
industry; that the annexation of Texas is not 
a peaceful acquisition; that lamp-black and 
rags, though called treasury notes and drawn on 
a bankrupt treasury, are not the constitutional 
currency, and that locofocoism is not Democ- 
racy. 

Resolved, That we believe the American sys- 
tem of Hetiiy Clay, as exemplified in the tariff 
of 1842, is essential to the independence and 
happiness of the producing classes of the United 
States; that in its protection of home protec- 
tions it nerves the arm of the farmer and makes 
glad the hearts of the mechanic and manufac- 
turer by ensuring them a constant and satisfac- 
tory remuneration for their toils, and that it is 
found by the test of experience to be the only 
permanent check on the excessive importations 
of former years, which have been the principal 
cause of hard times, repudiation, bankruptcy, 
and dishonor. 

Resolved, That we regard the adoption of the 
constitution at the recent election, by reason of 
the highly illiberal character of some of its pro- 
visions, as an event not calculated to promote 
the future welfare and prosperity of the State of 
Iowa, and that it is our imperative duty to pro- 
cure its speedy amendment. 

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to use our 
utmost exertions to keep up a thorough organi- 
zation of the Whig party in Iowa; and although 
our opponents claim erronerusly, as we believe, 
to possess an advantage in numbers and depend 
upon ignorance, prejudice and credulty for suc- 
cess, yet, having a superiority m the principles 
we profess, we have implicit confidence in the 
dawning ef a brighter day, when the clouds and 
darkness of locofocoism will bu dispelled by the 
cheering rays and invigorating influence of 
truth and knowledge. 

On motion, it was 

Resolved, That we i-ecommcnd to the support 
of the people of Iowa, at the coming election, 
the ticket nominated by this convention; that 
we believe the candidates to be good men, and 
that the members of this convention, in behalf 
of those for whom they act, pledge to them a 
cordial and zealous support. 



The Democratic Convention was lield 
September 24, which nominated the fol- 
lowing ticket: Governor, Ansel Briggs; 
Secretary of State, E. Cutler, Jr.; Auditor 
of State, J» T. Fales; Treasurer, Morgan 
Reno. 

The following platform was adopted: 

Resolved, That the conduct of James K. Polk, 
since he has been President of the United States, 
and particularly during the last session of Con- 
gress, has been that of an unwavering and un- 
flinching Democrat; that Young Hickory has 
proved himself to be a true scion of Old Hick- 
ory; and we tender to him and his coa Ijutors in 
the executive department the gratitude of the 
people of the State of Iowa. 

Resolved, That the recent session of Congress 
has been one of the greatest importance to the 
people of these United States, since the lime of 
Mr. Jefferson, and we confidently regard the 
acts passed by it, particularly the passage of 
the Independent Treasury Bill, the settlement 
of the Oregon question (though the people of 
Iowa would have preferred 54, 40), and the re- 
peal of the odious tariff act of 1843, as destined 
to advance the welfare, promote the interest, 
and add to the peace and harmony not only of 
our people, but of the civilized world. 

Resolved, That the repeal of the unjust, un- 
equal and fraudulent tariff act of 1842, at the 
recent session of Congress, deserves the highest 
praise from the people of Iowa, and entitles 
those members of Congress who voted for it 
to the lasting gratitude of all good citizens; 
that by its minimum and KpecIHc duties — by its 
unequal and unjust protection of the captaiists 
and moneyed institutions, and by its casting the 
burden of taxation upon the laboring masses, 
and exempting the uper ten thousand, it was 
absolutely a federal tariff, based on the doc- 
trines of the great God-like Belshazzerof Massa- 
chusetts, viz: "Let the Government take care 
of the rich, and the rich take care of the poor"; 
that the conduct of the Vice-President of the 
United States, upon that great question of the 
age, entitles him to the highest place in the con- 
fidence of the Democracy of the United States. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Resolved, That all modes of raising revenue 
for the support of Government are taxes upon 
the capital, labor and industry of the country; 
and that it is the duty of a good government to 
impose its taxes in such a manner as to bear 
equally on all classes of society; and that any 
government which, in levying duties for raising 
revenue, impresses burdens on any one class of 
society, to build up others, though republican in 
form, is tyrauical in deed, ceases to be a just 
government, and is unworthy of the confidence 
or support of a free people. 

Resolved, That the separation of the public 
moneys from the banking institutions of the 
country, in the passage of the Independent 
Treasury Bill, meets the approbation of this 
Convention, and the recent vote of the people 
of this Slate, adopting the Constitution, is a de- 
cisive indication of public sentiment against all 
banlving institutions of whatever name, nature 
or disciiptiou. 

Resolved, That the repeated unjust aggression 
of the Mexican people and Mexican Government 
have long since called for redress, and the spirit 
which has discouraged, opposed and denounced 
the war which our Government is now carrying 
on against Mexico, is the same spirit which op- 
posed the formation of a Republican Govern- 
ment, opposed .Jefferson and denounced the last 
■war with Great Britain, and now, as they did 
then, from a federal fountain. - 

Resolved, That General Taylor and our little 
army have won for themselves the everlasting 
gratitude of the country, for which they will 
never, like Scott, be exposed to a shot in their 
rear from Washington or any other part of the 
country. 

liesnlved. That we repudiate the idea of party 
without principles; that Democracy has certain 
fixcl and unalterable principles, among which 
are equal rights and equal protection to all, un- 
limited ri;;hts of sudi ge to every freeman, no 
properly qualifications or religious tests, sov- 
ereignty of the people, subjection of the Legis- 
lature to the will of the pople, obedience to the 
iu.struclions of constituents, or resignation, and 
restriction of all exclusive privileges to corpo- 
rations to a level with individual rights. 



Resolved, That henceforth, as a political party, 
we are determined to know nothing but Democ- 
racy, and that we will support men only for 
their principles. Our motto will be: Less leg- 
islation, few laws, strict obedience, short ses- 
sions, li«nt taxes, and no State debt. 

The vote on Governor was as follows: 

Ansel Briggs, Dem 7,626—247 

Thomas McKuight, Whig 7,379 

The office of State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction having been va'jated, it 
was provided in the act that an election 
should be held the first Monday in April, 
1817, for the purpose of filling the office. 
The Whigs placed James Harlan in nomi- 
nation, and the Democrats, Charles Mason. 
Harlan was elected by a majority of 413 
out of a total vote of 15,66-3. 

By act approved li'ebruary -24, 1847, the 
Legislature created a Board of Public 
Works for the improvement of DesMoines 
river, and provided for the election of a 
President, Secretary and Treasurer of such 
on the first Monday in August. The 
Democrats in State convention at Iowa 
City, Jime 11, placed the following ticket 
in the field: President of Board, H. W. 
Sample; Secretary, Charles Corkery; Treas- 
urer, Paul Brptton. The following plat- 
form was adopted: 

Whhkeas, Our country is at present engaged 
in an expensive and sanguinary war, forced 
upon her against her will, and carded on to 
repel aggravated and repeated instances of in- 
sult and injustice; and, 

Wnp.ttEAS, There are those among us, native- 
born Americans, who maintaiu that Mexico is 
in the right and the United States in the wrong 
in this war; and, 

WHKiiE.\s, The public mind is, at the present 
time, agitated by other great questions of na- 
tional policy, in relation to which it is proper 
that the Democracy of Iowa should speak out 



r 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



139 



through their repretentativea here assembled; 
therefore, 

Resiiloed, That we indignaDtly repel the charge 
made by the Whig press and the Whig leaders, 
that the war is one of aggression and conquest. 
The United States, we fearlessly assert, have 
for years submitted to treatment at the hands of 
Mexico which, by any European government, 
would have been regarded as a good cause of 
war, and which our own government would 
have made cause of quarrel with any transat- 
lantic power. 

Reaolved, That we triumphantly point to the 
repeated etl'urts made by our government, since 
the commencement of the war, to re-open nego- 
tiations with Mexico with a view of putting an 
end to hostilities as evidence of the pacific 
motives by which it is actuated, and we rely 
upon this testimony for the jusiificalion of our 
government in the eyes of the civilized world. 
We also point, with the highest satisfaction, to 
the humane and Christian like manner in which 
the war has been conductod on our part, show- 
ing, as it does, that the United States have 
thrnughout ncted upon principle in every respect 
worthy of the enlightened ana civilized age in 
which we live. 

Resolved, That we have the most unlimited 
confidence in the ability and siatesman-like 
qualities of President Polk; that the measures 
of his administration, standing, as they have 
done, the test of time, have our most cordial 
approbation; that in the prosecution of the war 
with Mexico, he and the several members of his 
cabinet have evinced the most signal energy and 
capacity; that the brilliant success of our arms 
at every point, and the fact that in the short 
space of one year more than one-half of Mexico 
has been overcome by our troops, and is now in 
our possession, furnishes a refutation of the 
assertion sometimes heard from the Whigs, that 
the war has been inefSciently conducted, and 
that the country has the amplest cause to con- 
gratulate itself that, great and important as the 
crisis is, it has men at the head of aifairs fully 
equal to the emergency. 

Resolved, That the thanks of the American 
people are due to Major-Generals Scott and 



Taylor, their officers and ineu, for their cournge, 
bravery and endurance; that in the victories they 
have achieved, they have shed imperishable 
honor upon their country's flag at the same time 
that they have won for themselves, one and all, 
chaplets of imperishable renown. 

Resolved, That in the demand which now ex- 
ists in the countries of the old world for Ameri- 
can provisions, we have an illustntion of the 
incalculable benefits which are sure to result to 
the United Stales, and particularly to the great 
West, from reciprocal interchange of commo- 
dities; that the agriculturists of Iowa have sen- 
sibly partaken of the benefits resulting from 
this liberal system of policy, and in the name of 
the Democratic party of Iowa, wo tender to 
President Polk and the Democratic members of 
Congress our thanks for the enactment of a 
tariff, which is likely to have the effect of caus- 
ing foreign countries to still fiuther abolish their 
restrictions upon American grain and American 
provisions. 

Resolved, That the evidence to be found in the 
fact that, within the last three months, the enor- 
mous sum of fifty-five millions of dollars has 
been oflered to be loaned to the G:)vernment at 
a premium, is a proud vindication of the finan- 
cial ability of the Government, at the same time 
that it rebukes with merited severity the croak- 
ing of those who, at the commencement of the 
war, predicted that the treasury would be beg- 
gared in less than a year, with no means of re- 
plenishing it. 

Resolved, That we approve of the conduct of 
the Democratic members of ourfirst State Legis- 
lature. Under the peculiar circumstances by 
which they were surrounded, their conduct was 
such as became them, and is sustained by the 
entire Democracy of the State. 

Resolved, That the Democratic party have ever 
regarded education as the only means of pre- 
serving and perpetuating our republican institu- 
tions; that it is now and ever has been solicitous 
for its extension throughout the whole length 
and breadth of our land; and that it is one of 
the chief objects of the Democratic party of this 
State to establish such a system of free schools 
as will enable every child within its borders to 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



qualify himself to perfonu all the duties devolv- 
ing upon a citizen of this favored country. 

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves collectively 
to support the nominees of this convention; that 
in our respective counties wc will spare no 
ettorts to promote their success; that we will 
permit no selfish consideration, no sectional feel- 
ings, to influence us, but, rallying under the 
banner of the good old cause, the cause of De- 
mocracy, we will march on to victory, triumph- 
ant victory I 

The Whigs nominated for President of 
the Board, Geo. Wilson; Secretary, Madi- 
son Dagger; Treasurer, Pierre B Fagan. 
Sample was elected over Wilson by 510 
majjrity, out of a total vote of 16,250. 

The Whigs of Iowa were fir^t in the 
field in 1848, meeting in convention May 
1 llh, at Iowa City. They nominated for 
Secretary of State J. M. Coleman; Auditor, 
M. Morley; Treasurer, Robert Holmes. 
The following platform was adopted : 

The Government of the United States is based 
upon and exists only by the consent of the peo- 
ple; and, 

Whrreas, It is the duty as well as the rights 
of the citizens of the United States to meet in 
their primary capacity, whenever their judg- 
ment may dictate, to examine into the affairs of 
the Government; and, 

Whereas, This right carries with it the power 
to approve the conduct of their public servants, 
whenever approval is merited by faithfulness 
and integiity, so it equally confers the duly of 
exposing imbecility, seltishness and corruption, 
when they exist in the administration of the Re- 
public, and of denouncing those who. disregard- 
ing the examjile and admnuilions of the Fathers 
of the Ke|)ubUc, are abandoning the true prin- 
ciples on whiih our civil institutions are found- 
ed, and proclaiming and currying out measures 
that cannot but prove detrimental to the har- 
mony and best interests of the Union, and may 
eventuate in the overthi'ow of our present Re- 
publican form of government; therefore, 



Resolved, By the Whigs of Iowa, through their 
Representatives in State Convcnting assembled, 
that the Government of the United States is a 
limited Government, divided into three depart- 
ments, each having its appjv liate sphere, and 
separate and well-defined duties to perform; 
that it is necessary to the stability and perpetu- 
ity of our in?1itulions, that the Executive, Leg- 
islative and Judicial Departments should be 
kept distinct, and confined to their legitimate 
duties; and that any encroachi :ent, by one de- 
partment, upon either of the others, is a viola- 
tion of the spirit and letter of the constitution, 
and should call down the severest reprehension 
of the American people. 

Resolved, That the admonition of a late Presi- 
dent of the United States, "Keep your eye upon 
the President," should especially recommend 
itself to all the people in times like the present; 
ttiat the Government can only be kept pure by 
the constant watchfulness of the people and the 
i,xpres!>ii)n of their loudest censure, when spec- 
ulation and corrupt!! n is detected. 

Resolved, That entertaining these opinions, we 
have no hesitation in declaring that the eleva- 
tion of James K. Polk to the Presidential oflice 
was a sad mishap to the Auieiican Government; 
and that his administration, by its total aban- 
donment of the principles of true Republican- 
ism, as taught by Washington, Jefferson and 
Madison; by its encroachments on the national 
constitation, and its entire disregard of the will 
of the people, as expressed through their Rep- 
resentatives in Congress; by its denunciations 
of its own constituents, its futile attempt to 
misrepresent facts and conceal the truth, its 
endeavors to prostrate the industrial energies of 
the people and discriminate in favor of the man- 
ufactures and machinery of Europe, its violation 
of its own much lauded system of finance, the 
sub treasury, thereby furnishing the people with 
promise to pay its uflicers with gold and silver; 
by its war, commenced without the assent of 
the war-m ^king power, against a weak and dis- 
tracted sister Republic, while at the same time, 
it ignobly and cowardly crouched before 
the lion of England, and to:)k back its own asser- 
tions; its public debt of one hundred millions 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



141 



and its sacrifice of human life; its veto of meas- 
ures that met theapproval of every former Pres- 
ident; and, worse than all, by its infamous at- 
tempt to rob of their well-earned laurels, won on 
the tented field, in the heart of the enemy's 
country, those who commanded the armies of 
the Republic, and bring them into unmerited 
disgrace before the American people, — by this 
aggregation of misdeeds, has signalized itself 
as the worst, most selfish and corrupt adminis- 
tration tire United States ever had. 

Resolved, That, while we concede that it is the 
duty of every citizen to support his country 
when engaged in a conflict with a foreign power, 
yet we equally insist that it is the duty of the 
people to hold their public servants to a strict 
accountability, and honestly to condemn what- 
ever their judgment cannot approve; that we 
indignantly hurl back the imputation of James 
K. Polk and his parasites, that the Whig party 
of the Unicn are wanting in love of coun.try, 
and deficient in its defense, and in evidence of 
the patriotism of the Whig party, we proudly 
point to the commanding gi-mrals, the distin- 
guished officers and the brave soldiers who, in 
our army in Mexico, have shed luster upon them- 
selves and renown upon the flag of their country. 

Resolved, Thai, believins the war tciminated, 
our convictions require us to declare that the 
war with Mexico was a war brought on by the 
Executive, without the approbalion of the war- 
making power, that had the same prudence 
which governed the administration in its inter- 
course with Great Britain, relative to the settle- 
ment of the Oregon question, exercised toward 
Mexico, a nation whose internal dissensions and 
weakness demanded our forbearance, the war 
w.)uld have been averted, and the boundaries 
between the two nations amicably and satisfac- 
torily settled. 

Resolved, That we are in favor of the applica- 
tion of the principle contained in the Wilniot 
proviso (so called), to all territory to be incor- 
ponited into this Union, and are utterly opposed 
to the further extension of slave territory. 

Resoloed, That our opposition to the sub- treas- 
ury and the tariff of 181.5 has not been dimin- 



ished by the evidence furnished us of tlieir oper- 
ations; that they are twin measures, calculated 
and designed to depress the free labor of the 
country, for the benefit of a minority of the 
people — the o'le operating to lessen the price of 
labor, and bring down the wages of freemen, 
and the other throwing open our ports for the 
introduction of the productions of the pauper 
labor of Europe, thereby crippling our own man- 
ufacturers and compelling them either to sacri- 
fice their laborers or close their business; that 
the one has failed as a disturbing system of the 
Government, the administration having been 
compelled to resort to banks and paper in 
making their payments, aud the other, as a rev- 
enue measure, has proved entirely inadequate to 
the support of the ordinary expenses of the Gov- 
ernment; that the one, by withdrawing from 
circulation, and shutting up in its vaults a large 
amount of specie, and the other, by overstock- 
ing the market with foreign goods, have largely 
coutiibuted towards, if they have not entirely 
produced, the present financial difficulties; and 
that we cannot but foresee that the country will 
soon be visited, if these measures are continued, 
with a coii^mercial revulsion aa great and disas- 
trous as that of 1837. 

Resohed, That the profession of the adminis- 
tration of James K. Polk, that it is in favor of, 
and devoted to, an exclusively metal lie currency, 
while it is issuing millions u. on millions of 
paper money, in shape of treasury notes, irre- 
deemable in specie, is an insult to the American 
people, and deserves the unqualified denuncia- 
tion of every lover of truth and honesty. 

Resolved, That the great West, whose popula- 
tion and commerce arc rapidly increasing, bear- 
ing, as it does, its full proportion of the public 
burdens, is entitled to some consideration at the 
hands of the General Government, and to some 
participation in the Union; that the Mississippi 
river is to the whole Mississippi Valley what the 
Atlantic is to the Eastern and the lakes are to 
the Northern States; that if it is constitutional 
to clear and improve any harbors in the latter, 
it is equally constitutional to do the same in the 
former; that the River and Harbor Bill of the 
last session of Congress contained only appro- 



142 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



pri itious for work that had met the approval of 
Jac-kson and Vin'?urrn; that the veto of that 
measure by the Executive was a high-handed 
usurpanon upon the rights of the pei^ple and 
their representatives, uncalled for and unntces 
sary, and that, by th;vt act, James K. Pulk 
proved himself false to the principles .'f his pre- 
decessors, and hostile to the future growth and 
best interests of the West. 

Resolved, That in view of the misrule, venality 
and infractions of the Constitution which have 
characterized the present administration, we 
deem the approaching Presidential election one 
of the most important that Las occurred since 
the ori^anization of the Government; that it is 
necessary to the preservation of the institutions 
bequeathed to us by our fathers, that there 
should be a change of rulers as well as a change 
of measures; that, animated by a sincere desire 
to promote the welfare and honor of our coun- 
try, we have determined to buckle on our armor 
and enlist for the war; and, in the language of 
one who never faltered in his devotion to his 
country, we call upon every Whig in Iowa to 
"Ar'iuse ! Awake I Shake oflf the dew-drops that 
glitter on your garments I" and, in company 
with your brethren throughout the Union, "Once 
more march forth to battle and to victory 1" 

Resolved. That, although the Whig party of 
Iowa has expressed a preference for General 
Taylor as the Whig candidate for President, yet 
thiy deem it due to themselves to declare that 
they commit the whole subject into the hands of 
the Whig National Convention, and whoever 
may be the nominee of that bod}- for President, 
the Whigs of Iowa will give him a cordial sup- 
port. 

Resolved, That locofocoism in Iowa has proved 
itself ;i faction, "held together by the coercive 
power of public plunder," and devoid alike of 
generosity and principle; that, under cover of 
an assumed love of law and order, it has under- 
taken and cast from office a citizen chosen by a 
large majority of the popular voice, while, at the 
same time, it is represented in Congress by men 
elected without the shadow of law; that in foist- 
ing into the halls of Legislature, men who had 
no right there, for the purpose of carrying out 



their own selfish designs, they were guilty of a 
clear violation of constitutional law, and of 
usurpation upon the rii^hts of the people; and 
that the Whig members of the Legislature, by 
lef using to i;o into the eleclicn of Senators and 
Supreme Judges, whde those iiidividu..ls exer- 
cised the functions "f Representatives, truly 
reflected the will of their constituents, and de- 
serve the thanks of every friend of good gov- 
ernment. 

Resolved, That we most cordially commend to 
the support of the people of Iowa the ticket 
placed in nomination by this convention, of 
State officers a:.d electors of President and Vice 
President; that they are citizens distinguished 
for their ability, integrity, patriotism and cor- 
rect moral deportment; and that we pledge to 
this ticket a full, hearty and zealous co-opera- 
tion in the ensuing canvass, with the contident 
assurance that if every Wiiig does his "duty, his 
whole duty, and nothing short of his duty," at 
the ballot-box, they will receive from the people 
of Iowa a majority of their suffrages 

Resolved, That we are watching with deep in- 
terest the recent movements in Europe, indica- 
ting as they do, the spread of popular liberty, 
and the determination on the part of the masses 
to throw oil' the fetters of despotism and kingly 
rule; that we joyfully admit into the brother- 
hood of republicanism the new republic of 
France, trusting that an all-wise Providence 
will guide and watch over the destinies of the 
new government and establish it on a permanent 
basis; and that to the masses of the other na- 
tions of Europe, who are now struggling to be 
free, we tender our warmest sympathies, and 
bid them a heartfelt God-speed in their efforts to 
obtain a recognition of their rights aud liberties. 

The Democrats placed the following 
ticket in nomination at a State convention 
held June 1st, at Iowa City: Secretary of 
State, Josiah H. Bonney; Auditor, Joseph 
T. Fales; Treasurer, Morgan Reno. The 
official vote showed Bonney to be elected 
Secretary of State by 1,212 majority, out 
of a total of 23,522. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



The campaign of 1849 was opened by 
the Democrats, who met in convention at 
Iowa City, and nominated William Patter- 
son, President of Board of Public Works; 
for Secretary, Jesse Williams; Treasurer, 
George Gillaspie. The platform adopted 
by the convention was as follows: 

Resolved, That, in view of the large interest at 
stake in the judicious and vigorous prosecution 
of the public works on the DcsMoines river, and 
in view also of the efforts on foot by the Whig 
party to obtaia the control and direction of the 
same, by means of a Whig Board of Public 
Works, it is important that the Democracy of 
the State should take immediate and energetic 
steps toward a thorough and complete org miza- 
tion of the party, and be ready on the day of 
the election to secure to themselves, by a tri- 
umphant majority, the choice of the oflRcers; 
aud that, while we cordially and unrcst-rvedly 
recommend the nominees of this convention to 
the confidence and support of the people, we 
should also take occasion to admonish our 
friends, that in union there is strength, and in 
vigilance, success. 

Retohed, That this convention has received, 
with feelings nf profound grief, the intelligence 
of the death of that pure patriot aud able states- 
man, James K. Polk, late President of the United 
St ites;and that for his eminent and distinguished 
services to his country, for his faithfulness to 
principle, aud for his purily of private life, his 
memory will ever live in the cherislnd recollec- 
tions of the Democracy of the nation, by none 
more honored than the people of this State. 

Resolved, That we recur with pride to the tri- 
umphant success, the splendid achievements, 
and the imperishable renown of the late admin- 
istration; and that, while we point to these as 
the glorious results of past labors, we should re- 
member that, as they were gained by a strict 
adherence to honest principles anil the adoption 
of an honest policy, they can be sullied or im- 
paiied only by a base abandonment of them 
upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace- 
ful surrender in the form of coward silence. 



Resolved, That we still adhere as firmly as 
ever to the principles and measures which dic- 
tated and governed the course of the late admin- 
istration; and that we derive a high pleasure 
from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch- 
safed to us as ah impassable barrier between the 
federal high tariff, bank and paper policy, hopes 
and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold 
and silver currency, and low tariff and inde- 
pendent treasury policy of the people. 

Resolved That the administration of Gen. 
Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis- 
sion, has uablushingly falsified every promise 
and grossly violated every pledge given before 
the election by its nominal chief; that a party 
which can go before the country upon one set of 
issues, and immediately after its installation 
into power enter upon the practice of another 
set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba- 
tion of the world, and of the continued and 
uncompromising hostility of the Democratic 
party. 

Resolved, That General Taylor, for the part 
which he has played, or has been made to play 
in this d sgiaceful game of deception, has dis- 
pirited a want of honest principle or weakness 
of mind and character, which equally disquali- 
fies him for the place he holds, and fully justi- 
fies the worst predictions ever made agains! his 
fitness for the Presidency; and that, although 
we may once have admired the soldier in the 
tented field, we are now reluctantly brought to 
condemn and to repudiate the cipher in the 
cabinet of the country. 

Resolved, That the removals in this State have 
been made without cause and in direct viol ation 
of the professions of General Ta_\ lor, before the 
election; and that the appointments which have 
followed have been made in equal violation of 
the same professions. 

Resolved, That the appointment of a bureau 
officer from this State, in the person of Fitz 
Henry Warren, is an act deseiving the censure 
and undistinguished condemnation which it is 
receiving from a large mij.iriiy of the Whigs of 
Iowa; and that his retention in oflice, in the 
face of these open and emphatic exiiressious of 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



public disgust, is well calculated to prepare the 
mind of every one to be surprised at nothing, in 
the way of moral turpitude, which may mark 
the future character of General Taylor's admin- 
istration. 

Resolved, That the Democrats who have been 
removed from office in this State by the federal 
and proscriptive administration now in power, 
retire from iheir respective posts without re- 
proach from government, and with the unim- 
paired coutidence and respect of the Democracy 
of the Stale. 

Resolved, That we deprecate any separate and 
sectional organ izutions, in any portion of the 
country, having for their object the advocacy of 
an isolated point involving feeling, and not 
fact— pride, and not principle, as destructive to 
the peace and happiness of the people and dan- 
gerous to the stability of the Union. 

Resolved, That inasmuch as the Territories of 
New Mexico and California come to us free, and 
aie free now by law, it is our desire that they 
should remain forever free; but that until it is 
proposed to repeal the laws making the country 
free, and to erect others in their stead for the 
extension of slavery, we deem it inexpedient 
and improper to add to the further distraction 
of the public mind by demaudiug, in the name 
of the Wilmot Proviso, what is already ami)ly 
secured by the laws of the land. 

The Whig.si met in convention June 30, 
at Iowa City, where they nominated the 
following ticket: President of Board, 
Thomas J. McKean; Secretary, William 
M. Allison; Treasurer, Henry G. Stewart. 
The following platform was adopted: 

Resolved, That this convention has unlimited 
confidence in the integrity, ability and patriotism 
of the people's President, General Zachary Tay- 
lor. The illustrious services he has rendered 
his country in forty years' devotion to her in- 
terests and her glory in the field, and the abun- 
dant evidence he has given since his inaugura- 
tion as Chief Magistrate of the Republic, of the 
possession of eminent administrative talents, 
afford a sure guaranty that his administration 



will be devoted to the highest and best interests 
of the country, the whole couutiy, and nothing 
but the country. With such a lender, one who 
has successfully encountered every danger, 
whether in front, rear or rank, we may look with 
conlidence to the speedy lestoratiou of the 
country to her true Republican destiny. 

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meet- 
ing, the recent demonstration of public senti- 
ment inscribes on the list of executive duties, in 
characters too legible to be overlooked, the task 
of reform, and the correction of those abuses 
which have brought the patronage of the Federal 
Government into conflict with the freedom of 
election; and that as vacancies by death are 
few, by resignation none, the task of reform 
and the correction of those abuses can be accom- 
plished only by remov d ; and we regard the wail- 
ings of the locofoco press at the salutary and 
essential changes which the administration has 
seen proper to make, as involving a disregard 
of the important truth here referred to, and a 
contempt of the first principles of Democracy. 

Resolved, That the welfare and interests of the 
people of Iowa imperatively require an amend- 
ment to the State Constitution, by which the 
incubus, imposed in some of its provisions upon 
their resources and prosperity, shall be removed. 

Resolved, That the people have a right to 
demand that this question shall be submitted to 
them for their action, and in the judgment of 
this convention they will be recreant to their 
interests if they do not visit their condemnation 
upon a party that, with professions of Democ- 
racy perpetually upon its lips, has shown itself 
in practice to be destitute of the true principles 
of Democracy. 

Resolved, That the course of the dominant 
party of this State, in the late General Assemldy, 
in its daring assaults upon the most sacred pro- 
vision of the constitution; in the outrage which 
it committed against the great principles of civil 
and religious liberty, in depriving one of the 
counties of the State, as a punishment for the 
free exercise by its voters of the elective fran- 
chise of the rights of representation, in ex- 
cluding it from all the judicial districts of the 



^<5 



^ 



illSTORY OF IOWA. 



State, and in its flagitious attempt to destroy its 
organization altogether, and to excommunicate 
its inliabitants, indiscriminately, from the pro- 
tection of civil society; in its contemptuous 
refusal to allow the people of the State the priv- 
ilege of expressing their opiuiou on the sul^ject 
of a convention to amend the State constitution; 
In its refusal to instruct the Senators in Con- 
gress from this State to favor the policy of the 
Wilmot Proviso, by excluding tlie institution of 
slavery from our newly acquired Territory; in 
its attempt to create new offices, not demanded 
by the public interest, as a sort of pension to 
partisan favorites — offices which would have im- 
posed new burdens in the shape of increased 
t:ixation without any corresi)onding benefit, — 
and in its reckless prodigality ot the public 
money, should consign it to the perpetual con- 
demnation of a free people. 

Resolved, That we are opposed to the exten- 
sion of slavery into territory now free, and that 
we believe it to be the duty of the Fedrral Gov- 
ernment to relieve itself of the responsibility of 
that institution, wherever it has the constitu- 
tionitl authority so to do; and that the legislation 
necessary to efEect those objects should be 
adopted. 

Resolved, That for the compliment paid to our 
State, in the appointment of one of our fellow- 
cilizeus to the important office of Assistant 
Postmaster, the President is entitled to our 
thanks. 

Besoloed, That we commend the ticket pre- 
sented by this convention to the people of this 
State for their cordial support. 

Patterson was elected President over 
McKean by a majority of 712 out of a total 
vote of 22,632. 

The Whigs met in convention May 15, 
1850, at Iowa City, and made the follow- 
ing nominations: Governor, James L 
Thompson; Secretary of State, Isaac Cook; 
Auditor of State, William- H. Seevers; 
Treasurer of State, Evan Jay; Treasurer 
of Board of Public Works, James Nosier. 



The resolu' ions adopted were as follows: 

Resolved, That every day's experience vindi- 
cates the sentiment proclaimed by the Whig 
State Convention last year, that the wt-lfare and 
interests of the people of Iowa imperatively 
require an amendment to the State constitution, 
by which the incubus imported in some of its 
provisions upon their resources and prosperity 
shall be removed. 

Resolved, That the people have a right to de- 
mand that this question shall be submitted to 
them for their action, and in the judgment of 
this convention they will be recreant to their 
interests if they do not so determine by their 
votes at the approaching election. 

Resolved, That we have undiminished confi- 
dence in the integrity, ability and patriotism of 
the people's President, General Z. Taylor, and 
in the wisdom of the policy by him recom- 
mended to Congress. . 

Resolved, That the Whigs of the country owe 
it to themselves and the great principles they 
profess to cherish, to give the President a Con- 
gress disposed to co-operate with him in his 
patriotic purposes to serve the country, instead 
of pursuing a factious opposition to the bitter 
end. 

Resolved, That we cherish an ardent attach- 
ment to the union of the States, and a firm de- 
termination to adhere to it at all hazards and to 
the last extremity. 

Resolved, That we hail with the highest grati- 
fication the rising of a new Slate upon the 
borders of the Pacific, and that we are in favor 
of its immediate admission into the family of 
States upon no other conditions than those im- 
posed by the constitution of the United States, 
and untrammelled by any question of Territorial 
legislation. 

Resolved, That while we hold it to be the duly 
of all to be ready and willing to stand to and 
abide by the provisions of the constitution of the 
United States, we are nevertheless free to re- 
affirm, as we now do, the opinion heretofore ex- 
pressed by the Whig party in Iowa, that we are 
in favor of free men, free territory, and free 
States. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Resolved, That the Surveyor General's office 
of Wisconsin and Iowa, under the control of 
the Democratic party, hag been, and is, an 
engine of vast political power, and that its 
extensive patronage has been used to subserve 
the interest of that party. We, therefore, re- 
spectively and earnestly request of the President 
of the United States the immediate removal of 
CAl. Booth, Esq. , the present incumbent, and 
the appointment of one who will not use the 
patronage of this office for political ends. 

Resolved, That we cordially recomnend the 
candidates nominated by this convention, for 
the various State offices to be filled at the next 
August election, to the confidence and support 
of the people of Iowa. 

The Democrats met at Iowa City June 
12, 1850, and nominated the following 
ticket: Governor, Stephen Hempstead; 
Secretary of State, ■ G. W. McCleary; 
Auditor, Wm. Pattee; Treasurer, Israel 
Keister; Treasurer Board Public Works, 
George Gillaspie. The following platform 
was adopted: 

Resolved, That the events of the past year, 
having served to demonstrate the soundness and 
wisdom of the resolutions adopted by the last 
Democratic State Convention, we re-assert and 
re-adopt them, as follows: 

Resolved, Th.it we recur with pride to the tri- 
umpliaul success, the splendid achievements 
and the imperishable renown of the late admin- 
istration; and that; while we point to these as 
the glorious results of past labors, we should 
remember that, as they were gained by a strict 
adherence to honest principles, and the adoption 
of an honest policy, they can be sullied or im- 
paired only by a base abandonment of them 
upon the altar of expediency, or by a disgrace- 
ful sui'rt^nder in the form of a cowardly silence. 
Resolced, That we still adhere, as firmly as 
ever, to the principles and measures which-dic- 
tated and governed the course of the late admin- 
istration; and that we derive a high pleasure 
from the fact that a Democratic Senate is vouch- 
safed to us as an impassable barrier between the 



Federal high-tarifif, bank and paper policy, hopes 
and designs of the present dynasty, and the gold 
and silver currency, low taiiff and independent 
treasury policy of the people. 

Resolced, That the administration of General 
Taylor, as far as it has proceeded upon its mis- 
sion, has unblushingly falsifieJ every promise and 
grossly violated every pledge given before the 
election by its nominal chief; and that a party 
which can go before the country upon one set of 
issues, and immL-diately after its installation 
into power enter upon the practice of another 
set, is more than ever deserving of the reproba- 
tion of the world, and of the continued and un- 
compromising hostility of the Democratic party. 

Resolved, That General Taylor, for the part 
which he has played, or has been made to play, 
in this disgraceful game of deception, has dis- 
played a want of honest principle, or a weakness 
of mind and character, which equally disquali- 
fies him for llie place he liolds, and fully justifies 
the worst predictions ever made against his fit- 
ness for the Presidency; and that, although we 
may have once admired the soldier in the tented 
field, we are now reluctantly brought to con- 
demn and to repudiate the cipher in the Cabinet 
of the country. 

Resolved, That the removals in this State have 
been made without cause and in dinct violation 
of the professions of General Taylor before the 
election; and that the appointments which have 
followed have been made in equal violation of 
the same professions. 

Resolved, That it is as gratifying to the pride 
as it is creditable to the patriotism of the Dem- 
ocrats of Iowa, that prominent statesmen of all 
parties, in seeking for a satisfactory adjustment 
of the difficulties which unfortunately exist be- 
tween the slave and non-slaveholding States, 
are found uniting, in main, on the pol'icy of non- 
intervention; and while they arrogate to them- 
selves no right to question the course of other 
Slates on this subject, they point to the fact, 
with feelings of unmingled saiisfaction, and 
they, in co-operating wilh those who are striving 
t • preserve the Union, are required to "tread 
no steps backward." 



7U 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Resolved, That, regarding the preservation of 
our happy form of government as paramount to 
all other considerations, and believing that the 
threatened danger may be averted, we approve 
of the bill recently introduced into the United 
Stales Senate by the Cumuiittee of Thirteen, 
generally known as the "Curnpromise Bill." 

Resolved, TU.it, as this bill authorizes the im- 
mediate admission of C.iliforni.i, organizes the 
Territories of New Mexico and Utah, provides 
for the settlement of the Texan boundary ques- 
tion, enforces the provisions of the constitution 
with regard to the reclamation of persons 
escaping from service, aud abolishes the slave 
trade in the District of Columbia, we believe its 
adoption, as a whole, would be hailed as a peace- 
ottering by an overwhelming majority of the 
people; nor is our contidence in the wisdom of 
the measure diminished by the fact that the 
ultraists of both extremes are found united in 
opposition to it, but rather increased. 

Resolved, That the late decision of Secretary 
Ewing, by which the State of Iowa has been 
robbed of nearly a mil 'ion of acres of valuable 
land, and the improviment of her principal 
interior river, retarded, if not wholly destroyed, 
is an act which finds no justification in the pre- 
cedent or usages of the government; that it is a 
derogation of both the letter and s-^irit of the 
act of Congress making the donation, and that, 
in the name of the people of Inwa, we feel called 
upon to denounce it as illegal and unjust. 

Resolved, That this decision, taking away from 
the State, by a Whig administration, the greater 
portion of a valuable grant, made to it under a 
Democratic rule, the people of Iowa have suf- 
fered a wrong which, w hile they have no alterna- 
tive but submission, thoy cannot but feel most 
deeply and sensibly that the administration at 
Washington is not less responsible for the deci- 
sion than those who defend it; and that it is the 
duty of the Democracy to arraign them at the 
bar of public opinion at the approaching election 
for aiding and abetting in crippling the energies 
of our young and expanding commonwealth. 

Resolved, that President Taylor's Cabinet have, 
in the recent G ilpliin swindle and other specula- 
tions of the same kind, proven to the world that 



their promises of retrenchments and reform in 
the administration of the government were made 
to deceive the people, and not with the intention 
of being kept. 

Resolved, Th-it the present Governor, Secre- 
taryof State, Auditor and Treasurer, whose terms 
of office are about to expire, each and all of them, 
by tiie honest, efhcient and impartial discharge 
of their duties, deserve the cordial approbation 
of the people of the State of Iowa. 

Resolved, That we confidently present the 
nominees of the convention to the voters of the 
State of Iowa for their support; and that we, 
ourselves, will individually use all honorable 
mgans to secure their election. 

The official vote on Governor was as fol- 
lows: 

Stephen Hempstead, Dem 13,J8G i,083 

James L. Thompson, Whig 11,403 

William Penn Clark 575 

In 1851, for Superintenrient of Public 
Instruction, the Democrats nominated 
Thomas H. Benton, while the Whigs sup- 
ported William G. Woodward, an Inde- 
pendent candidate. Benton was elected 
by a majority of 1,351. 

In 1852 the Whigs were early in the 
field, meeting in convention at Iowa City, 
February 26, and placing in nomination 
the following ticket: Secretary of State, 
J. W. Jenkins; Auditor of State, Asbury 
Porter; Treasurer of State, Hosea B. 
Horn. The following platform was 
adopted: 

Resolved, That we most cordially approve of 
the administration of President Fillmore, and 
have the fullest confidence in the executive 
ofliccrs of our government, and that the admin- 
istration of our foreign and domestic affairs 
deserves our highest admiration and firmest 
support; and we have the assurance that under 
such an administration our lepublic will always 
be safe. 



^ 



149 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Resolved, That our wannest gralitiide is due 
to those of whatsoever political party, who 
have, /for the last two years, battled for the 
union of these States, and that we now regard 
the question out of which our apprehension of 
disunion arose as settled no^D and forever. 

Resuleed, That we rejoice to see our Demo- 
cratic fellow-citizens in the Western States 
occupj'ing a part of our political platform, es- 
pecially that relating to currency, to the im- 
provement of rivers and harbors by appropria- 
tions from the national treasury, and a revision 
of the tariff of 1846. 

Resolved, Thai, as by alone followinc the 
advice of the illustrious Father of our Country 
lor three-quarters of a century, our nation is 
1 rosperous and happy, we are still for adhering 
to that whic-h teaches us to be at peace with all 
nations, ard to form entangling alliances with 
none. 

Resolved, That the delegates to the National 
Convention be left free to act according to their 
own judgment, when they meet their brethren 
in the Natiotal Convention, to nominate candi- 
dates for President and Vice-President of the 
United States, according to the lights that there 
may be presented, anc^ so to act as to harmonize 
conflicting claims and interests, and to maintain 
the integrity of the Whig party and the ascend- 
ancy of Whig principles. 

Ifesolved, That it is the opinion of this con- 
vention that a convention to revise the constitu 
tion of the States should be called at as early a 
day as is practicable; and, with a view to the 
advancement of this object, it is hereby recom- 
mended to State and local candidates in every 
part of the State to make this issue distinctly 
and strongly before the people. 

Resolved, That this convention request the 
executive committee of the State, and ot each 
county and of each district composed of several 
counties, to effect a comidete and iffii-ient or- 
Lianization of the AVhig parly in their respective 
counties and districts. 

The Democratic convention met May 
28th, at Iowa city, and nominated the fol- 



lowing ticket: Secretary of State, Geo. 
W. McCleary; Auditor, William Pattee; 
Treasurer, M. L. Morris. The following 
]ilatforra was adopted: 

Resolved, That paramount to all questions of a 
party or sectional nature, we are in favor of 
"The Union now and forever." 

Resolved, That to carefully regard the rights 
of States, is the only possible way to strengthen 
and perpetuate our glorious confederacy. 

Resolved, That a strict construction of the 
Constitution of the United States is the only 
safeguard for the rights of the States, and that 
we fully recognize the doctrine of the Virginia 
and EentU' ky resolutions of 17118 and 1799 and 
the Baltimore platform of 1844. 

Resolved, That we are oppo.srd to a national 
bank, a high protective tariff and all measures 
and monopolies of a like nature, and are in 
favor of the independent treasury and tariff of 
1836. 

Resolved, That we are opposed to a wasteful, 
extravagant and corrupt system of internal im- 
provements; but hold that improvements of a 
national characli-r may properly be made with 
the nation's money, and that, in justice, the 
general government, as a great landholder in the 
^t ites, should contribute of her huge domain to 
those public enterpiises by \\hich her interests 
are secured and promoted and the value of that 
domain enhanced. 

Resolved, That we are in favor of the " com- 
promise" as a final settlement of the question 
which has so long agitated the country upon the 
subject of domestic slavery. 

Resolved, That we arc opposed to " nullifica- 
tion" oi evcii' kind, whether in the legislature 
of Vermont, 'r in the latitude of South Carolina, 
and are in favor of a faithful execution of laws 
of Congn ss until they are repealed, or declared 
inoperative by the proper tribunals of the 
country. 

Resolved, That our adopted citizens well 
deserve the poliiie.il blessings which are now 
extended to them by the existing naturaliza- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



4, 



tiou laws passed by our Democratic forefathers, 
and we are opposed to any alter.ition of them 
sougl.t for by native "Americanism." 

Jirsnlced, That we are opposed to the nomi- 
nation of a candidate for the Prisidency upon 
the naked idea 'f availability, but are in favor 
of a candidate whose principles are known to be 
national and in conformity to tiie timti-honored 
tenets of the Dumocralic party. 

Resolted, That we are in favor of the nominee 
of the BrtltiuK re convention, as our candidate 
for the Presidency, and to such nominee we 
pledge our hearty and individual support. 

In regard to State policy — 

Resolved, That we heartily concur in the great 
principles of judicial and financial reform which 
are agitating the civilized world, and which have 
to some extent been recognized by the adoption 
of our revi&ed code; but at the same time repro- 
bate many of tlie provisions as destructive of 
the great ends sought after, and earnestly recom- 
mend a thorough revision of all obnoxious fea- 
tures. 

The official vote for Secretary of State 
was as follows: 

George Q.McCleary, Dem 16,834—1,857 

J.W. Keukins, Whig 15,037 

In 1853 the Democrats inaugurated the 
campaign by nominating David C. Cloud 
for Attorney General, and adopting the 
following resolutions: 

Resolved, That the delegates this day in con- 
vention assembled, congratulate the Democracy 
of the Union, upon the emphatic verdict of the 
people in favor of Democratic principles, as ex- 
pressed in the election of Franklin Pierce and 
Wm. R. King, to the Presidency and Vice-Pres- 
idency of tliis Republic. 

Resolved, That we recognize as principles car- 
dinal in the Democratic faith: "The election of 
all officers by the people." "The limits of State 
indelitcdness." 'Equal taxation" — cocipelling 
the pr:>perty of the rich, invested in stock, to 
bear its pr iporlion of the public burthen of con- 



tribution to the taxes of the State. The restraint 
of the legisl itive power — confining it to the 
legitimate subject of general legislation, and the 
crowning glory of repeal, which secures the 
people sovereign from ever becoming slaves to 
any law or charter passed by their servants. 

Resolved, That a wise political economy de- 
mands a more liberal system uf disposing of the 
public lands, and that the prosperity of the 
country, and the happiness of individuals would 
be eminently promoted by the passage of a law 
giving the public domain in limited quantities 
to actual settlers at a price covering the cost of 
survey an,l other necessary expenses. 

Resolved, That no species of industry should 
be fostered to the injury of another, that no 
class of men should be taxed directly or indi- 
rectly for the benefit of another; that every de- 
scription of industry should stand or fall on its 
own merits, and that cunimerce should be uufet- 
teied, and, like the air, free. 

Resolved, That tlie Democracy of Iowa adhere 
to the known and long-established doctrines of 
the partj relative to the currency. 

Resolved, That to the Democratic, Republican, 
State and federal institutions, resting on univer- 
sal suffrage and universal eligibility to office, do 
these United States owe their unexampled pros- 
peiity among nations, and that it is our duty to 
sympathize with every pe^^ple struggling against 
tyrants for freedom. 

Mr. Walker introd iced the following 
resolutions, which, on motion, were adopt- 
ed : 

Resolved, That the present Commissioner of 
the DesMuines Improvement, General V. P. Van 
Antwerp, by the fidelity, energy and ability with 
which he has discharged the duties of his respon- 
sible position, is entitled to the highest esteem 
and gratitude of the people of this State. 

Resolved, That to his faithful and judicious 
eflcirts we are indebted to the final grant by llie 
general government of the fund for the Des 
Moines River Improvement, sufficient and ample 
to ensure a completion of the work, and develop 
the resources of the DesMoines Valley. 



^' 



150 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Re.ioloed, That in prosecuting the uegntiatlons 
for the State, he has displayed unsurpassed per- 
severance, industry and discretion against the 
most trying discouiagements and embarassments, 
and that he has not only faithfully improved 
every opportunity to advance the interests of 
his trust, but has signalized his term of service 
by measures wliicU will identify his name with 
the successful completion of the public works. 

Resolved, Thirefore, that in his voluntary re- 
tirement from the office which he hasso ably tilled, 
we hereby tender to him, in convention of the 
Democracy of the State, the endorsement, "Well 
done, good and faithful servant." 

The NMiigs made no nomination, but 
supported Samuel A. Ivice for the office of 
Attorney-General. Cloud was elected over 
Rice by 7,5(34. 

In 1854 the Democrats convened on the 
9lh of January, at Iowa City, placed the 
following ticket in the tield, and adopted a 
platform: Governor, Curtis Bates; Secre- 
tary of State, Geo. W. McCleary; Auditor 
of State, Joseph L. Sharp; Treasurer of 
State, Martin L. Morris; Attorney-General, 
David C. Cloud; Supt. of Public Instruc- 
tion, Jas. D. Eads. The following is the 
platform : 

Jiesolced, That we, the delegates of the various 
counties of Iowa, in State Democratic Conven- 
tion assembled, do hereby re affirm and pledge 
ourselves to the principles of the Baltimore Na- 
tional Convention of 18.'52, and that we hold and 
cons der them as constituting the true platform 
of the Democratic platform, and aa fundamental 
and essential with all true Democrats. 

Resalved, That we look upon ourselves as 
members of the real National Deniocratic party, 
a parly radically identical in all parts of the 
Union; and that we have no sectional views to 
gratify, no selfish designs to accomplish, but 
are wholly devoted to the Union, harmony and 
success of the cause; we therefore repudiate all 
disaffection on sectional or personal grounds, 
and denounce all bickering among ourselves 



and most earnestly recommend "union, har- 
mony, concession and compromise," as a nucleus 
for universal observance 

Resolved. That we have increased confidence 
in tlie talents, and in the integrity and patriotism 
of ErauUlin Pierce, that his admiuislmliou of 
the g.ivernmeut have been distinguished by 
wisdom, firmness and unwavering adherence to 
its sound Democratic principles; that he has 
fully redeemed the pledges given to the Ameri- 
can people, previous to his election. 

Resolved, That we regard tl.e right of instruc- 
tion ris the sheet anchor, the main pillar ol our 
freedom; and that wu are determined never to 
surrender it, but to the last stand by and defend 
it, convinced, as we thoroughly are, that it is 
only by frequent and rigid exercise of this in- 
valuable privilege that the Democratic character 
of this government can be preserved, and we 
believe the agent who disobeys to be unworthy 
the confidence of his constituents, and that he 
ought to resign his seat. 

Resolved, That the liberal principles embodied 
by Jefferson in the Declaration c f Independence, 
and sanctioned in the constitution, which makes 
ours the land of liberty and the asylum of the 
oppressed of every nation, have ever been cardi- 
nal principles in the Democratic faith, and 
every attempt to abridge the privilege of becom- 
ing citizens and the owners of soil among us, 
ought to be resisted with the same spirit which 
swept the alien and sedition laws from our 
statute books. 

Resolved, That in the recent develoj mcnt of 
the grand political truth of the sovereignty of 
the people, and their capacity and power of 
self-government, we feel that a high and sacred 
duty is devolved with increased responsibility 
upon the Democratic parly of this country as 
the party of the people, to sustain and advance 
among us constitutional "liberty, equality and 
fraternity," by continuing to resist all monopo- 
lies and exclusive legislation for the benefit of 
the few, at the expense of the many, and by 
vigilant and constant adherence to those prin- 
ciples and Compromises and strong to upheld 
the Union as it was, the Union as it is, and the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Union as it slwuld be, in the full expansion of 
the energies and capacity of this great anj pro- 
gressive people. 

Resolved, That we look upon the speedy or- 
ganization of Nebraska Terdtory as a highly 
important object, and that its northern boundary 
should coincide, or nearly so, with the latitude 
of the northern boundary of Iowa. 

Resolved, That we hereby pledge ourselves to 
abide the decision of this convention, and to 
use all honorable means to secure the election 
of the nominees. 

• Resolved, That the proceedings of this con- 
vention be published in all the Democratic 
papers iu the State, and copies be sent to the 
President, heads of depart meuts, and to our 
Representatives in Congress. 

The Whig8 met at Iowa City, February 
22, and nominated the following ticket: 
Governor, James W. Grimes; Secretary of 
State, Simeon Winters; Auditor of State, 
Andrew Jackson Stephens; Treasurer, 
Eliplialet Price; Attorney-General, James 
W. Sennett. The following is the jilal- 
f orm : 

Resolved, That an experience of seven years 
under our present constitution has demonstrated 
that that instrument is not suited to the politi- 
cal, the agricultural and commercial wants of 
the State or the Spirit of the age; that the wants 
of the people demand a constitution making 
liberal provisions for the promotion of works of 
internal improvement, and providing, also, for 
a well regulated system of banking, which will 
relieve the people of this State from the onerous 
and oppressive burden they now suffer in the 
shape of indirect taxation paid to the banks of 
others States, whose money is in circulation 
among us. 

Resolved, That, in common with the Whig 
party throughout the Union, we recognize the 
binding force and obligation of the act of Con- 
gress of 1820, known as the Missouri Conijjro- 
mise, and we view the same as a compact 
between the North and South, mutually binding 



and obligatory, and as a final settlement of the 
question of slavery within the geographical 
limits to which it applies. 

Resolved, That we most unqu.ilifiedly and 
emphatically disapprove of the etlorts now being 
made in Congress to legislate slavery into the 
free Territory of Nebraska, and we do most 
heartily recommend to our Senators and Repre- 
sentatives iu Congress to oppose by all honor- 
able means the passage of the Nebraska Bill, as 
reported by Senator Douglas, of Illinois; and 
that we cannot otherwise look upon the pretense 
by Mr. Douglas and his aiders and al)ettors, that 
"the 8th section of the Missouri Compromise is 
su])pressed by the acts of 1850," than as a propo- 
sition totally unreasonable and absurd on its 
face, conceived it bad faith and prompted by 
an ignoble ana most unworthy ambition for 
party and personal political preferment; and 
that we do, as citizens of the West and the free 
State of Iowa, most earnestly desire to see an 
immediate organization of Nebraska Territory, 
without any infringement of the solemn compact 
of 1820 commonly called the Missouri Compro- 
mise. 

Resolved, That, as Whigs and citizens of the 
great valley of the Mississippi, we are heartily 
in favor of that well regulated Whig policy of 
liberal appropriations by the geneial govern- 
ment, for works of internal improvement of a 
national character, and that we view all navi- 
gable waters in the country, whether rivers or 
inland seas, as eminently national in their char- 
acter, and recommend to our Senators and 
Representatives in Congress to endeavor, by all 
honorable means, to procure appropriations for 
such purposes, and especially for the removal of 
obstructions to navigation in the Mississippi 
river. 

Resolved, That we view the proposition of 
Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, to effect 
an improvemeiu by the levying of tonnage du- 
ties on the internal commerce of the country, as 
entirely inadequate to the accomplishment of 
such a purpose, and only calculated to impose 
heavy and unjust burdens on the people of the 
West, in the shape of indirect taxation, without 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



sociuiiig to tbem any of the proposed advan- 
tafrcs. 

ReHolfe'l. That we unreservedly and cordially 
approve of the course and conduct of the Hon. 
Jdlin P. Cook, our Representative in Congress 
from the Second Congressional District, and we 
hereby pledfie ourselves to sustain him in his 
able and independent course. 

WiiKUEAS, The object of our educational sys- 
tem was to place the means of a common school 
education within the reach of all; and 

Where.^s, Under its present management 
more than one third of the proceeds of the fund 
set apart to cherish an I maintain that sys- 
tem is annually absorbed by its constitutional 
guardians, subjecting it to a loss, in the year 
1851, of 110,751.40 to pay the salaries and ex- 
penses of the Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion and Commissioners of the School Fund, and 
leaving only the sum of $20,600.11 to be dis- 
tributed among the public schools; and 

WnEUEAS, The duties of said officers may all 
be discharged by other State and county officers, 
without anyor«*ith but a trifling expense to said 
fund; therefore, 

Resoloed, That sound policy and enlightened 
philanthro|iy demand such legislation and 
amendmelit to our constitution as will preserve 
this fund inviolate to the purposes origii'ally 
intended as an inheritance, to our children and 
their posterity. 

Resolced, That we are in favor of a donation, 
by Congress, of public lands, in limited qu^ioti- 
ties, to actual settlers. 

Resoloed, That we believe the people of this 
State are prepared for, and their interests re- 
quire, the passage of a law prohibiting the man- 
ufacture and sale of ardent spirits within the 
State as a beverage. 

The official vote on Governor was as fol- 
lows: 

.1 ancs W . Grimes, Whig 23.0'25 1,823 

Curtis Bates, Pem 21,202 

The election of 1855 was for minor offi- 
cers. The Democrats met in convention, 



Jai:uary 24, at the Capitol, and nominated 
the following ticket: Commissioner Des 
Moines River Irapiovement, O. D. Tisdale; 
Register DesMoines River Improvement, 
Wm. Dewey; Register Land Office, Stark 
H. Samuels. The following is the plat- 
form adopted: 

Whereas, It is in accordance with the Dem- 
ocratic party, to declare, from time to time, its 
views upon the various political principles that 
occupy the attention of the country; therefore, 

Resolved, That there has been a period in thfl 
history of our country, when we could with 
more confidence proclaim to the world our entire 
adherence to and ajjpioval of the old landmarks 
of the Democratic party. 

2. That the temporary success of our foes 
being a result of an abandonment of principles 
on their part, and of the aggression of discordant 
elements, brought together for mercenary ends, 
affords no grounds for alarm; but confident of 
the correctness of our principles, and of the in- 
tegrity of the masses, we appeal to the sober, 
second thought of the peo.ile with no fears as to 
the verdict they may render. 

8. That we declare our firm determination to 
sustain the principles recognized as correct, in 
reference to slaverj' agitation, to support the 
constitution faithfully, to carry out its provis- 
ions, and dii^countciiance all incendiary move- 
ments that tend to the overthrow of our govern- 
ment, from whatever source they may originate. 

4. That the efforts being made to colonize 
free negroes in their native land, is a measure 
that commends itself to every philanthropist as 
being the only favorable plan for the ultimate 
accomplishment of the first wish of every friend 
of freedom. 

6. That we endorse, to the fullest extent, the 
compromise measure of 1850, believing those 
measures to be conslilutional, just, and proper. 

6. That in changing his domicile from one 
portion of a republican ;:overnment to another, 
man does not divest himself of his political, 
moral or natural rights, nor can he be deprived 



V 



HISTORY OF IOWA, 



of Ihcm (ithcrwise than as he has consented to 
constitutionally. 

7. That the liberal principles embodied by 
Jeft'erson, in the Declaration of Independence, 
■ and sanctioned in the constiiution, which makes 
ours the land ol liberty and the asylum of the op- 
pressed of every ualiun, have ever been cardinal 
principles in ihe Democratic faith, and every at- 
tempt to abridge ihe right of becoming citizens 
and the owners of soil among us ought to be re- 
sisted wilh the same spirit that swept the alien 
and sedition laws from the statute books. 

b. That we adhere to the doctrine of an un- 
restrained religious liberty, as established by the 
constiiution of ihe United Slates, and sustained 
by all Democratic administrations. 

The Whigs held their last State conven- 
tion at Iowa City, January 25, 1855, and, 
without resolutions, made the following 
nominations: Commissioner on DesMoines 
Eiver Improvement, Wm. McKay; Regis- 
ter DesMoines River Improvemeut, J. C. 
Lock wood; Register Land Office, Anson 
Har.. 

The official vote for Commissioners was 
as follows: 

William McKay, Whig 24,743—4,737 

O. D. Tisdale, Dem 20,006 

A vote was taken this year on the pro- 
hibition liquor law, with the following re- 
sult: 

For the law 25,55.5—2,910 

Against the law 22,645 

While the Whig party in. this State ap- 
parently was in a well organized condition, 
throughout the Union it was undergoing a 
process of disintegration. In the South 
it was being absorbed by the American or 
Know Nothing party, and in the North by 
the newly organized Republican party, 
born out of the issues growing out of the 
slavery question. Representatives of the 
Republican party met in convention at 



Iowa City, February 2-2, 1856, and selected 
the following ticket: Secretary of State, 
Elijah Sells; Auditor, John Patten; Treas- 
urer, M. L. Morris; Attorney General, S. 
A. Rice. The following platform was 
adopted at the same time and place. 

United in a common resolveto maintain right 
against wrong, and believing in the determina- 
tion of a virtuous and intelligent people to sus- 
tain justice, we declare — 

1. That governments are instituted among 
men to secure the inalienable rights of life, 
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

3. That the mission of the Republican party 
is to maintain the liberty of the press, the sov- 
ereignty of the State, and the perpetuity of the 
Union. 

3. That under the constitution, and by right, 
freedom is alone national. 

4. That the federal irovernment, being one of 
limited powers, derived wholly from the consti- 
tution, its agents should coustiue these powers 
strictly, and never exercise a doubtful authority 
— always inexpedient and dangerous. 

5. If the plan is Jeffersonian, and the early 
policy of the government is carried out, the fed- 
eral government would relieve itself of all re- 
sponsibility for the existence of slavery, which 
Republicanism insists it should and means it 
shall do, and that regarding slavery in the State 
as a local institution, beyond eur reach and above 
our authority, but recognizing it as of vital con- 
cern to every citizen in its relation to the nation, 
we well oppose its .«pread, and demand that all 
national territory shall be free. 

6. That the repeal of the Missouri Compro- 
mise, and the refusal of the slave power to abide 
by the principles on which that repeal was pro- 
fessedly based, make the national domain the 
battle ground between freedom and slivery; and 
while Repubiicans stand on a national basis, and 
will ever manifest and maintain a national spirit 
they will shrink from no conflict and shirk no 
responsibility on this issue. 

7. That the slave power, the present national 
administration and its adherents, having violated 



>^« 



I s 

r 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



this policy, and the pnncii)les on -n-liicb it is 
based, by a disHegard of the law and its own 
profession, by enjroachments upon the State 
and personal rights, and by breaking solemn 
covenants of the country, make the iss;ie 
whether freedom shall be limited to the tree 
States, or slavery to the slave States, and make 
that issue absorbing and paramount. 

Resoloed, That the firm, consistent, and 
l)atriotic course pursued by the Republican 
numbers of the present Congress, during the 
arduous protracted struggle for the speakership, 
meets with our cordial approval, aud we recog- 
nize ill Hon. N. P. B:aikc a statesman of mature 
abililies, a Republican of reliable character; and 
we hail his elecli<m as a proud triumph of those 
great principles of human liberty upon which 
the American government was founded. 

The Democratic convention met at Iowa 
City, June 2C, 18.56, and adopted a plat- 
form and made the following nominations: 
Secretary of State, Geo. Snyder; Auditor, 
Jas. Pollard; Treasurer, George Paul; At- 
torney-General, James Baker. The follow- 
ing is the platform: 

Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa receive 
with joy, and ratify with confidence, the nom- 
inations of James Buchanan aud John Q. Breck- 
eundire. 

2. That the platform of Democratic principles 
laid down by the CTucinnati convention meets 
our hearty concurrence, and that it is such a one 
as is worthy of the only National party in exist- 
ence. 

On motion of Col. Martin, of Scott, the 
following resolution was unanimously 
adopted: 

Rcwleed, That freedom and equal rights are 
the basis of Democracy, and that no measure or 
princii>!e not embracing or recognizing these is 
liny part or parcel of the Democratic creed; that 
Democracy is equnlity against privilege, freedom 
against aristocracy , liberty against licentinus- 
ness. strict construction against latitudinarian 
interpretations of the constitution, Inw and order 



against anarchy and violence, and the peace, har- 
nionj', prosperitj' and perpetuity of our glorious 
Uniou to the end of time. 

The entire Republican ticket was elected. 
Sells, for Secretary of State, received 40,- 
687 votes and Snyder 32,920. 

There were three elections in 1857 — the 
first in April, for Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, Register of Land Otlice and 
De>Moines River Commissioner; the sec 
ond in August, for the purpose of a vote 
on the new constitution; the third in Octo- 
ber, for Governor and Lieutenant Gov- 
ernor. The Democrats nominated the 
following ticket: Superintendent Public 
Instruction, Maturin L. Fisher; Register, 
Theodore S. Parvin; DesMoines River 
Commissioner, Gideon Bailey; Governor, 
Benj. M. Samuels; Lieutenant-Governor, 
Geo. Gillaspie. 

The Republicans nominated the follow- 
ing ticket: Superintendent Public In- 
struction, L. A. Bugbee; Register, W. H. 
Holmes; DesMoines River Commissioner, 
H.F. Manning; Governor, Ralph P.Lowe; 
Lieutenant-Governor, Orau Faville. 

The following Republican platform was 
adopted: 

United in a common resolve to maintain right 
against wrong, and believing in the determina- 
tion of a virtuous and intelligent people to sus- 
tain justice, we declare: 

1. That governments are instituted among 
men to secure the inalienable rights of life, lib- 
erty and tte pursuit of happiness. 

i. That the mission of the Republican party 
is to maintain the liberties of the people, the 
sovereignty of the States and the perpetuity of 
the Union. 

3 That under the constitution, and by right, 
freedom alone is national. 

4. Tliat the Federal Government being one 
of limited powers, derived wholly from the con- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 






stitulion, ils agent- sliould construe tbose powers 
strictly, and uever exercise a doubtful autburity, 
uhvays inexp(^dient and dangerous. 

5. Tbat if this Jeffersonism and early policy 
were cairied out, the Federal Government would 
relieve itself of all respousibiiily for the exist- 
ence of slavery, which Republicanism insists it 
should, and means it shall do, and that regard- 
ing slavery in the States as a local institution, 
beyond our reach, and above our authority, but 
recognizing it as of vital concern to the nation, we 
still oppose its spread, and demand that all 
national territory nhuU be free. 

6. That the repeal of the Missouri compro- 
mise, and the refusal of the slave [.ower to abide 
by the principle on which that repeal was pro- 
fessedly based, made the national domain the 
battle ground between freedom and slavery, and 
while Republicans stand on a national basis, and 
maintain a national spirit, they will shirk no 
responsibility on this issue. 

7. That the slave power — the present national 
administration and its adherents having violated 
this policy, and the principles on which it is 
based, by a disregard of law and its own pro- 
fessions, by an inv..sion of the State and per- 
sonal rights, and by breaking solemn covenants, 
has forced upon the country the issue whether 
freedom shall be limited to the free States or 
slavery to the slave States, and makes that issue 
absorbing and paramount. 

Resolved, That the recent opinicm of the Su- 
preme Court of the United States, in the Dred 
Scott case, is the most alarming of those bold 
innovations upon the rights of the free States 
which have marked the administration of the 
government for years past, as sectional and 
disloyal to the spirit of our free institutions. 
We regard it as virtually revolutionizing the 
judicial action of the government, if tolerated; 
by giving to s'avery a national instead of a local 
character; opening free States and free Terri- 
tories for its diffusion; reducing to the condi- 
tion of chattels those who are recognized by the 
constitution as men, belying the sentiments of 
the Declaration of Independence, and casting 
reproach upon the action of those who, amid 



toil and peril, laid deep the formation of the 
Union. 

2 That the National Administration has 
brought disgrace upon the country by so long 
tolerating the demoralizing and heaven-defying 
practices of Brigham Young and his followers 
in Utah. The ei ibarrassment experienced by 
the present administration in reaching :.nd cor- 
recting the evil, is mainly attributed to the doc- 
trine embodied in the Kansas Ncbr.iska Bill, 
and the retention of the U. S. soldiery in Kansas 
to overawe unoflVnding men, instead of sending 
them to Utah, where the authority of the gen- 
eral government is bn.zenly detied, is humili- 
ating evidence of perversion of the powers of 
the national government. 

3. That we invite the affiliation and co-opera- 
lion of Ireemen of all parties, however difEering 
from us in other respects, in support of the 
principles herein declared, and believing that 
the S|iirit oi our institutions as well as the con- 
stitution of our country, guarantee liberty of 
conscience and equality of rights among citi- 
zens, we oppose all legislation impairing their 
security. 

4. That we congratulate the people of Iowa 
upon the new constitution, for many reasons, 
but most of all in view of the fact that it enables 
them to provide for themselves a sound currcuc}', 
and places the annual election in October instead 
of August, thus consulting the convenience of 
an agricultural population. . 

5. That it is a deliberate conviction of this 
convention, that the next Legislature should 
provide a system of banking that will secure to 
the State a circulating medium, redeemable at all 
times, within its limits, in gold and silver; and 
we will support for State officers and the Legis- 
lature such, and such only, as are avowedly 
qualified favorable to this result. 

6. That the administration of Governor 
Grimes deserves and receives our warmest en- 
dorsement, and that the thanks of all who love 
the character and prosperity of the State, are 
due to him, as well as to the Legislature, for 
their eflbrts to bring to justice a dishonorable 
public servant, defeat speculation, and prevent 



156 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



the squunileiing of llic fund consfcr.ited to the 
educiition of the children of the State. 

7. That in the nominees for Governor and 
Lieutanant-Governor we recognize men capable 
and honest, and every way worthy the support 
of the liejublican parly of this Slate. 

Tlie Democrats adopted the following 
platform : 

As to national policy — 

1. That we have undiminished confidence in 
the present admini-trution. That the policy 
ado|iled is eminently wise and proper, and 
should Command the support and approval of 
every rational u.an. 

2 That the opposition to President Buchanan 
is now composed of the fire eaters of ihe South 
and the Black Republicans of the North, who 
are vieingwith each other in abusing the aamin- 
istn'lion and Democratic party. We tlierefore 
place lliem in the same category, and brand 
them as a united opposiiion, and will treat 
them alike as faclionists, disunionists and ene- 
mies of the Democracy and the country. 

3. Tliit we will maintain and preserve the 
Constitution of the United States, with all its 
checks and balances, and that treaties made 
by the President and Senate, laws passed by 
Congn-ss under the Constitution, and decisions 
made by the Supreme Court of the United 
States, are equally binding on the people, and 
must be maintained in order to preserve the 
country from anarchy, and that it is the duty of 
eveiy citizen to sustain these departments of 
government agaiust the assaults of bigots, fanat- 
ics and traitors. 

As to State policy — 

1. That we will preserve and maintain the 
insiitutions of this State in a jnst lelation and 
hajmony toward the general goverr.ment, and 
we repudiate and condemn any effort that ha> 
bien made, or may be made, which asserts the 
right or remotely lends to bring our State into 
collision orcouflict with the general government. 

3. That the conflict of ihe Black Republican 
party, acting through their Representatives in 
passing a law authorizing the Kegroes and In- 



dians to become witnesses against the citizens 
of this State, was an unjustifiable innovation 
upon the laws of the State, passed without ne- 
cessity, and the first step towards a system to 
equalize the black and white races. 

3. The late Constitutional Convention, com- 
posed of a large majority of Black Ripublicau 
members, openly advocated the equality of the 
black and while people, and unanimously lecom 
mended, through an appendage to the constitu- 
tion, that the word "white" be stricken from 
that insliumert; we, therefore, feel free to 
charge upon that parly the design and purpose 
of abolitionizing Ihe people of this State, and 
I lacing the negro upon an equality with the 
while man. 

4. That the National Democracy of Iowa re- 
gard the new constitution just adopted by the 
people, in many of its features, as essentially 
anti-Democratic, unjust, and containing prin- 
ciples that tend to subvert the distinction be- 
tween the black and white races; and looking to 
equality between them. 

We, therefore, now proclaim open and undis- 
guised hostility to each and every action and 
part of said instrument which contains these ob- 
no.xious provisions, and wc here raise the stand- 
ard of opposition and refoim, and call upon 
every true patriot in the Slate to carry these 
questions to the ballot-box, and to elect ofiicers 
for government of the Slate who will take every 
honorable measure to reform acd amend said 
constitution. 

o. That the laws of the last Legislature ap- 
portioning the State into Kepiesentative districts 
and the adoption of that law by the lale Black 
Republican Constitutional Convention, by which 
the majority of the members of the General 
Assembly are given to a minority of the people, 
and many thousands of our citizens are virtually 
disfranchised, was a tyrannical and llagitious 
outrage, — a violation of every principle of a 
Republican Government, — and demands the 
seveiest rebuke from the people; that we lucog- 
nize in these proceedings a manifest conspiracy 
against the rights of the majority, and a wanton 
violation of ihe principles of our Republican 
form of Government. 



lilSTOUY OF IOWA. 



6. That the refusal of thu late Constitutional 

Convention to allow the constitution to become 

the su|>reiue law of the land, when sanctioned 

and adopted by a majority of the people, and 

postponing the taking effect of portions . f the 

same for more than two years after its adoption, 

which was avowedly done to withhold political 

power from I he people, and retain it in the hands 

of already condemned oflicers, is an insult and 

an outrage upon the people, and deserving our 

condemnation. 
• 

7. That the Democracy of the State of Iowa 
take this method of expressing their gratitude 
and confidence iu the Hon George W. Jones, 
our Democratic Senator, and the Hon. A. Hall, 
late Democratic Representative, for their faith- 
ful adherence to Democratic principles, and 
their untiring vigilance for the welfare of our 
young and proiuising State. 

Fisher was elected Superintendent over 
Buzbee by 505 m gorily; Manning over 
Baily, for t'omniissioner, by 315; Lowe 
over Samuels, tor Governor, by 2,149. 

The cam|)aign of 1858 was opened by 
the Republicans, meeting in convention at 
Iowa City, June 17, and adopting the fol- 
lowing platform: 

WnERE.vs, We, the representatives of the 
Republicans of Iowa, being again permuted to 
assemble in State Convention, deem this a fitting 
occasion to briefly express our views of national 
and State policy, and to afflrui our adhesinn to 
the principles of constitutional liberty, for 
which we have been long and earnestly con- 
tending. We believe this Republic specially 
ordained by the blood and treasure of our fore- 
fathers for the free homes of the mechanic, the 
operative and the farmer, and we, their f'esccnd- 
ents, are determined it shall be preserved and 
administered for our common welfare; and that 
the great problem of the ability of the people to 
govern themselves shall be clearly solved in the 
onward progress and prosperity of our Republi- 
can constitution; manifesting to the nations of 
this earth that :he free spirit of tliis nation is 
uuconquered and unconquerable; therefore, 



Resolved, That the principles laid down in the 
Philadelphia platform, adopted on June 17, 1850, 
are founded upon the Constitution of the United 
States, are consonant with the teachings of 
Christianity, and are most heartily endorsed by 
the convention. 

3. That in the contest now waging between 
freedom and slavery, our sympathies are wholly 
and strongly with the former»-lhat we have no 
truce to ofi'er, no mercy to ask, that with us the 
watchword is victory or death. 

3. That the effort made to extend the area of 
slave territory on this continent, by the Demo- 
cratic party, is contrary to the spirit of the age 
and the genius of our institutions. 

4. That by the passage of the English swindle 
for the admission of Kansas into the Union 
under the infamous Lecompton Constitution, 
whereby an unjust discrimination is made in 
favor of slave and against free States in the 
amount of population required to form a State 
government, the so-called national Democracy 
have proven devotion to slavery extension, thi ir 
opposition to the interests of free labor, and 
their total disregard of the popular will. 

5. That the new doctrine of the so-called 
Democratic party originated by Chief Justice 
Taney, in the Dred Scott decision, and carry 
slavery into our national territory, has no foun- 
dation in the Federal Constitution, is at war 
with the verities of our history, civil and judi- 
cial, and this is calculated to tolerate the en- 
slaving of our race in all the States. 

6. That we view with satisfaction the course 
of those who, without respect to party feeling, 
and uninfluc need by the threats and in scorn of 
the bribes and corrupting influences of the 
Duchaiian administiation, boldly, and as free- 
men tigblin^' for freemen's rights, opposed with 
all Ihi ir might the passage of the Lecompton 
Constitulion and the English swindle throusih 
Congress, and we trust that among the people 
tliere will continue the san;e strong opposition 
to the encroachments of the slave pnwer, whiih 
they have so gallantly manifested befoie the 
uathin. 



^s 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



7. Tb:it we louk forward bo; efully to Ibut 
good time, not far distant, when it shall be 
deemed k'sitima'e, proper and constitutional 
for this government to extend its protecting care 
over free !al)or, the commerce and industrial 
inltrcsts of all the country, instead of bending 
ils whole energies and treasure for the aggrand- 
izement of a slavebolding aristocracy in one 
section of the Union. 

8. That the corruption which stalks abroad 
at noonday, pi rvading every department of the 
National Government, the gross and shameless 
use of Presidential imwer and patronage to in- 
fluence the action of Congress, the astounding 
increase in national expenditures in a time of 
peace and universal financial embarrassment 
(involving, as it does, a debt of forty-five mil- 
lions of dollars, and an expenditure of nearly 
one hundred millions of dollars during a single 
financial year), briuLing upon the government 
the burning disgrace of bankiuptcy and threat- 
ening the onerous burthens of direct taxation, 
demand a solemn, earnest protest from us in 
behalf of the people of Iowa. 

9. That the mismanagement and reckless 
squandering of the school fund of the State by 
the late Seperintendent of Public luotruclion, 
and the manner in which this sacred fund has 
been dealt with in many counties in the Siate, 
as developed b)' the investigation already insti- 
tuted, under a Republican State administration, 
demonstrates the wisdom of that thorough ac- 
countability and scrutiny provided for by the 
State Legislature. 

10. That we, as Republicans, pledge our- 
selves to use all honorable eflforts to promote 
the administration of the State and general 
government with strict economy and a just 
regard to the growing interests of our State and 
Union. 

11. That our State should have that consider- 
ation from the general government to which her 
resources, power and future prospects entitle 
her, and that we will demand from the general 
government five per cent, of the i)roceeds of 
those lands hitherto entered with land warrants 
within the State; the improvement of the navi- 
gation of our great inland seas, and such addi- 



tional grants of lands to aid the building of 
railroads through unoccupied portions of Iowa 
as will upbuild the population and wealth of our 
State and the general welfare of our cummon 
country. 

12. That the members of this convention 
heartily eudv^rse the candidates nominated to- 
day for the vaiious (fficcs, and promise thtir 
united and zealous support in the ensuing cam- 
paign, and, if their labors can achieve it, a 
triumphant election. 

13. That the entire Republican delegation in 
Congress are entitled to the gratitude of the 
nation for their able and zealous advocacy of 
true Republican principles; and that our imme- 
diate Representatives, Messrs. Harlan, Curtis 
and Davis, have the unqualified approbation of 
their constituents for the talented and efficient 
manner in which they have represented the 
State of Iowa, and especially for the earnest lud 
uncom))i()mising opposition waged by them 
against the Lecompton English Bill bribe and 
other tyrannical abuses of the present adminis- 
tration. 

The following ticket was then nomi- 
nated: Secretary of State, Elijah Sells; 
Auditor of State, J. W. Caitell; State 
Treasurer, John W. Jones; Attorney-Gen- 
eral, S. A. Rice; Register of State Land 
Office, A. B. Miller; Com. of DesMoines 
River Improvi inent, Wm. C. Drake. 

The Democrats met June 2.3 at Des 
Moines, nominated the following ticket 
and adopted a platform: Secretary of 
State, Samuel Douglas; Auditor of State, 
Theodore S. Parvin; Treasurer of State, 
Samuel H. Lorah; Attorney-General, Jas. 
S. Elwood; Commis.sioner DesMoines 
River Improvement, Charles Baldwin; 
Register of Land Office, James M. Reid. 
The following is the platform: 

The Democrats of Iowa, through representa- 
tives in State Convention assembled, proclaim 
their unalterable devotion and adhesion to the 
principles embodied in the resolutions following: 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



159 



Jiesolced, That we adopt, abide by, and will 
cherish and defend t).e platform of principles 
promulgated by the representatives of the De- 
mocracy of the nation, when assembled in 
national convention, at Cincinnnti, in June, 
18.JG, believing, as we do, that the platform 
there laid down is bro.id and strong enough to 
uphold and sustain every tnie patriot, and with 
such only do we desire comp mionship. 

2. That all attempts to engender sectional 
prejudice and animosities are pregnant with 
mischief, tend to hinder the progress and devel- 
opment of our country, and must, if persisted 
in, lead to the dismc mberment of the union of 
the States and the destruction of the only free 
government of the world. 

3. That the rights of the people should be 
maintained alike against the encroachment of 
federal power, the Z' al of blind partisanitm and 
wiles of unscrupu ous and demagogue politi- 
cians, and that ihe office of the Democratic 
parly is to see these cardinal principals main- 
tained in their pariy. ""^ 

4. That the a;:ilation of the slavery question 
tends to weaken the bonds of our union by de- 
stroying toat Confidence vvhicli should exist 
between the difl'erent States, and begetting sec 
tional animosiiies, and that it is the duty of all 
true patriots to frown upon such attempts, and 
secure, by all honorable means, the discredit 
alike of the extremists of the South and Nurth. 

5. That the decision of the judicial tribunals 
of the State and Kecieral Government should be 
itspicied, must be submitted to, obeyed and 
carried into efl'ect; and that any attempt to set 
them at defiance is a step toward anarchy and 
confusion, tends to impair respect for the gov- 
ernment, and merits the unmeasured cnnden.na- 
tion of all law-abiding and peaceably disposed 
citizens. 

6. That the outrages recently committed on 
our shipping by ollicers of the British Govern- 
ment demands an immediate and unequivocal 
denial and auulogy; that now is an appropriate 
tinit to settle finally the question 'of the rights 
to visit and seiiich vessi-ls D the seas, and in the 
event an -ajxilogy is refused, the arrogmt pre- 



tensions of European powers should try the 
"last resort" of nations, the cannon's mouth, 
and the world taught the lesson that our flag 
cannot be degraded, nor our nation insulted 
with impunity. 

7. That the administration of State affairs in 
low a for the last four years, under Republican 
rule, is of a character to warrant the most rigid 
investigation by the people, and that the expo- 
sure thus far of their speculations, fraud and 
extravagmce calls for the denunciation of all 
honest men 

8. That an empty treasury, extravagant ex- 
penditures, and the stifling of 'uvesligation into 
corruiilion, by Republican ofBcials of Iowa, 
should be sufficient to arouse t-ix-payers to the 
enormous outrages perpetrated upon the people's 
treasury, and absolutely deiuand a change in 
the administration, that the guilty may be 
brought to punishment, and our State preserved 
from utter bankruptcy. 

9. That the Democracy of Iowa pledge to the 
l)e(>ple their earnest, persistent and uuilterable 
purpose to reform the State government, and to 
bring to condign punishment whoever may be 
found guilty of criminal default in any of its 
departments. 

The Republicans carried the State by an 
average majority of 3,000. 

The Republicans were again first in the 
field for the State campaign of 1859. 
They met in convention, June 22, at Des 
Moines, and nominated the following 
ticket: Governor, S. J. Kirkwood; Lieu- 
tenant-Governor, Nicholas J. Rusch; Su- 
preme Judges, Ralph P. Lowe, L. J. 
Stockton, Caleb Baldwin. The platform 
adopted was as follows: 

Possessing an abiding confidence in the intel- 
ligence and patriotism of the American people, 
an unwavering faith in their devotion to the 
eternal principles of liberty, as they came from 
the hand and heart of the fathers of the Repub- 
lic, and invoking the blessing of heaven upon 
our eS'.irls to maintain them in their purity, we 



160 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



commcud Ihem most cordially to tlii; sympathy 
and support of the Republicans of Iowa and of 
the Nation. 

Resolved, That we entertain an abiding confi- 
dence in the cardinal doctrines contained in the 
Republican National platform uf 1856, and re- 
affijming the same, we commend them anew to 
the discriminating consideration of the people. 

2. That the sum of nearly one hundred mil- 
lion dollars, supposed to be necessary to sujiport 
the government under rule of the Africanized 
Democracy, is incompatible with just ideas of a 
simple, economical Republican government, and 
the issue of National shinplasters to meet such 
demand shows the hopeless financial degreda- 
tion of the present administration. 

3. That we condemn the principles advocated 
by the Democratic party — no prohibition of 
slavery in the Terriiories— and pioclaim as our 
principles, no interferencs with liberty by the 
President, by Congress or by the federal court. 

4. We claim for citizens, native and natural- 
ized, liberty and conscience, equality of rights 
and the free exercise of the right of suffrage. 
We favor whatever legislation and administra- 
tive reform that may be necessary to protect 
these rights, and guard against their infiiuge- 
raent or abuse, and opp se any abridgment 
whatever of the rights of naturalization now 
secured to emigrants, and all discrimination 
between naturalized citizens whatever, by the 
amendment of the State constitution or other- 
wise. And we cordially approve of the action 
taken bj' the Republican Slate Central Commit- 
tee in regard to the amendment proposed by the 
Massachusetts Legislature to its constitution. 

5. That the Republican party will forever 
oppose the demand of the touthern Democracy 
for the enactment of a slave code for the Terri- 
tories. 

6. That we look with horror upon the revival 
of the slave trade, and view with alarm the 
apathy and abortive attempts of administration 
and judiciary in arresting and bringing to trial 
and justice those who have recently been guilty 
of ojien infractions of those laws of our country 
which declare it piracy, and in sending such as 



have been arrested to places of trial where in- 
dictment was doubtful and acquiital certain; 
and while we will oppose, by every just means, 
the repeal of those laws, we will also insist upon 
their being hereafter faithfully executed and 
enforced, even though it involve the exercise of 
the full power of the federal government. 

7. That we arc in favor of granting to actual 
settlers suitable portions of the public lands free 
of charge; and we do most unqualifiedly con- 
demn the course of the present slavery Democ- 
racy in Congress, in opposing and defeating, in 
the United States Senate, the Homestead bill, 
which was designed to secure free homes for 
free people, whether of native or of foreign 
birth. 

8. That the rights of citizens are equal, and 
they are equally entitled to protection at home 
and abroad, without regard to nativity or dura- 
tion of domicile; and that the late refusal by 
the federal government, as e.\pressed in the late 
official communication of Lewis Cass, Secretary 
of State, to guarantee against arrest and de'eu- 
tion, abroad, of naturalized citizens, on the 
ground of their allegiance to foreign power, is a 
cowardly abandonment of the true and noble 
position liitherio occupied by our government. 

9. That we re-assert, as cardinal principles of 
Republii anism, the m dntenance of a strict 
economy in public expenditures, and the prompt 
and faithful discharge by public ollicers of their 
public duties; and we congratulate the people 
of Iowa that the present State officers are honest 
and enjoy their confidence in the execution of 
their official duties. 

10. That while our State tax has been largely 
reduced, being less in 185S than the preceding 
year, and less the present year than in 1858, the 
increasing county taxation is becoming so bur- 
dt-nsome as to call imperatively for reform in 
the system of county administration. 

Tbe Democrats met at DesMoines, June 
23, adopted a platform, aud placed tbe fol- 
lowing ticket in the field: Governor, A. C. 
Dodge; Lieutenant-Governor, L. W. Bar- 
bitt; Supreme Judges, Charles Mason, T. 



^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



161 



S. Wilson, C.C. Cole. The following is 
the platform; as to National policy: 

Whereas, In view of the double relation in 
wh ch we stand toward ibe federal government 
on the one hand, and our own State on tbe other, 
we deem it expedient and proper, before enter- 
ing upon a contest wbich may, in no small de- 
gree, influence the character and destinies of 
both eovernments, to adopt and promulgate the 
following declaration of piinciples for the gov- 
ernment of our conduct: 

ResoUed. That wc affirm the principles of the 
national Democratic platform of 1856, and re- 
assert the doctrines of non-intervention therein 
contained, as the ground upon wbich a national 
party can be maintained in these confederate 
States. 

2. That the organized Territories of the 
United States are only held in their Territorial 
Condition until they attain a sufficient number 
of inhabitants to authorize their admission into 
the Union as States, and are justly entitled to 
self-government and the undisturbed regulation 
of their own domestic or local affairs, subject 
only to the constitution of the United States. 
' 3 That, inasmuch as the legislative power of 
the Territories extends undeniably to all right- 
ful subjects of legislation, no power can prevent 
them from passing such laws upon the subject 
of slavery as to them may seem proper, and 
whether such laws, when passed, be constitu- 
tional or not, can be finally determined, nit by 
Congress, but by the Supreme Court on appeal, 
from the decisions of the Territorial courts. 

4. That tlie Supreme Court of the United 
States, being under the constitution, and an 
independent co-ordinate branch of the govern- 
ment, with a tenure of office which cannot be 
changed by the action of parties, through the 
instrumentality of Congress, we hold the Democ- 
racy entirely irresponsible for its doctrines, and 
in no case conclusively bound by the same, 
except so far as to inculcate obedience to its 
decisions while they continue in force. 

5. That without courts of justice, both State 
and national, respected by the people, and sus- 
tained in their proper functions by popular sen- 



timent, anarchy and violence become inevitable, 
and all rights of both person and property be- 
come insecure and worthless. 

6. That the action of the public authorities 
in some of the States, in attempting to set at 
defiance by State authority, decisions of the 
Supinme Court and acts of Congress passed in 
accordance with the constitution, is the very 
essence of nullitication. 

7. That a tariff for revenue alone is the true 
policy of this country, but an incidental protec- 
tion is one of its legitimate consequences. The 
amount of duties levied should be limited to the 
necessary wants of the government, and they 
should be so apportioned as to fall as lightly as 
possible upon the people, by whom they are 
eventually to be paid. 

8. That it is a doctrine of the Democratic 
party that all naturalized citizens are entitled to 
the same protection, both at home and abroad, 
that is extended to the native-born citizens, and 
that even a voluntary return of such citizens to ' 
the land of their birth, for a temporary purpose, 
does not place them beyond the range of that 
protection, but that our government is bound to 
shield them from injury and insult while there, 
at every hazard. 

9. That the expansion of our national domain 
is desirable whenever it shall be necessary for 
the safety, happiness and prosperity of the Re- 
public, and we will hail with pleasure the acqui- 
sition of the island of Cuba, whenever it can be 
effected with justice and in accordance with the 
wishes of the people thereof , and as a nation we 
can never assent to its appropriation by any of 
the powers of Europe, and will iucui all the 
hazards Of war to avert such a result. 

10. That the building of a railroad connecting 
our Atlantic and Pacific coasts, by grants of the 
public lauds along the line thereof, or by any 
other constitutional means, will meet with the 
hearty approval of the Democracy of Iowa. 

11. That we are in favor of granting a home- 
stead of 160 acres of land by Congress to actual 
settlers, subject only to such restrictions as will 
exclude speculators from the benefits of such 
acts. 



HISTORY OP IOWA. 



13. That we are in favor of an economical 
administialiou of the federal government, and 
will lend our best efforts to those who advocate 
reform and retrenchment in our national expen- 
ditures. 

13. That we are unconditionally opposed to 
the re opening of the African slave trade; that 
its revival would not only renew those cruelties 
which once provoked the indignation of the civ- 
ilized world, but would entail a foul blot ou our 
country's fair escutcheon. 

14. That we cordially tender to the Democ- 
racy of the Union an invitation to unite with us 
in maintaining our organization on principles 
indicated in the foregoing resolutions, and that 
we earnestly appeal to them to drop past differ- 
ences, and assemble again as a band of brothers 
under the panoply of the constitution and Union. 

As to State policy — 

Resolved, That the burdens of taxation have 
increased and are increasing under the present 
administration of State affairs, and that a com- 
plete and thorough reform of existing abuses 
and expenditures is demanded by the highest 
interests of the people. 

2. That the Democracy cordially and sincerely 
invite emigrants to settle in the State, promising 
them all the protection and right they have en- 
joyed under the laws of Congress since the days 
of Jefferson; and that we earnestly deplore the 
acts of the Republican party in Massachusetts, 
and their attempts in New York, Connecticut 
and New Jersey, to confer upon the uncouth, 
semi-barbarian neero from the South the right 
of sufl'rage and office in one year, and requiring 
for the same purpose of the naturalized citizens 
a residence of two years after naturalization, 
equivalent to an extension of the period for nat- 
uralization to seven years, thus degrading the 
foreign white man below the negro and mulatto. 

3. That we are opposed to the policy inaugu- 
rated in this State by the Republican jiarty, by 
which the immigration to this State of the Afri- 
can race is encouraged and promoted, thus 
bringing cheap negro labor into direct competi- 
tion with the labor of the white man, and tilling 
our State with a class of population that can 



never become citizens thereof; and we are in 
favor of a chiinge which shall discourage and 
prevent the settlement of that race among us. 

4 That, since the border States of Ohio, In- 
diana and Illinois exclude the free negroes of 
the South from their limits by stringent laws, 
Iowa will become the great receptacle of the 
worthless population of the slave-holding States, 
to the exclusion of an equal number of free 
white laboiers, if the present Republican policy 
be persisted in. 

5. That such a policy leads necessaiily to the 
intermixing of black and white children in the 
common schools, or the necessity of dividing 
the common school fund to maintain separate 
and independent schools in every locality where 
free negroes reside. 

6. That the Democracy demand a total repeal 
of the provisions of our State constitution, and 
the law made in pursuance thereof, requiring 
negro children to be admitted into our common 
schools, or separate schools, to be supported out 
of the common school fund for their education. 

7. That the Maine liquor law is inconsistent 
with the spirit of a free people, and unjust and 
burdensome in its operations; it has vexed and 
harrassed the citizen, burdened the counties with 
expense and litigation, and proven wholly use- 
less in the suppression of intemperance. 

8. That we favor a total change in the present 
common school system, so as to give the people 
the full benefits of a common school education 
without the cumbersome machinery and enor- 
mous expense which the present system requires. 

The vote for Governor was as follows: 

L. J. Kiikwood, Rep. 56,506—2,964 

A. 0. Dodge, Dem 58,542 

The campaign of 1860 was the most ex- 
citing one in the history of the State, and, 
next to that of 1840, the most exciting 
campaign in the history of the Govern- 
ment. Abraham Lincoln had been nomi- 
nated by the Republicans for the Presi- 
dency; Stephen A. Douglas by the North- 
ern wing of the Democracy; John C. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



^k_ 



Breckenridge by the Southern wing, and 
John Bell bj' the Union party. The Re- 
publicans of Iowa met in convention at 
Iowa City, May 23d, and selected the fol- 
lowing named candidates : Secretary of 
State, Elijah Sells; Auditor of State, J. 
W. Cattell; State Treasurer, Charles C. 
Nourse; Register of State Land Office, A. 
B. Miller. The platform adopted was 
short, and as follows : 

Reaohed, That this coDvention approve and 
endorse the platform of principles laid down by 
the late Republican convention at Chicago, as 
the true and sound exposition of Republican 
doctrine, which we are prepared lo advocate and 
defend. 

2. That, in reference to State policy, the Re- 
publican party of the State of Iowa are in favor 
of a rigid economy in the expenditures of the 
public money, and the holding of all public offi- 
cers to a strict accountability. 

8. That the Republicans of the State of Iowa 
in convention assi^mbled, do hereby endorse the 
nominations made at the Chicago convention, of 
Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, for President, and 
Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, for Vice-President, 
and pledge to them the undivided support of 
the party of the State. 

4. That this convention have full confidence 
in the nominations made by it to-day, both for 
State and national officers, and we recommend 
them with entire unanimity to the support and 
confidence of the people of Iowa. 

The Democrats held their convention 
July 12, at DesMoines. Their ticket was 
as follows: Secretary of State, James M. 
Corse; Auditor of State, Geo. \V. Max- 
field; Treasurer of State, John W. Ellis; 
Attorney-General, Wm McClintock; Reg- 
ister of Land Office, Patrick Robb. Their 
platform was as follows: 

Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa, by 
their delegates in the State convention assem- 
bled, do hereby most cordially endorse and 



approve of the Democratic National Couventiou. 
which convened at Charleston on the 23d day of 
April, and which concluded its labors at its 
adjourned session, in the city of Baltimore, on 
the 23d day of June, by the nomination of 
Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency. 

2. That this convention heartily endorses 
and approves the platform enumerated by said 
convention; and that we will give that platform 
and the nominees of the national Democracy for 
the Presidency and Vice-Presidency, Douglas 
and Johnson, our most zealous and energetic 
support. 

3. That retaining unabated confidence in the 
intelligence, integrity and patriotism of the 
people, the Democracy of luwa firmly adhere to 
the doctrine of non-intervention and popular 
sovereignty, laid down in the said plalform, as 
presenting the only just and practicable solution 
of the question of domestic slavery. 

4. That the Iowa delegates to the National 
Democratic Convention are entitled to the 
thanks of their constituency for the able and 
faithful manner in which they discharged the 
duty entrusted to them, and that this convention 
heartily approves of their action in said body. 

5. That in view of the fact that efforts are 
being made in some of the States to form so- 
called union electoral tickets, pledged to vote 
for this or that candidate for the Presidency, as 
circumstances may subsequently determine, the 
Democracy of Iowa totally disapprove of all 
attempts to compromise the integrity of the 
Democratic party organization, by putting Dem- 
ocratic candidates for electors upon the same 
ticket with candidates who are not pledged to 
vote, if elected, for Douglas and Johnson, and 
for no other persons whomsoever. 

6. That we approve of a homestead law, giv- 
ing to every citizen of the United States a home 
for himself and family; and that this convention 
recommend to our Representatives in Congress 
to use their best eflbrts to procure *he passage 
of a law for that purpose. 

7. That we cordially invite all conservative 
national men to fall into the Democratic ranks 
and help to crush the hydra-headed monster. 
Congressional Intervention. 



^^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



8. That Ihe dominant party, called Republi 
can, during the brief period it has . been in 
power, inflicted upon the people of Iowa a con- 
stitution and laws, the result of which has been 
the constant perplexity of the people, the crea- 
tion of an enormous, unconstitutional debt, and 
the imposition of taxes too grievous to be borne, 
thereby exhausting and using up the hard earn- 
ings of the industrious and the prudent — all of 
which call loudly for reform at the hands of the 
people. 

9. That it is high time there should be a 
change of men in power and policy in govern- 
ment; that the Legislature should pass more 
wholesome and stringent laws, by which men in 
official station occupying a judicial capacity, 
either as din ctors and oflBcers of banks or rail- 
road companies, shall be made jjersonally liable 
for an improper use of the moneys of the people 
entrusted to their care and custody. 

10. That the Democratic party of the State 
of Iowa is committed to and pledges itself to 
carry out, so soon as it obtains the administra- 
tion of the affairs of the State, the following 
measures of State policy: 

1. A reduction of the enormous and unneces- 
sary expenses of the irovernment, which have 
grown up under the administration, and through 
the corrupt partisan management of the so-called 
Republican party. 

2. A reduction of the appropriationsof money 
for extraordinary purposes. 

3. A reduction of appropriations for chari- 
table institutions and purposes, to the necessary 
requests of those classes of the unfortunate, for 
which it is the duty of the State to fully and 
liberally provide 

4. To reduce the excessive taxation which 
now burdens the people and consumes the hard 
earLiugs of the industrious aud frugal. 

5. The construction of buildings for the use 
of our charitable institutions upcm plans com- 
mensurate with, the wants of those institutions 
and the ability of the State, without attempting 
to imitate the grandeur or magnificence of the 
public buildingti erected for similar purposes in 
old aud wealthy States or Goveniments. 



6. The early revision of the State constitu- 
tion, so as to free il from those features which 
render it justly obnoxious to the people. 

7. The amendment of our banking laws so 
as to throw reasonable restrictions upon the 
operations of the banks, and to secure the peo- 
ple against the frauds and swindling which, un- 
der e.xisting laws, enacted by Rejiublican legis- 
lators, in the interests of the banks, may be 
practiced by bank officers, of which the system 
has already furnished its fruits in two important 
cases. 

8. That we are in favor of removing" the 
stocks or other securities, pledged for the prompt 
redemption of the issues of the banks, from the 
the custody and control of the Stale Bank to the 
custody of the Treasurer of the State. 

9. The increase of these securities to such an 
extent as will furnish ample protection to the 
people in using the issue of the banks, which is 
imperatively demanded as the officers of the 
State B;ink themselves admit that at the present 
time there is no real security for the redemption 
of the notes of the banks. 

10. The entire separation of the finances of 
the State from the banks, and a repeal of all 
laws luthoiizing either State or county officers 
to depi sit public money with the branches of 
the State Bank, save at their own risk. 

Resolved, further. That the Democratic party 
is opposed to any and all attempts to create an 
I normous State debt. In violation of the consti- 
tution, for the puri>ose of promoting thcschemes 
of plunder, of railroads or other sjieculators. 

3. That the system inaugurated by the Re- 
publican party of erecting unnecessary and use- 
less offices for the purpose of providing for the 
politically lame, halt or blind, and Ihat we hold 
the revi-nues of the Government should be ap- 
plied strictly and economically to the legitimate 
wants of the Government. 

3. That while we are in favor of fostering 
popular education, until the means of liberal 
education be placed within the reach of every 
child in the State; that while we are in favoi of 
providing liberally and justly for all the bcnev 
olent institutions of the State, and for all classes 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



165 



of the unfortunate, which humanity demands 
shall be ; rotected and cared for, — we are op- 
posed to enormous appropriations of public 
money for uncalled for purposes, or placing 
large sums of money in the hands of men, poli- 
ticians or unscrupulous persons, to be wasted in 
promoting private and political interests, instead 
of applying the same to the purpose for which 
the appropriations were made. 

For Secretary of State the official vote 
was as follows : 

Elijah Sells, Rep 70,706—13,670 

J. M. Corse, Dem 57,036 

When the campaign of 1861 was inau- 
gurated the war for the Union was in 
progress. The Republicans met in con- 
vention, and placed in nomination Samuel 
J. Kirkwood for Governor; John R. 
Needham, for Lieutenant-Governor; Ralph 
P. Lowe, for Supreme Judge. The fol- 
lowing platform was adopted: 

1. Renewing our declarations of unalterable 
devotion to the constitution and Union of the 
States, to the doctrine of the DecUiration of In- 
dependence, and to the law of submission to the 
will of the majority, constitutionally expressed, 
we again commend each and all of these corner- 
stones of our government to the unchanging 
affection of the people of Iowa. 

2. That this convention, in behalf of its own 
immediate constituency, of all patriotic citizens, 
acknowledges, with profound gratitude, the 
prompt dedication of life and fortune by our 
gallant volunteers, in response to the appeal 
made to a loyal people by a patriotic President, 
and in this action, creditable alike to the admin- 
istration and to the people, we witness a return 
of the noble spirit of the revolution. 

3. That the new doctrine of secession is a 
wicked abomination, as abhorrent to patriotism, 
as it is alien to the constitution, demoralizing in 
its principle, and destructive in its action, a dis- 
guise to treisou, and an apology for traitors, the 
ruin of commerce, and the dissolution of political 
society, the mother of all political crimes and the 



sum of all villainies, and as such we utterly re- 
ject and hold it in absolute detestation. 

4. That government always means coercion 
when its lawful authority is resisted, and those 
who oppose "coercion," necessarily oppose kov- 
ernmeut itself, aud deny to it the o: ly power by 
which it can be maintained. Auli-coercion, 
therefore, is only another of their disguises of 
treason, by which they hope so to weaken the' 
government at present as to overthrow it in the 
future, and we brand it as hypocrisy and repu- 
diate it. 

5. Having, by our first war of 1776, won our 
indep' ndence and established our glorious con- 
stitution and Union, and having, by our second 
war of 1818, maintained our national integrity 
against the most formidable of foreign foes, it 
now remains for us to establish that integrity 
for all years to come against internal foes, aud 
in this third and hist great trial of our country's 
history, in its struggle to maintain that system 
of government which has been the admiration 
of the world, whoever hesitates or falters should 
receive the execration of mankind, as he surely 
will the reproaches of posterity. 

6. The value of the constitution and the 
Union cannot be measured by dollars and cents, 
nor by the span of a human life, and there should 
be no limit to appropriations of men and money 
for their preservation, except the amount requi- 
site for certain success. We therefore cordially 
approve both the action of the President in call- 
ing for men and money, and the action of Con- 
gress in placing at his disposal more of both 
than he demanded, thus giving assurance to the 
world of the unalterable determination of this 
government to perpetuate its existence as estab- 
lished by our fathers, to crush out the foulest 
rebellion known to. history, and liberate the 
loyal people of the rebellious States from the 
odious despotism and terrorism which have 
wrenched from them the blessings of peace and 
prosperity in the Union of the States, and we 
demand the prosecution of the war until the 
insults to our national flag and authority are 
avenged by the restoration everywhere of law 
aud order, and the supremacy acknowledged 
on its own terms. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



7. In the State affairs we demand all the 
economy consistent wiih the public safety, and 
all the liberality required for the comfort and 
efflci<»ncy of our volunteers, and for the protec- 
tion of the State a£ainst invasion. To that end 
we approve the action of the 61 neral Asstmbly, 
al its special session, in making appropriations 
for war purposes. 

8. We heartily invite co-operation with us of 
men of all parties, whatever their former politi- 
cal ties, who adhere to these sentiments, and 
who unite in the patriotic support of the present 
loyal administration of the governmenl. 

The Democrats nominated Wi'liam H. 
Merritt for Governor; M.aturia L Fisher, 
for Lieut.-Governor; James L. Elwood, for 
Supreme Judge. Their platform was as 
follows: 

The people of the State of Iowa who regard 
the constitution of tl.e United States in its judi- 
cial relation to the States and people as inter- 
preted by the Supreme Court, and its political 
principles as enunciated from time to time by 
the Democratic party, and as applied by several 
successive administrations in carrying on the 
government of the United States, beiue assem- 
bled by their delegates in convention, in the 
Capitol at DesMoines, on the 2411; day of July, 
1861, do make and proclaim to their fellow citi- 
zens of the sister States of the Union, the follow- 
ing declaration: 

Whereas, In the vicissitudes which are inci- 
dent t all governments, to human safety, and to 
civiliza ion, the government and the people of 
the United States have become involved in a 
civil war, which threatens alike to be disastrous 
to the form of government which experience has 
proved to be the most conducive to the happi- 
ness of mankind, and to result in imposing upon 
the present and future generations onerous 
burdens, which it should be the duty of a gov- 
ernment having any regard for the well being of 
the people to avoid, it becomes the incumbent 
dutv upon the people for whose benefit alone 
government is instituted, and who, having the 
light to either alter or abolish it when it ceases 



to be administered for their hai)piness and pros- 
perity, have also the right to determine and 
direct how it shall be administered when they 
fled it departing from the principles u;)on which 
it was founded, and to be |)recipitating into 
waste and ruii. the fabric of civil society, instead 
of preserving the people in peace, piomoling 
their prosperity, and securin;^ their rights. 
Viewing, therefore, dispassionately, the present 
condition of our distracted country, and with 
the single purpose of miking an effort to avert 
impending and other threatened calamities, and 
of restoring peace, founded upon that fraternal 
patriotism which gave birth to the American 
Union, and which preserved its integrity till the 
election of a President upon a principle which 
was hostile to the constitution of the United 
States and antagonistic to the vested right of 
the people of nearly half the States of the 
Union, do declare — 

1. That we regard the present condition of 
the country, the civil war in which the people 
are engaged, the effort to dismember the Union 
and all the concomitant evils which afflict us as 
a nation, as the legitimate result of the success- 
ful teaching of the doctrine and policy of the 
"irrepressible conflict;" a doctrine and a policy 
which arraj'ed northern sentiment in antagonism 
to the constitutional rights of the people of the 
si ive States, aud which proclaim an "irrepres- 
sible" and unceasing hostility to the domestic 
institutions of our brethren of the South. 

3. That, notwithstanding the pi'ovocation 
given to the people of the South by the mani- 
festation of hostility toward their institutions, 
by a majority of the people of the Norih, we 
unequivocally condemn the course they have 
pursued to obtain a redress of their grievances, 
believing, as we do, that, aided by the conserva- 
tive people of the Northern States, their griev- 
ances would have been redressed, and their 
rights and interests respected and secured in a 
constitutional manner and by constitutional 
means. 

3. That we are heartily opposed to the doc 
trine of secession, a pulitical heresy, unwar- 
ranted by the constitution, detrimental to the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



167 



best iuteresls of the whole country, and destruc- 
tive of the Union and that glorious heritage of 
liberty bequeathed to us by our fathers. 

4. That our obligations to the goverument, 
the duty we owe to posterity and the advance- 
ment of political freedom throughout the world, 
alike, command of us the pnservalion and per- 
petuity of our federal Uuiou, and we hereby 
pledge the whole power of the Democratic party 
to every just and constitutional means to main- 
tain the same, whether its Uestniction be at- 
tempted by the insidious teachings of the higher 
law doctrine of the Abolition Republican party, 
or by the open attacks of men in armed rebellion 
against it. 

5. That, as we were taught and admonished 
by the experience of every free people whose 
political existence was extinguished by the 
assumption of arbitrary power and the violation 
of fundamental principles, to resist the encroach- 
ment of executive prerogatives, we therefore 
emphatically and unequivocally condemn the 
assumption of unauthorized power by the Ex- 
ecutive of the United States, or by any other 
ofiicers of the government. 

6. That our Union was formed in peace, and 
can never be perpetuated by force of arms, and 
that a republican government held together by 
the sword becomes a military despotism. 

7. That the Democratic party are in favor of 
a convention of the difierent States of the entire 
Union, as soon as the same can be properly had, 
for such legislation as may secure equal and full 
rights to all sections of this Union, and a full 
representation of all the States, and a removal 
of the agitation of the question of slavery from 
the halls of Congress and the States of the 
Union. 

8. That we repudiate the modem heresy that 
the States of this confederacy never had an 
independent existence distinct from the federal 
government, and are indebted for their present 
position in the Union to that government, as a 
gross insult to the common sense of the country, 
and a shameless falsification of historical facts, 
unworthy of the source from whence it emin- 
ated, and unless promptly met with a stern re- 



buke on the part of the people, fraught with 
cousequences fatal to the liberties of the country. 

9. That we are irreconcilably opposed to all 
paper money banking, as being a system of 
legalized swindling, to be indulged in only by 
the designing capitalist, and are opposed to 
every species uf paper, except commercial pa- 
lmer, for the transaction of business and trade, 
and in favor of a speedy return to a specie cur- 
rency; and, if for a time we must submit to the 
banking system, we recommend that the bank 
law be so amended as to make each stockholder 
individually liable (to t.'.e fall extent of his 
property not exempt from execution) for the 
debts of the bank, and to subject their corpora- 
tions to such restraints as to make them amen- 
able to law. 

10. That we are opposed to a tariff of duties 
upon imports, for the purpose of protection, as 
creating monopolies, and that, in the present 
crisis of atiairs, when the laborer Is poorly paid 
and the products of agriculture are almost 
worthless, it is the interest of the people that 
the present burdens imposed upon these articles 
which enter into the consumption of the poorer 
classes of our citizens be at once removed. 

The ofiicial vote for Goveruor was as 
follows: 

S. J. Kirkwook, Rep 69,8.53-16,608 

William H. Merritt, Dem 43,245 

The Democratic convention was held at 
the Capitol in 1862, and the following 
ticket nominated: Secretary of State, 
liichard H. Sylvester; Auditor, John 
Browne; Treasurer, Samuel H. Lorah; 
Attorney-General, Benton J. Hall; Regis- 
ter of Land Office, Fred. Gottschalk. The 
following is the platform adopted: 

1. That the constitution and the Union and 
the laws must be preserved and maintained in 
all their rightful supremacy, and that rebellion 
against them must be suppressed and put down; 
and that we are in favor of the employment of 
all constitutional means for that purpose, not 
merely by force of arms, but by such other 



^k 



168 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



measures as common sense, reason and jjatriot- 
ismwill readily suggest to the governing powers. 

2. That the true interests of the country, as 
well as the dictates of humanity, require no 
more war or acts of war should be prosecuted or 
done than are necessary and proper for the 
prompt and complete suppression of the rebel- 
lion. 

3. That the present war, as avowed by the 
President and Congress, and understood by the 
people, was commeuced and prosecuted for the 
purpose of 'suppressing the rebellion, and pre- 
serving and vindicating the conslilulion of the 
Union and the laws, and for that purpose only. 

4. That the doctrines of the secessionists and 
of the ab ilitionists, as the latter are now repre- 
sented in Congress, are alike false to the consti- 
tution and irreconcilable with the unity and 
peace of the country, the first liave already 
involved us in a cruel civil war, and the others 
(the abolitionists) will leave the country but 
little hope of the speedy restoration of Union or 
peace, unless the schemes of confiscation, eman- 
cipation, and other unconstitutional measures, 
which have been lately carried and attempted to 
be carried through Congress, be revoked by the 
people. 

5. That the doctrine of State necessity is 
unknown to our government or laws, but the 
constitution and the laws arc sufficient for any 
emergency, and that the suppression of the free- 
dom of speech and the press, and the unlawful 
arrest of citizeus, and the suspension of the writ 
of habeas corpus, in violation of the constitution 
in States where the civil authorities are unim- 
peded, is most dangerous to civil liberty, and 
should be resisted at the ballot-box by every 
freeman of the land. 

6. That this is a government of white men, 
and was established exclusively for the white 
race; that the negroes are not enlitled to and 
ought not to be admitted to political or social 
equality with the white race, but tliat it is our 
duty to treat them with kindness and considera- 
tion, as an inferior and dependent race; that the 
right of the several Stales to determine tlie 
position and duties of the race is a sovereign 



right, and the pledges of the constitution require 
us, as loyal citizens, not to interfere therewith. 
That the party fanaticism or the crime, which- 
ever it may be called, that seeks to turn the 
slaves of the Southern States loose to overrun 
the North, and into competition with the white 
laboring classes, thus degrading their manhood 
by placing tliem on an equality with negroes in 
their occupation, is insulting to our race and 
meets our emphatic and unqualified condemna- 
tion 

7. That the purchase of the slaves by the 
government, as proposed by the President, will 
impose an enormous and unendurable burden 
upon the present generation, and entail upon 
posterity grievous exactions. 

8. That Congress, in the enactment of the late 
tariff and tax bills, and the President by his 
avowal, have imposed unfair and unjust enact- 
ments upon the people at large, by discriminat- 
ing in these acts in favor of the compar.ilively 
wealthy, and against those who are least able to 
bear the burdens of taxation. 

9. That we recur with patriotic pride to the 
bravery and valor of the officers and soldiers of 
all the Iowa regiments exhibited in the struggle 
upon the many bloody fields in which they have 
been engaged; and that this convention, in be- 
half of the Democracy of this State, tenders to 
them a united testimony to their valor, and 
devotion to the constitution and the Union, and 
ofl"er to the friends and families of those who 
have fallen upon the field, its sincere sympathy 
and condolence. 

10. That viewing the glories of the past and 
contemplating the realities of the present, we 
believe there is no hope in the future for the 
perpetuity of our government, but by preserving 
the constitution inviolate and in respecting it by 
both government and people as a sacred deposit 
of individual and State rights; in an economical 
and systematic administration of the govein- 
ii.ent by which corruption will be prevented, 
extravagance restrained, expenditures reduced, 
and heavy taxation rendered unnecessary; in 
cultivating among the people that spirit of 
American fraternity which once knew n-j North, 



^® 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



no South, no East, no West, except as parts of 
one unbroken Union; in submitting questions 
which might arise hereafter, effecting the legal 
rights of States to the judicial tribunals and not 
to the executive or legislative branch of the 
goverumeut. 

And firmly believing in the efficiency of the 
principles herein enunciated, we implore the 
blessing of God upon our efforts to have them 
applied to the admin isi ration of the government, 
and we appeal to our fellow citizens who love 
the constiiution and Union as it was before its 
harmony was disturbed by abolition fanaticism, 
and its bonds broken by rebellion. 

The Republicans met at DesMoines and 
nominated as follows: Secretary of State, 
James Wright; Auditor of State, Jona- 
than W. Cattell; Treasurer of State, VVm. 
H. Holmes; Attorney-General, Charles C. 
Nourse; Register of the State Land Office, 
Jusiah A. Harvey. The platform adopted 
lead as follows: 

We, the delegates of the Republican party of 
Iowa, assembled to declare anew our political 
belief, and to select candidates for important 
official positions, present to the people the fol- 
lowing as our articles of faith: 

1. That the constitution of the United States 
is the fundamental law of the land; that it was 
adopted by our fathers to establish justice and 
secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and 
their posterity; that in accordance with the 
forms prescribed by that instrument, and by the 
laws of Congress, Abraham Lincoln was elected 
by the voluntary suffrnges of the people as the 
Chief Magistrate of the United States for the 
term of four years; that before he had taken 
the oath of office or exercised any of the powers 
with which he had been clothed, certain States 
of the Union passed ordinances of secession, 
assuming thereby to be no longer a part of, nor 
subject to the laws of, the United States; that 
soon afterward they organized a separate con- 
federation, proclaimed their independence of 
and hostility to the federal government, and 
from that time to the present have waged cause- 



less, merciless and barbarious warfare against 
the republic, to which they owe perpetual grati- 
tude and allegiance. 

9. That for the maintenance of the govern- 
ment, in this the hour of its peril, it is the duty 
of every citizen to devote time, labor, property, 
life; that we, as the representatives of an organ- 
ized association of citizens, publicly pledge all 
our energies and substance, should they be 
needed, for the governmental defense. 

3. That we have undiminished confidence in 
the President of the United States, that he is 
faithful to his pled:;es, is honest and determined 
in his purposes to crush the rebellion and main- 
tain the union of the States, and that we earn- 
estly endorse the action of our Representatives 
in Congress in aiding to pass laws for the aboli- 
tion of slavery in the District of Columbia; for 
the perpetuation of freedom in all the Territo- 
ries of the republic; for the confiscation of the 
property of rebels, and clothing the President 
with authority to use the slaves of traitors for 
all military purposes. 

4. That we abhor all sympathizers with seces- 
sion, who, to cover their treasonable sentiments, 
raise the cry of abolitionism; but that, on the 
contrary, we will honor any loyal citizen, what- 
ever may have been his former political associa- 
tions, who will sustain, with all his jiower, the 
struggle of Democratic Republicanism against 
traitorous aristocracy. North or South. 

5. That, extending a hearty welcome to those 
who are present with us in this convention who 
have left the so-called Democratic party, we in- 
vite all loyal citizens, regardless of former 
political associations, and who are in favor of 
giving the national administration their honest 
support, to co-operate with us, and we commend 
to all of such the patriotic words of the lamented 
Douglas, who said: "There is only two sides to 
this question. Every man must be for the 
United States or against it. There can be no 
neutrality in this war^-only patriots or traitors." 

6. That we reiterate the demand for an eco- 
nomical administration of our national and State 
government, and for a punishment of fraudu- 
lent contractors and plunderers of the public 
treasury. 



ITO 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



7. That the valor of our soldiers and sailors, 
and especiallj' those of our own Statu, on every 
battle field to which they have been called, has 
earned for them a lasting gratitude, and com- 
mended themselves and their families to our 
practical sympathy and aid. 

8. That the State of Iowa will prompily fur- 
nish hiT quota of troops culled for by the recent 
proclamalion of the Piesident, and any addi- 
tional number which the public service may 
require. 

y. That the voluntary enlistment of our 
adopted citizens in the army and navy, and their 
tjied valor on our battle-fields, have demon- 
stratea the warmth of their patriotism and an 
appreciation of liberty and good government 
wliich have earned for them the proud name of 
American citizens and soldiers. 

10. That as citizens of a loyal State, whose 
patriotism, ' oth at home and upon foreign 
battle-fields, has spoken for itself, w* earnestly 
ajjiieal to the incumbents of the legislative and 
executive departments of the government, to use 
every legitimate means in their possession to 
crush the rel)ellion, and if, as a last measure for 
the preservation of the republic, it shall become 
necessary to blot out the institution of slavery 
from the soil of every State, we will say Amen, 
letting the consequences fall upon the wicked 
authors of the war, and leaving the final issue 
with God. 

The official vote on Secretary of State 
was as follows: 

James Wright, Rep 66,014—15,205 

Richard H Sylvester, Deto 50,809 

In 186-3 the Democrats met in conven- 
tion at DesMoines, and nominated Malurin 
L. FLsher for Governor. Mr. Fisher sub- 
sequently declining, Gen. James M. Tuttle 
was substiluttd; John F. Lumcombe was 
nominated for Lieutenant Governor, and 
Charles Mason for Supreme Judge. The 
following was the platform adopted: 

In view of the circumstances that have brought 
us together, we hereby lesolve: 



1. That the will of the people is the founda- 
tion of all free government. That to give effect 
to this will, free thought, free speech and free 
press are absolutely indispensable. Without 
free discussion there is no certainty of sound 
judgment; without sound judgment there can 
be no wise government. 

2. That it is an inherent and constitutional 
right of the people to discuss all measures of 
their government, and to approve or disapprove 
as to their best judgment seems right. That 
they have a like right to proi)(ise and advoc.le 
that policy which, in their judgment, is best, 
and to argue and vote against whatever policy 
seems to them to violate the constitution, to 
imperil ilicir liberties, or to be deirimental to 
their welfare. 

3. That these and all other rights guaranteed 
to them by the constitution are their i ights in 
war as well as in tmies of peace, and of fur more 
value and necessity in war than in peace: for in 
peace, liberty, security and property are seldom 
endangered; in war they are ever in peril. 

4. That we now say to all whom it may con- 
cern, not by way of threat, but calmly and 
firmly, that we will not smrender these rights, 
nor submit to their forcible violation We will 
obey laws ourselves, and all others must obey 
them 

5. That there is a manifest difference between 
the administration of the government and the 
government itself. The government consists of 
the civic and political institutions created by 
the constitution, and to the people owe allegi- 
ance. That administrations are but agents of 
the people, subject to their approval or con- 
demnation, according to the merit or demerit of 
their acts. 

6. That we are opposed to the war for the 
purpose of canyiugoul the emancipation j)rocla- 
mation of the President of the United States; 
and if the Federal administration expect a 
united North to attend its efforts to sup, ress a 
rebellion, it must not only come back to its 
object of the war, as set forth in the Crittenden 
resolution adopted by the House of Representa- 
tives in July, 1861, but it must, in its dealings 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



171 



wilh the people of the States, infringe upon no 
one single right guaranteed to the people by 
either the federal or State constitutipns. 

7. That we declare our determined opposition 
to a system of emancipatiou by the State upon 
conipeDSation to be made out of the treasury of 
the United States, as burdensome upon the 
people, unjust in its very nature, and wholly 
without warrant of the constitution. 

8. That we declare that the power which has 
recently been assumed by the President, where- 
in, under the guise of military necessity, he has 
proclaimed and extended, or asserts the right to 
proclaim or extend, martial law over States 
where war does not exist, and has suspended the 
writ of habeas corpus, Is unwarranted by the 
constitution, and its tendency is to subordinate 
the civil to the military authority, and subvert 
our free government. 

9. Thai we deem it proper further to declare, 
that we, together with the loyal people of the 
State, would hail with delight any manifestation 
of a desire on the part of the seceded States to 
return to their allegiance to the government of 
the Union; and, in such event, we would cor- 
dially and earnestly co operate with them in the 
restoration of peace and the procurement of 
BU :h proper guarantees as would give security 
'to all iheir interests and rights. 

10. That the soldiers composing our armies 
niertt the warmest thanks of the nation. The 
country called, and nobly did they respond. 
Living, they shall know a nation's gratitude; 
wounded, a nation's care; and, dying, they shall 
live in our memory, and monuments shall be 
raised to teach posterity to honor the patriots 
and heroes who offered their lives at their 
country's altar. The widows and orphans shall 
be adopted by the nation, to be watched over 
and cared for as objects fully worthy of the 
nation's guardianship. 

11. That we will adhere to the constitution 
and the Union as the best, it may be the i last, 
hope of popular freedom, and for all wrongs 
which may exist, will seek redress under the 
constitution and within the Union by the peace- 
ful but powerful agency of the suffrages of a 
free people. 



12. That we hail with pleasure and hope, 
manifestations of conservative sentiment among 
the people of the Northern States in their elec- 
tions, and regard the same as the earnest of a 
good purpose upon their part to co-operate with 
all citizens in giving security to the rights of 
every section, an'l maintaining the Union and 
constitution as they were ordained by the foun- 
ders of the republic. 

13. That we will earnestly support every 
constitutional measure tending to preserve the 
union of the States. No men have a greater 
interest in its preservation than we have. None 
desire it more; none who will make greater 
sacrifices or endure more than we will to accom- 
plish that end. We are, as we have ever been, 
the devoted friends of the constitution and the 
Union, and have no sympathy with the enemies 
of either. 

14. That the establishment of military gov- 
ernment over loyal States where war does not 
exist, to supersede the civil authorities and sup- 
press the freedom of speech and of the press, 
and to interfere with the elective franchise, is 
not only subversive of the constitution and the 
sovereignty of the States, but the actual inaugu- 
ration of revolution. 

15. That we denounce as libelers of the 
Democratic party and enemies of the countiy, 
the men who are engaged in representing the 
Democracy as wanting in sympathy with our 
galh.nt defenders. 

16. That we earnestly denounce the authors 
of those heresies, seceasionism and abolitionism, 
which have culminated in an armed rebellion, 
desolated our country and brought sorrow to the 
heart of every person in this broad laud. 

The Republicans met at DesMoine?, 
June 1 7th, and adopted the following 
platform : 

We, a convention of representatives of the 
loyal people of the State of Iowa, assembled 
under the call of the Republican organization 
of the Stale, as an expression of the views which 
shall govern our political action, do declare: 

1. That when our fathers formed our consti- 
tution, and founded thereon a republican form 



of goverumeat, they intended to and did grant 
to thiit government full power to sustain its 
natural existence. 

2. That whenever the life of the Republic is 
endangered, either by invasion or rebellion, the 
constitution justifies the use of all necessary 
me lus known to civilized warfare in resisting 
invasion or suppressing rebellion. 

3. That we fully and heartily endorse the 
policy of the administration, and we will to the 
utmost continue to sustain the government in 
suppressing the rebellion, and to eflfecl that 
object we pledge our fortunes and our lives. 

4. That the gratitude of a free people is due 
to our soldiers in the field, both native and 
foreign born, for that heroic valor by which 
they have honored us and sustained the flag of 
our country, and we guarantee to them con- 
tinued encouragement and support 

5. That we have witnessed with pride and 
admiration the bravery and heroism of Iowa 
soldiers, and we recognize in their brilliant ca- 
reer a history for the State of Iowa, second to 
that of no other State in the Union. 

6. That we approve of the action of the Gen- 
eral Assembly of the Slate, in enacting a law 
giving to our brave soldiers in the field an 
opportunity to vote at our elections, and we 
earnestly hope that no technicality may deprive 
them of their right. 

7. That this convention hereby tenders to 
Hon. Siimuel J. Kirkwood the cordial thanks of 
the loyal people of Iowa for the able, fearless, 
and patriotic discharge of his duties, during the 
two terms he held the office of Governor of the 
State. 

8. Finally, we declare that the preservation 
of the constitution and the Union is above and 
beyond all other interests, and that all questions 
of party, of life, and of properly, must be sub- 
ordinate thereto. 

At that convention the following ticket 
was nominateU: Governor, Williaiu M. 
Stone; Lieutenant-Governor, Enoch W. 
Eastman; Judge of the Supreme Court, 
John F Dillon. 



The official vote on Governor was as 
follows : 

W. M, Stone, Rep., 86,12^—38,174 

J. M. Tuttle, Dem 47,948 

The year 1864 brought with it another 
Presidential campaign. The Republicans 
placed in the field for re-election Abraham 
Lincoln, while the Democrats nominated 
General George B. McClellan. In Iowa 
the Democrats met in convention at Des 
Moines, June 16th, and placed in nomina- 
tion the following named, without adopt 
ing resolutions: Secretary of State, John 
H. Wallace; Attorney-General, Charles A. 
Dunbar; Treasurer, J. B. Lasli; Auditor, 
H. B. Ilendershott; Register State Land 
Office, B. D. Holbrook; Supreme J idge, 
Thomas M. Monroe. 

The Republicans held their convention 
July 7th, at DesMoines, when they nomi- 
nated the following ticket: Supreme Judge, 
C. C. Cole; Secretary of State, James 
Wright; Auditor of State, John A. Elliott; 
Treasurer, Wm. H. Holmes; Attorney- 
General, Isaac L. Allen; Register Laud 
Office, J. A. Harvey. The platfoim 
adopted was as follows: 

Resolved, That we hereby ratify the nomina- 
tion of Abraham Lincoln for President, and 
Andrew Johnson for Vice - President of the 
United States, for the next term, and we pledge 
for them the electoral vote of Iowa, 

2. That we cordially approve and adopt the 
platform of resolutions presented by the National 
Union Convention at its recent session in Balti- 
more, and that we most heartily endorse the 
action of Congress in repealing all laws for the 
return of fugitive slaves and abolishing the 
inter-State coastwise slave trade. 

3. That the brave sons of Iowa who have 
gone forth to defend the cause of liberty and 
Union on the battle-fields of the South, and 



^ 



~Q> \ 



HISTORY OP IOWA. 



173 



whose heroic achicvemeats have shed imperish- 
able glory on our State and nation, we offer our 
highest praises and our most fervent gratitude, 
and that our State government should continue 
to make liberal provisions for the protection 
and support of their families. 

4. That to the women of Iowa, whose patriotic 
labors have contributed so much moral and 
material aid and comfort to our sick and 
wounded soldiers, we tender our heartfelt 
thanks. 

A Peace Convention was beld at Iowa 
City, August 24th, when the following res- 
olutions were adopted : 

Wherbas, We believe that there is indispu- 
table evidence existing that the Union miiy be 
restoreji on the basis of the federal constitution; 
and, 

Whereas, We further believe that a vigorous 
prosecution of this abolition war means the 
speedy bringing about of a division of the Re- 
public; and being ourselves in favor of a restored 
Union, and against the acknowledgment of a 
Southern Confederacy, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the war now being prosecuted by 
the Lincoln administration is unconstitutional 
and oppressive, and Is the prolific source of a 
multitude of usurpations, tyrannies and corrup- 
tions, to which no people can long submit, with- 
out becoming permanently enslaved. 

a. That we are opposed to the further prose- 
cution of the war, believing that the Union can 
be preserved in its integrity by the President 
agreeing to an armistice, and by calling a 
national convention of sovereign States, to con- 
sider the terms upon which all the people may 
again live together in peace and harmony. 

3. That believing war to be disunion, and 
desiring to stop the further flow of precious 
blood for a purpose so wicked as disunion, we 
respectfully urge the President to postpone the 
draft fnr500,000 men "to be driven like bullocks 
to the slaughter," until the result of an armistice 
and national convention of States is known. 

4. That in the coming election we will have 
a free ballot or a free fight. 



5. That should Abraham Lincoln owe his re- 
election to the electoral votes of the seceded 
States, under the application of the President's 
"one-tenth" system and military dictation, and 
should he attempt to execute the duties of the 
President by virtue of such an election, it will 
become the solemn mission -of the people to 
depose the usurper, or else be worthy the slavish 
degradation, which submission under such cir- 
cumstances, would seem to be their just desert. 

6. That if the nominee of the Chicago con- 
vention is fairly elected, he must be inaugurated, 
let it cost what it may. 

7. That, in respect to the gereral relations 
which do and ought to exist between the federal 
and State governments, we approve and will ad- 
here to the principles in the Virginia and Ken- 
tucky resolutions of '98— to the interpretations 
thereof by Jeflfeison, Madison and .Jackson— and 
to the resolutions passed by every Democratic 
convention held in this country — to all of which 
special reference is here made, in utter condem- 
nation of the war, and of its incidents. 

8. That in respect to the new and disturbing 
element of our times— negro equality— we shall 
maintain that the status of the inhabitants 
(black, white and mixed) of the States, vviihin 
their respective States (now soutiht to be con- 
trolled by federal bayonets), is, and ought to be, 
an exclusively State regulation; that the African 
negro is not our equal in a political or social 
sense; and that every usurping attempt, by fed- 
eral force, so to declare him, will meet with our 
determined resistance. 

9. That the foregoing preamble and resolu- 
tions be .submitted to our delegation to the Chi- 
cago convention, for their consideration. 

The official vote at the November elec- 
tion, on Secretary of State, was as follows: 

James Wright, Rep 90,(i33— 40,090 

John H. Wallace, Dem 49,943 

The Republicans were the first to meet in 
convention in 1865. They met at Des 
Moines June 14th, and selected the follow- 
ing ticket : Governor, Wm. M. Stone; 
Lieutenant-Governor, Benjamin F. Gue; 



•<, a 1. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Siipt. of Public Inslruciion, Oran Fajville; 
biipieine Judge, Geo. G. Wright. The 
platform adopted was as follows : 

Resolved, That the perpetuation of the federal 
Union, with all guarantees of Republican liberty 
which its founders contemplated, is the most 
sacred political duty of American citizenship. 

2. That during the four years of war, inau- 
gurated by pro-slavery traitors, the great truth 
has been demonstrated, in devastation and 
death, that the nation cannot exist half slave 
and half free, and believing that political and 
relis^ious freedom is the natural right of man- 
kind evir* where, we do most fervently pray, 
and shall most earnestly labor, for the ratifica- 
tion of that amendment to the fundamental law 
which provides for the abolition of slavery 
throughout all the States and Territories of the 
federal Union. 

3. That, to the end that the consequences of 
treason may be made so appalling that never 
again shall it be inaugurated upon the United 
Slates soil, we recommend the permanent dis- 
fraucliisenient of leaders of the rebellion, civil 
and military; and that the late President of the 
so-called Confederate Slates of America, as the 
deepest embodiment of criminal barbarity, be 
brought to tlie speediest trial and swiftest execu- 
tion, regardless of the habiliments, under the 
immunities of which he sought, in the day of his 
calamity, to take refuge. 

4. That, with proper safeguards to the purity 
of the ballot-box, the elective franchise should 
be based upon loyalty to the constitution of the 
Union, recognizing and affirming equality of all 
men before the law. "Therefore, we are in favor 
of amending the constitution of our State by 
striking out the word 'while' in the article of 
refuge." 

5. That we extend to Andrew Johnson, in his 
assum|ilion of Presidential respousiliililies, our 
contidence and support, pledging for the patri- 
otic masses of Iowa a continuance of the same 
devotion to the federal flag which was promptly 
extended to his predecessors. 

6. That now the war is practically ended, and 
our brave citizeu soldiery of Iowa maj' return to 



their homes and avocations of peace, we extend 
to them the grateful thanks of the people, and a 
welcome, such as only the patriotic and the 
brave are entitled to receive. 

7. That every man who voluntarily left his 
home in this State, before or during the rebellion, 
with a view to serve the cause of treason in the 
rehel army or navy, and also every man who left 
his State to avoid military service, due from liim 
to the government, should be forever debarred 
by constitutional provision, from holding publi: 
office, and from the exercise of the rights of suf- 
frage in this State. 

8. That we approve the act'ons of our State 
executive in his hearty support of the general 
government, and we tender the thanks of this 
convention for the faithful administration ol his 
office. 

9. That we humbly return thanks to Almighty 
God for the deliverance of our State and nation 
from the further perils of war, and that we de- 
voutly recognize His hand in the great work 
which has been wrought in the last four years, 
for our people and for humanity. 

The next convention held tliis year was 
a "Soldiern' Convention," or, as the body 
termed itself, "The Union Anti-Negro Suf- 
frage Party," which convened at the Cap- 
itol August 23d, and adoptt d a platform 
and selected candidates for the various 
offices to be filled, as follows: Governor, 
Gen. Thos. H. Benton; Lieut.-Governor, 
Col. S. G. VanAnda; Supreme Judge, H. 
H. Trimble; Supt of Public Instruction, 
Capt J. W. Senate. The platform read as 
follows : 

We, the delegated representatives of the sol- 
diers and loyal citizens of Iowa, leeliug pro- 
foundly grateful for the restoration of peace 
after four years of bloody war, have met to- 
gether, as free American citizens, to adopt such 
measures as in our judgment will most certainly 
tend to perpetuate our glorious union of Slates, 
and with the blessings of free institutions and 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



iTo 



the peace bo happily restored, hereby adopt the 
foIlowiDg platform of principles, viz: 

1. We are in favor of the Monroe doctrine. 

2. We sustain the administration of Presi- 
dent Johnson, and especially endorse his recon- 
struction policy, and we pledge him our earnest 
and unqualiiitd support. 

3. We are opposed lo negro suft'rage or to the 
striking of the word "white" out of the article 
on sufi'rage in our State constitution, and will 
support no candidate for office, either State or 
national, who is in favor of negro suffjage or of 
the equality of the white and black races. 

4. We are in favor of the amendment of the 
constitution of the United States, abolishing 
shivery and the ratification of the same by our 
next Legislature 

5. That, inasmuch as we do not sufficiently 
know the sentiment of Ihc people of the State 
in regard to the prohibitory liquor law, we deem 
it expedient to refer this matter to the different 
county conventions lo taUe such action in the 
matter as by them is deemed proper, and to 
instruct their Senators and Representatives 
accordingly. 

6. We are in favor of the brave soldiers and 
marines who have faithfully served their coun- 
try in the army and navy of the United States, 
and especially of the crippled or disab'cd sol- 
diers, having the preference for all offices of 
profit, honor or trust, either by appointment or 
otherwise, where they .are equally competent 
and qualified to discharge the duties of the 
office or the trust reposed. 

7. That we cherish with grateful remem- 
brance the memory of our dead soldiers, and 
ever will be ready and willing to lend our aid, 
sympathy and. protection to the crippled and 
disabled soldiers, and the widows and orphans 
of the war. 

The Democrats also held a convention, 
made no nominations, but adopted the fol- 
lowing platform: 

1. That we heartily rejoice in the suppres- 
sion of the great rebellion and the preservation 
of the Union, and give unfeigned thanks to 
Almighty God for the restoration of peace. 



2. In order that this peace may be permanent 
and its effects speedily and widely felt, we be- 
lieve it is the duty of every patriot to sustain 
cordially the present policy of President John- 
son in reconstructing the States recently in 
rebellion. 

3. That the establishment of a monarchy on 
the soil of this continent is in direct defiance of 
the Monroe doctrine — a doctrine accepted and 
recognized by all true Americans; and it is the 
duty of the Government of the United States to 
see that the people of Mexico are freed from 
the oppression of foreign bayonets, and the 
republic restored. 

4. That we favor rigid economy in the 
national and State expenditures, and will insist 
on the reduction of the numberless horde of 
useless office-holders who feed like locusts on 
the hard earnings of the people. 

5. That we earnestly condemn the trial of 
American citizens for civil ofl'euses by courts- 
martial and military courts, in States and dis- 
tricts where civil law is unimpeded in its opera- 
tions and in full fore;. 

6. That we are radically opposed to negro 
equality in all its phases, and accept the issue 
tendered by the late Republican convention of 
the 14th of June in making that doctrine the 
chief plank in its platform by proposing to 
strike the word "white" out of the article on 
suffrage in the constitution of Iowa. 

7. That the attacks on General Sherman, 
originating in the War Department at Washing- 
ton, and servilely copied and endorsed by many 
of the leading Republican papers of the Stale, 
are the offspring of envy and fanatacism, and 
will recoil with crushing force on the heads of 
his calumniators. 

8. That we feel a just pride in the progress 
of our army and navy, and especially of the 
soldiers of Iowa, who, under Grant and Sher- 
man, have made a lasting and glorious record of 
their patient endurance of sulfering, their ad- 
mirable discipline and indomitable valor. 

9. That we hail with joy the return of these 
brave men from the liattlefiild, and extend to 
them our grateful thanks for their services and 



176 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



a hearty welcome to their homes, and believe 
that it is the duty, as it will be the pleasure, of 
their fellow-citizens to see that a due proportion 
of the civil honors and offices of the State shall 
be distributed among them, and the fostering 
care of the public extended to the widows and 
orphans of those who died in the service of their 
country. 

10. That the nssassinatian of President Lin- 
coln was an act of unmitigated barbarism, and 
one that should be held in utter abhorance by 
every good citizen. 

The official vote for Governor is as fol- 
lows: 

William M Stone, Rep 70,445-16,375 

Thos. H. Benton, Anti Negro Suf. 54,070 

Questions growing out of reconstruction 
of Southern Slates afforded the issues for 
1860. The first convention in this State 
was held by the Republicans at the Capi- 
tol, June 20, where the following ticket 
was nominated: Secretary of State, Col. 
Ed. Wright; Treasurer, Maj. S. E. Rankin; 
Auditor, J. A. Elliott; Register of State 
liand Office, Col. C. C. Carpenter; Attor- 
ney-General, F. E. Russell; Reporter of 
Supreme Court, E. H. Stiles; Clerk of 
Supreme Court, Lieut. C Linderman A 
platform was adopted, which reads as 
follows: 

Resolved, That the first and highest duty of 
our free government is to secure to all its citi- 
zens, regardless of race, religion or color, 
equality before the law, equal protection from 
it, equal responsibility to it, and to all that have 
proved their lovalty by their acts, an equal 
voice in making it. 

2. That the reconstruction of the States 
lately in the rebellion belongs, through their 
representatives in Congress, to the people who 
have subdued the relicllion and preserved the 
nation, and not to the executive alone. 

3. That we heartily approve of the joint 
resolution lately passed by the Senate and House 



of Representatives in Congress assembled, pro- 
posing to the Legislature of the several States 
an additional article by way of amendment to 
the federal constitution, and we pledge the' rati 
ficaiion of that ameuJment by the Legislature 
of Iowa. 

4. That in the firm and manly adherence of 
the Union party in Congress to the above prin- 
ciples, we recognize new guarantys to the safety 
of the nation, and we pledge to Congress our 
continued and earnest support. 

5. That we are in favor of the eiiforccmenl 
of the Monroe doctrine, and that we extend to 
all people struggling to preserve nationalitj' or 
to achieve liberty, our warmest support 

6. That we are in favor of the equalization of 
the bounties of soldiers who faithful))' served 
their country in the war for the suppression of 
the rebellion. 

7. That we are in favor of the nomination 
and election to office of such persons as are 
known to possess honesij' and capacity, and we 
unqualifiedly condemn dishonesty and careless- 
ness iu every department of the public service, 

A conservative convention was called, 
which convened at DesMoines June 27, 
and nominated the following ticket: Sec- 
retary of State, Col. S. G. Van Anda; 
Treasurer, Gen. Poe A. Slone; Auditor of 
State, Capt. R. W. Cross; Attorney-Gen- 
eral, Capt. Webster Balinger; Supreme 
Court Reporter, Capt. J. W. Senate; Clerk, 
Lewis Kinney. The followlDg platform 
was adopted: 

1. We hold that the constitution of the 
United States is the paladium of our liberties, 
and that any departure from its riquircmenls by 
the legislative, executive or judicial departments 
of the government is subversive of the funda- 
mental principles of our republican institutions. 

2. Repudiating the radical doctrine of State 
rights and secession on the one hand, and the 
centralization and consolidation of federal 
authority on the other, as equally dangerous, 
and believing that no State can secede, and the 



'^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



17V 



war hiiving been prosecuted on our part, as ex- 
pressly declan d by Congress itself, to defend 
and maintain the supremacy of the constitution, 
and to preserve the Union inviolate, with all the 
dignity, equality and rights of the States unim- 
paired, the federal arms having been victorious, 
we hold that all the States are still In the Union, 
and entitled to equal rights under the cnnstitu- 
tion, and that Congress has no power to exclude 
a State from the Union, to govern it as a terri- 
tory, or to deprive it of representation in the 
councils of the nation, when its representatives 
have been elected and qualified in accordance 
with the constitution and laws of t! e land. 

3. While we fully concede to the federal 
government the power to tr.force obedience to 
the constitution and laws enacted in conformity 
with it, and to punish those who resent its legiti- 
mate authority in the several States, we believe 
in the raainteuance, inviolable, of the rights of 
the States, and especially of the right of each 
State to order and control its own domestic insti- 
tutions according to its own judgment, exclu- 
sively, as es'sential to that balance of power (m 
which the perfection and endurance of our 
political institutions depend. 

4. We hold that each State has the right to 
prescribe the qualifications of its electors, and 
we are opposed to any alteration of the State 
constitutions on the subject of suffrage. 

5. We consider the national debt a sacred 
obligation, and the honor and reservation of the 
government as irrevocably pledged for its liqui- 
dation; no obligation, incurred in any manner 
whatever in aid of the rebellion, should ever be 
assumed or paid. 

6. The nation owes a lasting debt of gratitude 
to our soldiers and sailors of the late war for the 
suppression of the rebellion; and in the bestowal 
of public patronage by election or apjiointmcnt, 
preference should be given to those competent 
to perform duties required, and as a positive 
reward for their services, tlie government should 
give to each of those who have fallen in the ser- 
vice, or have been honorably discharged, or 
their legal representatives, one hundred and 
sixty acres of land; and justice to those who 



entered the service in the early part of the war 
d' mands that immediate provision should be 
made for the equalization of buunties, 

7. We cordially eudor.-e the restoration policy 
of President Johnson as wise, patriotic, consti- 
tutional, and in harmony wiih the loyal senti- 
ment and purpose of the people in the suppres- 
sion of the rebellion, with the platform upon 
which he was elected, with the declared policy 
of the late Piesidi nt Lincoln, the action of 
Congress, and the pledges given during the war. 

8. We regard the action of Congress, in refus- 
ing to admit loyal representatives from the 
States recently in rebellion, as unwarranted by 
the constitution, and calculated to embarrass 
and complicate, rather than adjust, our national 
trouble. 

9. The ratification by the legislatures of the 
several States of the amendment to the consti- 
tution of the United States, for the abolition of 
slavery, settles that question virtually, and 
meets our hearty approval. 

10. We are opposed to any further amend- 
ments to the constitution of the United States 
until all the States are represented in Congress, 
and have a vote in making the same. 

11. We are in favor of a strict adherence to 
the Monroe doctrine, and extend to all people 
struggling to preserve nationality and liberty 
our warmest sympathy. 

13. All ofl:cers entrusted with the manage- 
ment of funds should be held to a strict account- 
ability for the faithful application of the same, 
and in case of the defalcation or misuse of such 
funds, they should not be permitted to evade 
responsibility by implicating irresponsible agents 
selected by themselves. Any party that counte- 
nances such evasion becomes accessory to the 
crime. 

The Democratic convention assembled 
July 11th at DesMoines. No Democratic 
candidates were selected, save for two 
offices, the committee on nominations 
recommending that the convention nomi- 
nate candidates for Clerk and Reporter of 



l^ 



17; 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



the Supreme Court, and "thai, we recom- 
mend and will co-operate with the conser- 
vative element of the Republican party in 
their eflForts to restore the Union and de- 
feat radical disunionism, and for that 
purpose hereby agree to suj)port their 
candidales." 

The convention named (Japt. Albert 
Stoddard for Clerk of the Supreme Court, 
and Capt. Fred Gottschalk for Reporter. 
The following resolutions were adopted: 

Resolved, That the Democracy of Iowa will 
adhere in the present and the future, as in the 
past, with uniullering fidelity iiud firmness to 
the oiganization of tlie Deiuucrutic partj', and to 
its ancient and well settled principles, as enunci- 
ated by Thomas Jellerson, the great apostle of 
American Democracy, and as acknowledged and 
accepted by the party from the foundation of 
the government, and especially of equal taxa- 
tion and representation of all the States subject 
to tiixa'ion. 

2. That the one great question of the day is 
the immediate and unconditional restoration of 
all the Slates to the exercise of their rights 
within the federal Union under the constitution, 
and that we will cordiully and actively support 
Andrew Johnson, President of the United 
States, in all necessary and proper means to 
carry out his policy as directed to that end, and 
especially in securing immediate representation 
in the Senate and House of Representatives, to 
the eleven States from which it is now unconsti- 
tutionally aud arbitrarily withheld. 

3. That for the purposes above set forth we 
will co-operate in public meeting, conventions 
and at the polls with all men without reference 
to past parly position, who lionestly, and by 
their acts and votes as well as by their profes- 
sion, support the President in his policy of res- 
toration as declared. 

4. That the exemiition of United States 
bonils from ti,ix is nothing else th.in exemption 
of rich men from tax, because they are rich, 
and tliey lax the poor m.in because he is poor. 



Hence, justice and equality require that said 
bonds should be taxed. 

5. That striei and impartial justice demands 
that tlie expenses of the general government as 
well as the State governments should be paid by 
the peojile according to their abiliiy and not ac- 
cording to their necessities. Ilence we are 
opposed now, as in the past, to the high tariff 
which tends to burden the producer (or the ben- 
efit of the manufacturer. 

6. That the so called Maine liquor law is in- 
consistent with the genius of a free peojile, and 
unjust and burdensome in its operations. It 
has vexed and harrussed the citizens, burdened 
the counties with expenses, and proved wholly 
useless in the sup|iression of inlemperanee. 
The opinion of this convention is that the same 
ought to be repealed. 

7. That the plunder of the State treasury, by 
Governor Stone and accompl ees, calls for the 
coudeuinaticn of every honest m.in in the St.%le, 
and if the radicals of the last Legisl-ituie had 
been true to the interests of the people, they 
would not have labored to save the criminals, 
but would have piosecuted them to a speedy 
and condign punishment. 

8. That we are in favor of a prompt and 
effective enforcement of the Monroe doctrine, 
and we heartily sympathize with the people of 
every country struggling for their liberties. 

9. That we approve of the National Union 
Convention to be held at Phil idclphia on the 
14th of next month; that we approve of the 
principles and policy set forth in the address of 
the Democratic members of Congress, urging the 
Democracy of the nation to unite with the 
objects of that convention. 

10. That the memory of the brave officers 
and soldiers who lost their lives fiyhting for the 
Union during the recent rebellion, is embalmed 
in the hearts of the American people, and that 
justice, as well as huminity, demands at the 
hands of the American pi'ople that the widows 
and orphans of those who died in the Union 
service shall be duly provided for by liberal 
pensions; that there shall be an equalization of 
bounty so that those who breasted the war at 



.k 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



179 



the start shall share the equal pecuniary mu- 
nificence of those who entered the army at a 
later date. 

11. That we most cordially sympathize with 
the movement now being made by the friends 
of Ireland to obtain the independence of that 
glorious country from under the yolie of English 
tyranny, and that we bid them God speed in the 
noble work, and ho|ie that the subject of the 
independence of Ireland will continue to be agi- 
tated until ihe Emerald Isle shall stand out in 
full and bold relief on the map of the world as 
one of the independent nations of the earth. 

On Secretary of State the official vote 
was as follows: 

Ed. Wright, Rep 91,227—35,373 

Q. G VanAuda, Dem 55,854 

In 1807 the Republicans met in conven- 
tion at DesMoines, June 19th. They 
nominated for Governor, Col. Saml. Mer- 
rill; Lieutenant-Governor, Col. Juo. Scott; 
Judge of Supreme Court, Hon. J. M. Beck; 
Attorney-General, Maj . Henry O'Connor; 
Superintendent Public Instruction, Prof. 
D. Franklin Wells. The following is the 
platform adopted by the convention: 

1. That we again proclaim It as a cardinal 
principle of our political faith that all men are 
equal before the law, and we are in favor of such 
ameudmenls to the constitution of the State of 
Iowa as will secure the rights of the ballot, the 
protection of the law and equal rights to all 
men, irrespective of color, race or religion. 

2. That we apprt.ve of the military recon- 
struction acts passed by the 39th and 40th Con- 
gress. The illiberal construction by unfriendly 
officials depriving these acts of their energy and 
vitality, we demand that Congress assemble in 
July to carry out by additional enactments the 
tme and original intent of said acts, the restora- 
tion of the rebel States upon a sure and loyal 
basis. 

3. That the promt trial and punishment, 
according to law, of the head of the late rebel- 
lion, for his infamous crimes, is imperatively 



demanded for the vindication of the constitu- 
tion and the laws, and for the proper punish- 
ment of the highest crimes, it is demanded by 
justice, honor and a proper regard for the pro- 
tection of American citizenship, and by a due 
regard for the welfare and future safety of the 
republic, and it is due not only to the dignity of 
the nation, but in justice to the loyal people who 
have been so heroic in their devotion to the 
cause of the consiilution, the Union and liberty, 
and to the soldiers of the Union who survive 
and the memory of the heroic dead. 

4. That we are in favor of the strictest 
economy in the expenditures of public money, 
and that we demand at the hands of all officials, 
both State and national, a faithful and rigidly 
honest administration of public afl'airs. 

5. That the Republican members of the Con- 
gress of the United States are entitled to the 
thanks of the nation for their flniiness in resist- 
ing the conspiracy to turn over the control of 
the government to the hands of traitors and 
their allies, and defeating the purpose of a cor- 
rupt Executive, and thus sustaining the interests 
of liberty, in a great and dangerous crisis in our 
history. 

The Democracy were in convention July 
26th, and nominated the following ticket: 
Governor, Charles Mason ; Lieutenant- 
Governor, D. M. Harris; Supreme Judge, 
J. H. Craig; Attorney-General, W. T. 
Baker; Superintendent Public Instruction, . 
M. L. Fisher. The platform adopted by 
the convention was as follows: 

Resolved, That the maintenance, inviolate, of 
the rights of the States, especially the rights of 
each Slate to order and control its own institu- 
tions according to its own judgment exclusively, 
is essential to that balance of power on which 
the perfection and endurance of our political 
fabric depends. 

2. That we believe each State has the right 
to regulate the elective franchises for itself, and, 
as citizens of the State of Iowa, are opposed to 
striking the word "white" out of our State con- 
stitution. 



V 



180 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



3. That the existing tarifl" laws are unjust 
and heavily burdensome to the agricultural 
States, wilhout bcins of a- corresponding benefit 
to the government, and only of advantage to a 
few manufacturing States, and should be re- 
pealed or greatly modified. 

4. That all classes of property should pay a 
proportionate rate toward defraying the ex- 
penses of the government. We are therefore in 
favor of taxing government bonds the same as 
other property. 

5. That we are in favor of repealing the pres- 
ent liquor law of this State, and in favor of 
enacting a well regulated license law in lieu 
thereof. 

6. That we are in favor of an amendment to 
the constitution of our State giving to foreigners 
the elective franchise after they have declared 
their intention of becoming citizens of the United 
Stales, and have resided in the State one year. 

7. That we demand of our public officers in 
the State of Iowa and in the United States the 
strictest economy in order to reduce the present 
burdensome taxation, and we denounce in the 
severest terms the profligacy, corruption and 
knavery of our State officers and Congressmen. 

8. That the denial of representation to ten 
States in the Union, thiough odious military 
reconstruction, in violation to the constitution, 
should meet the unqualified oppostion of every 
good citizen. 

On Governor the official vote was as fol- 
lows: 

Samuel Merrill, Rep 90,200—27,240 

Charles Mason, Dem 63,900 

The year 1868 brought with it another 
Presidential campaign. Ulysses S. Grant 
was the Republican nominee for President, 
and Horatio Seymour that of the Demo- 
crats, in Iowa the campaign was opened 
by the Republicans, who nominated the 
following ticket : Secretary of State, Ed. 
Wright; Auditor of Slate, John A. Elli- 
ott; Treasurer of State, Maj. Samuel E. 



Rankin; Regi.-iter of State Land Office, 
Uol. C. C. Carpenter; Attorney-General, 
Major Henry O'Connor. The following 
platform was adopted : 

We, the delegates and representatives of the 
Republican party of Iowa, in convention assem- 
bled, do, for ourselves and party, resolve — 

1. That it is as important that the principles 
of the Republican party should control, in the 
administration of the State and nation now, and 
for the future, as at any time since that party's 
organization; and that the restoration to power, 
under any pretext or any form of party organi- 
zation of the men who would again apply the 
principles and policy of the pro-slavery party 
before and during the war, to the present and 
future administration of State and national 
aftairs, would be an evil of the greatest magni- 
tude, and full of danger to the country. 

2. That, while we recognize the fact that the 
electors of Iowa are to act individually and 
directly upon the proposed amendment to the 
constitution of the State; and while we reC')g- 
nize that the principles embodied in said amend- 
ment are more sacred than party ties, and above 
all consideration of mere parly policy, never- 
theless we deem it proper to again proclaim it 
as a cardinal principle of our political faith, that 
all men are equal before the law, and we are in 
favor of the proposed amendment of the consti- 
tution of the State of Iowa, which will secure 
the rights of the ballot, the protection of the 
law, and equal justice to all men irrespective of 
color, race or religion 

3. That we demand the strictest economy in 
the administration ot our State and national 
government. 

4. That we are in favor of the nomination of 
U. S. Grant as our candidate for President, and 
as a guarantee of his life and safely as well as 
that of the nation, our delegates are especially 
enjoined to secure, as our candidate for Vice- 
President, a Republican of unswerving fidelity 
and unimpeachable integrity. 

5. That the views, purposes and principles of 
the Republican organization of Iowa has ever 



^4<^ — ^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



been well defined, understood and sustained, and 
we are resolved that the Republican stiindard 
shall never be lowered or compromised; that on 
the battle-field, at the polls, and in the councils 
of the nation, Iowa has ever been radically in 
earnest in fighting for and maintaining our lib 
erty, our Union, the rights of mm and the honor 
and integrity of the nation; and that we expect 
and demand of the national convention to as- 
semble at Chicago on the 20lh inst., an unequiv- 
ocal avowal of our principles, and upon such 
platform we propose to meet and overwhelm our 
political opponents. 

The Democracy met at DesMoines and 
made nominations as follows : Secretary 
of State, David Hammer, Register of Land 
Office, A D. Anderson; Treasurer of State, 
L. McCarty; Auditor of State, H. Dun- 
lavey; Attorney-General, J. E. William- 
son. They also adopted the following res- 
olutions : 

Resolved, By the Democracy of Iowa, in con- 
vention assembled, that the reconstruction policy 
of Congress is unconstitutional and destructive 
of the spirit of American liberty, and, if carried 
out, will inevitably result in a permanent mili- 
tary despotism. 

2. That the present depressed condition of 
the country, with its prostrated business, jiara- 
lyzed industiy, oppressive taxation and political 
anarchy, are the direct results of the unwise and 
unconstitutional legislation of the dominant 
party in Congress. 

3. That it is the avowed object of the Con- 
gressional pulicy to continue in power the most 
venal and corrupt political party that ever dis- 
honored any civilization; a policy vindictively 
enacted and mercilessly prosecuted, with the 
unconstitutional purpose of centralizing and 
perpetuating all the political power of the gov- 
ernment in the dominant radical party in Con- 
gress. 

4. That for the maintenance of the national 
credit, we pledge the honor of the Democracy of 
Iowa; but that we will unalterably oppose that 
policy which opposes to pay the rich man in 



gold and the poor man in depreciated currency; 
and that we believe that the currency which is 
good enough to pay the soldier, the widow and 
the orphan, is good enough for the bondholder; 
and that the bonds of the government, which 
are made payable on their face in "lawful 
money," popularly known as greenbacks, having 
been purchased with that kind of money, may 
be justly and honorably redeemed with the 
same; and it is the duty of the government to 
pay them ofif as rapidly as they become due, or 
the financial safety of the country will permit. 

5. That the national bank system, organized 
in the interest of the bondliolders, ought to be 
abolished, and the United States notes substi- 
tuted in lieu of a natumal bank currency, thus 
saving to the people, in interest alone, more than 
$18,000,000 annually; and until such system of 
banks shall be abolished, we demand that the 
shares of such banks in Iowa shall be subject to 
the same taxes. State and municipal, as other 
property of the State. 

6. That it is the duty of the United States lo 
protect all citizens, whether native or natural- 
ized, in every right, at home and abroad, without 
the pretended claim of foreign nations to per- 
petuate allegiance. 

7. Tbat we are in favor of the repeal of the 
prohibitory liquor law, and of the enactment of 
a judicious license law in its stead, 

8. That we are opposed to conferring the 
right of suffrage upon the negroes in Iowa, and 
we deny the riuht of the general government to 
interfere with the question of suffrage in any of 
the States of the Union. 

9. That the soldiirs of Iowa, in the recent 
great revolution, exhibited a spirit of patriotism, 
courage and endurance, under great privation 
and sufferings, that have wou for them the ad- 
miration of the nation, and entitle them to the 
kind recollection of their countrymen and the 
aid of a graceful government. 

10. That Hon. Geo. H. Pendleton, of Ohio, is 
the first choice of the Den\ocracy of Iowa for 
President of the United States. 

On Secretary of State, the official vote 
stood as follows: 



J, 



182 



HISTORY OP IOWA. 



Ed. Wright, Rep 120,265 45,801 

David Hammer. Dem 74,464 

The Republicans, in 1869, re-nominated 
Samuel Merrill for Governor; — Waldon 
for LieutenaiitGovernor; Jolin F. Dillon 
for Supreme Judge; A. S. Kissell for 
Superintendent of Public Instruc ion. 
They adopted the following resolutions: 

Resolced. Thai we heaitili endorse the admin- 
istration of Governor Merrill as economical and 
honest, and that it deserves, as it lias received, 
the hearty approval of the people of Iowa. 

2. That we unite upon a continuance of strict 
and close economy in all deparlmciits of our 
State governnieut in bihilf of the maintenance 
of the happy financial condition to wliich our 
State has attained under Republican rule. 

8. That the means now in the State treasury, 
and which may become avail al)le, outrht to be 
issued for the purpose of defraying the neces- 
sary expenditures of the State government, 
economically administered, and for no other 
purpose; and no State taxes, or only the mini- 
mum absolutely required, should be levied or 
collected until such means are exhausted, to the 
end that the burden of taxation may be made as 
light as possible. 

4. That we rejoice in the glorious national 
victory of 1868, which has brought peace, happi- 
ness and prosperity to our nation; and we 
heartily endorse the administration of General 
Graul. 

5. That the publio expenditures of the na- 
tional government should be reduced to the 
lowest sum which can be reached by a system of 
the most rigid economy; that no money should 
be taken from the national treasury for any 
work of internal improvements, or for the erec- 
tion of any pulilic buildings not clearly neces- 
sary to be made or erected, until the n.itional 
debt is paid or greatly reduced. That all the 
money that can be saved from the national 
revenue, honestly collected, should be applied 
to the reduction of the national debt, to the end 
that the people may be relieved of the burthen 
of taxation :'.s rapidly as practicable. 



6. That we endorse and a; prove the policy 
which the present Secretary of the Treasury of 
the United States lias pursued. 

The Di-mocrats placed in nomination 
the following ticket: Governor, (-Jeorge 
Gillespie; Lieutenant-Governor, A. P. 
Richardson; Judge of the Supreme Court, 
W.F. Brannan; Superintendent of Public 
Instn ction, Edward Jaeger. They, also, 
adopted as a platform the following: 

Whereas, Upon the eve of a political c.mvass, 
the tiiiio-huuored usage of our party requires that 
a platform of principles be announced for the 
government ofrthose who may be elected to of- 
fice; therefore, be it 

ResUved, That the Democratic party view with 
alarm tlie action of an unscrupulous majority in 
C^ongress, in its attemi>t to absorlj the powers of 
the executive and judicial departments of the 
government, and to annihilate the rights and 
functions reserved to the State governments. 

2. That we favor a reform iu the national 
banking system, looking to an ultimate abolition 
of that pernicious plan for the aggrandizement 
of the few at the expense of the many. 

8. That now, as in time past, we are opposed 
to a high protective tarifl', and that we will use 
everj' eflbrt to prevent and difeai that system of 
national legislation which will enrich a small 
class of manufacturers, at the expense of the 
great mass of producers and consumers, and that 
we are in favor of such reforms in our tarifl' system 
as shall promote commerce with every nation of 
the woild.- 

4. That the pretended trial, conviction and 
execution of persons not in the military or naval 
service of the United States, by military commis- 
sion, is in direct conflict with the constitution, 
and we denounce the same as unworthy of a free 
people, and disgraceful to the American govern- 
ment. 

5. That we demand no more, and will submit 
to nothing less than the settlement of the Ala- 
bama claims according to the recognized rules 
of international law, and that we declare it to be 



A 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



183 



the duty of the government to protect every cit- 
izen, whether naturalized ornative, in every right 
of liberty and property throughout the world, 
without the pretended claims of foreign nations 
to their allegiance. 

6. That we are in favor of, and insist on, an 
economical administration of the national and 
State governments, that the people may be as 
speedily- as possible relieved from the load of 
taxation with which they are now oppressed, 
and that public ofHcers should be held to a strict 
accountability to the people for their ofEcial 
acts. 

7. That a national debt is a national curse, 
and that while we favor the payment of the 
present indebtedness according to the strict let- 
ter of the contract, we would rather repudiate 
the same than see it made the means for the 
establishment of an empire upon the ruins of 
constitutional law and liberty. 

8. That in the opinion of this convention the 
so-called Miiine liquor law, which now disgraces 
the statute books of the State of Iowa, ought to 
be repealed at the earliest possible moment. 

The campaign of 1870 was short, the 
first convention being held by the Demo 
crats at DesMoines, August 10. The 
nominations made were as follows: Sec- 
retary of State, Charles Doerr; Auditor of 
State, Wesley W. Garner; Treasurer of 
State, William C. James; Attorney-Gen- 
eral, H. M. Martin; Register of State Land 
Office, D. F. Ellsworth; Reportei of the 
Supreme Court, C. H. Bane; Clerk of the 
Supreme Court, William MoLenan; Judge 
of the Supreme Court, long terra, J. C. 
Knapp; Judge of the Supreme Court, to 
fill the vacancy occasioned by the resig- 
nation of Judge Dillon, P. Henry Smythe; 
Judge of the Supreme Court to fill the va- 
cancy occasioned by the resignation of 
Judge Wright, Reuben' Noble. They 
adopted the following platform: 

The representatives of the Democracy of Iowa, 
coming together in a spirit of toleration and de- 



votion to the doctrines of representative govern- 
ment, and relying for final success upon public 
discussion and the intelligence and patriotism of 
the people, deem the present convention a fitting 
occasion to proclaim the following as the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic party of Iowa: 

Resolved, That the internal revenue system of 
the United States is unendurable in its oppres- 
sive exactions; that to impose burdens upon one 
classof citizens, or upon onebrmch of industry, 
to build up another, and to support an army of 
office-holders to enforce their collection, is an 
abuse of the taxing power, and that we are in 
favor of the collection of all taxes through State 
government. 

2. That we are opposed to the present unjust 
and unequal tarill" system, and in favor of one 
which, while adapted to the purpose of raising 
the eecessary revenue to provide for the liquida- 
tion of our national indebtedness, to meet the 
expenditures of an economical administration, 
will not .<ppress labor and build up monopolies. 

3. That we are in favor of such disposition 
of our public lands as will secure their occupa- 
tion by actual settlers, and prevent their absorp- 
tion by mammoth corporations. 

4. That we assert the right of the people by 
legislative enactment, to tax, regulate, and con- 
trol all moneyed corporations upon which extra- 
ordinary rights are conferred by charters. 

5. That we are opposed to any attempt to 
abridge the most full and free enjoyment of 
civil and n-ligious liberty. 

6. That we cordially invite the electors of 
Iowa to co-operate with us in the support of the 
priucii)les herein enunciated. 

The Re publicans met one week later 
than the Democrats, and nominated for 
Supreme Judge, full term, C. C. Cole; Su- 
preme Judge, Dillun vacancy, W. E. Mil- 
ler; Supreme Ju^lge, Wright vacancy, Jas. 
G. Day; Secretary of State, Ed. Wright; 
Au liior, John Russell; Trea-urer, S E. 
Haiikin; Register of Land Office, Aaron 
Brown; Attorney-General, Henry O'Con- 
ner; R porter of the Supreme Court, E. 



r 



184 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



II. Stiles; Clerk of Supreme Court, Chas. 
Linderman. The following are the reso- 
lutions adopted by tlie Republicau conven- 
tion : 

Resolved, That we refer witli pride to the his- 
tory of the Republican party, and coiigralulate 
the country upon its successful career. It has 
given to the poor man a homestead; it has abol- 
ished slavery, and established manhood suffi;ige; 
crushed treason, and given to us tbc Pacitic rail- 
road; settled the doctrine of the right of expa- 
triation, maintained the honor, integrity and 
credit of our nation. It has vindicated the 
Monroe doctrine by preventing foreign powers 
from interfering with the governuient on this 
continent; and to perpetuate it in power is the 
only safe guaranty for peace and prosperity in 
the future. 

2. That we heartily endorse the honest, faith- 
ful, and economical adminstralion of General 
Grant, bv which our national debt has become 
so largely reduced, and our national credit and 
honor so firmly maintained. 

3. That a tariff for revenue is indispensable, 
and shouUl be so adjusted as not to become pre- 
judicial to the iudusirial interests of any class 
or section of the country, while securing to our 
home products fair competition with foreign 
capital and labor. 

4. That we are opnosed to any system or 
plan of granting public lands to railroad or 
other corporations without ample provision 
being made to secure their speedy sale at 
moderate prices, and occupancy upon fair and 
liberal terms by any and all who desire to pur- 
chase and settle upon them. 

5. That we are in favor of an economical 
and judicious management of the affairs of the 
State, and with this view we endorse the present 
administration of the State government, and 
commend it to the favorable consideration of 
the people and to future admiustratious. 

6. That we arc in favor of such legislation as 
will protect the people from the oppression of 
monopolies controlled by and in the Interest of 
corporati' ns. 



7. That while, as Americans, we feel in duty 
bound to preserve a stiict neutrality in the con- 
test now waging in Europe, yet we cannot forget 
tliat in our late war the sympathies and material 
aid of the German states were freely given, us, 
and we do not hesitate to declare our unqualilicd 
syn pathy with the earnest efforts of the Germans 
to maintain and defend their national unity; and 
we condemn the course which the Democratic 
press of the country has been and is now pursu- 
ing in the support of adespotic, imperial dynasty, 
and a causeless war against a people desiring 
peace, and aspiring to perfect liberty. 

8. That the Republican party of Iowa wel- 
come to our shores all human beings of every 
nation, irrespective of race or color, voluntarily 
seeking a home in our midst; and all the rig.'ls 
and privileges which we, as citizens, demand for 
ourselves, we will freely accord to them. 

9. That we are in favor of amending our 
naturalization laws by striking out the word 
"white" from the same, wherever it occurs. 

The official vote on Secretary of State 
was as follows: 

Ed. Wright, Rep 101,938—41,433 

Charles Dorr, Dem ()0,oU.5 

In 1871 the Democrats were again first 
in the field, assembling in convention at 
DesMoines, June 14th, and nominated for 
Governor, J. C. Knapp; Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, M. M. Ham; Supreme Judge, John 
F. Duncorabe; Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, Edward M. Munn. They 
adopted the following platform: 

Resolved, That we recognize our binding obli- 
gation to the constitution of the United States, 
as it now exists, without reference to the means 
by which the same became the supreme law of 
the land. 

2. That we will faithfully support the consti- 
tution of the United States, as it now exists, and 
that we demand for it a strict construction so as 
to protect equally the rights of Stales and indi- 
viduals. 

3. That we cherish yie American system of 
State and local governments, and that we 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



1^ 



will forever defend the same agaiust the cential- 
ized federal power. 

4. That universal suffrage, having been estab- 
lished, should now be coupled with its twin 
measure, universal amnesty. 

5. That we denounce all riotous combinations 
and conspiracies against law, and demand that 
the same be suppressed by the proper Stale 
authorities, and that the federal power ought not 
to intervene unless such intervention is de- 
manded by the State authorities. 

6. That the proposed annexation of the Do- 
minican republic meets with our earnest oppo- 
sition, partly on account of the character of the 
mongrel population, and that of their unfitness 
to become American citizens, but more especially 
on account of the corrupt motives in which that 
measure had its inception, and of the reprehen- 
sible means by which it was sought to be con- 
summated. 

7. That while we have a tariff on imports, it 
must be regulated with an eye single to revenue, 
and not with a view to what is called protection, 
which is only another name for the legalized 
plundering of one industry to bestow favors 
upon another; and that the recent election to 
the United States Senate, by the Legislature of 
Iowa, of a mm wholly and openly committed to 
a protective tariff, demonstrates that the party 
in power are in antagonism to the great agricul- 
tural interests of the State. 

8. That the profligate corruption and wanton 
extravagance which pervade every department of 
the federal government, the sacrifice of the inter- 
est of the laborer to aggrandize a handful of aris- 
tocrats, the wicked deprivation of the people of 
their rightful heritage to public lands, which have 
been made a gift to railroad and other monopo- 
lists, the payment of more than $iO,000,000 prem- 
ium during the administration of President 
Grant on government bonds, payable at par, the 
maintenance, at an annual cost to the people of 
nearly f30,000,000, of an unconstitutional, op- 
pressive and extortionate system of banking, 
whereby money is made scarce and interest 
high, are abuses which call for wise and thor- 
ough reme'dies. 



9. That we are in favor of strict economy, of 
a large reduction in the expenditures of the 
federal and State governments, of civil service 
reform, of the collection of the internal revenue 
by State authorities and return to honest labor 
the myriads of tax-gatherers who inflict our land 
and eat up its substance, and of the speedy trial, 
conviction and punishment of the thieves who 
have stolen the taxes paid by the people. 

10. That it is a fl;igrant outrage on the rights of 
the free laborers and mechanics of Iowa, that 
the labor of penitentiary convicts should be 
brought into conflict with theirs, and that it is 
the duty of the next Legislature to enact such 
laws as will certainly and effectually protect 
them from such unjust and ruinous competition. 

11. That section 2, article 8, of the constitu- 
tion of Iowa, which declares that "the property 
of all corporations for pecuniary profit shall be 
subject to taxation the same as that of individ- 
uals," should be rigidly and strictly enforced, 
and that by virtue thereof we demand that rail- 
roads and railroad property shall be taxed the 
same as the farmer and the mechanic are taxed, 
and we afiirm the right of the people, by legis- 
lative enactment, to regulate and control all cor- 
porations doing business within the borders of 
the State. 

12. That with the watchword of reform we 
contidently go to the country; that we believe 
the interests of the great body of the people are 
the same; that without regard to the past political 
associations they are the friends of free govern- 
ment; that they are equally honest, brave and 
patriotic, and we appeal to them, as to our 
brothers and countrymen, to aid us to obtain 
relief from the grievous abuses which wrong 
and oppress every one except the wrong-doers 
and oppressors themselves. 

The Republicans met at DesMoines, 
June 21st, and placed the following ticket 
in nomination: Governor, C. C. Carpen- 
ter; Lieutenant-Governor, H. C. Bulls; 
Judge of Supreme Court, J. G. Day; Su- 
perintendent Public Instruction, Alonzo 



W 



HISTOEY OF IOWA. 



Abernethy. The platform adopted by the 
convention was as follows: 

liesoloed, That we refer with pride to the his- 
tory of the Ilciiublican party, and congratulate 
the people of the country upon its successful 
career. It has given to the poor man a home- 
stead; it has abolished slavery and established 
manhood suffrage; crushed treason, and given 
us a continental railway; settled the doctrine of 
the right of expatriation; maintained the honor, 
integrity and credit of the nation; has vindi- 
cated the Monroe doctrine by preventing foreign 
powers from interfering with the governments 
of this continent, and to perpetuate it in power 
is the only guaranty for peace and prosperity in 
the future. 

2. That we heartily congratulate the country 
upon the settlement of our vexed and dangerous 
controversies with the government of Great Brit- 
ain, and especially upon the just and Christian 
spirit and manner in which these controversies 
have been settled. 

3. That while we favor a just and reasonable 
dpi^ree of protection to all branches of American 
Industry against foreign competition, we are 
unalterably opposed to any system of legislation 
which favors one section of the country or de- 
partment of industrial enterprise at the exnense 
of another, and therefore advocate such protec- 
tion only as a faiily adjusted revenue tariff will 
afford. 

4. That we are in favor of a uniform system 
of taxation, so that all property within the limits 
of the States, whether of imlividuals or corpo- 
rations, for pecuniary profit, shall bear its just 
share of the public burdens. 

5. That, believing that all corporations doing 
business within the limits of this State are right- 
fully ^ubj(•cl to the control of the people, we are 
in favor of so providing, by proper legislative 
enactment, as to elfectually prevent monopoly 
and extortion on the part of railroaus and other 
corporations. 

6. That we are in favor of extending the 
blessings of civil and religious liberty to the 
human race everywhere, and therefore, when- 



ever it shall be made manifest that the people 
of San Domingo .co desire annexation to the 
United States, for the purpose of enjoying the 
benefits which such relation would afford them, 
we shall favor the earnest and intelligent con- 
sideration of this question by the treaty-making 
power of the government. 

7. That, as agriculture is the basis of pros- 
perity of this State, we recognize its pre-emi- 
nent claims for support, by legislation or other- 
wise, as may be necessary to secure full devel- 
opment of our highly-favored State. 

8. That we are for such a modification of our 
revenue system as will, at as early a day as pos- 
sible, relieve the pressure of our internal reve- 
nue laws, and reduce, as far as praticable, ihe 
expenses of collecting the taxes. 

9. That we cordially approve and earnestly 
endorse the eminently wise, patriotic, and eco- 
nomical administration of President Grant, and 
heartily commend it to the favorable considera- 
tion of the country. 

10. That we are opposed to any system or 
plan of granting public lands to railroads or 
other corporations without ample provision be- 
ing made for securing their speedy sale at a 
moderate price, and occupancj-, upon fair and 
liberal terms, to any and all who desire to pur- 
chase and settle upon them. 

11. That we are in favor of an econoniiral 
and judicious management of the affairs of the 
Slate, and, with this view, we endorse the 
present administration of the State govern- 
ment. 

The official vote on Governor was as 
follows: 

C. C. Carpenter, Rep 109,228—41,029 

J. C. Knapp, Dem 68, 199 

During Grant's first administration new 
issues were formed, and a new movement 
sprung up, known as the l.eberal Republi- 
cans. This party placed in nomination 
Horace Greeley for President and B. Gratz 
Brown for Vice-President. The Demo- 
crats, meeting in convention shortly after 



'k 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



]87 



the nomination of Greeley, ratified the 
nomination and adopted the Liberal Re- 
publican platform. The disaffection was 
80 great among Democrats that Charles 
O'Connor was placed in nomination, as a 
regular Democrat, for the office of Presi- 
dent. Gen. Grant was re-nominated by 
the Republicans, with Henry Wilson for 
Vice-President. In Iowa the Democrats 
and Liberal Republicans met in convention 
August 1, 187'2, at DesMoines, and agreed 
upon the following ticket, of which two 
candidates were Democrats and three 
Republicans: Secretary of State, Dr. 
E. A. Guilbert; Treasurer, M. S. Rohlfs; 
Auditor, J. P. Cassady; Attorney-Gent ral, 
A. G. Case; Register of State Land Office, 
Jacob Butler. The two conventions also 
adopted the following platform: 

Resolved, That we approve of and endorse the 
action of the late Democratic convention at 
Biltimore, in placing in nomination Horace 
Greeley for President and B. Gratz Brown for 
Vice President, and we adopt its platform and 
principles. 

2. Th;it in the State ticket this day presented 
by the joint action of the Democratic and Liberal 
State conventions, we recognize citizens of in- 
tegrity, worth and ability, whose election would 
best subserve the interests of the State, and to 
whom we pledge our undivided and cordial 
support. 

The Republican convention met August 
21 and nominated, for Secretary of State, 
Josiah T.Young; Auditor, John Russell; 
Treasurer, Wm. Christy; Register of State 
Land Office, Aaron Brown; Attorney-Gen- 
eral, M. E. Cutts. The following platform 
was also adopted: 

The representatives of the Republican party 
of the State of Iowa, assembled in State conven 
tion on the 21st day of August, A. D. 1872, 
declare their unceasing faith in the principles 



and platform adopted by the National Republi- 
can convention at Philadelphia, on the 6lh day 
of June 1873, and with honest pride refer to the 
history of the party in this State and nation, and 
announces an abiding faith in its present integ- 
rity and future supremacy. Under the control 
of this organization, a gigantic rebellion has 
been crushed, four millions of slaves not only 
released from bondage, but elevated to all the 
rights and duties of citizenship; freedom of 
speech has been secured, the national credit 
sustained; the taxes reduced, and the commer- 
cial interests of the whole country nurtured and 
protected, producing a condition of individual 
and national prosperity heretofore unequaled. 
So marked, decisive and unmistakable has been 
the judgment of the people of this country that 
the maintenance of the principles of the Repub- 
lican party are the only true guaranty of national 
l>rosperity and national security Ihruughout the 
country; that at last the De.nocratic party have 
nominally abandoned tlie princiiiles which they 
have heretofore maintained, and announced 
their adhesion to the principles of the Republi- 
can party, and are endeavoring to steal into 
power by nominating recent Republicans. But 
with full confidence of our glorious triumph in 
the present campaign, both in this State and the 
nation, we hereby reiterate and re atlirm the great 
principles that have governed and controlled the 
Republican party in the past, and pledge to the 
people their maintenance in the future. 

Resolved, That the nomination of our present 
able, earnest and incorruptible Chief Magistrate, 
Ulysses S. Grant, for re-election to the Pjesi- 
dencyof the United States, and of Henry Wilson, 
of Massachusetts, for Vice-President, meets our 
unqualified and hearty approval. 

3. That we are in favor of the most rigid 
economy in the administration of the affairs of 
this State and the nation. 

3, That we are opposed to any legislation. 
State or national, that tends to unjustly dis- 
criminate between individual interest and that 
of corporations, believing that property, whether 
held by individuals or corporations, should bear 
their equal and just portion of the public bur- 
dens. 



V 



188 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



4. That we are opposed to all further grants 
of land to railroad or other corporations, and the 
public domain which is the common heritage of 
the people of this country should be sacredly 
held by the government for the use and benefit 
of actual and bona fide settlers. 

5. That we hereby endorse the recommenda- 
tion of General Grant, that emigrants be pro- 
tected by national legislation, and that all cfTorts 
on the part of the government of the State or 
nation to encourage emigration from foreign 
countries meet our approval; and we hereby 
commend the labors of the officers of the State 
in their efforts to encourage and secure emigra- 
tion to this State. 

6. That we cordially endorse the nominations 
made by this convention, and pledge to the 
nominees our hearty, active and earnest support. 

A " straight " Democratio convention 
was held at DesMoines, September 6th, 
which adopted the following platform, 
and placed in nomination a ticket: 

Resolved, That the coalition ef office hunters 
at Cincinnati and Baltimore, whereby Horace 
Greeley, a life long, mischievous and unchanged 
Republican, was presented as Democratic candi- 
date for Presidency, merits the condemnation of 
every honest elector, and we repudiate the same 
on behalf of the unpurchasable Democracy of 
the State of Iowa. 

2. That, with Chas. O'Connor and the Louis- 
ville National Convention, we believe that 
Horace Greeley, above all other living Ameri- 
cans, is the recognized champion of the pernic- 
ious system of government. Intermeddling 
with those concerns of society which, under 
judicious laws of State enactment, should be 
left to individual action, and as such, he cannot 
consistently or safely receive the vote of any 
Democrat. 

3. With the Louisville convention, we also 
believe that the principles of the dual Republi- 
can party, one faction of which is led by Grant 
and the other by Greeley, are inimical to consti 
tutional free government, and husiile to the fun- 
damental basis of our union of co-ordinate self- 



governing States, and that the policies of said 
dual party are in practice demoralizing to the 
public service, oppressive upon the labor of the 
people, and subversive of the highest interests 
of the country. 

4. That we will act upon the advice of said 
convention, and for national regeneration will 
form political associations, independent of either 
branch of said dual party, and nominate and sup- 
port, in the ajjproachingfall elections. State and 
district candidates who are in harmony with said 
convention, and who are opposed to all the prin- 
ciples, policies and practices of said dual parly; 
that we heartily endorse all the proceedings of 
the Louisville national convention, and pledge 
to its nominees, Charles O'Connor and John 
Quincy Adams, our most cordial support. 

5. That the supposed availability of Horace 
Greeley, as a coalition candidate, upon which 
alone his name found any support, having 
already signally failed, it becomes the duty of 
the Baltimore delegates to formally withdraw 
from the lists a name which so manifestly fore- 
dooms the national Democratic party, with all 
its hopes and aspirations, to merilable and dis- 
honorable defeat. 

6. That the alacrity with which the Demo- 
cratic press of Iowa, wiih one honorable excep- 
tion, has championed the corrupt Greeley con- 
spiracy, presents the most scandalous defection 
in all our political history, an.idst which the 
sturdy devotion to sound principle, exhibited by 
the Audubon county Sentinel and the Chicago 
Timet, is especially gratifying, and we there- 
fore urge upon the Democracy of Iowa a diter- 
mined effort to give the Times and Sentinel an 
extensive circulation throughout the entire 
Slate, and such other reliable Democratic jour- 
nals as may be hereafter established. 

7. Tlial it is the sentiment of this convention 
that we proceed to nominate a full O'Connor and 
Adams electoral ticket and substitute Demo- 
cratic names on the Slate ticket, where Repub- 
licans have been phiced in lieu thereof, and that 
we suggest that where Republicans have bien 
nominated for Congress by Ihe so called Demo- 
crats and Liberals in the seveial Congressional 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



districts, tliat Democrats in favor of the Louis- 
ville nominations be substituted in their stead 
by the several Congressional districts. 

The following State ticket was nomi- 
nated by the convention: Secretary of 
State, L. S. Parvin, who subsequently de- 
clined and Charles Baker was substituted; 
Treasurer, D. B. Beers; Auditor, J. P. 
Cassady; Attorney-General, A. G. Case; 
Register, of Land Olfice, Dave Sheward. 
The following is the official vote on Sec- 
retary of State: 

J. T. Young, Rep 132,359—57,863 

E. A. Quilbert, Lib. andDem 74,497 

D. B. Beers, straight Dem 1,333 

The* Republican State Convention for 
1873 met at DesMoiues, June 25, and 
nominated, for Governor, C. C. Carpenter; 
Lieutenant - Governor, Joseph Dysart; 
Judge of Supreme Court, J. M. Beck; 
Supt. of Public Instruction, Alonzo Aber- 
nethy. The following platform was 
adopted: 

The Republicans of Iowa, in mass convention 
assembled, make this declaration of principles: 
We hold the Republican party to be a political 
organization of those American citizens who are 
opposed to slavery in all its forms; who believe 
that all men are entitled to the same political 
and civil rights; who believe that all laws, State 
and national, should be made and administered 
so as to secure to all citizens, wherever born or 
whatever their color, creed, condition or occu- 
pation, the same rights before the law; who 
believe in free schools, free opinion and universal 
education; who believe that American society 
and the American people should all be raised 
to the highest possible plane of liberty, honesty, 
purity, intelligence and morality, and that all 
laws should be made and the government con- 
stantly administered with this aim in view, and 
that no parly has a right to support of the people 
which it not inspired with this purpose. Believ 
ing that the Republican party is still controlled 



by these principles, and that it is now, as it has 
been from its beginning, an organization of the 
best auJ purest political sentiment of the 
country, we, as Republicans, renew the expres- 
sion of our devotion to it, and our belief that we 
can secure through it the political reform and 
the just and necessary measures of legislation, 
and of relief from monopolies and other abuses 
of power which the country so much needs; 
therefore. 

Resolved, That, proud as we are of most of the 
past record of the Republican party, we yet 
insist that it shall not rely upon its past achieve- 
ments; it must be a party of the present and of 
progress; and as it has preserved the Union, 
freed the slave and protected him from the 
oppression of the slave-master, it will now be 
direliot to its spirit and its duty if it does not 
protect all our people from all forms of oppres- 
sion, whether of monopolies, centralized capil al, 
or whatsoever kind the oppression may be. 

2. That we insist upon the right and duty of 
the State to control every franchise of whatever 
kind it grants; and while we do not wish that 
any injustice shall be done to the individual or 
corporation who invest capital in enterprises of 
this kind, we yet demand that no franchise shall 
be granted which is prejudicial to the public 
interests, or in which the rights and interests of 
the State and the people are not carefully and 
fully guarded. 

8. That the producing, commercial and in- 
dustrial interests of the country should have 
the best and cheapest modes of transportation 
possible; and while actual capital invested in 
such means of transit, whether by railroad or 
otherwise, should be permitted the right of 
reasonable remuneration, an abuse in their man- 
agement, excessive rates, oppressive discrimina- 
tions against localities, persons or interests, 
should be corrected by law, and we demand con- 
gressional and legislative enactments that will 
control and regulate the railroads of the coun- 
try, and give to the people fair rates of trans- 
portation, and protect them against existing 
abuses. 

4. That we heartily applaud the active meas- 
ures of the late Congress, in ferreting out and 



^. 



190 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



exposing corruption. We have seen, with pro- 
found regret, in the developments made thereby, 
evidences of political and official corruption, 
and the abuse of responsible positions by men 
of all political parties, to further personal ends, 
and we demand pure official conduct and the 
puuishmenl of unfaithful public men. who, 
having betrayed the confidence freely extended 
to them, shall not be shielded from the disgrace 
of their acts by any partisanship of ours, and 
we denounce all credit mobilier transactions and 
all official misconduct of whatever form. 

5 That we believe that whenever a person 
holding any position of trust given him by 
Ihe people, is guilty of fr.iud or embezzlement, 
he should be convicted and punished under the 
criminal laws of our land, in addition to the re- 
covery from him or his bondsmen of the amount 
80 embezzled. 

6. That the act of the majority of the mem- 
bers of the last Congress, in passing what is 
known as the back-pay steal, by which they 
voted into their pockets thousands of dollars 
which did not belong to them, as well as the act 
of those who voted against the same and yet re- 
ceived the money, is most flagrantly improper 
and infamous, and should secure the political 
condemnation of all who were party to it; and 
we demand that the provisions of the said act 
by which the salaries were increased, shall be 
promptly and unconditionally repealed. 

7. That we sympathize with every movement 
to secure for agriculture and labor their due in- 
fluence, interests and rights, and the Republican 
parly will be their ally in every just eftorl to at- 
tain that end. 

8. That we are desirous of political reform, 
and for honesty, economy an ? purity in all offl 
cial administration; that to secure this is the 
duty -.f every citizen; that to this end every 
good man should feel bound to participate in 
politics, and to make an end to bad men forcing 
their election by securing a party nomination, 
we declare it the duly of every Republican to 
oppose the election of a bad and incompetent 
candidate, whether he be a candidate upon our 
own or upon any other ticket. 



The question of monopolies began to 
agitate the people to a great extent at this 
time and the opposition to Republicans 
united under the name of anti-monopolists. 
An Anti-Molopolist convention was held at 
Des Moines, August 12th, and the follow- 
ing ticket nominated Governor, Jacob 
G. Vale; Lieutenant-Governor, Fred. 
O'Donnell; Supreme Judge, B. J. Hall; 
Supt. of Publiclnstruction, D. M. Prindle. 
The following platform was adopted at 
this convention: 

Whereas, Political parties are formed to 
meet public emergencies; and when they have 
discharged the duty which called them into 
being, they may become the means of abuse as 
gross as those they were organized to reform; 
and. 

Whereas, Both of the old political parties 
have discharged the obligations assumed at their 
organization, and being no longer potent as 
instruments for the reform of abuses which have 
grown up in them, therefore we deem it incon- 
sistent to attempt to accomplish a political reform 
by acting with and in such organization; there- 
fore, 

Resolved, That we, in free convention, do 
declare, as the basis of our future political 
action, — 

3. That all corporations are subject to legisla- 
tive control; that those created by Congress 
should be restricted and controlled by Congress, 
and that those under State laws should be sub- 
ject to the control respectively of the Stale 
creating them; that such legislative control 
should be in expressed abrogation of the theory 
of the inalienable nature of ihartertd rights, and 
that it should be at all limes so used as to 
prevent the moneyed corporations from becom 
ing engines of oppression; that the property of 
all corporations should be assessed by the same 
officers, and taxed at the same rate as the pro- 
perty of individuals; that the Legislature of Iowa 
should, by law, fix maximum rates of freight to 
be charged by the railroads of the State, leaving 
them free to compete below the rates. 



^ c 



^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



3. Thiit we favor such modification of our 
banking system as will exleud its beiufits to 
the whole people, and thus destroying all 
monopoly now enjoyed by a favored few. 

4. That we demand a general revision of the 
present tariflf laws that shall give usiiee salt, 
iron, lumber, and cotton and woolen fabrics, and 
reduce the whole system to a revenue basis only. 

5. That we will not knowingly nominate any 
bad man to office, nor give place to persistent 
seekers therefor, but will freely seek for our- 
selves competent officers — as heretofore, politi- 
cal leaders have sought office for themselves — 
and that we will nominate only those known to 
be faithful and in sympathj' with these declara- 
tions, and will, at the polls, repudiate any candi- 
date known to be unfit or incompetent. 

6. That we demand the repeal of the back 
salary law, and the return to the United States 
treasury of all money received thereunder by 
members of the last Congress and of members 
of the present Congress. We demand a repeal 
of the law increasing salaries, and the fixing of a 
lower and more reasonable compensation for 
public officers, believing that until the public 
debt is paid and the public burden lightened, 
the salaries of our public servants should be 
more in proportion to the awards of labor in 
prfvate life. 

7. That we are opposed to all future grants 
of land to railroads or other corporations, and 
' elieve that the public domain should be held 
sacred to actual settlers; and are in favor of a 
law by which each honorably discharged soldier 
or his heirs may use such discharge in any 
government land-office in full payment for a 
quarter-section of unappropriated public lands. 

8. That public officers who betray their 
pledges or trust are unworthy of renewed con- 
fidence, and those who criminally trifle with tlje 
public funds must be punished as criminals, 
regardleis of their previous influence or the 
political importance of their bondsmen. 

9. That we arc in favor of a strict construc- 
tion of our constitution by our Supreme and 
other courts, and are opposed to the exercise of 
the doubtful powers by judicial or other officers. 



10. That in the corrupt Tammany steal, the 
credit mobilier fraud, the congressional salary 
swindle and official embezzelements, and the 
hundreds of other combinations, steals, frauds, 
and swindlf'S, by which Democratic and Repub- 
lican legislators, congressmen, and offlce-holders 
have enriched themselves, and defrauded the 
country and impoverished the people, we find 
the necessity of independent action and the 
importance of united effort, and cordially invite 
men, of whatever calling, business, trade, or 
vocation, regardless of past political views, to 
join us in removing the evils that so seriously 
affect us all. 

The vote was light, and on Governor 
was as follows: 

C. C. Carpenter, Rep 10.5,133—34,113 

J. G. Vale, Anti-M...i 81,020 

An Anti-Monopoly conventiou was held 
at DesMoines, June 23, 1874, which nom- 
inated the following ticket and adopted 
the following platform: Secretary, David 
Morgan; Auditor, J. M. King; Treasurer, 
J. W. Basner; Attorney-General, J. H. 
Keatley; Clerk of Supreme Court, Geo.W. 
Ball; Reporter of Supreme Court, J. M. 
Weart. The following is the platform: 

Resolved, That we, the delegated representa- 
tives of the people of Iowa, favorable to the 
organization of an independent political party, 
laying aside past diflerences of opinion, and 
earnestly uniting in a common purpose to secure 
needful reforms in the administration of public 
affairs, cordially unite in submitting these decla- 
rations: 

1. That all political power is inherent in the 
people; that no government is worthy of pre- 
servation or should be upheld which does not 
derive its power from the consent of the gov- 
erned, by equal and just laws; that the inesti- 
mable right of life, liberty and the pursuit of 
happiness should be secured to all men, without 
distinction of race, color or nativity; that the 
maintenance of these principles is essential to 
the prosperity of our republican institutions. 



^^ 



IIISTOEY OF IOWA. 



and that to this end the federal constitution, 
with all Its amendments, the rights of the States, 
and the union of the Slates must and shall be 

presei-ved. 

3. That the maintenance inviolate of the 
rights of the States, and especially of the right 
of each State to order and control its' own 
domestic institutions according to its judg- 
ment exclusively, is essential to that bal- 
ance of power on which the perfection and 
endurance of our political fabric depends; 
and that we denounce as a criminal excess of 
constitutional power the policy of President 
Grant's administration in fostering the enormi- 
ties perpetrated in certain States of the Union 
in arbitrarily interfering with their local affairs, 
in sustaining therein the usurpations of aliens 
and irresponsible adventurers, whereby certain 
men have been illegally invested with oflScial 
authority, and others deprived of their constitu- 
tional rights, oppressive laws enacted, burden- 
some taxation imposed, and immense and ficti- 
tious indebtedness created, resulting in the 
degradation of those States, and the general 
impoverishment of their people. 

8. That the conduct of the present adminis- 
tration, in its bold defiance of public sentiment 
and disregard of the common good, in its prodi- 
gality and wasteful extravagance, in the innum- 
erable frauds perpetrated under its authority, in 
its disgraceful partiality for and rewards of un- 
worthy favorites, in its reckless and unstable 
financial policy, and in its total incapacity to 
meet the vital questions of the day, and provide 
for the general welfare, stands without a paral- 
lel in our national history, and the highest con- 
siderations of duty require the American 
people, in the exorcise of their inherent sover- 
eignty, to correct these accumulating evils, and 
bring the government back to its ancient land- 
marlts, patiotism and economy. 

4. That the faith and credit of the nation 
must be maintained inviolate; that the public 
debt, of whatever kind, should be paid in strict 
accordance with the law under whiih it was 
contracted; that an over issue of paper money 
being at variance with the principles of a sound 
financial policy, the circulating medium should 



be based upon its redemption in specie at the 
earliest practicable day, and its convertibility 
into a specie equivalent at the will of the holder, 
and that, subject to these restrictions, it is the 
duty of Congress to so provide, by appropriate 
legislation, that the volume of our government 
currenc}' shall at all times be adequate to the 
general l)usiness and commerce of the country, 
and equitably distributed among the several 
States. 

5. That tariffs and all other modes of taxa- 
tion should be imposed upon the basis of rev- 
enue alone, and be so adjusted as to yield the 
minimum amount required for the legitimate 
expenditure of the government, faithfully and 
economically administered, and that taxation to 
an extent necessary to the accumulation of a 
surplus revenue in the treasury, subjects the 
people to needless burdens and affords a temp- 
tation to extravagance and official corruption. 

6. That railroads and all other corporations 
for pecuniary profit should be rendered subser- 
vient to the public good; that we demand such 
constitutional and necessary legislation upon 
this subject, both State and national, as will 
effectually secure the industrial and producing 
interests of the country against all forms of 
corporate monopoly and extortion, and that the 
existing railroad legislation of this State should 
faiihfully be enforced, until experience may 
have demonstrated the propriety and justice of 
its modification. 

7. That while demanding that railroads be 
subject to legislative control, we shall discoun- 
tenance any action on this subject calculated to 
retard the progress of railroad enterjirise, or 
work injustice to those invaluable auxiliaries to 
commerce and civilization. 

8. That the limitation of the Presidency to 
one term, and the election of President, Vice 
President and United States Senators by a direct 
popular vote, and a thorough reform of <5ur civil 
service to the end that capacity and fidelity he 
made the essential qualifications for election and 
appointment to office, are proposed reforms 
which meet our hearty endorsement. 

9. That we demand such a modification of 
the patent laws of the United States as shall 



nv 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



193 



destroy the monopoly now enjoyed by the man- 
ufacture of agricultural and other implements 
of industry. 

10. That the personal liberty and social rights 
of the citizens should not be abridged or con- 
trolled by legislative enactment, except in so 
far as may be necessary to promote the peace 
and welfare of society. 

11. That holding in grateful remembrance 
the soldiers and sailors who fought our battles, 
and by whose heroism the nation was preserved, 
we insist that Congress shall equalize the boun- 
ties and grant to eaeh one of them, or to his 
widow and children, a homestead of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of land from the unappro- 
priated domain of the country. 

12. That we desire hereafter to be linown as 
the Independent party of Iowa, and recognizing 
the individual conscience of the voter as para- 
mount to the claims of the. party, ask the co- 
operation of those only to whom this declaration 
of principles and the candidates nominated 
by this convention may commend themselves 
worthy. 

The Republican convention, which con- 
vened July l8t, at DesMoines, put in nom- 
ination for Secretary of State, Josiah T. 
Young; Treasurer of State, Wm. Christy; 
Auditor of State, Buren R Sherman; Reg- 
ister of State Land Office, David Secoi; 
Attorney-General, M. C. Cutts; Judge of 
Supreme Court, E. J. Holmes; Reporter of 
Supreme Court, John S. Runnells. The 
following is the Republican platform: 

We, the representatives of the Republican 
party of the State of Iowa, in convention assem- 
bled, do adopt the following platform of princi- 
ples: 

Besoloed, That as the policy of the Republi- 
can party in relation to finance, has atlorded the 
people not only a safe, sound and popular cur- 
rency, of equal and uniform worth in every 
portion of our common country, but has like- 
wise greatly improved the credit of the country 
at home and abroad, we point with pride to its 
record and accomplishments in this regard. And 



while re-affirming the policy announced by the 
party in the national conventions of 1868 and 
187:3, and triumphantly endorsed by the people 
at the polls— a pulicy which, while contributing 
to the public credit has also enhanced the indi- 
vidual and collective prosperity of the American 
people — we favor such legislation as shall make 
national banking free to all, under just and 
equal laws, based upon the policy of specie re- 
sumption at such time as is consistent with the 
material and industrial interests of the counlry, 
to the end that the volume of currency may be 
regulated by the national laws of trade. 

3. That we reaffirm the declaialion of the 
Republican national platform of 1872, in favor 
of the payment by the government of the United 
States of all its obligations in accordance with 
both the letter and the spirit of the laws under 
which such obligations were issued, and we de- 
clare that in the absence of any express provis- 
ion to the contrary, the obligations of the gov- 
ernment when issued and placed upon the mar- 
kets of the world, are payable in the world's 
currency, towit, specie. 

3. That under the constitution of the United 
States, Congress has power to regulate all "com- 
merce among the several States," whether carried 
on by railr.iads or other means, and in the exer- 
cise uf that power Congress may, and should, so 
legislate as to prohibit, under suitable ; cnalties, 
extortion, unjust discrimination, and other 
wrong and unjust conduct on the part of per- 
sons or corporations engaged in such commeice; 
and, by virtue of the same constitutional power. 
Congress may and should provide for the im- 
provement of our great natural water-ways. 

4. That the Stale has the power, and it is its 
duly, to provide by law for the regulation and 
control of railway transportation within its own 
limits, and we demand that the law of this 
State passed for this purpose at the last session 
of the General Assembly shall be upheld and 
enforced until it shall be superseded by other 
legislation, or held unconstitutional by the 
proper judicial tribunal. 

5. That we feel bound to provide all appro- 
priate legislation for the full and equal protec- 



^1^ 



A 



194 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



tion of all citizens, white or black, native or 
foreign born, in the enjoyment of all the rights 
guaraotced by the c institution of the United 
States and the amendments thereto. 

6. That the |27,000,000 reduction in the 
estimated general government expenses for the 
coming fiscal year meets our hearty commenda- 
tion, and shows that the Republican party on 
questions of retrenchment and economy is carry- 
ing out in good faith its oft repeated pledges to 
the people. 

7. That we are in favor of an amendment to 
the constitution of the United Stales, providing 
for the election of President and Vice-President 
by a direct vote of the people. 

8. Tliat while inventors should be protected 
in their just riahts of property in their inven- 
tions, we demand such modifications of our 
patent laws as shall render the same more fair 
and equitable to consumers. 

9. That the faith of the Republican party is 
pledged to promote the best good of the civil 
service of the country, and that we, as Republi- 
cans of Iowa, demand that only honest and 
capable men be elected or appointed to office, 
and that we commend tlie position of the party 
in instituting investigations of corruption in 
office, sparing therein neither friends nor foes. 

10. That since the people may be intrusted 
with all questions of govermental reform, we 
favor the final submission to the people of the 
question of amending the constitution so as to 
extend the rights of suffrage to women, pursuant 
to action of 15th General Assembly. 

On Secretary of State the vote stood: 

J. T. Young, Rep 107,243—28,183 

David Morgan, Dem 79,060 

For the campaign of 1875 the Doruocrats, 
Liberal Republicans and Anti-Monopolists 
met at Des Moines, June 24th, and nom- 
inated a State ticket headed by Shepherd 
Lefler for Governor; Lieutenant-Governor, 
E. B. Woodward; Judge of Supreme Court, 
W. J. Knight; Supt. of Public Instruction, 



Isaiah Donane. The following platforn 
was then adopted: 

The Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and 
Anti Monopolists of the State of Iowa, in delegate 
convention assembled, declare, as a basis of per- 
manent organizttiou and united action, the 
following principles: 

1. A firm adherence to the doctrine of politi- 
cal government, as taught by Jefferson, Madison, 
and other fathers of the republic. 

2. A strict adherence to the constitution in 
all measures involving constitutional power. 

8. The supremacy of the Republican govern- 
ment within the sphere and reservation of the 
local authority of the constitution as opposed to 
the concentration of all powers in a strong cen- 
tralized government. 

4. Absolute prohibitiim of military inicrfer- 
ence with the local State elections, and the 
peaceful assembling and organization of the 
State Legislatures, except in the manner clearly 
defined in the Constitution. 

5. Honesty in the administration of the 
public officers, and strict economy in the public 
expenditures. 

6. All officers to be held to a strict accounta- 
bility for the misuse of the public funds or for 
the prostitution of their powers for private use. 

7. The preservation of all the rights of every 
citizen, without regard to race or color. 

8. The reservation of the public Unds for the 
benefit of actual settlers, and opposition to any 
further grants to corporate monopolies for any 
purpose. 

9. The restoration of the Presidential salary 
to f 25,000. No third term. 

10. That we are n favor of the resumption of 
specie pavment as soon as the same can be d me 
without injury to the business interests of the 
country, and maintain a sufficient supply of 
national curiency for business purposes; opposi- 
tion to present national banking law. 

11. A tarifiE on imports that will produce the 
largest amount of revenue, with the smallest 
amount of tax, and no imposition of duiies for 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



195 



the benefit of manufactures at the expense of 
agricultural interests 

12. We are in favor of the repeal of the present 
prohibitory liquor law, and the enactment of a 
practical license law, strictly enforced, as the 
best guard against, and the safest solution of, 
the evils of intemperance, 

13. That we are opposed to all legislation that 
restricts any citizen in his individual or social 
rights and privileges. 

With this declaration of principle and policy, 
in the language of our biethren of Ohio, we 
arraign the leaders of the Republican party for 
their extravagant expenditure and profligate 
waste of the people's money, fortheiroppressive, 
unjust, and defective system of finance and taxa- 
tion; for their continued tyranny and cruelty to 
the Southern Stales of the Union, and their 
squandering of public lands, their continuance 
of incompetent and corrupt men in the offices 
at home and abroad, and for their general 
mismanagement of the government, and we cor- 
dially invite all men, without regard to past 
party association, to co-operate with us in 
removing them from power, and in securing 
such an administration of public affairs as char- 
acterized the purer and better days of the 
.republic. 

The Rei)ublican convention at Des- 
Moines placeil in nomination for Governor, 
S. J. Kirkwood ; Lieutenant-Governor, 
Joshua G. Newbold; Judge of Supreme 
Court, Austin Adams ; Superintendent 
Public Instruction, Alonzo Abernethy. 
The convention also adopted the follow- 
ing platform: 

Reauhed, That we declare it a cardinal prin- 
ciple of the Republican faith that the republic 
is a nation, one and indissoluble, within which 
the constitutional rights of the States and of the 
people to local self-government must be faith- 
lully maintained. 

2. That wc favor the early attainment of -cur- 
rencj' convertible with coin, and therefore 
advocate the gradual resumption of specie pay- 
ments by continuous and steady steps. 



3. That we favor a tariff for revenue, so 
adjusted as to encourage home industry. 

4. That the earnest efforts of the government 
to collect the revenue, prevent and punish 
frauds, have our unqualified approval. 

5. We are opposed to further grants of land 
to railroads or other corporations, but we de- 
mand a reservation of public domain for settle- 
ment under the homestead laws, and for other 
bona fide settlers. 

6. We demand such a revision of the patent 
laws as will relieve industry from the oppression 
of monopolies in their administration. 

7. That we cordially approve the policy of 
the present administration in the settlement of 
difficulties between ourselves and other nations, 
by arbitration, instead of appealing to arms. 

8. The Republican party of Iowa is opposed 
to a third term. 

9. We demand that all railway and other cor- 
porations shall be held in fair and just subjection 
to the law-making power. 

10. We stand by free education, our public 
school system, taxation of all for its support, 
and no division of the school fund. 

11. That our national and State administra- 
tion of public affairs have our hearty support. 

12. We cordially invite all who are opposed 
to the restoration of the Democratic party to 
power, to forget all past ;iolitical differences, and 
unite with the Republican party in maintaining 
the cause of true reform. 

13. The persistent and tyrannical efforts of 
the enemies of the Union, by murder and intim- 
idation of the enfranchised citizens, and the 
ostracisms and proscriptions of the white Repub- 
licans of the South, for the purpose of rendering 
null and void this amendment, merits the con- 
demnation of every honest man. 

14. That we heartily endorse the action of 
President Grant in enforcing the laws when 
called upon to do so by the proper authorities 
of the State. 

The Prohibitionists of the State met and 
nominated for Governor, Rev. John H. 






^r^ 



19d 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Lozier, and adopted the following plat- 
form : 

Whereas, The traffic in and use of intoxi 
eating liquors as a beverage, is the greatest evil 
of the present age; and, 

Whereas, The legal prohibition of said traffic 
and use of liquors is the prime duty of those 
who frame and execute laws for the public wel- 
fare; iind, 

Whereas, The existing political parlies, in 
their Slate platforms, have either ignored or re- 
pudiated the foregoing principles, the one de- 
claring for license, the other refusing to pass a 
resolution opposed to the repeal of the existing 
prohibitory law of our State; therefore. 

Resolved, That the temperance people of Iowa 
are, by thfs action of these political parties, 
forced to seek the promotion of their objects by 
such organizations and combinations as may 
prove most i ffeclive for the success of the tem- 
perance Crtus-e, without reference to previous 
political iiffili.ilion. 

3. That we most cordially approve the policy 
of the present aduiinislraliou in the setilenieul 
of difficulties between ourselves and other na- 
tions, by arbitration, inste:id "f appealing to 
arms; and also the eSorts now being made to 
codify the international laws so that a World's 
Peace Congress may be established before which 
all international difficulties may be adjusted, and 
thus "nations learn war no more." 

3. That the desecration of the Christian Sab- 
bath by public amusement, such as target shoot 
ing, dancing, theatrical performance, and kin- 
dred practices, together with ordinary business 
traffic, except by persons conscientiously ob- 
serving the seventh day of the week as a Sab- 
bath Clay, augurs evil to the public morals, and 
that the laws of our State, touching Sabbath 
desecrations, should be rigidly enforced. 

4. That we are in favor of maintaining our 
free school system at the expense of the whole 
people, and without the division of our school 
fund with any sectarian ori^anization whatever, 
and. in favor of such legislation as will secure 
the education of all children within our State in 



the elementary branches of conimiui school edu- 
cation. 

5. That the doctrine of professed political 
parties ought to be, is, and shall continue to be, 
powerless to control men bound by their convic- 
tions to the mountain of great moral prin.iples, 
and we call upon all concerned in the promotion 
of public morals to promptly and earnestly re- 
buke the policy now inaugurated by such pro- 
fessed leaders, and to seek its overthrow. 

6. That we earnestly recommend that the 
temperance people of the several counties 
promptly form county organizatiims, looking to 
the election of such Representatives in our Leg- 
islature, and such officers as will enact and en- 
force laws for the promotion of the foregoing 
principles, leaving the question of calling a con- 
vention for the nomination of State officers and 
of further organizing to an executive committee 
to be elected by this convention. 

The vote on Governor was officially an- 
nounced as follows : 

S. J. Kirkwood, Rep 124,8-.r)-31,57G 

S. Lefler, Dem 93,279 

J. H. Lozier, Pro 1,397 

The financial depression during the sec- 
ond administration of Grant was such as 
to influence the formation of a new party, 
known as the Greeiibick party, or, as it 
was styled in national convention, the Na- 
tional Greenback Labor party. Peter 
Cooper was the candidate of this party for 
the Presidency, while the Republicans 
nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, and the 
Democrats Samuel J. Tilden. The Green- 
back men of Iowa held a convention May 
lOlh, at DesMoines, and adopted the fol- 
lowing resolutions : 

WuEnEAS, Labor is the basis of all our wealth, 
and capital cannot be accumulated except as the 
product of industry, or human "life, given out in 
the daily labor of the toiling millions; and, 

Whereas, Money is, in essence, only a certi- 
ficate of service rendered, and hence the solution 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



of the financial question lies at the bottom of all 
true government, and is the paramount issue of 
the present campaign, in which the Democratic 
and Republican leaders have failed to take the 
side of the people; therefore, we, the citizens of 
Iowa, in mass conveniion assembled, do thus 
organize the Independent party of Iowa, and 
declare our faith in the following principles: 

1. That it is the duly of the government to 
establish a monetary system, based upon the 
faith and resources of the nation, in harmony 
with the genius of this government, and adapted 
to the demands of legitimate business. 

2. That we demand the immediate repeal of 
the specie resumption act of January 14, 1875, 
and that the circulating notes of our national 
and State banks, as well as the local currency, 
be withdrawn from circulation, and their place 
supplied by a uniform national currency, issued 
direct from the government, the same to be 
made a legal tender for all public and private 
debts, duties on imports not excepted, and inter- 
changeable at the option of the holder for bunds 
bearing a rate of interest not to exceed 3.65 per 
cent, per annum. 

3. We demand that the present bonded debt 
of the country be refunded as speedily as pos- 
sible into registered interchangeable bonds that 
shall bear interest at a low rate, not exceeding 
3.65 per cent, per annum. 

4. We are in favor of the repeal of the act 
of March 18, 1869, -making greenbacks payable in 
coin, and making 5-20 bonds jierpetual or pay- 
able only in coin and thus unjustly discrimin- 
ating in favor of the money interest. 

A Greenback State ticket was nominated 
at a convention held September 20th, and 
these additional resolutions were adopted: 

1. We are in favor of the adoption of the 
platform of the Indianapolis National Conven- 
tion. 

2. We recognize the rights of capital and its 
just protection; we condemn all special legisla- 
tion in its favor. 

3. We demand a reduction of official salaries, 
proportionate to the reduction of the profits on 
labor. 



4. We demand a remonetization of silver. 

5. We demand the equality of the soldiers' 
bounties 

6. We approve and endorse the nomination 
of Peter Coojier for President, and Samuel F. 
Gary for Vice President of the United States. 

The following is the ticket nominated: 
Secretary of State, A. Macready; Auditor 
of State, Leonard Brown; Treasurer of 
State, Geo. C. Fry; Register State Land 
Office, Geo. M. Walker; Superintendent 
Pub. Instruction, Rev. J A.Nash; Supreme 
Judges, Charles Negus, Oliver R. Jones. 

The Republicans placed in nomination 
the following, at a convention hehl in Des 
Moines: Secretary of State, Josiab T. 
Young; Auditor, Buren R. Sherman, 
Treasurer, Geo. W. Beinis; Register of 
Land Office, David Secor; Supreme Judges, 
W. H. Seevers, J. H. Rothrock; Attorney- 
General, J. F. McJunkin; Superintendent 
Public Instruction, C W. VonCoelln. At 
the same time they adopted as a platform 
the following: 

1. We are for maintaining the unity of the 
nation sacred and inviolable; for the just and 
equal rights of all men; for peace, harmony and 
brotherhood throughout the nation; for men of 
unsullied honesty, and purity of chajacter and 
public trust, and for the swift pursuit and un- 
sparing punishment of all dishonest officials, 
high or low. 

2. That we are in faver of, and we demand, 
a rigid economy in the administration of the 
government, both State and national. 

3. That we favor a currency convertible with 
coin, and therefore ailvocate the gradual resump- 
tion of specie payment by continuous and speedy 
steps in that direction. 

4. That we demand that all railway and other 
corporations shall be held in fair and just sub- 
jection to the law making power. 

5. That we stand by free education, our 
school system, taxation of all for its support, 



'A: 



198 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



and no diversion of the school fund from the 
public schouls. 

6. That we cordially iuvite immigration from 
all civilized countries, guaianteeing to emisjrants 
the same political privileges and social and re- 
ligious freedom we ourselves enjoy, and favor- 
ing a free and unsecturiau system of common 
schools for their children with ours. 

7. That in James 6. Blaine we recognize a 
pure Republican and patriot, and one well 
worthy to be chosen as the standard-bearer of 
the Republican party in the coming campaign. 

The Democrats, in convention at Des 

Moines, August 30th, adopted the follow- 
ing: 

Resohed, By the Liberal Democratic party of 
the State of Iowa, in conveution ;isscmliled, ihat 
we adopt as our plalfoim of jirinciples the reso- 
lutions and declarations of the National Con- 
vention at St. Louis, and earnestly approve the 
sentiments of the eminent statesmen of the 
party, lion. Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. 
Hend licks, 80 ably presented in their letters of 
acceptance of the nominations at said conveu- 
tion. 

The following is the Democratic ticket: 
Secretary of State, J. H. Stubeiiraiich; 
Treasurer of State, W. Jones; Auditor of 
State, VV'. Growneweg; Register of State 
Land Office, H. C. Ridernour; Attorney- 
General, J. C. Cook; Judges of Supreme 
Court, W. I. Hayes, W. Graham. The 
vote on Secretary of State was as follows: 

J. T.Young. Rep 172,171 

J. H. Stubeurauoh, Dem 112,115 

A. Macready, Gr 9,436 

Young's majority over all 50,620 

In the cani])aign of 1877 the Republi- 
cans met first in convention at Des 
Moines, June 28, where they nominated 
the following ticket: Governor, John H. 
Gear; Lieutenant - Governor, Frank T. 
Campbell; Supreme Judge, James G. Day; 



Supt. of Public Instruction, Carl W. Von 
Coello. The following is the platform: 

Acting for the Republicans of Iowa, by its 
authority and its name, this convention declares: 

1. The United Slates of America is a nation, 
and not a league, by the combined workings of 
the national and State governments under their 
respective institutions. The rights of every 
citizen should be secured at home and protected 
abroad, and the common welfare promoted. 
Any failure on the part of either national or 
State governments to use every possible consti- 
tutional power to afford ample protection to 
their citizens, both at home and abroad, is a 
criminal neglect of their highest duty. 

2. The Republican part^' has preserved the 
government in the commencement of the second 
century of the nation's existence, and its prin- 
ciples are embodied in the great truths spoken 
at its cradle — that all men are created as ecjuals; 
that they are endowed by the Creator with cer- 
tain inalienable rights, among which are life, 
liberty and the pursuit of Ijappiness; that for 
the attainment of these ends governments have 
been instiluied among men deriving their justice 
from the consent of the governed, which con- 
sent is evidenced by a majority of the lawful 
suffrages of citizens, determined in the pursu- 
ance of the law. Until these truths are univers- 
ally recognized and carefully obeyed, the work 
of the Republican party is unfinished, and the 
Rejjublican parly of Iowa will stand by its colors 
and fight the good fight to the end. 

3. The permanent pacification of the southern 
section of the Union, and the complete protec- 
tion of all citizens in the free enjoyment of all 
their rights, is a duty to which the Republican 
parly stands sacredly pledged. The power to 
provide for the enforcement of the principles 
embodied in the recent constitutional amend- 
ments, is vested by these ameiKlineuts in the 
constitution of the United States, and we declare 
it to be the solemn duty of the legislative and 
executive departments of the government to 
put in immediate and vigorous exercise all their 
powers lor removing any just causes of discon- 
tent on the part of any class, and for securing 



'7\ 



r 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



-K^ 



to every American citizen complete liberty and 
exact equiility in the exercise of the civil, politi- 
cal and public rights. To this end we impera- 
tively demand of Congress and the Chief E.KCcu 
tive a courage and fidelity to these duties which 
shall not fuller until the results are placed 
beyond doubt or recall. 

4. That the public credit should be sacredly 
maintained, and all the obligations of the gov- 
ernment honestly discharged; and that we favor 
the early attainment of a currency convertible 
with coin, and therefore advocate the gradual 
resumption of specie payments by continuous 
and steady steps in that direction. 

5. That the silver dollar having been a legal 
unit of value from tlie foundati.m of the federal 
government until 1873, the laws under which its 
coinage was suspended should be repealed at the 
earliest possible day, and silver made, with 
gold a legal tender fot the payment of all debts, 
both public and private. We also believe that 
the present volume of the currency should be 
maintained until the wants of trade and com- 
merce demand its further contraction. 

6. That the investment of capital in this 
State should be encouraged by wise and liberal 
legislation, but we coudeum the )iolicy of grant- 
ing subsidies at public expense, eirher to indi- 
viduals ot corporations, foi their private use. 

7. That we demand the most rigid economy 
in all departments of the government, and that 
taxation be limited to the actual wants of public 
expenditure. 

8. That we favor a wisely adjusted tariff for 
revenue. 

9. That we hold it to be a solemn obligation 
of the electors of Iowa to be earnest in securing 
the election to all positions of public trust of 
men of honesty and conscience; to administra- 
tive affairs, men who will faithfully admiuistet 
the law; to legislative affairs, men who will 
represent, upon all question?, the best sentiment 
of the pc.oi>le, and who will labor earne.-tly for 
the enactment of such laws as the best interests 
of society, temperance and good morals shall 
demand. 

10. That we rejoice in the honorable name of 
Iowa, that we are proud of the Stale's achieve- 



ments, of the degree of purity with which its 
public affairs have been conducted, and the 
soundness of its credit at home and abroad. We 
pledge to do whatever may be done to preserve 
unsullied the State's reputation in these regards. 
The Greeubackers met at DesMoines, 
July 12, and nominated, for Governor, 
D. B. Stiibbs; Lieutenant-Governor, A. 
Macready; Supreme Judj;e, John Porter; 
Supt. of Public In.struction, S. T. Ballard. 
The convention also adopted the following 
platform : 

Whereas, Throughout our entire country, 
labor, the creator of all wealth, is either unim- 
ployed or denied its just reward, and all produc- 
tive interests are paralyzed; and, 

Whereas, These results have been brought 
about by class legislation, and the mismanage- 
ment of our national finances; and. 

Whereas, Alter generations of experience, 
we are forced to believe that nothing further 
can be hoped for through the old puliiical 
parties; therefore we make the following dec- 
laration of principles: 

1. We demand the unconditional repeal of 
the specie resumption act of January 14, 1875, 
and the abandonment of the present suicidal 
and destructive policy of contraction. 

2. We demand the abolition of national 
banks, and the issue of legal tender paper 
money, by the government, and made receiv- 
able for all dues, public and private. 

3. We demand the remonetization of the 
silver dollar, and making it a full legal tender 
for the payment of all coin bonds of the govern- 
ment and for all other debts, public and private. 

4. We demand the equitable laxation of all 
property, without favor or privilege. 

5. We commend every honest effort for the 
furtherance of civil service reform. 

6. We demand the repeal of all class legisla- 
tion and the enforcement of such wise and pro- 
gressive measures as shall secure equality of 
rights to all legitimate interests, and impartial 
justice to all persons. 



200 



IIISTOEY OF IOWA. 



7. We demand a reduction of offices and sal- 
aries, to the end that there be less taxation. 

8. We demand Ihat the Independents of Iowa 
sustain and endorse the principles of railroad 
legislative control, as expressed by the highest 
judicial authority, not as enemies of public 
enterprises, but as friends of the whole country 
and of the people. 

9. We demand that all legal means be ex- 
hausted to eradicate the tiafiic in alcoholic 
beverages, and the abatement of the evil of 
intemperance. 

10. We are opposed to all further subsidies 
by either the Stale or general government, for 
any and all purposes, either to individuals or 
corporations. 

11. We invite the considerate judgment of 
our fellow citizens; of ail political parties, upon 
these our principles and purposes, and solicit 
the co-operation of all men in the furtherance of 
them, as we do believe that upon their accept- 
ance or rejection by the people, the weal or woe 
of our beloved country depends. 

The Democracy met in convention this 
year at Marslialltown, and nominated the 
following ticket: Governor, John P. Irisli; 
Lieutenant-Governor, W. C. Janieti; Su- 
preme Judge, U. C. Boardman; Superin- 
tendent of Public Iiistru tion, G. D. Culli- 
8on. They also resolved — 

1. The Democracy of the State of Iowa in 
couvenli m assembled hereby declare in favor of 
a taritl' for revenue, the only economic home 
rule, the supremacy of civil over military power, 
the separation of church and Stale, equality of 
all citizens before the law, oppositiim to the 
grantiug by the general government of subsidies 
to any corporation wliatever; and we believe, 

2. The destruction of the industry of the 
country and the pauperism of labor are the in- 
evitable fruit of the vicious laws enacted by the 
Republican party. 

8. That as a means of relieving the distressed 
portions of the community, and removing the 
great stringency complained of in business cir- 



cles, we demand the immediate repeal of the 
specie resumption act. 

4. That we denounce as an outrage upon the 
rights of the people the enactment of the Re- 
publican measures demonetizing silver, and de- 
maud the passage of a law which shall restore to 
silver its monetary power. 

5. That we favor the retention of a green- 
back cuirency, and declare against any further 
contraction, and favor the substitution of green- 
backs for national bank bills. 

6. We congratulate the country upon the ac- 
ceptance by the present administration of the 
constitutional and pacilic policy of locil self- 
government in the States of the South, so long 
advocated by the Democratic party, aud which 
has brought peace and harmony to that section. 
Aud in regard to the fu ure linancial policy, in 
the lauiiuage of our national platform adopted 
in the New York convention, in 1868, we urge, 

7. Payment of the public debts of the United 
Slates as rapidly as practicable, — all the money 
drawn from the people by taxation, except so 
much as is requisite for the necessities of the 
government, economically administered, being 
honestly applied to such payment when due. 

8. The equal taxation of every species of 
property according to its value. 

9. One currency for the government and the 
people, the laborer and the office holder, the 
pensioner and Ihe soldier, the producer and the 
bondholder. 

10. The right of a State to regulate railroad 
corporations having been established by the 
higher court of the country, we now declare that 
this right must be exercised with due regard to 
justice, as there is no necessarj' aistagouism be- 
tween the people and corporation, and the com- 
mon interests of both demmd a speedy restora- 
tion of former friendly relations through just 
legislation on iMic side, and a cheerful submis- 
sion thereto on the other. 

11. Rights of capital and labor arc equally 
sacred, aud alike entitled to legal protection. 
They have no just cause of quarrel, and the 
proper relations to each other are adjustable by 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



uational laws, and should not be tampered by 
legislative interference. 

12. That we favor a repeal of the present pro- 
hibitory liquor law of the State, and the enact- 
ment of a well-resulated license law instead, 
and all the money derived from license to go to 
the school fund of the State. 

A State Temperance or Prohibition con- 
vention assembled at Oskaloosa August 
30, and nominated Elias Jessup for Gov- 
ernor, and adopted, as a platform, the fol- 
lowing : 

Whbkeas, Intemperance is the enemy of all 
— the drinker, the seller, the financier, the states- 
man, the educator and the christian; therefore, 
be it 

Resolved, By the temperance peuple of the 
State of Iowa, that we hold these truths to be 
self-evident, and we do hereby declare them as 
the basis of our i>olitioal action. 

3 We recognize intemperance as the great 
social, moral, financial and political evil of the 
present age; that it is not an incident of intelli- 
gence and refinement, but is one of the worst 
relics of barbarism; has produced the lowest and 
most degraded foi m of government; and there- 
fore should be overthrown by all republican 
governments. 

3. We claim that all men are endowed by 
their Creator with the inalienable right of free- 
dom from the destructive eflectsof intoxicating 
liquors, and the right to use all lawful and 
laudiable means to defend themselves and their 
neighbors against the traffic as a beverage within 
our State. 

4. That governments are insiituted for the 
purpose of restraining and prohibiting the evil 
passions of men. and of promoting and protect- 
ing their best interests; and that, therefore, it 
is the duty of a government to use all its powers 
to make it as easy as possible for men to do 
right and as difficult as possible to do wrong. 

5. We believe that the prohibition of the 
traffic in intoxicating liquors is the only sound 
legislative theory upon n hich this vexed ques- 
tion can be solved and the nation saved from 
bankruptcy and demoralization. 



Therefore, we insist upon the maintenance 
and enforcement of our prohibitory law, and 
upon such amendments thereto as will place ale, 
wine, and beer under the same condemnation as 
other intoxicating liquors. 

6. That this great evil has long since assumed 
a political form, and can never be eliminated 
from politics until our legislatures and courts 
accomplish its entire overthrow and destruction. 

7. We hereby declare that, since we believe 
prohibition to be the only sound legislative 
policy, and since law is only brought to bear 
upon society through its officers, legislative, 
judicial, and executive, we therefore can and 
will support only those men who are known to 
be tried and true temperance prohibitory men. 

8. We believe that in the security of home 
rests the security of State; that women is by her 
very nature the acknowledged guardian of this 
sacred shrine; that intemperance is its greatest 
enemy; therefore we claim that the daughters of 
this commonwealth, as well as her sons, ought 
to be allowed to say by their votes, what laws 
shall he made for the suppression of this evil, 
and what person shall execute the same. 

9. We believe the importation of intoxicat- 
ing liquors from foreign lands, and their protec- 
tion by the United States government, while in 
the hands of the importer, and inter-state com- 
merce in the same, cripple the power of State 
governments in enacting and enforcing such 
legislation as is and may be demanded by the 
people. 

The vote on Governor was as follows: 

John H. Gear, Uep 121,546 

D. P. Stubbs, Gr 38,228 

John P. Irish Dem 7U,3o3 

Elias Jessup, Temp 10,639 

Gear had a majority over Irish of 23,193, 
but the combined opposition vote was 
greater by 674. 

In 1878 the Greenbackers held the first 
State convention, assembling at Des 
Moines April 10th, and nominated for 
Secretary of State, E. M. Farnsworth; 



i) >y 



^1. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Treasurer, M. L. Devlin; Auditor, G. V. 
Swearenger; Treasurer, M. Farrington; 
Altoriiey-General, General C. H. Jackson; 
Jiidgeof SupreraeCourt, J G. Knapi>; Cleik 
of Supreme Court, Alex. Runyoii; Reporter 
Supreme Court, Geo. VV. Rutherford. They 
adopted the following platform: 

Whereas, ThrougUout our entire couniry the 
value o.f real estate is depreciated, iuduslry para- 
lizcd, inide depressed, business income and 
w^.gLS reduced, unparalleled distress inflicted 
upon the pooler and middle ranks of our people, 
the land filled with fraud, embezzlement, hank- 
rupcy, crime, suffering, pauperism, and starva- 
tion; and 

Whekeas, This state of things has been 
brought about by legislation in the interest of 
and dictated by money lenders, bankers, and 
bondholders; and, 

Whekbas, The limiting of the legal tender 
quality of greenbacks, the changing of currency 
bimds into coin bonds, the demonetizing of the 
bilver dollar, the exempting of bonds from taxa- 
tion, the contraction of the circulaiing medium, 
the proposed forced resumption of specie pay- 
ments, and the prodigal waste of the public 
lands, were crimes against the people, and so 
far as possible the results of these criminal acts 
must be counteracted by judicious legislation. 

1. We demand the uncondilional repeal of 
the specie resumption act of January 14th, 187.5, 
and the abandonment of the present suicidal and 
destructive policy of contraction. 

2. We demand the abolition of national 
banks and the issue of a full legal tender paper 
money by the government, and receivable for 
all dues, public and private. 

3. We demand the remoiictization of the 
silver dollar, niMkini; it a full legal tender for 
thepaynientof all coin b mds of the government, 
and for all other debts, public and private, and 
that the coinage of silver shall be placed on the 
Same looting as that of the gold. 

4. Congress shall itrovide said money ade- 
quate to the full employment of labor, the equit- 



able di»lributi(in of its products and the require- 
ments of business. 

5. We demand that Congress shall not, under 
any circumstances, authorize the issuance of in- 
terest-bearing bonds of any kind or class. 

6. The adoption of an American monetary 
system, as proposed herein, will harmmize all 
difterences in regard to tariff and federal taxa- 
tion, distribute equitably the joint earnings of 
capital and labor, secure to the producers of 
wealth the results of their labor and skill, mus- 
ter out of servii e the vast army of idlers, who, 
under the existing system, grow rich upon the 
earnings of others, that every man s-nd womm 
may, by their own efforts, secure a competence, 
so that the overgrown f'^/rluues and extreme 
poverti' will be seldom found within the limits 
of our Republic. 

7. The Government should, by general enact 
ment, encourage the development of our agri- 
cultural, mineral, mechanical, manufacturing 
and commercial resources, to the end that labor 
may be fully and profitably employed, but no 
monopolies should be legalized. 

8. The public lands are the common property 
of the whole people, and should not be sold to 
speculators, nor granted to railroads or other 
corporations, but should be donated to actual 
settlers in limited quantities. 

9. It is inconsistent with the genius and 
spirit of popular government that any species 
of private or corporate pioperty should be ex- 
empt from bearing its just share of the public 
burdens. 

10. That, while the interests of the labor and 
producing classes throughout the nation are 
identical, North, South, East and W^est, and 
while it is an historic fact that the war of the 
rebellion was inaugurated in the interests of a 
class kindred to that which oppresses us, thert- 
fore we declare that the Government of the 
United States shall never pay any part or por- 
tion of what is known as the confederate or rebel 
debt. 

11. We demand a constitutional amendment 
fixing the compensation of all State ofBrers, in- 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



203 



eluding members and employes of the General 
Assembly. 

12. We demand a general reduction of all 
county and court expenses, with a reduction of 
offices, to lessen oppressive taxes. 

13. We demand that all just and legal means 
shall be used for the evils of intemperance. 

14. We invite the considerate judgment of 
our fellow-citizens of all political parties upon 
these, our principles and purposes, and solicit 
the co-operation of all men in the furtherance of 
them, as we do believe that upon their accept- 
ance or rejection by the people, the weal or woe 
of our beloved country depends. 

The Democrats assembled in convention 
June 7tL, and nominated the following 
ticket . Secretary of State, T. O. Walker; 
Auditor, t'ol. Eiboeck; Treasurer, E. D. 
Fenn, Register of State Land Office, T. S. 
Bardwell; Judge of Supreme Court, Judge 
J. C. Knapp; Clerk of Supreme Court, M. 
V. Gannon; Reporter of Supreme Court, 
J. B. Elliott, Attorney-General, John Gib- 
bons. The convention adopted the fol- 
lowing platform : 

We, the Democracy of Iowa, in convention 
assembled, cougnitulate the country upon the 
restoriition of home rule to the South and the 
era of peace brought about in response to the 
demands of the national Democracy, and make 
this declaration of principles: 

1. In favurof a tariff for revenue only; honest 
and economical home rule; the supremacy of 
civil over military power; the separation of the 
church and Stale; the equality of all citizens 
before the law; opposition to granting by the 
general government of subsidies to any corpora- 
tion whatever. 

2. We believe the financial system of the 
Republican party has been one of favor to the 
moneyed mouopolits, uf unequal ta.xalion, of 
exemptions of class, and of a remorseless con- 
traclion that has destroyed every enterprise 
which gave employment to labor, and therefore 
we denounce it, its measures and its men, as 



responsible for the financial distress, misery 
and want which now afflict the nation. 

3. Labor and capital have an equal demand 
upon and equal responsibility to the law. 

4. Public officials should be held to strict 
accountability, defaulters should be severely 
punished, and riot and disorder promptly sup- 
pressed. 

5. We deprecate the funding of our non-in- 
terest bearing debt, and insist that our bonded 
debt be refunded at a rate of interest not ex- 
ceeding four per cent. 

6. We favor an equal recognition of gold, 
silver and United States notes in the discharge 
ol public and private obligations, except where 
otherwise provided by contract, and to the end 
that the same be secured, we favor the uncon- 
ditional repeal of the resumption act, and the 
coinage of silver on equal conditions with gold. 
We oppose any further retirement of the United 
Stales notes now in circulation, and favor the 
substitution of United States treasury notes for 
national bank bills. 

7. We declare it as our opinion that it is the 
duty of- the government to take immediate steps 
to improve our great Western rivers, and that 
the means provided should be commensurate 
with the importance and magnitude of the work. 

8. Thorough investigation into the election 
frauds of 1876 should be made, the frauds should 
be exposed, the truth vindicated, and the crimi- 
nals punished in accordance with law, wherever 
found. 

9 The management of our State institutions 
by Republican officials has been and is lotori- 
oiislj' corrupt, and a disgrace to the people; we 
therefore demand a thorough investigation of 
the same, and the punishment of all parties who 
have betrayed their trust. 

Resolved, That we accept and re-affirm the doc- 
trine of Mr. Tilden upon tht war claims as a 
proper adjustment of the national policy con- 
cerning that class of claims upon the public 
treasury. 

The Republicans held their convention 
June 19, and nominated the following 



«<^ a 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



ticket: Secretary of State, Capt. John 
A. T. Hull; Auditor, Maj. Buren K. 
Siierinan; Treasurer, George W. Bemis; 
Register State Land Office, Lieut. James 
K. Powers; Judge of Supreme Court, Col. 
J. H. Rothrock They also adopted the 
following platform: 

1. That the United States of America is a 
nation, not a league. By the combined work- 
ings of the national and State governments, 
under their respective constitutions, the right of 
every citizen should be secured at home and 
abroad, and the common welfare promoted. 
Any fiiilure on the part of either the national or 
State governments to use every possible consti- 
tutional power to affird ample protection to 
their citizens, both at home and abroad, is a 
neglect of their liighest duty. 

2. Against the assaults of traitors and rebels, 
the Republican party has preserved these gov- 
ernments, and tht'y represent the great truths 
spoken to the world by the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, that "all men are created equal;" 
that they "are endowed by their Creator with 
certain inalienable rights, among which are life, 
liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that for 
the attainment of these ends, governments have 
been instituted among men, deriving just jiowcrs 
from the consent of the governed," which con- 
sent is evinced by a majority of the lawful 
suffrages of the citizens.determined in pursuance 
of law; and in order that this end may be justly 
and f ullj- reached, the Republican party of Iowa 
demands that every qualified elector in every 
State, North and South, Democrat or Republi- 
can, while or black, shall be permitted, un lis- 
lurlied by force and unawed by fear, to vote at 
all elections at the jilace prescribed by law, and 
nouhere else, just once, and no more than once; 
and that every vote so cast shall be honestly 
counted, and that every person chosen by such 
votes to any office shall be freely inducted into 
it, and effectively supported in the discharge of 
his duties; and every well informed person 
knows that with such freedom of elective action 
and honest administration as are herein de- 
manded, at least five of the Southern States are 



Republican by a large majority, and that they 
arc cow in the hands of the Democratic party, 
sole'y through force, fraud, intimidation, and 
failure to enforce the principles herein set 
forth. 

3. The pel manent pacification of the southern 
section of the Union, and the complete protec- 
tion of all its citizens in all their civil, political, 
peisonal and property rights, is a duty to which 
the Republican ))arty stands sacredly pledged. 
In Older to redeem this pledge, it placed the 
recent amendments in the constitution of the 
United Slates, and upon the righteous basis of 
said amendments it will go forward in the work 
of pacification until peace shall come through 
right doing, and contentment through justice. 

4. The Democratic dogma of "home rule," 
which seeks to shut out from participation in 
the political affairs of the southern Slates all 
citizens who oppose the Democratic party and 
are not natives of said Slates, and ir. obedience 
to the spirit to which every man from the north, 
of republican sentiments, is termed a "cariiel- 
bagger," is hereby denounced as the worst jdiase 
of State rii-'bts yet developed, and we demand 
for tlie people of Iowa absolute freedom to go 
whithersoever they may please within the limits 
of the nation, to utter llieir sentiments by speech 
or by press upon all subjects touching their 
interests, and all matters of public concern. 

5. That the armed conHicl between the 
traitors and the rebels who sought to destroy the 
republic, and the patriots «lio defended it, was 
more than a Ui; 1 of jihysical force between 
Greeks. It was a struggle of right against wrong, 
of a true civilization against a false one, of a 
good government against anarchy, of patriots 
against traitors, wherein the Republican party 
was the defender of right, the c^.ampion of a 
true civilization, the promoter of good govern- 
ment, and in whose ranks patriots maicbed 
against traitors; and who ever fails to regard 
the Republican party from this standpoint and 
in this light, fails to comprehend its character, 
its achievements, its purposes, and its duties, 
and whoever treats with the Democratic party 
from any other standpoint, manifests incapacity 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



205 



to understand palpable facts, and will be obei- 
whelmed with disaster. 

6. That the soldiers who fought the battles 
of the republic are entitled to special credit for 
the heroism which they displayed, for their 
unselfish devotion to liberty and order, and for 
the gre;it fact that the war "turned out as it 
did;" and discredit, in like degree, attaches to 
the traitors and rebels u ho fought to destroy the 
nation. Whoever fails to appreciate these facts, 
is derelict in the duty he owes to the parly. 

7 That the Republican party is the party of 
order as opposed to all lawlessness in whatever 
quartei' the same may arise, or in whatever form 
it may appear. 

8. That the wisdom of the financial policy of 
the Republican party is made manifest by its 
resulls. It has brought specie and paper iiracli- 
cally together mouths before the dale li.\ed by 
law for l.'.e resumption of specie payment by 
the goverv.uient; ii. has given to all classes mouej' 
of the same value; it has placed our nation on 
an equal footiug with the other great natious of 
the world in tdl matters of finaucial concern; it 
has promoted the refutiding of the national debt 
at a low rate of interest; it has maiutaiued the 
national ci edit; and auy change in this policy 
which tends to obstruct it in its worli of restor 
ing specie payment, whereby paper currency 
becomes absolutely as valuable as gold and 
silver stand ird coin; of revivmg business, pro- 
moling industry, and maintaining the public 
credit, is hereby denounced as wholly evil and 
injurious to the best interest of the country. 

9. That the organized raid on the treasury by 
the Southern Democratic members of Congiess, 
for payment of hundreds of millions of dollars 
of rebel war claims, is an unpaialleled impu 
dence, and a present danger against the success 
of which the triumph of tr.e Republican party 
is our only security. 

10. That we favor a wisely adjused tariff for 
leveuue. 

11. In the matter of the faithful admiuistra 
tion of the iiublic funds, the Republican parly 
challenges tlie closest scrutiny, and invites com- 
parison with any and all other agencies in pub 



lie or private affairs. Notwithstanding the vast 
sums, amounting to thousands of millious of 
dollars, collected and distributed by Republican 
adminislration, the percentage of lof^s is less 
than can be shown by any other political parly 
that has ever been entiusted with the control of 
pniilic affairs, or by individuals in their own 
ju'lvate business. This shows that the charge 
of corruption made against the Republican 
party is as grouudlessly impudent as was the 
attempt of the Southern Democracy to destroy 
the Union wantonly wicked and atrociously 
cruel. 

12. The title to the Presidential term was 
definitely and finally settled by the forty-fourth 
Congress, and any attempt to open it is danger- 
ous, illegal, and ^unconstitutional, and the 
Republican party of Iowa will resist all efl'orts 
not founded on the constitution and the existing 
laws to displace the present possessor of said 
title, and it is a source of sincere cougratulati m 
that the firm attitude assumed by the Republi- 
can party of the country in this regard forced a 
majority of the House of Representalives to 
disavow the leal but covert purposes of the so- 
called Potter investigation. 

13. That the eflolrs of the Democratic party in 
Congress to cripple and render ineflicient the 
army and navy of the United Slates is most 
earnestly condemned, and all efforts looking to a 
permanent reduction of the same, with a view to 
a future reorganization, whereby the official 
stations may be in whole or in part supplied by 
officers who engaged in rebellion against the 
nation, who hold to the doctrine of secession, 
and who acknowledge primary allegiance to a 
Slate, are hereby denounced as dangerous to the 
peace of the country and to the permanence of 
the Union. 

14. That it is not only the right, but the duty, 
of every good citizen at party caucus, in the 
party conventions, and at the polls, to use his 
best efforts to secure the nomination and elec- 
tion of good men to places of official trust, and 
we disapprove of all interference with the 
perfect freedom of action of any citizen in the 
exercise of said right and in the discharge of 
said dutv. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



15. Thai person^ tt-mperance is a must com- 
mendable virtue in a people, and the practical 
popular movement now active througout the 
State, for the promotion of temperance, has our 
most profound respect, sj-mpathy, and approval. 

16. That we demand the most rigid economy 
in all departments of the public service, and 
rigid retrenchment in all public expenses in all 
possible directions, and the reduction of taxa- 
tion to the lowest limits consistent with efficient 
public service. In the direction of such economy 
and retrenchment, we heartly commend the 
action of the Republican legislature in reducing 
the expenses of the State in the sum of four hun- 
dred thousand dollars, and this example set by the 
State, should be followed in all other depart- 
ments of our government. 

17. That the Republican party of Iowa de- 
mands an honest, faithful and < fficienl discharge 
of duty by all <ifficers, whtlher federal. State, 
county oi; municipal, and requires a full, fair, 
and impartial and searching investigation into 
the oflicial conduct of all officials and the busi- 
ness of all officers, without regard to party or 
personal association, and whenever or wherever 
fraud and dishonesty are discovered, the Repub- 
licans of Iowa demand the prompt puuishment 
of the guilty parlies. "Let no guilty man es- 
cape." 

A fusion tifiket, composed of Green- 
backers and Democrats, was agreed on 
Sei'teraber 29lh, as follows : Secretary of 
State, E. M. Farnsworth (Greenb3c'.<er); 
Auditor, Jos. Eiboeck (Democrat); Treas- 
urer, M L Devin (Greenbackei); Register 
of Land Office, M. Farrington (Green- 
backer); Judge of Supreme Court, Joseph 
C. Kiiapp (Democrat); Attorney-General, 
John Gibbons (Democrat); Clerk of Su- 
preme Court, Alex. Runyon (Greeuback- 
er); Reporter of Supreme Court, John B. 
Elliott (Democrat). On Secretary of State 
the vote was as follows : 

J. A. T. Hull. Rep 134.544 

E. M. Furnsworlh, Fusion 125,087 



T.O.Walker, Dem 1,302 

Hull, overall 8,0.55 

The Democrats held a convention Hay 
21, 1879, at Council Bluffs, and nominated 
the following State ticket: Governor, H. 
II. Trimble; Lieutenant-Governor, J. Y. 
Yeomans; Judge of Supreme Court, Reu- 
ben Noble; Supt. of Public Instruction, 
Erwin Baker. The platform adopted by 
the Convention is here given : 

Resolved, That the Democratic party now, as 
in the past, insists that our liberties depend upon 
tlie strict construction and observance of the 
constitution of the United States and all its 
amendments. 

2. That the States and the general govern- 
ment should be sternly restr.iined to their respi c- 
tive spheies, and to the exercise only of the 
poweis granted and reserved by the constitution. 

3. That the policy of the Republican party, 
by which it inflates the importance of the States 
when neces.-aiy to cover the theft of the Presi 
dency, and in turn magnifies the functions of 
the general government to cover the coercion of 
the States into the endorsement of the partisan 
will of the fraudulent executive, is full of evil 
and fruitful of danger. 

4. That" such a policy is intended to array 
section against section, the States against the 
general governuient, and it against the Stales in 
turn, for the purpose of destroying the freedom 
of both, and teaching the people to look to a 
strong government as a shelter from the anarchy 
its advocates have planned. 

5. That evidences of these nefarious pur- 
poses is furnished by the present attitude of the 
Republican party, which is arrayed against a 
free balU]t, on which depend all the liberties se- 
cured to us by the constitution. 

6. That we view with alarm the determina- 
tion of the Republican party, through the fraud- 
ulent executive, to deprive this republic of its 
army, so necessary to the defence of its frontier, 
and its protection from foreign and domestic 
enemies, by vetqing appropriations for the pay 



rr^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



207 



and support of our soldiers, unless they can be 
used to force voters to record the mere will of 
the executive. 

7. That we hail the Democratic Senators and 
Representatives in Congress as worthy the hero- 
ic lineage of American citizens, for standing 
firmly for the American idea in government as 
against the despotic theory from which our rev- 
olflliouary fatheis revolted, and we ask all lovers 
of liberty to join us and them in a protest ag.unst 
the change iu our form of goveinmeut proposed 
by the Republican party, which will substitute 
the will of oue man for that of the majority of 
all the people. 

8. That we are in favor of the substitution 
of United States treasury notes for national 
bank notes, and of the abolition of national 
banks as banks of Issue; that the government of 
the Uuited States issue the money for the people; 
and, further, that we favor a reduction of the 
bonded debt of the Uuited States as fast as prac- 
ticable, and the application of the idle money in 
the treasury to that purpose. 

9. That we favor the free and unlimited coin- 
age of the silver dollar of 413)^ grains, and pro- 
viding certificates for silver bullion which may 
be deposited In the United Stales treasury, the 
same to be legal tender for all purposes. 

10. That we favor a tarifiE for revenue only. 

11. That we aie in favor of economy in pub- 
He expenditures, including reduction of salaries 
local and general wherever they may be deemed 
excessive; and also a reduction in the number of 
officials. 

12. That the Democratic party of Iowa is de- 
sirous of promoting temperance, and, being op- 
posed to free whisky, it is in fav >rof a judicious 
license law. 

18. That we favor holding all public servants 
to a strict accountability, and their prompt and 
severe punishment for all thefts of public money 
and maladministration of public offlce. 

A Temperance convention was held at 
Cedar Ripids .June 16th, and adopted the 
following platform : 



Reaoloed, We recognize the traffic in intoxicat- 
ing liquors as the great moral, financial, social, 
and political evil of the present age; that it is 
one of the worst relics of barbarism; that it lias 
always been the moving cause of crime, and is, 
therefore, subversive of our republican form of 
government, and should be overthrown. 

3. We believe that the prohibition of the 
traffic of intoxicating liquors is the only sound 
legislative theory upon which this vexed ques- 
tion can be solved and the nation saved from 
bankrupcy and demoralization; therefore, we 
insist upon the maintenance and enforcement of 
our prohibitory liquor law, and upon such 
amendments by the next Legislature of the State 
of Iowa as will place ale, wine, and beer under 
the same condemnation as other intoxicating 
liquors. 

3. We believe that in the security of home 
rests the security of the State; that woman is by 
her very nature the acknowledged guardian of 
this Sacred shrine, and that intemperance is 
its greatest enemy, therefore we claim that the 
daughters of this commonwealth, as well as her 
sons, be allowed to 8ay,iby their vote, what laws 
should be made for the suppression of this evil, 
and what persons shall execute the same. 

4. That the present movement inaugurated 
by the temperance organizations of tire Slate to 
prohibit the manufacture and sale of alcoholic 
liquors, except for mechanical and medical pur- 
poses, including malt and wine liquors, meets 
our active support. 

5. That we, as the Prohibitionists of the 
State of Iowa, in view of the great questions of 
public interest effecting the perpetuity of our 
general government, which are now absorbing 
the thought and action of all our people, deem 
it inexpedient and unwise to nominate a State 
prohibitory ticket at the present time. 

A portion of the convention in favor of 
the nomination of a State ticket seceded, 
and nominated a State ticket, headed by 
G. T. Carpenter for Governor. Mr Car- 
penter declining, D. R. Dungan was substi- 
tuted. The rest of the ticket was composed 



"* ^^ 



'I 



ik. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



as follows: Litulenaiii-Governor, Fiank 
T. Campbell; Judge of the Supreme Court, 
J. M. Beck; Supt. of Public Instruction, 
J. A. Nash. 

The Greenbackera assembled at Des 
Moines May 28th, and nominated a ticket 
as follows: Governor, Daniel Campbell; 
Lieutenant-Governor, M. M. Moore; Su- 
preme Judge, M. H. Jones; Supt. of Pub- 
lic Instruction, J. A. Nash. The follow- 
ing platform was adopted: 

Whereas, The sovereign and supreme power 
of the American Union is vested in the free will 
of the citizens tlieieof, who have an equal and 
unquestioiiiible right to express that will as to 
them St ems best adapted to secure the peace, 
perpetuate the liberty, and promote the pros 
perity of each individual, as well as to enhance 
and protect the common welfare of our country; 
and, 

Whereas, This power has been delegated to 
unworthy servants, who have diverted it from 
its original purpose, whereby grievous wrongs 
have been perpetrated on the masses of the 
people, subjecting them to gross injustice, 
widespread poverty, untold privations, and 
business paralyzatioa; and, 

Wheukas, These grievances have been greatly 
augiimeuled by limiting the legal-tender quality 
of the greenbacks; by loaning the credit of the 
government to national bank corporations; by 
changing liovernmenl bonds into coin bonds, 
and making the same exclusively payable in 
gold, by the conversion of a non-interest bearing 
cireuliiling medium into an interest bearing 
government debt; by defrauding labor of empl>y- 
ment; by ihe ruinous shrinkage in the value of 
property; by the depression of busintss;b3' the 
willful restrictions phiced upon the remanetizn- 
tion of the silver dollar; by the exemption of 
capital from its just share of the burden of taxa- 
tion; by the contraction of the greenback cur- 
rency; by the forced resumption of specie pay- 
ment; by the increase in the purchasing power 
of money, and its attendant hardshi, s on the 
debtor class; by declaring poverty a ciime, and 



providing punishment therefor; by the criminal 
waste of the public domain, through enormous 
grants of land to rai'road corporations; by 
oppressive taxation; by high rates of interest for 
the use of money; by exorbitant salaries and fees 
to i)ublic officers; by official Corruption in the 
administration of public affairs; and, 

Wheheas, a moneyed despotism has grown 
up in our land out of this state of att'airs, which 
eon trols the law-making power of our country, 
dictates judicial decisions, wields an undue 
influence over the chief executive of the nation 
— in the consideration of the laws passed for the 
benefit of the peojile, thus enabling the money 
power to carry on its schemes of public plunder, 
under and by which colossal foriuues have been 
gathered in the hands of the ambitious and un- 
crupulous men whose interests are at war with 
the interests of the people, hostile to popular 
government, and deaf to the demands of honest 
toil; ihcrefore, we, the representatives of the 
Union Greenback Labor Parly of Iowa, adopt 
the following as our platform of princip'es: 

1. The general government alone to issue 
money; the amount in circulation to be fixed by 
a constitutional amendment upon a per capita 
basis; calling in of all United States bonds, and 
the payment of them In full legal- tender money. 

2. That the national banks, as banks of issue, 
must be abolished by law, and the legal tender 
greenback money of the government of the 
United States shall be substituted for their cir- 
culation. 

3. That we demand the unlimited coinage of 
the silver dollar of the present standard weight 
and fineness, 

4. That the American people owe a debt of 
gratitude to the Union soldiers that can never 
be fully paid, and in recognition of their patri- 
otic services we endorse thearreamges of pen- 
sions, and favor the passage of a bill providing 
for the equalization of bounties similar to the 
one vetoed by ex-President Grant. 

5. That »ve view with grave ajjprehension 
the continued oppression of the people by cor- 
porate powers; and while we execrate the inhu- 
man treaiment of 4he Union soldiers in prison 



^S 



i> "v 



-^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



pena of the South during the rebellion, we con- 
demn the violence of partisan spirit in the legisla- 
tive halls of Congress, which seeks to revive the 
dead issue of the past while conspiring agdnst 
and deliberately refusing to provide measures of 
relief adequate to the living necessities of the 
present. 

6. That it is the right and duty of all qualified 
electors of any State n the Union to vote accord- 
ing to their conscientious convictions, and to 
have that vole honestly and fairly counted; and 
that any attempt to interfere with that right, 
either by threats of bands of armed men or the 
use of troops at the polls, or l)y fraud in con- 
ducting the election, or bribery in making out 
the returns, or by threats to dismiss from service, 
or any other means by which that right is 
abridged, is a crime that should be severely 
punished 

7. That the officeholders of our country are 
the servants and not the masters of the people, 
and that these officers should be removed and 
punished to the full extent of the law whenever 
they betray the public trust confided to them; 
and we demand that all official fees and salaries, 
commencing with the President, should be re- 
duced from twenty-five to fifty per cent.; and 
we further demand the strictest economy in the 
administration of our courts of justice, and in 
all other federal and State officers. 

8. That we highly commend the moral re- 
form of men and the elevation of families by 
agencies of the temperance cause, and demand 
the use of all just and legal means for the sup- 
pression of the evils of intemperance. 

9. That all real estate be assessed to the 
owner, and the tax thereon be paid by him, pro- 
vided, that in case there is a mortgage or ven- 
dor's lien upon the land, and he pays the whole 
tax, that he may deduct, as payment on said 
lien, the pro rata share of the tax. 

10. That the revenue law of the State shall 
be amended so that the penalty or interest on 
the sale of delinquent taxes should not exceed 
the sum of ten percent, per annum, and that the 
time of redemption shall be extended to a teim 
of five years. 



11. We favor the repeal of the present rail- 
road commissioners' law, and the adoption of a 
suitable legislative action to reduce and equalize 
fiei^ht 

13. That the prison convict labor shall never 
come in competition with free labor, by the 
contract system, under any name. 

Resolved, That we approve the bold and inde- 
pendent stand taken by our Greenb ick repre- 
sentatives in Congress; and we especially endorse 
the conduct of Messrs. Weaver and Gillette in 
their conduct with the combined opposition of 
both old parties. 

2. That the nominees of this convention are 
the candidates of the Greenback party of Iowa, 
and in no case will we recognize the right of any 
person or persons to alter or change the ticket 
here nominated, except to fill vacancies occa- 
sioned by death, in which case the central com- 
mittee shall not place on the ticket the names 
of any person or persons who are identified with 
either of the old parlies. 

The Republicans assembled at Des 
Moines, June 11, and nominated the fol- 
lowing ticket: Governor, John H. Gear; 
Lieutenant-Govenior, Frank T. Camjibell; 
Supreme Judge, J. M. Beck; Supt. of 
Public Instruction, C! W. Von Coelln. 
A platform was adopted as follows: 

1. That the United States of America is a 
nation, not a league. This is the doctrine of the 
constitution, confirmed by the result of the war 
of the rebellion. The Democratic party denies 
Ibis, and opposes to it the doctrine of State 
rights, which includes the power of a State to 
dissolve its connection with the Union, therefore 
it is dangerous to the national life to trust it to 
the Democratic party. 

2. Upon the foregoing doctrine of nationality 
depends the power of the republic to protect its 
citizens in all other rights, both at home and 
abroad, and from its denial by the Democratic 
party have resulted the barbarous outrages per- 
petrated on citizens in all of the disturbed sec- 
tions of the Southern States, and redress can be 






HISTORY OF IOWA. 



hiid alone llirough the administration of public 
aflairs in the several departments of the govern- 
ment by the Republican party. 

3. We denounce the attempt of the Demo- 
cratic parly in Congress to render the federal 
elections insecure by the repeal of the election 
laws of the United States as dangerous to a free 
and pure expression of the voice of the people 
through the ballot-box, and as tending to subject 
said elections to the dominations of the bull- 
dozing elements of the Southern States, and of 
repeaters and promoters of fraud in the city of 
New York and elsewhere, and the resistence 
made to the accomplishment of this result by 
the Republican Senators and Representotives in 
Congress, and by President Hayes in his veto 
messages, is accorded our profound commenda- 
tion. 

4. That we approve of the financial policy of 
the Republican party, and refer with pride to its 
results. The Southern Democratic rebellion for 
the perpetuation of slavery and the enforcement 
of State rights forced an enormous iutcrest- 
beariug debt upon the people, which, in August, 
1805, reached its highest point, and ihen 
amounted to |2,S81,580,294.96, requiring an an- 
nual interest payment of $150,977,697.87. On 
the 1st of August next, when the Republican 
refunding operations will be completed, this 
Democratic debt will be reduced to |1, 797,613. 
700.00, with an annual interest charge of but 
$83,778,777.50, showing a reduction in the prin- 
cipal of $,583,880,594.96, and of the annual 
interest charge of $57,203,619.37; and we declare 
this debt shall be honestly paid in honest money, 
and to this end are in favor of keeping our coin 
circulation at its largest practicable volume, and 
of maintaining our paper currency where the 
Republicau party has placed it— at par with 
coin; and to the further end that the dollar 
earned by labor shall be worth as much as the 
dollar earned by capital. 

5. Concirniug further financial legislation, 
we say, let us have peace, undisturbed by Con- 
gressional tinkering, that our business interests 
may levive, investments of more idle capital be 
encouraged, commercial interests fostered, and 
the general welfare promoted. 



6. The profit arising from the coinage of gold 
and silver should inure to the benefits of the 
government, and not to the advantage of private 
owners of bullion, as this tends to diminish the 
burdens of the tax-payers, and no part of the 
tax-paying currency should be converted Into 
the new tax-paying list. 

7. We favor a wisely-adjusted tariff for rev- 
enue. 

8. We demand a strict economy in the impo- 
sition of public taxes and expenditures of pub- 
lic money, and such just reduction and equali- 
zation of the salaries and fees of public officers 
as shall place them on an equality with like po- 
sitions in private employment. 

9. That we renew our expression of profound 
gratitude to the soldiers and sailors of the Union, 
and denounce the removal of employees of this 
class by the Democrats in Congress, and the ap- 
pointment, in their stead, of members of the 
Confederate army. 

10. That we re-affirm the position of the Re- 
publican party heretofore expressed upon the 
subject of temperance and pr.ihibition. 

The vote on Governor was as follows : 

John H. Gear, Rep 1.57,571 

H. H. Trimble, Dem 85,056 

FT, Campbell, Gr 45,433 

D. R. Dungan, Temp 3,258 

Gear, over all 23,838 

The campaign of 1 880 was an exciting 
one. James A. Garfield was the Repub- 
lican candidate for the Presidency; Win- 
field S. Hancock, the Democratic; J^.mes 
B. Weaver, the Greenback; Neal Dow, the 
Prohibition. The Republicans of Iowa 
were first in tbe field this year, meeting in 
convention at DesMoines April 7'h, and 
nominating for Secretary of State, J. A. T. 
Hull; Treasurer, E. H. Conger; Auditor, 
W. V. Ijucas; Attorney-General, Smith 
McPherson; Register of State Land Office, 
J. K. Powers. They also resolved — 

1. That we insist on the nomination of well- 
known Republicans of national reputation for 



^r 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



211 



ability, purity and experience in public nfEairs, 
and adhesion to Republic;m princij les. for Pres- 
ident and Vice-President of the United States, 
by the National Kepublicaa Convention. 

2. That, as Republicans of Iowa, recognizing 
in the Hon. James G. Blaine a man of tried in- 
tegrity, of uncompromising loyalty and patriot- 
ism, of commanding ability both as a leader and 
statesman, and a fearless advocate of the prin- 
ciples which have preserved the Union and given 
undying luster to the party of which he is the 
admired representative, we take pleasure in re- 
cording the fact that he is the preference of the 
Republicans of Iowa for the ottice of President 
of the United States. And while we pledge our- 
selves to support the nominee of the Chicago 
convention, we nevertheless declare it is our 
conviction that no otlier candidate will develop 
the enthusiasm or call out the number of votes 
that would be polled by the American people 
for James G. Blaine, as the standard-bearer of 
the Republican party in the national contest of 
1880. 

3. That the delegation of this convention to 
Chicago be instructed to cast the vote of Iowa 
as a unit; and that the delegation be further in- 
structed to use all honorable means to secure 
the nomination for President of the Hon. James 
G. Blaine. 

The Greenback party assembled in con- 
vention May 19th, at Des Moines and 
nominated Secretary of State, G. M. Wal- 
ker; Treasurer of State, Matthew Farring- 
ton; Auditor of State, G. V. Swearengen; 
Attorney-General, W. A. Spurrier; Register 
of State Land-Office, Thos. Hooker. The 
following is the platform adopted : 

We, the National Greenback Labor Party of 
loAva, decide, as our first broad principle of 
faith, that that which is created is subservient 
to the power that created it. 

Besulted, That all currency, whether metallic 
or paper, necessary for use and convenience of 
the people, should be issued and controlled by 
the government, and not by or through the bank 
Corporations of the country; and when so issued 



shall be a full legal tender for the payments of 
all debis, public and private. 

2. That so much of the interest bearing debt 
of the United States as shall become redeemable 
in the year 1881, or prior thereto, being in 
amount 1782,000,000, shall not be refunded 
beyond the power of the government to call in 
said obligations and pay them at any time, but 
shall.be paid as rapidly as possible, and accord- 
ing to contract. To enable the government to 
meet these obligations, the mints of the United 
States should be operated to their full capacity 
in the coinage of standard silver dollars, and 
such other coinage as the business of the country 
may require. 

3. That as the producing classes are now 
enslaved by interest-bearing debt, therefore we 
are unalterably opposed to all bonded indebted- 
ness. 

4. That the payment of the bond in coin, 
originally paj-able in lawful money, was a. gift 
to the bond-holder, and the payment of the 
soldiers in paper, when by contract payable in 
coin, was and is an unjust discrimination in 
favor of the bondholder; therefore, we demand, 
in justice to the soldier, that he be paid accord- 
ing to contract. 

5. That we are opposed to the importation of 
Chinese semi-barbarous labor, regarding it as a 
paralyzing and degrading system, that will, 
unless checked, undermine American free labor 

6. That we demand the immediate passage 
by Congress of a law for the equalization of 
soldiers' bounties similar to the one vetoed by 
President Grant 

7. That the right of suffrage, free press and 
speech, are the inalienable rights of every citi- 
zen of the United States. 

8. That we denounce the discrimination 
between government clerks and government 
laborers, the clerks working six hours and the 
laborers ten hours. 

9. That we are opposed to a large standing 
army, either national or State, in times of pro- 
found peace, eating out the substance of the 
people. 



;if- 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



10. That we will continue to ngitate the sub- 
ject of reform in this State, until official salaries 
shall bear a just proportion to the incomes of 
the people who pay them. 

11. That the last legislature of our State, in 
failing to pass the innocent purchaser bill, the 
bill to re "uce court expenses, the bill to protect 
the destruction of sheep from the ravages of 
clogs, the bill to cut down our tax penalties, the 
bill to reduce the rate of interest, have neglected 
the best interests of the State, and ought to be 
turned ought of power. 

12. That the State should not sell contract 
labor to compete with free labor. 

13. That as citizens of Iowa we feel proud of, 
and extend our heartfelt gratitude to Messrs. 
Weaver and Gillette, for their noble and untir- 
ing efforts in the halls of Congress to Secure the 
rights of the worthy toiling millions. 

14. That we, as the National Greenback Labor 
Party, know no North, no South, no East, no 
West. 

15. T!iat all banks of issue and all monopolies 
must go. 

The Democrats met at Des Moines, Sep- 
tember 2d, and nominated a ticket as fol- 
lows: For Secretary of State, A. B. Keith; 
Treasurer, Martin Blim; Auditor, Chas. I. 
Barker; Attorney-General, C. A. Clark; 
Register of State Land-Office, C. A. 
Dougherty. They also resolved: 

1. We, the Democracy of Iowa, in delegate 
convention assembled, endorse the platform of 
the party adopted at Cincinnati, and pledge 
our earnest eS'orts in its behalf. 

2. The Democracy of Iowa are heartily in 
favor of the national nominees, Hancock and 
English, as they give a decided assurance of 
pure and more thoroughly careful admistration 
of national i.ffairs. 

3. We are in favor of a judicious license law, 
and condemn all efforts to legislate against 
those natural rights which do not trespass upon 
those belonging to the whole community, and 
we applaud the action of our representatives at 



DesMoines in the Eighteenth General Assembly 
for their manly and able opposition to the at- 
tempt at sumptuary legislation made by a Re- 
publican legislature. 

The vote on Secretary of State stood as 
follows: 

J. A. T. Hull, Rep 181.166 

A B. Keith. Dem 10.5,760 

G. M. Walker, Gr 8^',780 

Scattering 422 

Hull over all 4.5,204 

In the campaign of 1881, the first con- 
vention held was by the Democrats, at 
DesMoines, June 16. They nominated 
for Governor, L. G. Kinne; Lieutenant- 
Governor, J. M. Walker; Judge of Su- 
preme Court, H. B. Hendershott; Supt. of 
Public Instruction, W. H, Butler. The 
convention adopted the following plat- 
form: 

The Democratic party of Iowa, in convention 
assembled, re-alBrm the national platforms of 
1876 and 1880, demand strict economy in all 
public expenditures, a strict accountability of 
all public servants, and declares — 

1. For tariff reform, ultimating in simpler 
revenue system, with commercial freedom as its 
issue. 

2. That we oppose all sumptuary laws, and 
the proposed prohibitory amendment to the 
constitution in all it steps and stages as the most 
offensive form of sumptuary regulation. 

8. That the great agricultural and producini; 
interests of the country should be emancipated 
from the burdens of monopoly put upon them 
by Republican rule, and as a feature of such 
relief, for the cheapening of transportation by 
government appropriations for improvement of 
the Mississi|ipi river, its navigable tributaries 
and other water-ways. 

4. That we execrate the constant official cor- 
ruption grown into Republican practice, and 
that the demand of our national platform for 
civil service reform is freshly emphasized by the 
immoral spectaclie of Republican factions dis- 



■^r^ 



HISTORY .OF IOWA. 



turbing the public peace, not by the agitation of 
great measures of statesmanship, but by a vulgar 
quarrel over the partition of public spoils, and a 
squabble for the opportunities of oificial theft. 

The Greenback convention was held at 
Marshalltown, June 2, and the following 
ticket nominated: Governor, D.M. Clark; 
Lieutenant-Governor, James M. Holland; 
Supt. of Public Instruction, Mrs. A. M. 
Swain; Supreme Judge, W. W. William- 
son. The following platform was adopted 
by the convention: 

1. The right to make and issue money is a 
sovereign constitulionai power to be maintained 
by the people for the common benefit. We de- 
mand the abolition of all banks of issue, and 
the substitulion of full legal tender greenbacks 
in lieu of their notes. 

2. We ojipose the refunding of the national 
debt or the issue of interest- bearing non-payable 
bonds upon any pretext, and demand the pay- 
ment and destruction of those outstanding at 
the earliest possible moment. 

3. We demand a gradual income tax, where- 
by capital shall bear a just share of the public 
burden. 

4. We regard the act substituting a railroad 
commission for laws governing freight rates in 
the State as a fraud secured by the railroad 
companies through a Republican legislature, and 
demand its repeal. While we favor liberal na- 
tional appropriations for the creation and im- 
provement of waterways, we demand laws 
protecting the people of Iowa from discrimina- 
tion, pooling, watering of stock, drawbacks or 
rebates, and all unjust charges on the part of 
railroads, until such time as the people, who 
built most of these roads with land grants, 
taxes and subsidies, shall own and operate or 
fully control them. 

5. We demand a revision of our patent right 
laws, placing a fair limit upon the royalties of 
inventors, and protecting the people from injus- 
tice. 

6. We demand that all land grants forfeited 
by reason of the non-fulfillment of conditions by 



railroad comjianies shall be at once reclaimed 
by the government, and henceforth that the 
public domain be reserved exclusively for 
homesteaders or actual settlers. 

7. We demand absolutely Democratic rules 
for the government of Congress and State legis- 
latures, placing all representatives of the people 
upon an equal footing, and taking from all com- 
mittees a veto power upon proposed legislation 

8. We denounce as most dangerous the re- 
strictions of the right of suffrage in many 
States, and its abolition in the District of Col- 
umbia, and demand equal political rights for all 
men and women. 

9. Believing that all questions afEecting the 
public interest should be decided by the people, 
we favor the submission of the proposed consti- 
tutional amendment to the popular vote. 

10. We demand that all ballots in this State 
shall be of uniform size, color and material, and 
that each party having a State organization 
shall have one member on the election board of 
each township precinct. 

11. We favor the abolition of the electoral 
college, and the election of President, Vice- 
President and Senators of the United States by 
a direct vote of the people. 

12. In the furtherance of these ends, we ask 
the co-operation of all men and women, without 
regard to previous party affiliation or prejudice. 

The Republicans met at DesMoines, 
June 7, and nominated the following 
ticket: Governor, Buren R. Sherman; 
Lieutenant-Governor, Orlando H. Man- 
ning; Supt. of Public Instruction, John 
W. Akers; Judge of Supreme Court, 
Austin Adams. The convention also 
adopted the following platform: 

We, the representatives of the Republican 
party of Iowa, demand anew of the people of 
the State their fullest' confidence and support, 
because of the faithfulness of the party, in the 
State and in the nation, to party pledges; be- 
cause of the marvelous devotion it has shown in 
support of the Union; because of its abhorrence 



jjs 



214 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



of slavery and iiolygam^-, aud of its successful 
efforts to crush the one, and of its persistent 
struggle to get rid of the other, sure to go on to 
its final extirpation; because of its active inter- 
est in the relief of struggling and oppressed 
humanity everywhere; because of its detennin- 
ation to abolish all inequulities of citizenship, to 
give all men of all races and nationalities in this 
land equality of civil and political rights; be- 
cause of its efforts to establish temperance, to 
educate the people and build up all moral forces; 
because it has been earnest in its efforts toward 
honest and economical government, and has 
been swift to correct abuses when it has discov- 
ered them; because it has steadily maintained 
the financial honor of the nation, is rapidly dis- 
charging its great war debt, and has made the 
recent financial history of the government the 
marvel of nations; because it has protected the 
labor of (he country, and built up its agricultu- 
ral and manufacturing interests, and promoted 
the means of internal commerce by judicial leg- 
islation; because it is positive and progressive, 
and will, in the future, as in the past, prove its 
capacity to grapple promptly and successfully 
with every emergency of the nation, and with 
every question affecting the people's interests; 
and, finally, because it will secure a complete 
and lasting unification of the country, entire 
peace and concord, upon the statute basis of 
free schools, free speech, a free press and a free 
ballot. 

In the spirit of the purpose that has redeemed 
former pledges and produced these results, the 
Re])ubUcan party of Iowa resolves — 

1. We re-affirm the Republican, national plat- 
form of 1880, and insist upon its enforcement in 
its relation to the several affairs of the nation, 
the States and the Territories, in order that 
sound policies shall pievail in the nation, and 
ample protection be afforded toils citizens in all 
of their rights of citizenship in the several 
States; and that the territories be made as abso- 
lutely free from the debasing presence and per- 
nicious influences of polygamy as the States 
now are of slavery. 

2. AVe congratulate this country upon the 
election of James A. Garfield, and the national 



admiustration upon the vigorous manner in 
which it has undertaken_to ferret out fraud and 
suppress extravagance in public expenditures, to 
secure the personal and commercial rights of 
our people abroad, to deal justly with the Indian 
wards of the government, and upon the con- 
spicuous success of its financial policy. 

3. That we are in hearty sympathy with the 
spirit of recent conventions for supplementing 
and improving the great water routes of the 
nation, and cordially endorse all measures which 
look toward a practical and judicious improve- 
meutof the magnificent water-ways which nature 
has afforded us for cheaply transporting the 
immense commerce of the States, and therefore 
developing the immense resources of the interior 
of our national domain. 

4. That we recognize railways as one of the 
most potent agencies in our national progress, 
but one which by reason of its relation to the 
people, must be kept subordinate to the interests 
of the people, and within the legislative control 
of Congress and the State. That in the spirit of 
its usefulness, it must be dealt with in fairness 
and without injustice. But we are in accord 
with the popular demand, that the unquestion- 
able legislative power shall be used to protect 
the people from any abuse and unjust exactions. 

5. That the plenary power of Congress over 
the subjectof patent, should be so exercised as to 
protect the people against the wrongs and abuses 
which have been developed and are practiced 
under the present system of laws relating to 
patent rights, and we ask our senators and repre- 
sentatives in Congress, to lend their best efforts 
to the accomplishment of this end. 

6. That the position attained in our com- 
merce by American meats and live animals, 
demand the enactment of effective legislation 
by both the nation and the States, for the sup- 
pression of such diseases as are calculated to 
interfere with this important feature of our 
foreign trade. 

7. That in pursuance of the uniform justice 
of the Republican party to observe the pledges 
and perform the promises made and given in its 
platform, we declare that the provisions in the 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



platform of 1879, for the submission of 
the so-called prohibitory amendment of the con- 
stitution of Iowa, to a vote of the people at a 
special and non-partisan election should be 
enforced, in order that the good faith of the 
party may be maiutained, and that the people 



in this government of the people, by the people, 
and for the .people, may have an opportunity to 
express their wishes concerning the pending 
iimendment, regardless of party affiliations, and 
with perfect freedom from all party restraint 
and influences. 



CHAPTER XI, 



TERRITORIAI, AND STATE OFFICERS — A RETROSPECT. 



In the limited space of this State his- 
tory, slsetches of the various Territorial 
and State officers cannot be given, though 
they would be of great interest. It is 
thought best, however, to insert sketches 
of the three Territorial Governors. These 
have been prepared by Hon. Samuel Mur- 
dock, of Clayton county, a gentleman than 
whom none are better qualified for the 
task. 

Robert Lucas. 

In the spring of 1832 the celebrated 
Indian Chief, Black Hawk, in violation of 
the treaty of St. Louis in 1804, which he 
himself had ratified in 1816, and again 
partially ratified in 1831, started with his 
band, composing a part of the Sac and 
Fox Indians, ascended Rock River to a 
considerable distance, where he took up a 
strong military position. 

Gen. Atkinson, with a large number of 
United States troops and volunteers from 



the surrounding country, immediately pur- 
sued him, with the intention of forcing the 
cunning chief either to retire or give him 
battle.- And in compliance with this reso- 
lution, he dispatched forward Major Still- 
man, with three or four hundred volunteers, 
to reconoitre the position of Black Hawk. 
But Stillraan had before him a "Warrior 
tred;" a man who had been born and 
cradled upon the battle-field; one who had 
followed his father through many a hard- 
fought battle with the Cherokees; one 
who had stood shoulder to shoulder with 
Tecumseh at Brownstown and the Thames; 
one who, by experience, understood both 
the tactics of the white man and the 
Indian; one who had mingled in the strife 
and carnage of every desperate and bloody 
battle along the whole western border for 
nearly half a century before. As soon as 
he heard that Stillman was approaching 
his camp, he made preparations to meet 
him, and in doing this he planned and 
accomplished one of the greatest and most 



HlSrOIiY OF IOWA. 



skillful military stratagems known to 
modern times. 

Stillraan, underrating the character of 
the man before him, rushed, with his 
whole force, into the very jaws of death; 
his troops were thrown into the worst 
kind of disorder, and fell around him dead 
and dying over the field. 

Bravely did Stillman attempt to rally 
his men and bring them into order, which 
he came very near doing; but the eagle 
eye of an old warrior was looking over 
that field, and just at the moment when 
the tide of battle seemed to hang in a 
balance, this brave old warrior puts him- 
self at the head of a chosen number of his 
gallant braves, and with a yell that sent a 
thrill through many a bold and daring 
heart, rushed to the charge, dealing death 
and destruction in his way. 

Stillman ordered his men to fall back, 
but all was now utter confusion, and the 
retreat became a perfect rout. Thus, sir, 
commenced the short and bloody "Black 
Hawk War," a war in which few laurels 
were won, and nothing found to admire 
save the daring bravery of the savage 
commander. It is not my purpose to fol- 
low it further; its history is a history of 
the most disgraceful outrages and vile 
treacheries on the part of the Americans; 
and but for the noble conduct of the gal- 
lant Dodge connected with it, ought to be 
blotted forever from the recollections of 
American history. 

The war ended by the capture of "Black 
Hawk" through the treachery of the Win- 
nebagos; and a treaty was concluded 
with him on the 21st of September, 1832, 
at Rock Island, by which he ceded to the 
United States a large tract of land, west 



of the Mississippi, which became kuowu 
as the "Black Hawk Purchase." This 
war had its important effect;* in the his- 
tory of the Great West; it brought into 
notice the rich valley of the R' ck river; 
it laid open to view the wealth and treas- 
ures locked up for past ages in the lead 
mines of Wisconsin; it opened to the view 
of the emigrant a rich and fertile valley, 
lying between the Mississippi on one side 
and the Missouri on the other; and long 
before the stipulations of the treaty of 
1832 could be carried out, thousands 
rushed pell mell into the new land, ming- 
ling savage and civilized life together. 

The National Legislature has never yet 
been able to keep up in making the neces- 
sary laws for their protection, with the 
great tide of civilization, as it rolls on- 
ward, year after year, upon the heels of 
retreating savages. 

On the 20th of April, 1836, Congress 
passed a law for the organization of the 
Territory of Wisconsin, by the provisions 
of which the northern boundary of Wis- 
consin extended west in a zigzag direction 
from a point opposite the main channel of 
Green Bay through Lake Superior, touch- 
ing the White Earth river, thence down 
said river to the main channel of the Mis- 
souri, thence down the Missouri to a point 
due west from the northwest corner of the 
Stale of Missouri, etc.; thus, you see, in- 
cluding within the bounds of Wisconsin 
all the lands and territoiy which now 
compose the great • Slates of Iowa and 
Minnesota. It was soon evident that this 
atrangement could not last long; Young 
America had crossed the Mississippi, and 
had left a natural boundary behind him; 
stretching his eyes three hundred miles 



^i 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



217 



west, his vision rested upon another, and 
with this in view, he demanded a separa- 
tion, whicn no Congress at that time dared 
to refuse. 

On the 13th day of June, 1838, Congress 
passed an act organizing the Territory of 
Iowa into a separate and distinct govern- 
ment. This was the era of many a dar- 
ling project OB the part of Young Amer- 
ica, which he has since carried out to per- 
fection and success; while at the same 
time it became the era of many a "bubble 
bursted" in the shape of fallen cities and 
deserted capitols. Cassville, below you, 
was once, in expectancy, a proud metropo- 
lis, and the seat of a more than Chinese 
Empire. The act took eflFect from and 
after the 3d day of July of that year, with 
all the requisites of a. separate and inde- 
jiendent exis'.ence. 

Robert Lucas, of Ohio, the person whose 
name heads this article, was appointed by 
Mr. VanBuren, her first Governor, in con- 
nection with Willian B. Conway, of Penn- 
sylvania, Secretary 

Governor Lucas, at the time of his 
appointment, was quite an old man, and 
far advanced in the decline of life; he had 
spent his best days in the service of his 
country. His youth was spent amid the 
strife and storms of a cruel and desperate 
border war. He was engaged in almost 
every battle from the Huron to the Thames. 
He had mingled personally in almost 
every skirmish on the frontier during the 
war of 1812, and his history was full of 
romantic adventures, hair-breadth escapes, 
and bold and daring encounters. He had 
seen the Great Wost territory pass from 
a howling 'wilderness, and become the 
abode of millions of freemen who could 



cultivate their own vine and fig tree, wor- 
ship at their own shrine, with none to fear 
or make them afraid. He had seen Ohio 
a despondency, a little colony, struggling 
for existence, with almost her entire male 
population drafted for a border war, and 
he left her for Iowa, the third among a 
confederation of States, the greatest, the 
moat powerful, and at the same time the 
most proud and glorious republic the 
world ever saw. 

He commenced his public career in 
Ohio in her infancy; he assisted, by his 
valor and courage, to drive back the mur- 
derous foe who hung upon the borders to 
glut his vengeance on the innocent child 
at its mother's breast. And not until the 
Indian had buried the tomahawk, and 
England had ceased to desolate her fron- 
tiers, did he quit his post and return to 
enjoy himself in the peaceful avocations 
of private life. He mingled in her halls 
and in her councils, and his name con- 
nected with almost every public act of that 
great State, which gave her prosperity and 
greatness; and as a tribute to his worth 
and a reward for his services, she conferred 
upon him, in his declining years, the otKce 
of Governor. 

It was soon after his term of office ex- 
pired in Ohio that he received from the 
President the Governorship of Iowa. 

It was during his term of ofKce as Gov- 
ernor of Ohio that the dispute arose 
between that State and the territory of 
Michigan, in relation to their respective 
boundaries, which came very near plung- 
ing both of them into a cruel, desperate 
and fratricidal war. The matter was set- 
tled, finally,,by giving Ohio all she claimed; 
and in order to keep the youngest child of 



- a 



218 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



tbe Republic in these days from being 
naughty, she was given a strip of poor 
territory, two hundred and fifty miles 
from her, and north and west of the main 
channel of Green Bay. 

He commenced his career in Iowa with 
all the bouyancy of youth and better days, 
and looked forward with a great deal of 
interest to the day when he should see her 
a proud and noble State. 

Scarcely bad he time to look around 
him and gather information, in his new 
field of labor, before he found himself 
involved in another que.stion of boundry, 
between Iowa and the State of Missouri. 
Missouri had set up a claim to a strip of 
ccHiiitry about six miles wide extending 
along the south line of our whole State; 
and on this strip of land she had several 
times attempted to collect taxes and en- 
force her laws. 

The settlers resisted these claims of 
Missouri, and appealed to the Governor 
for protection. No sooner was their case 
made known to him than he resolved to 
call forth all the military force he could 
procure, and for this purpose he issued 
his proclamation. Hundreds responded 
to his call, and in a short time he had col- 
lected here and there through the territory 
a set of men who only wanted a nod from 
their commander, and they would have 
thrown themselves against odds into the 
very heart of Missouri. Gov. Roggs, of 
Missouri, had also called on his State for 
assistance, and he, too, was on his march 
with a desptrate set of men to assert his 
claim. Had those two forces have met, 
nothing could have prevented a dreadful 
and fatal encounter. 



But wise councils prevailed, and the 
legislature of Iowa, to its everlasting 
credit, drew up and passed a preamble and 
resolutions requesting both Governors to 
suspend hostilities until the first day of 
July thereafter. These resolutions had 
the desired effect; military preparations 
were suspended by both parties, and an- 
other cruel and fratricidal war averted. 

The matter was afterwards submitted to 
Congress, where, through the influence of 
A. C. Dodge, with his uncle, Dr. Linn, 
who was at that time a Senator in Congress 
from Missouri ; the matter was finally 
settled by giving to Iowa all she ever 
claimed. 

Thus ended the celebrated "Missouri 
war," a war whose history is full of fun 
and anecdote, a war which has since fur- 
nished the theme for many an idle, but 
interesting romance; and a war which will 
only be remembered in machine verse and 
burlesque song; for 

"Missouri shall many a day" 
"Till of the bloody fray " 
"When the Ilawkeyes and Pukies" 
"First met on her border." 

Governor Lucas never forgot the inci- 
dents of this war during his life; and long 
after the difficulties had passed away, he 
never could talk about it without flying 
into a passion at the conduct of Missouri. 
He cherished a holy hatred for the land of 
"Pukes" during his lifetime. 

Not long after the difficulties with Mis- 
souri were settled, he got into a desperate 
quarrel with the legislature, and for a time, 
everything about the capital wore a bel- 
ligerant asj)ect It will be recollected 
that at that time the legislature was filled 
exclusively by young men; "mere boys," 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



as it was said of tbem at the time, and a 
higher set of fellows than they were, 
could scarcely be found They looked 
upon Iowa as their own and each of them 
looked himself as the future Senator, 
Governor, or chief justice of a future 
State, which he himself was at that time 
laboring to bring about; and the history of 
occurring events will show, that with a 
large number of them, their early antici- 
pations turned out to be true; and with 
those who are still in obscurity, but yet in 
the prime of life, abrightaiid happy fu'ure 
is still before them. The Governor was an 
old man, and, as they thought, tinctured 
somewhat with "Foggyism," and they did 
not hesitate to declare that he was here for 
the office, and for the office alone, and that 
as soon as his term expired, he would 
return again to Ohio, as all Governors of 
new Territories have generally done. 
What wonder, then, thpt between such 
elements, there should, in the course of 
events spring up a collision. 

The Governor attempted from time to 
time, to check these young law-makers in 
their public expenditures, and did not 
hesitate to call them a set of profliigates. 
In retaliation for these acts on the part of 
the Governor, the legislature appointed a 
committee, consisting of James W. Grimes, 
since United States Senator, Chauncy Swan> 
who subsequently died at sea on his return 
from California, and Laurel Summers, 
afterwards United States Marshal for Iowa, 
to inquire into his power, and define his 
duties This committee after due delibera- 
tion, gravely reported to the legislature, 
that the Governor had full power and 
autliority to vote all acts of the legislature, 
of every kind, name and description, except 



acts for the appropriation of money, and 
then asked to be discharged from the fur- 
ther consideration of the subject. But 
the matter did not end here, for the legis- 
lature on the 16th of January, 1840, 
instructed their delegate to Congress, 
W. W. Chapman to use his influence in 
procuring a law, allowing the people to 
elect their own Governor, and provided in 
this resolution, that the Governor himself 
should circulate it. This resolution he 
took good care to approve, and actually 
sent copies of it to Washington city. 

He was removed from the office of 
Governor, after the 4th of March, 1831, 
and John Chambers, of Kentucky was 
appointed to succeed him. 

After his removal he returned to private 
life, and resided at Bloomiugtoa for a 
number of years. 

He returned to Ohio and ran for Con- 
gress, but was defeated, after which he 
again returned to Iowa, and if I mistake 
not, was a member of the firct constitu- 
tional convention. 

Old age crept upon him at last, and he 
died a number of years ago, at Muscatine. 
He was always a Democrat of the Jack- 
sonian school, and throughout a long 
public life he was strictly and religiously 
honest. He was not a man of much talent, 
but his long public life had made him 
familiar with the whole routine of public 
affairs. 

With his intimate aquaiutance with 
public men and public affairs, he could 
have written an admirable history of the 
Great Wests. But he has left nothiug 
behind him save his own acts. 



V 



^j 2_ 



220 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



In person, he was tall and slender, and 
in his younger days, capable of enduring 
great hardships. 

As her first Governor, and one of her 
truest and best friends, he will live on the 
pagi'S of Iowa's history, when statues of 
marble and brass, shall have crumbled into 
dust. 



John Chambers. 

On the 4th day of March, 1841, William 
Henry Harrison was inaugurated President 
of the United States. He was carried into 
office through one of the most renowned 
and exciting political campaigns our coun- 
try has ever witnessed. 

During the administration of Mr. Van 
Buren, his immediate predecessor, our 
country, and indeed the whole civilized 
world, was visited by one of those great 
commercial revulsions which seems peri- 
odically to take place in the affairs of man. 
Never before had our country witnessed 
and felt such a universal depression of all 
kinds of business, nor could the most gifted 
seer in commercial pursuits tell how or 
when this great commercial calamity would 
end, or be remedied. 

The people thought they could look back 
into the administration of General Jack- 
son, when the deposits were removed, as 
the primary cause of all the distress in 
every ramification of trade which followed 
during the administration of his successor, 
and in order, as they supposed, to apply a 
remedy, and restore confidence and secu- 
rity again to the country, demanded a 
change in the affairs of the government. 

For twelve years previous to 1S40, the 
government had been in the hands of a 



party calling themselves "Jack on Demo- 
crats," and from their long tenure in office, 
many of them had come to the conclusion 
that they owned them in their own right, 
and that almost every office in the gift of 
the President was a life tenure. 

Acting upon this principle, many of these 
incumbents had become notoriously cor- 
rupt, and appropriated the money belong- 
ing to their respective offices to their own 
private and pecuniary profit. 

These things, added to the commercial 
distress I have mentioned, increased the 
popular clamor for a change, and General 
Harrison was triumphantly elected Presi- 
dent. And although the writer of this 
article heard him declare in a public 
speech that he would suffer his right hand 
to be cut off before he would remove a 
public officer for opinion sake alone, yet 
one of the first acts of his administration 
was the removal of Robert Lucas from the 
Governorship of Iowa, and the appoint- 
ment of John Chambers, of Kentucky, to 
succeed him. 

He arrived in Iowa a short time after he 
had received his appointment, and imme- 
diately took possession of his office. 

He was a Whig, and of that Kentucky 
school of politics, in his day, which took 
rather a conservative view of public affairs. 
He was an old man, and had seen some 
service in his day. He was among the 
Kentucky volunteers on the frontier during 
the war of 1812, and distinguished him- 
self in several skirmishes with the Indians, 
and was looked upon as one of Kentucky's 
bravest men. Everything in Iowa was in 
the hands of the Democrats; they had, 
since the formation of the Territory, filled 
every office; they had controlled and di- 



^ 



;r§^ 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



t>^. 



rected its whole legislation; they had 
carved and cut every act to suit theui- 
selves. So that when the new Governor 
arrived he found Iowa in the hands of a 
joint stock company, with the shares above 
par, and none to dispose of at any price. 

These same stockholders had been for 
several years accustomed to look upon his 
predecessor, although one of their own 
faith, with considerable distrust; and need 
we wonder that when a new man made his 
appearance among them, of opposite faith, 
that, for a time at least, he should receive 
the cold shoulder? 

He had been appointed for four years, 
and in all p>robability would remain his 
time out; but four years was an age, at 
that time, to those who in fact controlled 
the destinies of a future republic. 

A plan was therefore set on foot hj those 
who owned the largest shares in the com- 
pany, to bring about a revolulion,to change 
the form of government, to establish a 
State; and, in obedience to this plan, the 
legislature, on the 16th day of February, 
1842, provided that at the August election 
following, a vote should be taken for or 
against a convention to form a constitution 
for the State of Iowa. At this time the 
general government had paid all the ex- 
penses of the Territory, in hard money. 
At every session of every court, in every 
county throughout the whole Territory, the 
Judge, the District Attorney, and last, 
though not least, the United States Mar- 
shal, or one of his deputies, always ap- 
peared together. As soon as the court was 
over, and justice had been meted out with 
unsparing hand, the Marshal called up the 
Grand and Petit Juries, and the witnesses 
upon all criminal trials, cashed all their 



accounts in half dollars, and they went 
their own way over the broad prairies, 
whistling or singing that good old tune, 
"Uncle Sam is rich pnough to give us all a farm." 

Taxes they did not feel, for there was no 
occasion to gather them, and I know of no 
happier State on earth than where man 
can live and enjoy all the sweets of unre- 
strained liberty, be assured of protection 
from aggression and <Frong, his fields and 
gardens yielding a bounteous return for 
the slightest touch of the hoe and the 
spade, upon his own soil, with a cabin 
reared by his own hands, and "children 
who cluster like grapes at the door," with 
a table covered by the choicest viands, the 
latch-string never pulled in, and at the 
same time a government scattering broad- 
cast around him annually thousands of dol- 
lars in hard money, and asking nothing in 
return but good behavior. Such was the 
state of things in the Territory, at this 
time; and when the August election came, 
the people voted against a convention, and 
wisely concluded to remain a few years 
longer in a state of dependency, in order 
to enjoy, as long as possible, the benefits 
showered upon them by the general gov- 
ernment. 

During all this time the new Governor 
had not been idle. He had, previous to 
this, collected all the information he could 
in relation to the country. He had held a 
treaty with the Sao and Fox Indians, and 
had succeeded in making a purchase of 
all their lauds lying west of the Blackhawk 
Purchase and extending west to the Mis- 
souri, and north to the "Neutral Ground." 
By this treaty Iowa acquired jurisdiction 
to the Missouri on the west, and by an act 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



of Congress a criminal jurisdiction to the 
British possessions on the north. 

Long before this treaty could be ratified 
at Washington, tens of thousands rushed 
pell-mell upon the "New Purchase," deter- 
mined to make themselves "claims," and 
stand by them to the last. Troops were 
sent to drive them off until the stipulations 
of the treaty could be carried out, and in 
order to give time to the Indians to re- 
move. 

But before the troops had time to re- 
move a few squatters in one portion, 
"claims" were made in their rear, adjoin- 
ing one another, at the rate of fifty miles 
a day. So great was the rush for "claims" 
that it was no uncommon thing for the in- 
habitants of an Indian village to wake up 
in the morning, and to their utter conster- 
nation and surprise, find a log cabin or 
"claim shanty" which had been erected in 
their town during the night, while upon 
the door, perhaps, with chalk or coal, the 
unmistakable pictures of the bowie-knife 
and revolver, indicating, as the Indians 
well knew, the desperate character of him 
who sleeps within, upon that pallet of 
leaves and grass. 

No troops could restrain them, and the 
officers gave up in despair, thus in a short 
lime the Territory had received a large 
addition to her population. 

The fi-ieuds of a State government 
thought they could now, after so large an 
increase of population as this new pur- 
chase had brought about, venture again 
upon their darling scheme. 

On the 12th day of February, 1844, the 
Legislature again provided that at the 
April election following a poll should be 
opened, and each elector interrogated "for 



or against a convention?" This time it 
was made a party measure, and to be 
"for a convention" was a true test of a 
man's Democracy. The plan succeeded 
admirably, even beyond the expectations 
of the "share-holders," and upon counting 
there was a small majority in favor of a 
convention. 

The delegates were elected at the Aug- 
ust election following, and the convenl'.o;i, 
consisting of seventy members, asseni'i'eil 
at Iowa City on the first Monday in Oo'.o- 
ber, 1844, and proceeded to form a consti- 
tution. After a few weeks deliberation, 
they produced what they called a constitu- 
tion, but, upon inspection, it was found to 
be rather a rickety affair; it was, however, 
in accordance with the doctrine of "Popu- 
lar Sovereignty," submitted to the people 
for their rejection or approval, at the April 
election, in 1845. At the time of its form- 
ation, the convention, in defining the boun- 
daries of the future State, had included on 
the north nearly the whole of what is now 
the State of Minnesota. Congress bad, 
however, in anticipation of our coming, 
and in order to meet us half way, passed 
an act admitting us into the Union, but at 
the same time' curtailing our boundaries, 
both on the north and west, cutting us off 
from the Missouri entirely. This act of 
Congress became known only a short time 
before the April election, and this fact, in 
connection with the unpopularity of the 
instrument itself, caused its defeat at the 
election which followed. 

The legisln.iure had wisely provided, at 
the session which provided for a conven- 
tion, tbnt in the event the constitution 
should be defeated, there should be an 
election for members of the legislature in 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



April, and that such legislature should 
assemble on the first Monday in May, 1845. 

The election was held accordingly, and 
the Legislature assembled at Iowa City at 
the time designated. 

Immediately after the organization, the 
Democrats called together a caucus, in 
which it was resolved to submit again the 
same constitution to another test; and, 
agreeable to this resolution, 8hepard 
Leffler, of DeMoines, introduced into the 
Senate a bill for that purpose. This bill 
passed both Houses, and was submitted to 
Mr. Chambers for his approval. But he 
differed with the legislature in regard to 
their power to pass an act of that kind, 
and he returned it with his veto. The 
legislature, however, was too strong for 
him, and they passed the bill over his 
veto, and again submitted the constitution 
at the August election following But the 
people by this time had got tired of the 
old thing. Copies of it had been handed 
from one to another until they were worn 
out; they believed the Governor was 
right in his veto; and the old man had the 
grand satisfaction in seeing his last public 
act in the territory triumphantly sustained 
by the people It was again rejected by a 
large majority, and came very near defeat- 
ing General Dodge for Congress, who 
undertook to pack it and run against 
R. P. Lowe, the present Chief Justice of 
the State. 

Mr. Polk was inaugurated President of 
the United States on the 4th of March, 
1845, and a short time after the close of 
the session of May, 1845, he removed 
Mr. Chambers, and appointed James 
Clarke, of Burlington, to succeed him. 
This closed the public career of John 



Chambers, second Governor of Iowa. A 
short time after his rempval by Mr. Pulk, 
he returned to his home in Kentucky, 
where he soon after died. 

He was a large, heavy man, round 
shouldered, and had rather a stooping 
gait. His manners were reserved, and at 
first sight you would not care about ap- 
proaching him, but a little familiar ac- 
quaintance with him would make him a 
favorite. 

A half hour's conversation with him, 
and he was as pleasing as a child; and 
take him all in all, he was about the most 
perfect specimen of Kentucky gentleman 
that was ever my lot to fall in with. 

The longer he remained in Iowa, the 
more the people loved him. 

I bid him farewell for the last time on 
the steps of the Capitol at Iowa City, when 
he wept like a child. 

When he left Iowa for his own bright 
and sunny land, he left no enemies behind 
him. A noble hearted man, he fixed his 
name forever on the pages of our history, 
and he left us to mingle his dust in that 
land which gave him birth. So far as my 
acquaintance with him ia concerned, I can 
truly say with Burns: 

"An honest man now lies at rest, 
One who ou earth was truly blest; 
If there's another world, he lies in bliss, 
And if there's uoue, he's made the beat of this." 



Jambs Clares. 

Sometime in the autumn of the year 
1837, when the trees were in the yellow 
leaf, a printer boy of slender form and 
gentle appearance might have been seen 



^j]'' *> 



224 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



crossing the "Laurel Hills" of his own 
State. Behind him rolled the waters of 
the "Blue Juniata," on the banks of which 
he had spent, in merry glee, his youthful 
days. He had heard and read of strange 
countries that lay far off towards the set- 
ting sun, through which broad rivers run, 
and spreading landscapes unfolded to 
human eyes the most rare and magnificent 
beauty. 

These things inspired his youthful mind 
■with a spirit of wild adventure — "fields 
looked green far away" to his imagination, 
and he left the Fcenes of his early youth, 
severed the strong and loving ties that 
bound him to the land of his nativity, bid 
farewell to all that was dear to him on 
earth, and with his youthful gaze fixed upon 
that star which never sets, he launched 
forth into the wilds of Wisconsin, a 
stranger in a strange land, an adventurer 
seeking his own fortune, depending upon 
his own exertions, with no recommend 
save an honest countenance and genteel 
deportment. This young man was James 
Clark, who in after years became the able, 
talented and popular Governor of Iowa. 
He remained in Wisconsin, working at 
his trade as a printer, until after the or- 
ganization of the Territory of Iowa, when 
he removed to Burlington, where the first 
legislature of Iowa assembled. After the 
death of Mr. Conway, he was appuinted, 
by Mr. Van Buren, Secretarv of the Terri- 
tory, which ofhce he filled with great 
credit to himself and satisfaction to the 
people. During the time he held this 
office he contributed, by his kind, gentle 
and amiable manner, to soften the feelings 
of hatred and distrust which at one time ex- 
isted between leading men of the Territory. 



Whoever had business at his office found 
him a kind, gentle, quiet, amiable man, 
always ready and willing to do whatever ■ 
was desired of him, regretting, at the same 
time, that he could do no more. No man 
ever labored harder in an office than he 
did, and it always seemed to me that his 
whole pride and ambition was to serve 
some one, and by so doing make himself 
nseful to his fellow man. 

During the lime he was Secretary he 
underwent great labor, but notwithstand- 
ing the large amount of business he trans 
acted, he still found time to write for the 
press, and contributed many valuable 
articles touching the future greatness of 
Iowa. 

After he retired from the offiue of Secre- 
tary, he returned again to the Printing 
office, and became the leading Editor of 
the Burlington Gazette. To the columns 
of this paper he devoted his wliole ener- 
gies, and by so doing, made it the leading 
democrat paper of the territory; a position 
which he has held to this day. 
After the inauguration of Mr. Polk as 
President of the United States, in 1845, he 
removed Mr. Chambers, and appointed Mr 
Clarke to succeed him as Governor of Iowa. 
Previous to his appointment, he had been 
elected by the people of his county, a 
delegate to the first convention which 
assembled to form a constitution for the 
State of Iowa In this convention he dis- 
tinguished himself, both for his talent and 
personal demeanor, and contributed to the 
pages of that constitution, these great ele- 
mentary principles which lie at the founda- 
tion of human rights. 

And, although that constitution was 
defeated, he still had the satisfaction of 



>^. 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



seeing their spirit and meaning transferred 
to another, and still continued as the fun- 
damental law of our State 

The first legislature, after he received 
his appointment of Governor, assembled at 
Iowa City on the first Monday of Decem- 
ber, 1845. His message to the legislature 
after its organization is a model of style 
and clearness. 

He set forth the importance of an early 
extinguishment of the Indian title to all 
the lands within the limits of Iowa, and 
urges the legislature to memorialize Con- 
gress to purchase a tract of land on the 
upper Mississippi for a future home for the 
Winnebagoes, and thus induce them to 
part with their title to a large tract of 
country known as the "neutral ground," 
a recommendation which the general 
government soon after acted upon and 
carried out. 

As soon as the "Blackhawk Purchase" 
had been surveyed, and it was discovered 
that it contained within its bounds large 
tracts which were supposed to contain 
valuable mineral, these tracts were reserved 
from market, and the government set itself 
up as a great landlord to lease out these 
lands at a stipulated rent. Mr Clarke soon 
saw the evil and injustice of such a system 
upon the inhabitants of Iowa, and he set 
himself at work to break it up; and it was 
through his influence and exertions that 
the land was afterwards thrown into 
market. 

There was not a barrier in the future 
greatness of Iowa that did not call forth 
his attention, and he had the grand satis- 
faction of seeing everything that he re- 
commended for the benefit and prosperity 
of Iowa afterwards carried out, and carried 



out, too, precisely, as he had suggested and 
wished. He seemed to be aware that he 
would soon be called upon to pass over the 
government, over which he presided 
with so much skill and ability, into the 
hands of the real sovereigns of the soil, 
and he was determined that nothing should 
be left undone by him to retard her future 
greatness. 

On the 16th day of January, 1846, the 
legislature passed, once more, an act for 
the purpose of electing delegates to frame 
a constitution for the State of Iowa. 

This time the friends of a State govern- 
ment took it for granted that the people 
of the territory wanted a constitution, so 
the legislature provided that at the April 
election following the passage of this act, 
the people of the territory should elect 
delegates to a convention. Accordingly, 
at the April election delegates were.elected, 
and the convention, agreeable to said act, 
consisting of thirty-two members, instead 
of seventy as in the previous convention, 
met at Iowa City on the first Monday of 
May, 1846, and after a session of eighteen 
days produced a constitution, which con- 
stitution was submitted immftdiately fol- 
lowing, and was adopted by them as their 
constitution for the Stale of Iowa, 

Thus you see that Iowa, from a colony, 
a dependency, a territory, jumped, in the 
short spac^ of seven months, from the 
time the act above mentioned first passed, 
to that of a sovereign independent State. 

After the result was known, the Gover- 
nor issued his proclamation for a general 
election in November following, at which 
election Ansel Uriggs, of Jackson county 
was elected Governor of the State. 



;i^ 



226 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



This proclamation was the last public 
act of James Clarke, for as soon as the new 
Governor was quulitied, he turned over to 
him all the archives of his oflice, and 
returned once more to the printing office, 
Again be scattered through Iowa his 
beautiful editorials through the columns of 
the Burlington Gazette, until the name and 
fame of Iowa became known throughout 
the length and breadth of the land. 

He appeared at the capitol at the first 
session of the State legislature under the 
new constitution, to which body he deli- 
vered an affecting and iiteresting farewell 
letter, then stood back quitely during the 
whole of the session, and gazed with indig- 
nation upon his countenance at the dread- 
ful strife, storms and bitterness which was 
manifested during the entire session. 

Never since the organization of the ter- 
ritory, had any man seen, or even dreamed 
of anything like it; every man seemed to 
look upon each other as being itj his way 
to places of honor and profit, and it 
became a cut and thrust game. Both 
parties were without leaders, or if they 
had them, the leaders themselves stood in 
great need of being led. 

Neither done anything — neither party 
could do anything. When one party made 
a move it was instantly checkmated by the 
other. Speech after speech was made, 
each one declaring himself a patriot and a 
true lover of his country, ready at all 
times to bleed and die for her. No one 
could do anything for the reason that none 
of the rest would let him. They ate, 
drank, grew fat, and returned to their 
seats, only to play the same game over 
again as on the previous day. They in- 
stituted a court for the trial of any offender 



who should attempt to bribe any one of 
their number; and whenever such a tribu- 
nal is constituted, there is always sure to 
be some one to try. 

Now and then during the session some 
poor devil was snatched up, arraigned and 
tried for indiscretely showing his money to 
some one of its members. But such trials 
only served to lionize the victims, and it- 
looked to an outsider as if these scamps 
themselves had purposely committed these 
offenses in order to bring themselves into 
notice, and thereby claim themselves to be 
the victims of a cruel persecution. 

In vain did they meet in joint conven- 
tion for the purpose of electing Judges of 
the Supreme Court and Senators. Every 
vote, some anxious aspirant in the "lobby" 
would brighten up, thinking perhaps this 
time the lucky card would turn up; but, 
alas! for human hopes, he lacked just onb 
vote of an election. 

Your humble servant was an idle and 
curious looker-on at most of the interest- 
ing scenes which took place at this seseion, 
and if it was not for the notes that he took 
at the time, he could hardly tell at this day 
whether these scenes were real, or whether 
they were the productions of an idle and 
troubled dream. 

They finally adjourned without electing 
either Judges or Senators, and the State 
toddled along very well, half State, half 
Territory. 

This was the last time, I believe, that 
Mr. Clarke ever appeared at the legisla- 
ture. He died soon after, at Burlington, 
with that horrible scourge, the cholera. 

This closed the earthly career of a just 
and noble man, cut off in the prime of life 
and in the midst of a useful career. 



.•^ 


S> V, -- 


J 01 


^. 






®1 


HISTORY 


OF IOWA. 227 


r 




He was married to a sister of General 


Othkb Territorial Officebs. 






Dodge, and this fact beiug known at the 


ikcretariea. 






time of his appointment as Governor, drew 


Wm. B. Conway; 1838, died 1839. 






upon the Dodge family the title of the 


James Claik, 1839-41 






"Royal Family." But whatever might 
have been said in this respect, the appoiutr 
ment was due to Mr. Clarke, nor could it 


0. H. W. Stull, 1841-3. 
Samuel J. Burr, 1843-5. 
Jesse Williams, 1845. 






have been bestowed upon a better man, or 


Auditur$. 






OKe moi-e competent to fill it. 


Jesse Williams, 1840-43. 






He was the third and last Territorial 
Governor of Iowa, and, like the other two 


William L. Gilbert, 1843-45. 
Robert M. Secrest, 1845. 






who preceded him, as soon as he had passed 


Treaaurert. 






the office into the hands of his successor, 


Thornton Baylie, 1889-40. 






he gently and calmly laid down and died. 


Morgan Reno, 1840. 






He was a tall, slender man, of* a mild and 


Judges. 
Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838. 
Joseph Williams, 1838, 






amiable disposition, and had quite a femi- 
nine look. He left a family behind to 






mourn his sad loss. His history is without 


Thomas S. Wilson, 1838. 






a stain or reproach, and throughout his 
whole life no man ever imputed ought 
against his character as a man and a citi- 


Presidents of GouneiL 
Jesse B. Brown, 1838-9. 
Stephen Hempstead, 183&-40. 






zen. 


M. Bainridge, 1840-1. 








J. W. Parker, 1841-3. 
John D. Elbert, 1843-3. 






I have thus given yon a few random 


Thomas Cox, 1843-4. 






sketches of the three Territorial Governors 


8. Clinton Hasting, 1845. 






of Iowa, together with a few of the prin- 


Stephen Hempstead, 1845-d. 






cipal events in the history of Iowa, con- 


Speakers of the Houss, 






nected with their administration. 


William H. Wallace, 1838-9. 






Most of the incidents contained in these 


Edward Johnson. 1839-40. 






sketches I have given from memory alone, 


Thomas Cox, 1840-1. 






having been myself an eye-wituess of, and 

personally cogn^zant of many of the facts. 

By these sketches you not only see the 


Warner Lewis, 1841-3. 
James M. Morgan, 1843-a 
James P. Carleton, 1843-4. 
James M. Morgan, 1845. 






character and noble traits of the three 


George W. McLeary, 1845-fl. 






good and wise men, but you see that under 
thuir care and protection, a young and 
thrifty State sprung into existence in the 
short space of eight years from the time 
when the whole Territory was the home of 


State Officers. 
Oover7u»-s, 
Ansel Briggs, 1846-50. 
Stephen Hempstead, 1850-64. 
James W. Grimes, 1854-58. 


It 


J 


the savage. 


Ralph P. Lowe, 1838-00. 








® k 


V 








a r 


"» tfi 



. 






I 


*A 


» .. C 


J <? 


v.>< 








228 HISTORY 


OF IOWA. 




Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860-R4, 


John W. Jones, 18.59-63. 






William M. Stone, 1864-68. 


William H. Holmes, 1863-67. 






Samuel Morrill, 1868-72. 


Samuel E. Rankin. 1867-73. 






Cyrus C. Carpcnti-r, 1873-76. 


William Christy, 187:3-77. 






Samuel J. Kirkwuod, 1876-77. 


George- W. Bl-uus, 1877-81. 






J. Q. NcWbokl, 1877-78. 


Edwiu n. Conger, 1881. 






John H. Gear, 1878-83. 
Buren R. SheimaD, 1883. 


Attorney- Oenfr^t. 
David C. Cloud, 1853-.56. 






Lieuienn nt- Oooernor*. 


Samuel A. Rice, 1856-60. 






Oran Faville, 1858-60. 


Charles C. Nuurse. 1860-64. 






Nicholas J. Rusch, 1860-63. 


Isaac L. Allen, 186.>'r,. 






John R Needham. 1863-64. 


Frederick E. Bissell. 1866-07. 






Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-66. 


Henry O'Connor, lS-;r-72. 






Benjamin F. Oup, 1866-68. 


Marcena E. Cults, 1873-76. 






John Scott, 181)8-70. 


John F. McJunkin, 1877-81. 






M. M. Walden, 1870-73. 


Smith McPherson, 1881. 






H C. Bulls, 1873-74. 


• 






Joseph Dysart, 1874-76. 


Adjutant- Oemralt. 






Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-78. 


Daniel S. Lee, 1851-55. 






Frank T. Campbell, 1878-83. 


George W. McLeary, 1855-57. 






Orlando H. Manning, 1883. 


Elijah Sells, 18.57. 


. 




This office was created by the new constitu- 


Jesse Bowen,' 1857-61 






tion, September 8, 1859. 


Nathaniel Baker, 1861-77. 






Secretaries of StaU. 


John H. Luby, 1877-78. 
W. L. Alexander, 1878. 






Elisha Cutter, Jr., 184G-48. 








Joseph H. Bonney, 1848-50. 


Registers of the State Land Ojiet 






George W, McClcary, 1850-56. 


Anison Hart, 1855-57. 






Elijah Sells, 1856-63. 


Theodore s. Parvin, 1857-59. 






James Wright, 1863-67. 


Amos B. Jliller, 1859-63. 






Ed. Wright, 1867-73. 


Edwin Mitchell, 1863-63. 






Josiah T. Young, 1873-79. 


Josiah A. Harvey, 1863-67. 






J. A. T Hull, 1869. 


Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1867-71. 






Auditors of Siati. 
Joseph T. Fales, 1846-50. 
William Pattee, 18.".0-^4. 


Aaron Brown, 1871-75. 
David Secor, 1875-79. 
J. K. Powers, 1879. 






Andrew J. Stephens, 1855-59. 
Jonathan W. Catlell, 1859-65. 


Superintendents of Publie Instruction. 






John A. Elliott, 186.5-71. 
John Russell, 1871-75. 
Rueu R. Sherman, 1S75-81. 
William V. Lucas, 1881. 


James Harlan, 1847-18. 
Thos. H. Benton, Jr., 1848^54. 
James D. Eads, 1851-57. 
Joseph C. Stone, 1857. 
Malurin L. Fisher, 1857-53. 






Treasurers of Stat*. 


Oran F.iville, 1864-67. 






Morgan Reno. 1846-50. 


1). Franklin Wells, 1867-63. 




J 


Israel Ki.^ler, 18.J0-53. 


A. S. Kissell. 1868-73. 


\ 




Martin L. Morris, 1853-59. 


Alonzo Abcrnelhy, 1873-76. 




d ® 




k 


\^ 


(a r- 


"» te 


V 


' 






■ 









, 


Aj 


5 !i^ 


J 0- 


^>, 












jr 


■< 


HISTORY 


OF IOWA. 229 




Curl W. Van Coelen, 1876-83. 


James Grant, 1853-54. 






John W. Akers, 1883. 


Reuben Noble, 1854-.56. 






This office was created in 1847 and abolished 


Samuel McFarland, 1856-57. 






in 1858, and the duties then developed upon Ihe 


Stephen B. Shekdy, 1857-59. 






secretary of the Board of Education; it was re- 


John Edwards, 1859-61. 






created March 23. 1864. 


Rush Clark. 1861-63. 
Jacob Butler, 1863-65. 






State Printers. 


Ed. Wright, lf6.')-67. 






Garrett D. Palmer and Gecro Paul, 1849-51 


John Russell, 1867-69. 






WilliKmH. Mcnitt, 1851-5B. 


Aylctt R Cotton, 1869-71. 






William A. Horuish, 1853. 


James Wilson, 1871-73. 






Den. A. AliUouey and Jos. B. Dorr, 1853-55. 


John H. Gear, 1873-77. 






Peter Moriarty, 18.i5-5T. 


John Y. Stoue, 1877-79. 






John Teesdale, 1857-61. 


Lore Alford, 1880-81. 






Fruuci-s W. Palmer, 1861-69. 


G. R. Struble, 1883. 






Frank M. Mills, 1861J-71. 








G. W. Edwards, 1871-73. 


Chief Justices of ihe Supreme Court. 






Rich. P. Clarkson, 1873-79. • 


Charles Mason, 1847. 






Frank M. Mills, 1879. 


Joseph Williams, 1847-48. 
S. Clinton Hastings. 1848-49. 






State Bindert, 


Joseph Williams, 1849-.jr>. 






William M. Coles, 1855-58. 


George G. Wright, 1855-60. 






Frank M. Mills, 1858-67. 


Ralph P. Lowe, 1860-63. 






James 8. Carter, 1867-71. 


Caleb Baldwin, 1863-64. 






J. J. Smart, 1871-75. 


George 0. Wright, 1864-66. 






H. A Perkins, 1875-79. 


Ralph T. Lowe, 1866-08. 






Matt. Parrott, 1879. 


John F. Dillon, 1868-70. 
Chester C. Cole, 1870-71. 






Secretaries of Board of Education. 


James G. Day, 1871-73. 
Joseph M. Beck, 1873-74. 






T. H. Biuton, jr , 1859-63. 


W. E Miller, 1874-76. 






Oraii Faville, 1863-64. 


Chester C. Cole, 1870. 






This office waa abolished March 23, 1864. 


William H. Seevers, 1876-77. 






Presidents of the Senate. 


Jame^ G. Day, 1877-78 
James H. Rothrock, 1878-79. 






Thomas Baker, 1846-47. 








Thomas Hughes, 1847-18. 


Joseph M. Beck, 1879-80. 






Austin Adams, 1880-83. ■ 






John J Selman, 1848-49. 


William H. Seevers, 1883. 






Enos L'lwe, 1849-51. 








W. E. Leffingwell, 1851-.53. 


Associate Justieet. 






Malurin L. Fisher, 18.53-55. 


Joseph Williams, held over from territorial 






W. W. Ham 11 ion, 1855-57. 


government until a successor waa appointed. 






Under the new constitution the Lieut.-Gover- 


Thomas S. Wilson, 1847. 






nor is President of the Senate. 


John F. Kinney, 1817-54. 
George Greene, 1847-55. 






Speakers of the Boute. 


Jonathan C. Hall, 18.54-55. 






Jesse B. Brown. 1846-48. 


William G. Woodward, 1S55. 




J 


Smiley H. Bonham, 1818-50. 


Norman W. Isbell, 1855-57. 


L 


e) 


George Temple, ISJO-o',', 


Lacon D. Stockton, 1856-60. 


I9 ^ 


V^ 


9 r-' 


"^ e 


^t 



4; 



HISTORY OF IOWA. 



Caleb Baldwin, 1860-64. 
Ralph P. Lowe, 1860. 
George G. Wright, 1880. 
John F. Dillion, 1864-70. 
Chester C. Cole, 1864-77. 
Joseph M. Beck, 1868. 
W. E. Miller, 1870. 
James Q. Day, 1870. 

United States Senator*. 
Augustus C Dodge, 1 84^-55. 
George W. Jones, 1848-59. 
James B. Howell, 1870. 
George Q. Wright, 1871-77. 
James Harlan, 183-65. 
James W. Grimes, 1859-69. 
Bamuel J. Kirkwood, 1868. 
James Harlan, 1867-7.3. 
William B. Allison, 1873-79. 
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1877-81, 
William B. Allison. 1879. 
James W. McDiil. 1881. 

Members op House of Reprkskhtativks. 

1846-47— S.Clinton Hastings, Shepherd LeflSer. 

1847-49— Wm. Thompson, Shepherd Leffler. 

1849-51— Wm. Thompson, Dan. F. Miller, 
Shepherd Leffler 

1851-53— B. Henn, Lincoln Clark. 

1853-55— Bernhart Henn, John P. Cook. 

1855-57 -Aug Hall, Jas. Thorington. 

1857-59— Samuel R. Curtis, Timothy Davis. 

1859-61— Samuel R. Curtis, Wm. Vandever. 

1861-63— Samuel R. Curtis, J. F. Wilson, Wm. 
Vandever. 

1803-65 — James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wm. 
B. Allison, J. B. Qrinnell, John A. Kasson, 
Asahel W. Hubbard. 

186^-67— James F Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil- 
liam B. Allison, Josiah B. GrinncU, John A. 
Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard. 

1867-69— James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil- 
liam B. Allison, William Lougbbridge, Grenville 
M. Dodge, Asahel W. Hubbard. 

1869-71— George W. >l<;Crary, William Smyth 
(died September 80, 1870, and succeeded by 
Wm. P. Wolf), William B. Allison, William 
Louglibridge, Frank W. Palmer, Charles Pome- 
roy. 



1871-73— Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, 
W. G. Donn.in, Madison M. Walden, Frank W. 
Palmer, Jackson Orr. 

1873-75— Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, 
W. G. Donnan, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, 
William Loughbridge, John A. Kasson. James 
W. McDill, Jackson Orr. 

1875-77— Geo. W. McCrary, John Q. Tufts, 
L. L. Ainsworth, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, 
Ezekiel S. Sampson, John A. Kasson, James W. 
McDill, Addison Oliver. 

1877-79— J. C. Stone, Hiram Price, T. W. Bur- 
dick, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark, E. 8. Samp- 
son, H. J. B. Cummings, W. F. Sapp, Addison 
Oliver. 

1879-81— Moses A. McCoid, Hiram Price, 
Thomas UpdegrafiT, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark 
(died in May, 1878, and succeeded by Wm. G. 
Thompson), J. B. Weaver, E. H. Gilletle, W. F. 
Sapp, Cyrus C. Carpenter. 

1881-83— M. A. McCoid, S. 8 F.irwell, TUos. 
Updegraff, N. C. Deering, W. G. Thompson, 
M. E. Cutts, John A. Kasson, W. P. Hepburn, 
C. C. Carpenter. 

Present State Ofticerb. 

Oovernnr, Buren R. Shennan. 
Secretiiry, John A. T. Hull. 
Vepiiti/ Seeretiiry, Wm. T. Hammond. 
Auditor, Wm. V. Lucas. 
Jiep'ity Auditor, Rufus L. Chase. 
Book keeper. L. E. Ayies. 
Treasurer, Edwin U. Conger. 
Deputy Treo surer, C. R. Chase. 
Jiejistrr Lnnil-office, Jas. K. Power*. 
JJeputy Register, John M. Davis. 
Sup't Pub. Inat , John W. Akers. 
Printer, Frank M Mills. 
Binder, Mat. Parrott. 
Adjutant Genernl, \\. L. Alexander. 
Superaitendent Weights arid Measwet, Prof. 
N. R. Leonard. 

Librarian, Mrs. 8. B. Maxwell. 
Assistant Librarian, Jessie Maxwell. 

StrpRKHE Court. 

Chief Justice— Wm. H. See vers, Oskaloosa. 
Jitdy**- James G. Day, Sidney. 

James H Kotlirock, Tipton. 

Jo.seph M Bick, Fort Jladison. 

Austin Adams, Dubmiiie. 
AlCy Gen.— Smith McPherson. Red Oak. 
Clerk— E. .1. Homes. Des Moines. 
licporter—ioha S. Qunuells, Des Moines. 



?[^ 



HISTORY 



TAMA COUNTY, 



lOAATJ^. 



ih^ 



C H A PTER I 



INTRODUCTORY. 



AS the changes of less than lialf a cen- 
tury are contemplated, one can scarcely 
realize or comprehend that the wonderful 
results of Time's marvel-working hand are 
the achievements of a period so brief as 
to be within the remembrance — almost — 
of the present generation : 

Let us turn back, as it were, the leaves 
of Time's great book to but little more 
than a (juarter of a century ago, and the 
stranger would have gazed upon a land- 
scape of wondrous beauty ; selected by 
the Sioux and Dakotahs as their camping- 
ground, with that singular appreciation of 
the beautiful which nature has made an 
instinct in the savage. These vast and 
rolling prairies were as green then as 
now ; the prairie flowers bloomed as thick- 
ly, and diffused their fragrance as bounti- 
fully. We are in the haunt of the red 
man, with scarcely a trace of civilization, 
while the freedom of bird and beast 



reigns supreme. But, to-day, what a con- 
trast ! 'Then, all was as nature had form- 
ed it, with its variegated hues of vegeta- 
tion ; in winteV, a dreary, snow-mantled 
desert — in summer, a perfect paradise of 
flowers. Now, all traces of the primitive 
are obliterated ; in place of the tall prai- 
rie grass and tangled underbrush, one be- 
holds the rich, waving fields of golden 
grain. In place of the dusky warrior's 
rude cabins are the substantial, and often 
elegant dwellings of the thrifty farmers, 
and the " iron horse," swifter than the 
nimble deer, treads the pathway so re- 
cently the trail of the red man. Then, a 
sickle of fire annually cut away the wild 
herbage, and drove to its death the stag ; 
now, it is the home of the cereals, and 
nourishes on its broad bosom thousands of 
tons of the staple products of the great 
Hawkeye State. Then the storm drove 
the wolf and stag to their hiding place; 



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r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



J±. 



now, the blast drives the herd of the hus- 
bandman to comfortable shelter. The 
transtormation is complete. 

In this volume it will be the aim of the 
historian to record the progress of Tama 
("ounty, from its earliest settlement to the 
present time ; to show the changes that 
from time to time have been made, and 
how they were brought about, and to re- 
cord the life work of individuals who have 
been instrumental in effecting the change. 
It will thus be seen to embrace events 
which many will think insignificant. 
" Great events find ready record," says 
a well known writer, " but minor doings 
are often neglected until they become so 
obscured by the dust of time as to be for- 
ever clouded. ^ et from such humble ori- 
gin may spring the mightiest results! Tlie 
1 istory of men's lives is often incomplete 
through the negligence of those whose 
duty it was to record the dates of births, 
or deaths, or happenings, which have 
proved epochs in the woi'ld's progress. 
History is commonly regarded but the 
doings of rulers, who have the world for 
their theatre of operations, and the fate 
of empires foi their subject. Such grave 
performances are of necessity remember- 
ed ; but, they are no more in themselves 
worthy of preservation, than are the sim- 
plier deeds of heroism which pioneers so 
modestly participated in ; yet, when the 
careful student seeks for the moving for- 
ces which made thrones tremble, he is too 
often rewarded but meagerly. The peo- 



ple are seldom recorded in history. In 
rare exceptions may be found a clearer 
ray of light on humbler undertakings, but 
they serve only to show the other failures 
stronger by contrast. The Pilgrim 
Fathers who survived the shock of 
the first rude winter are recorded 
in the sparse annals of New Eng- 
land, and their descendants revert 
with pride to those heroic ancestors ; 
but the fifty pilgrims who died during 
that bleak season are never spoken of by 
name, though they are none the less wor- 
thy of undying reverence. Again, had 
some one more thoughtful than the rest 
among John VNinthrop's band, which, two 
and a half centuries ago set deep the 
seeds of civilization on the rough shores 
of Massachusetts, how invaluable would 
that book now be to those who might pre- 
pare a great work on Boston's history." 
This is, indeed, true, and realizing the 
fact, this work has been compiled. Thou- 
sands of facts are herein recorded, and 
individual sketches of hundreds of citi- 
zens, living and dead, are here placed in 
an enduring form. These men and women 
are, or have been actors in the drama of 
the settlement and development of Tama 
county. By inserting these sketches, in 
addition to other matter, is preserved not 
oidy the recital of historic fact, but a suh- 
current of individual deeds runs through 
all, giving a realisin to the narrative 
which could be imparted in no other way. 



"^^ 



^IV 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



233 



CHAPTER II 



PHVSICA!. GEOGRAPHY OF TAMA COUNTY, 



Novvliere in the great State of Iowa is 
Tama county surpassed for its beautifuJ 
scenery ; its rolling prairies interspersed 
and diversified wiili natural and dunics 
tic groves; its meandering streams and i1^ 
carpet of flowers and verdure. It al^c 
ranks among the first -as to Agricultural 
resources, and wealth, as it stands to-d:i;-. 
Tama i-nunty citizens may well lie pro , 
of llicii' lionic. 

LOCATION. 

Tama county lies nearly in the center 
of the State, being five counties from the 
east, north, and south State lines and seven 
from the west. It is bounded on the north 
by Grundy and Black Hawk counties; on 
the south by Poweshiek ; on the east by 
■ Benton ; and on the west by Marshall and 
Grundy counties. It comprises town- 
ships 82 to 86, north, inclusive, of ranges 
1-3 to 16 west inclusive, containing 720 
square miles or 470,000 acres of land. 

SUB-UIVI.SIONS. 

Tama county is sub-divided into twenty- 
one civil townships, each comprising a 
full congressional township except two — 
Tama and Toledo — which together make 
one congressional township. These civil 
townships are named as follows, com- 
mencing with the north-east corner: 
Geneseo, Buckingham, Grant, Lincoln, 



Spring Creek, Crystal, Perry, Clark, 
Oneida, Carroll, Howard, Carlton, Indian 
Village, Toledo, Tama, Otter Creek, York, 
Salt Creek, Richland, Columbia, and High- 
land. 

TOPOGRAPHY. 

The county of Tama is one of the best 
in the State for general agriculture and 
stock-raising purposes. It is well watered 
in almost every part, its principal stream 
being the Iowa River, which enters the 
county on section 6, township 83 north, 
range 16 west (Indian Village township) 
and pursues nearly a southeast course, 
through Indian Village, Tama, Richland 
and Salt Creek townships, emerging on 
section 36, in the latter township. This 
stream affords some tine water-power, 
which has been utilized to some exient 
an account of which will be found in the 
township histories. Among the other 
streams are Deer Creek, Wolf Creek, 
Four Mile Creek, Twelve Mile Cresk, Otter 
Creek, Salt Creek, and Richland Creek. 
Deer Creek takes its rise in Marshall 
county, entering Tama on section 30, 
Spring Creek township, and pursuing a 
southeasterly course, empties into the 
Iowa River near Tama City. Wolf Creek 
has two branches which rise in Grundy. 
The two form a junction in the northern 



vl^ 



r 



^^ ^ — i^ 



±=fk* 



HISTORY OF TAaiA COUNTY. 



part of Spring Creuk township pursuing 
a torturous course through the townships 
of Spring Creek, Crystal, Perry, Buck- 
ingham, and Geneseo, emerges from sec- 
tion 24, in the latter township, and 
finally empties into the Cedar River. 
Four Mile Creek and Twelve Mile Creek 
are tributaries of Wolf Creek, the for- 
mer heading iu Lincoln township, and the 
latter in Grant. One branch of Sal Creek 
heads in Crystal and the other in Clark 
township. The two form a junction on 
section 34, Oneida township, and flowing 
south empty into the Iowa River on sec- 
tion 36, Salt Creek township. Otter Creek 
heads in Carroll township, flows south- 
east and empties into the Iowa River on 
section 20, Salt Creek township. Rich- 
land Creek heads in Highland township, 
flows east through Highland, Columbia 
and Richland townships, empties into the 
Iowa River on section 13, in the latter 
township. The various streams have 
numerous triiutaries which help to swell 
the whole and afford water for stock. 

Timber is found along the banks of 
various streams, but principally along the 
Iowa river, where the timber belt ranges 
from a few rods to three miles iu width. 
Nearly one-seventh of the county may be 
said to consist of timber lands including 
oak " opening land." 'J he remainder of the 
county is a beautiful rolling prairie, the 
soil of which is what is usually denomina- 
ted a black loam. 

GKOLOGICAL. 

In the year 1848 the Treasury Depart- 
ment of 'he Government employed David 
Dale Owen, of Indiana, to make a geolog- 
ical survey of Wisconsin, Iowa and Min- 
nesota. He soon after took the field in 



person, and in 1852 the Governn ent pub- 
lished his report in a large volume, accom- 
panied with maps, all of which contains a 
mass of highly valuable and interesting 
matter. He was i he pioneer geologist of 
the upper Mississippi Valley and his great 
labor and work has formed the foundation 
for all wlio have, or all who may, succec'cl 
him. 

By an act of the Legislature o'' Iowa 
approved January 23, 1 855, the Governor 
of Iowa, by the advice and consent of the 
Senate was authorized to nominate a per- 
son competent to make a geological sur- 
vey of the State, and in accordance James 
Hall, of New York, was appointed, and 
during the years J 855-6-7, completed the 
survey, and in 1858 the State published 
his report in two volumes. 

By another act of the Legislature of 
Iowa, approved March, 30, 1806, Charjes 
A. White, was appointed State Geologist 
for two years, and he also proceeded to 
make another geological survey of the 
State, and his report was published in 
18T0 in two volumes. This report also 
contains much valuable and interesting 
matter and is a valuable addition to that 
of its predecessors. 

Since then nothing has been done by the 
State to acquire more knowledge either of 
her mineral wealth, her palaeontology, or of 
the remains of the silent pre-historic races 
that lie entombed in her soil. The end and 
aim of all these surveys, was to give a gen- 
eral outline of the geology of the Slate,and 
from the means and time to which they 
were confined, it was impossible for them 
to give an e-xtended local survey to each 
county, therefore one must be content with 
what is had from them, together with what 



V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



H^ 



observations and reports that have been 
made by private parties. The following, 
regardingthe geological formation of Tama 
county has been taken from these various 
reports: 

In T^ma County neither coal or mineral 
has been found in paying quantities, yet 
coal exists and sandstone has been found 
not only along the river banks, but in the 
bluffs in the norihern part of the county. 
Stone can be found in abundance in Carl- 
ton and Spring Creek township, and in 
Fifteen Mile and Si.\ Mile Groves, while 
in the southwestern part of Indian Vil- 
lage township can be found limited quan- 
tities of stone. This stone is of peculiar 
formation, and belongs to the subearbonif- 
erous lime-stone of the lower series di- 
vided into three classes. St. Louis lime- 
stone, Keokuk or Kinderhook lime-stone 
and upper and lower Burlington lime- 
stone. The solidity and compactness of 
the formation renders it susceptible of the 
highest polish. The bedsaie some twelve 
feet in thickness consisting of three layers 
divided as follows: 

First. Thin bedded sandy limestone 
three feet; Second. Thin bedded volitic 
limestone fourfeet; Third. Heavy bedded 
irregular limestone, gray with bluish tinge, 
s X feet ; and below this will be found thin 
beds of carboniferous limestone, from 8 
to JO feet. 

The Keokuk or Kinderhook limestone 
is composed largely of fine grained, yel- 
lowish sandstone. 

The Burlington limestone formation con- 
sists of distinct calcareous divisions which 
are separated by a series of silicious shale 
and chert together .with nodular masses of 
flint, the whole mixed with a smaller pro- 



portion of calcarious matter. It affords 
much valuable material for building pur- 
poses, but which is confined, however, en- 
tirely to its stone. It is seldom that it 
affords anything suitable for ashlar, but 
for the purpose of common masonry it is 
excellent, as it endures e.\posure to the 
atmosphere and frost without appreciable 
change. Good lime can be made from it, 
but the greater part of the lime is made 
from the upper division, bei'ause it usu- 
ally produces a whiter quality. The upper 
division furnishes excellent quarry rock 
wherevei it is exposed. The rock is also 
strong and endures exposure well. The 
color of some portions of this division is 
so nearly white and its texture somewhat 
crystaline, that the purer pieces resemble 
marble. Although the area occupied by 
the outcrops of this formation in the 
county, is comparatively small, yet the 
fossil remains which it presents are 6f the 
most remarkable character and profusion. 
The only remains of vertebrates which 
the formation has afforded, are those of 
fishes an ] sua Is which in some loca ities 
are numerous. 

The St. Louis limestone formation, as it 
exists in Tama county consists of three 
tolerably distinct sub-divisions, principally 
dependent on lithological character. They 
are magnesian, arena, ceous and calcarious. 

The first and lowest consists of a series 
of yellowish gray, more or less magnesian 
and usually massive layers. The ,secoiid 
is yellowish or light gray, friable sand- 
stone. The third or upper division is 
principally composed of light i;r;4\ com- 
pact limestone, sometimes uniformly bed- 
ded, but it often has a concretionary and 
even a brecciated character. It furnishes 



- 9 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



excellent material for quick lime even 
when it is so concretionary and brecciat- 
ed that it will not serve a good purpose 
for building material, and is usually too 
soft for any practical use. It contains a 
great many fossils and is very attractive. 

At Indiantown, in Tama county, the 
sub-carboniferous formation appears, com- 
mencing at the water level of the Iowa 
River. 

No. 1. Yellowish shaly fine grained, -0 feet 
sandstone. 

No. 2. Light gray volitic Iime,<tone, in heavy 
layers, 15 feet. 

No. .3 Soft irregularly bedded, mfltrnesian 
limestone pa.ssing U|i into [lurer and more reg- 
al .rly bedded linn stone, 40 feet. 

The surface deposits to which the name 
of drift is applied, has a far wider ilistri- 
bulion than anj' o her surface deposit. It 
meets the eye almost everywhere, cover- 
ing the earth like a mantle and hiding the 
stratified rocks from view, except where 
they have been exposed by the removal of 
the drift through the erasive action of 
waters. It forms the soil and subsoil of the 
greater part of the State, and in it alone 
manyof our wells are dug and our forests 
take root. Occasionally it is itself covered 
by another deposit;as for example the bluflF 
deposit, in which case, the latter forms the 
soil and subsoil. The drift is composed of 
clay, sand and gravel with boulders, pro- 
miscuously intermixed, without stratifica- 
tion or any other regular arrangement of 
its material. 

The clay drift, which is always present 
in greater or less projxirtion, is always im- 
pure; always finely distributed throughout 
the whole deposit, but not unfrcquently ir- 
regular masses of it are separated from 
other materials. Its color is usually yel- 



lowish from the peroxyd of iron it con- 
tains, and which when it is burned into 
bricks gives them a red color. 

The sand of the unaltered drift is seldom 
separated from the other materials in any 
degree of purity, but it is not unfrcquent- 
ly the case that it exists in excess of the 
others; and in some cases small accumula- 
tions or pockets of it are found, having a 
considerable degree of purity wliile the 
gravel is largely derived from rocks that 
are more or less purely siliciv.ius, but occa- 
sionally they are found to be of granite 
composition. 

So small a portion of Tama county is 
occupied by the coal measures that it is 
scarcely worth while to mention it, though 
coal leposits have been found in the 
northern part of the county, and it is imt 
improbable that other discoveries *)f it 
may yet be made in o;her portions. 

In Indian Village township, bed iS'o. •_' 
is well expose ^ and is extensively quarried 
for lime. Near Le Grand, in the east ri) 
part of Marshall county, only a few miles 
west of Indiantown, No. .3 of the preced- 
ing section is well exposed, showing a 
thickness of about forty feet from the 
lerel oi the river. No. 1 and 2 do not 
appear, they having passed beneath its 
surface by a western dip, aided by the 
stream. The exposure here is composed 
almost entirely of light brown or biifl:' 
colored limestone, more or less magnesian, 
and in some of the more calearious layers 
a slight tendency to volitic structure is 
seen. Some of the layers are cherty, but 
a large part of it is quite free from silici- 
ous matter. 

The stone is largely quarried for various 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



purposes, and the finer layers, which fre- 
quently have a beautiful veining of per- 
oxyd of iron, are wrought into ornamental 
and useful objects, and is known in the 
market as " Iowa Marble." Several other 
exposures of the Kinderhook beds are 
owned in Tama and Marshall Counties, 
one hj H. S. Dickson and one by David 
Houghton. Those first mentioned are the 
principal ones. 

In this county the volitic member is 
well exposed at several places where it is 



quarried and used for the manufacture of 
lime of excellent quality. It has been 
proposed to manufacture this volitic stone 
into table tops, mantles, etc., but although 
it may be made to receive a fair polish and 
its volitic structure gives it considerable 
beauty, it is feared that the well known ten- 
dency of ail volitic limestone to become 
fragmentary will be found to render it 
worthless for such purposes. However, 
that near Montour and Indiantown prom- 
ises to prove valuable for such uses. 



CHAPTER III. 



INDIAN OCCUPANCY. 



Long before the advent of white man, 
the entire State of Iowa, then called the 
Beautiful Land, was occupied by Indian 
tribes, chief among which were the Sacs 
and Foxes. Both these tribes were at one 
time powerful nations, and stood promi- 
nent among the aborigines of America. 
They were formerly two distinct nations, 
and resided near the waters of the St. 
Lawrence. By the Government they have 
always been treated as one people, al- 
though keeping up customs among them- 
selves calculated to maintain a separate 
nationality, and in their own government 
they were separate. The Fox Indians 



moved to the west, and settled in the vi- 
cinity of Green Bay, on Lake Michigan, 
but becoming involved in a war with the 
French and neighboring tribes, were so 
much reduced in number that they were 
unable to sustain themselves against their 
hoBtile neighbors. The Sac Indians had 
been engaged in a war with the Iroquois, 
or six nations, who occupied the country 
which now comprises the State of New 
York, and had become so weak that they 
were forced to leave their old hunting 
ground and move to the West. They 
found the Fox tribe, their old neighbors, 
like themselves, reduced in number by the 



►rr 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



■4- 



havoc of war, and from a matter of neces- 
sity, as well as sympathy, they united 
their fortunes, and became in the sense of 
association, one people. The date of their 
removal from the St. Lawrence is not defi- 
nitely known. Father Hennepin speaks 
of the Fox Indians being at Green Bay, 
then known as the Bay of Puants, in 
1760. The date of their removal from 
Green Bay is unknown, but gradually they 
branched out, and occupied large tracts of 
land in Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. At 
this time they were famous for their prow- 
ess in war. 

When the " Black Hawk purchase " was 
made, a portion of this State was retained 
by the Indians, consisting of four hun- 
dred square miles, and known as ■' Keo- 
kuk's Reserve." 

This reservation was along the Iowa 
river, and therefore Tama county formed a 
part of it. 

In the early ]>art of the present century 
— ill 1803, the first Council of the French 
Republic ceded the Province of Louisi- 
ana to the United States. At that time 
tlie greater portion of the territory which 
now constitutes Iowa was in the possess- 
ion of the tribes of the Sacs and Fo.\es, 
who were acting at that time as confeder- 
ate tribes. 

From this date the Indians ceded away 
by treaty tract after tract of this the most 
beautiful country the sun ever shown 
upon, until to-day in this great State of 
Iowa they hold only a few lumdred acres 
of land in Tama county, and this only in 
re-purchase from the white man. 

In accord with the progressive and ag- 
gressive spirit of the American people, 
the G 'vernment of the United States 



made the last treaty with the Sac and Fox 
Indians in the fall of 1842, for the remain- 
ing portion of their lands in Iowa. The 
treaty provided that the Indians should 
retain possession of all the lands thus ced- 
ed until the autumn of 184.5. These lands 
laid along the Iowa river, extending south- 
easterly, and embraced the southeastern 
part of the State. Their principal vil- 
lage at this time was Ot-tum-wah-no, 
where the city of Ottumwa now is. As 
soon as it became known that the treaty 
had been concluded there was a rush of 
emigration to Iowa, and a great number of 
temporary settlements were made near 
the boundary of the Indian line, awaiting 
the day set for the Indians removal. As 
the day approached hundreds of families 
encamped along the line, and their tents 
and wagons gave the scene the appear- 
ance of a military expedition, but the 
United States military authorities had pre- 
vented any settlement, or even the mark- 
ing out of claims by any monument what- 
ever. To aid them in marking out their 
claims when the hour should arrive, the 
settlers had placed piles of dry wood on 
the rising ground at convenient distances, 
and at a short time before twelve o'clock 
of the night preceding the day set, these 
were lighted, and when the midnight hour 
arrived, it was announced by the discharge 
of firearms. The night was dark, but this 
army of occupation pressed forward, torch 
in hand, with ax and hatchet, blazing lines 
with all manner of curves and angles. 
When daylight came and revealed the 
confusion of these wonderful surveys, ma- 
ny disputes arose, settled generally by 
compromise, but sometimes by violence. 
While this scene was transpiring the 



-C «" 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Iht, 



retreating Indian was enacting one, more 
impressive and melancholy. The winter 
following the treaty was one of unusual 
■ severity, and the Indian Prophet, who had 
disapproved of the treaty, attributed the 
severity of the winter to the anger of the 
Great Spirit because they had sold their 
country. Many religious rites were per- 
formed to atone for the crime. When the 
time arrived for leaving Ottuniwa — where 
they had gathered — a solemn silence per- 
vaded the Indian camp ; the faces o£ their 
stoutest men were bathed in tears, and 
when their cavalcade was put in motion, 
toward the setting sun, there was a spon- 
taneous outburst of frantic grief. 

The Sac and Fox Indians were then re- 
moved to Kansas upon a reservation giv- 
en them. In the years 1859-60 they ced- 
ed to the Government that reservation, 
and removed to the lands now occupied 
by the original tribes, in Kansas. Three 
hundred and seventeen Indians of the 
Fox or Musquakie tribe, after their re- 
moval, returned to Iowa and settled in Ta- 
ma county. The Government permitted 
them to remain, and by virtue of an act 
passed March -2, 1867, they are permitted 
to receive their share of the Tribal fund, 
which is the interest only on the amount 
due them from the Government for their 
lands. This branch of the tribe began 
buying the tract of land which they now 
occupy as a reservation in Tama township, 
Tama county, with their annuity, and now 
own nearly 1400 acres. It cost 828,000, 
and is held in common, about 200 acres be- 
ing used for cultivation. Their personal 
property is valued at ^20,000, mostly in 
horses. The strongest local attachment 
exists among them for their present home, 



it being the home of their fathers. They 
cannot forget the past with all its associ- 
ations, and will never consent to remove 
from their present jjlace. They have 
from the earliest moment been friendly to 
the whites, and while no very marked de- 
gree of civilization has been attained, yet 
they are a peaceful, honest, and contented 
people, possessed of a good degree of 
moral character, and have a brighter out- 
look for the future. 

As to the present condition of the In- 
dians, the following, which is an extract 
from the report by U. S. Agent Geo. L. 
Davenport, in August, 1881, treats at 
length : 

"According to ihe census taken of this 
tribe last winter, they number 91 men, 
104 women, 77 girls and 83 boys. Popu- 
lation in all -355. 

" In the spring, the Indians, with the 
assistance of the Agency farmer, plowed 
160 acres of land, and planted it with 
corn, beans, squash and potatoes. Their 
crops were well cultivated and looked very 
promising, when, in the early part of July, 
heavy storms set in, which caused the Iowa 
river to rise and overflow all the valley, 
the water rising four and five feet over 
their fields and village, destroying all 
their crops and" doing great damage to 
their fences ; and forcing the Indians to 
move their families to the adjacent hills. 
This calamity will cause great suffering to 
their families unless they receive their 
annuities, which they have all along re- 
fused to do. 

" Their principal chief, Man-ma-wah-ne- 
kah, died in the early part of July. The 
tribe are in mourning for his death. He 
was very much beloved, and had great in- 



— « 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



i^ 



titionce with them. He was tboroughly 
Indian in his ideas and sentiments, and 
was very much opposed to making any 
progress in civilization, 

"In a short time this tribe .will hold a 
council with their people to determine 
what they will do in regard to signing the 
pay-roll and receiving their annuities, 
wliichhave up to this time accumulated to 
be quite a large sum. Last winter I ob- 
tained the names and ages of all their peo- 
ple, without their consent or assistance. 
But the tribe* were quite displeased, and I 
had to explain to them that I was obliged 
to carry out the instructions received from 
the department. I have informed them 
that they can now receive their annuities 
by the head of each family signing the 
pay-rolls, and I believe they will do so in 
a short time. 

" These are a very good people. They 
have behaved remarkably well during the 
past year. Their conduct toward the white 
people has been very friendly, honorable 
and upright. Their women are modest 
and chaste ; their children are brought up 
strictly, and behave well. I have not 
heard of a single instance of a quarrel or 
disturbance of any kind during the past 
year. The principal chief and council 
have done all they could to suppress in- 
temperance among them, and there have 
been but few cases of drunkenness among 
the young men during the past year, and 
then it has been the fault of the white 
man that gets the liquor for them. 

" In regard to schools, the old Indian ele- 
ment is very much opposed, and the chil- 
dren are forbid attending. But the young 
men make good progress in learning to 
read and write, and many of them can 



read and write in English. Quite a num- 
ber of women have attended the industri- 
al school, and have made very good prog-_ 
ress in making their garments and learn- 
ing to do household work. 

" Our teacher died in the early part of 
the month, after a long illness. She had 
accpiired a knowledge of the Indian lan- 
guage, and was very much beloved by the 
women and children. It will take some 
time before we can overcome the preju- 
dice the Indians have to regular schools. 
It will require patience, perseverance and 
kindness to succeed. 

" The Secretary of the interior has kind- 
ly allowed me to purchase implements, by 
which I have been enabled to help the 
working Indians to carry on their agricul- 
tural work, and it has given them great 
encouragement. 

"The number of deaths during the 
year has been ten, and the number of 
births five. 

" The school building used for the 
agency is in good order and repair, and is 
the only building belonging to the Gov- 
ernment. 

Very respectfully, 
Geo. L. Davknpokt, 
United States Indian Agent." 

INDIAX AGENTS. 

The first Indian Agent for this tribe 
was Hon. Leander Clark, of Toledo. He 
was appointed July 1, 1866, and served in 
that capacity until July 10, 1809, when he 
was succeeded by Lieut. F'rank D. Garret- 
ty,"U. S. A., under the regulation trans- 
ferring the Indian Bureau to the War De- 
partment. Lieut. Garretty served until Oc- 
tober 5, 1870~ when Leander Clark sue- 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ceeded him, and again became agent. In 
September, 187:2, Mr. Clark was relieved 
by Kev. A. R. Howbert, of Belle Fon- 
taine, Ohio. 

In April, ISVS, Thomas S. Free became 
agent of the Musquakie band. He took 
active steps to accomplish the advance- 
ment of the Indians in education and 
farming. In August, 1875, a school-house 
was built at a cost of $1200, in which A. 
B. Somers first taught. Mr. Free is now 
at Sioux Falls, D. T., practicing law. 

In June, 1879, George L. Davenport 
was appointed to succeed Thos. S. Free, 
and is the present officer. Mr. Davenport 
has had a varied and eventful life. He 
was born on Rock Island, Nov. 15, 1817, 
the eldest son of Col. Geo. Davenport, be- 
ing the first white child born in that part 
of the country. The city of Davenport 
was named in honor of his father, who 
was one of its founders. George was 
nursed by an Indian maid, and his play- 
mates were Indian boys ; he therefore 
learned to talk their language about as 
soon as he did English. At an early age 
he was adopted into the Fox tribe, and 
called " Mosquake," and was always a great 
favorite with them. His early education 
was gained at the school of an invalid sol- 
dier at Fort Armstrong, and at the age of 
ten he was sent to attend school at Cin- 
cinnati, O., where he remained two years, 
then returned to the Island, and was plac- 
ed in the store of the American Fur Com- 
pany, of which his father was a. member, 
remaining until this post was given up in 
1843. During this time he attended school 
a part of the time at the Illinois College 
at Jacksonville, at the Catholic Universi- 
ty at St. Louis, and at the Wineliester 



Academy, in Virginia. In the fall of 
1837 he accompanied, by request, the Sac 
and Fox delegations of chiefs to Wash- 
ington, and visited other large cities. In 
1832 he made the iirst claim west of the 
Mississippi, and built the first frame house 
in the territory. During the early days 
of the city of Davenport he was among 
the most zealous workers for the city's suc- 
cess, and for many years was one of the 
most prominent of her citizens. He was 
president of the Merchant's Bank and 
Davenport National Bank for eighteen 
years ; was president of the City Gas Cor- 
poration for twenty-two years. In 1871 
he was elected a director of the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific Railway, and held 
that position for five years. He was mar- 
ried in 1839, and lost one son during the 
late rebellion. Politically, Mr. Daven- 
port is a Republican. He is an affable, 
pleasant gentleman, and as a business man 
is upright and honorable. For the place 
he holds he is well fitted, and his labors 
are leaving their marks. 

THE INDIAN NAME. 

It is quite generally believed that the 
name by which the Indians in Tama coun- 
ty are known — Musquakies, [sometimes 
spelled Misquakies ] — is a misnomer which 
they have been given since they have liv- 
ed here. But this is a mistake, as is also 
the theory that the name was derived from 
the fact that they were a portion of Keo- 
kuk's followers in trying to avoid the last 
Black Hawk war, and means " Deserted." 
When the Sac and Fox Indians occupied 
the northeastern part of the United States 
they were called by their proper Indian 
names : Sockees for Sack ; and Mus(pia- 
kies for Fox. When the French landed 



t 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



LliU 



upon the shores of that portion of the 
continent, they named them Sac and Rey- 
nard, or Fox. The former band have fi- 
nally accepted that name ; but the latter 
tribe, among themselves, still hold to the 
name " Musquakies," which means in their 
tongue " red men ; " or, " Musqua " red ; 
" kies," people. 

CUSTOMS, HABITS AND PECULIARITIES OF THE, 
MUSQUAKIES. 

Much has been written in regard to the 
customs and habits of the Indian tribes 
of the northwest and as a description of 
one was supposed to apply to all, many of 
these articles have been reproduced as a 
treatise upon the Musquakies, or the tribes 
which at one time occupied the "Black 
Hawk Pill-chase." But most of these ar- 
ticles in many of the customs and peculi- 
arities they recite are entirely erroneous 
and, as a whole, very much exagerated. 
Contrary to the inference which would 
be drawn from them, the tribes of the Sac 
and Fox Indians, since their contact with 
the whites have always to a certain degree 
been civilized, and the pioneers who were 
associated with them during the early 
days when the red skins called this region 
"home," agree in the opinion that, as a 
rule, their ideas of justice and morality 
were but a few paces in the rear of those 
held by "civilized humanity." The habits 
and customs of this tribe of to-day, do 
not diifer very much from those of early 
days. Very few of them deign to wear 
the dress of the white man, generally 
wealing a blanket over the shoulders, 
feathers in the hair, and not infrequently 
painted fantastically about the face, neck 
and arms. Beads and cheap brass jewelry 
usually adorn the neek and ears, and the 



Indian maids wear large and massive 
bracelets. The blankets are all highly 
colored, as, in fact, is all of their clothing. 

Instead of being frivolous, they are as 
a rule thrifty and industrious, but the 
squaws are made to do the hardest labor. 
Few quarrels are had among themselves, 
and they are always peaeable to Whites. 
Since their occupancy of the little reser- 
vation in Tama county there has only 
beeh one crime committed. 

They are more religiously inclined than 
the white man, believing in God and rec- 
ognizing the existence of a Supreme Being 
whom they call the Great Spirit. Their 
conception of God differs only in part 
from that held by the Christian world. 
To them He is an individual being — a su- 
preme personage. They know nothing of 
Jesus Christ and have no traditions that 
tend to indicate a belief in any such per- 
sonage. They have a devil whom they 
designate as the Bad Spirit. To both are 
offered sacrifices. Their religion partakes 
more of the Jewish Creed than that of any 
other and abounds in numerous forms and 
customs, quite similar to the old customs 
first practiced by the Hebrews. They 
have a Bible which they call "Meeschaum." 
It is made up of about twenty-seven parts 
and the whole is written in strange signs 
only intelligible to the Indians, and the 
contents are never explained to the whites. 
There are about half a dozen of these 
"Meeschaum" in the tribe; they all worn 
and old and are handled with the greatest 
care. The word "Meeschaum" in the In- 
dian tongue means "Holy words or laws." 
Meetings of worship are held which last 
for tlivee and four hours, and a separate 
and distinct language is used for religious 



1^ 



4*- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



243 



talk and worship. They listen with great 
interest to the explanation of the white 
man's belief and religion, and have tradi- 
tions which have been handed down from 
former generations that are -almost iden- 
tical with Bible parables and illustrations. 
One of these traditions is that long years 
ago, when even the race of red men was 
in its infancy, there came a rainy season 
to the land inhabited by the fore-fathers 
of the Indians. It continued to pour 
down in drenching torrents for nearly " two 
moons." The land became covered witli 
water. It rose until even the liighest hills 
began to disappear beneath the waves. The 
red men seeing that the end was not yet, 
resolved to cast their lot upon the waters 
and trust to the Great Spirit for safety. 
All the canoes that could be found, were 
collected together and bound with lariats. 
When the proper time came the raft was 
ladened with the necessary food, blankets 
and a few musk i-ats, and all got aboard as 
the last high mound was submerged by the 
rapidly rising waters. For many days and 
nights the bark tossed to and fro, the rain 
ceased, and they only waited for the water 
to go down. A musk rat was dropped over- 
board. He sank toward the bottom and 
after remaining some time returned to the 
surface with clean paws and clambered 
into the raft. This indicated that the 
water was yet too deep to reach bottom. In 
a few days the experiment was repeated; 
but with the same result. In a few days 
more the muskrat was again put overboard 
and after being down a few moments 
came to the surface with his paws covered 
witli nuid, and again disappearing to re- 
turn no more. This was the hoj)eful sign 
they had looked for ami in a few days the 



canoes rested upon the summit of a high 
mountain. It is readily seen tliat this 
tradition is merely another version of the 
Bible narrative of Noah and the ark; told, 
it is true, in a rude way, but the truths are 
still intact and the Indians tirmly believe 
in its authenticity. 

The Musquakies have a system of self 
government. They are divided into three 
families or clans, which are each repre- 
sented by a chief; then there is a council 
consisting of a number of braves who are 
chosen with reference to their general in- 
telligence or else those who have distin- 
guished themselves in war or otherwise, 
in addition to these there is a "Uusiness 
Chief," who is the highest in authority; 
he attends to the business, leads them in 
case of war, and is the general executive. 
Nothing is done except what is agreed to 
by the council and their wishes are car- 
ried out by the head chief. Whatever be 
their decree most of the people at once 
submit to it without the need of perswa- 
sion or force, and it is very seldom that 
even the slightest of their laws are vio- 
lated. There are sometimes exceptions to 
this in the cases of young men who obtain 
liquor from the whites and wh' n under its 
intluence will pay but little attention to 
the laws of the chiefs. 

The present "Business Chief" is "Mali- 
tah-e-(jua" who years ago distinguished 
himself in war with the Sioux. His name, 
in Indian tongue, indicates the office he 
holds : Major-General or Leader. 

'I he names of the principal clans, or 
families are Wolf, Elk and l^ear. 'J'lie 
name of the Wolf Chief is Muk-we-posh- 
e-to, which signifies " Old Bear." He is 
only about nineteen years of age, and 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



therefore does not have much weight in 
the council. 

The Elk Chief is " Wah-ko-mo," mean- 
ing '■ clear or bright." He was born on 
Turkey River, Iowa, and is about 65 
years old. His words have great influ- 
ence with the tribe, and he is, in one 
sense, a leader of the council. 

The Chief representing the Bear fami- 
ly is Push-e-to-nik, who is about 4.5 years 
old. 

As a rule, the offices of the Indians are 
hereditary. When a chief dies his son 
takes his rank, and, if too young, they 
either wait until he has reached the years 
of discretion, or the remaining chiefs ap- 
point some one to fill the vacancy until 
the heir attains maturity. If any one of 
the ti ibe does wrong, his face is blacked, 
and he is obliged to fast a day or more, 
according to the nature of the crime or 
offense. 

They arc very much opposed to educa- 
tion, because, they say, "We don't want 
our children to grow up like white chil- 
dren. When white people come to our 
village we treat them well, the children 
stand back; but when the Indian goes to 
town the white children throw stones at him 
and call him names." They have a school 
house but are so predjudiced against edu- 
cation that it is hard work to get a young 
Indian into it. The old braves would not 
venture in until all the desks were taken 
out. They say that if they are educated 
they will become mean like the white 
man — "White man awful smart but awful 
mean." They say the "white man is so 
mean that when he dies his God puts him 
in an uwful hot place and burns him for- 
ever, but the Indian's God is more merci- 



*^> 



ful, and the mean Indian less wicked; the 
Great Spirit sifts him like the chaff and 
the good Indian goes to the happy hunting 
ground beyond the river where the bad 
Indian and the white man never comes." 
They have a faith that laughs at the im- 
possible, and their confidence in the ways 
and workings of the Great Spirit for good 
would put to shame many faithless white 
men. 

Some of the Indians are very intelligent 
and philosophical. At one time Judge 
Leander Clark, who was their agent, asked 
one of the chiefs if he would allow one of 
his boys to be brought up by Mr. Clark as 
a white boy. The chief shook his head 
and upon being asked why, replied: "If 
you took my boy he would be brought up 
like a white man; the Great Spirit never 
intended that he should be a pail face or 
He would have made him white; He has 
made him red and intends he should be 
brought up like red men. Would you let 
me bring up your white boy like red men "/ 
Then you can have my Indian boy to bring 
up like white man." 

The Indians have a way of expressing 
themselves in writing and often write let- 
ters to acquaintances in Nebraska and the 
Indian Territory. Some of the Indians 
claim that they still own a strip of land 
crossing the State of Iowa, ten miles wide, 
claiming that at the time of the last treaty 
that much was reserved to them, ^^'hethor 
the majority of the Indians believe this is 
not known, as it is seldom, if ever, spoken 
of to-day, by any of them. 

After the birth of a child the mother 
keeps a separate tire and eats alone, and 
the brave does not go near to see either 
mother or child ,until the little one is at 



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0^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



least a month old. 

The Indians cannot swear until they 
learn the English language in which to 
express it. The Indian language contains 
no words that could be used for profanity, 
and the worst thing one Indian can call 
another is " a dog " or " a fool," which is 
considered a deadly insult. 

The Indian village is located near the 
center of the reservation. In the spring 
they move to the fields and until the crop 
is sown, camp where they are at work. 
As soon as the spring's work is done they 
move into the village and have an easy 
time until the crop matures. They then 
move back to the fields and remain until 
the crop is gathered. After this the In- 
dians — most of them at least,- — leave their 
Tama county home and spend the winter 
in some of the adjoining counties, only to 
make their appearance when the time for 
spring work again rolls round. They do 
that for the purpose of finding maple trees, 
game and charity. 

In a retrospective view of the tribe, 
while residents of the Tama county but 
one marked scene of violence can be re- 
called. This occurred upon the morning 
of June 13, 1874, resulting in the murder 
of a Pownee Indian. The facts as given 
by the Tama City I'ress of June 19, 1874, 
are as follows : 

"On the morning of June 12, 1874, four 
Pawnee Indians came to the camp of the 
Misquakies, and remained all day and the 
night of the 12th. On the next morning 



one of them while but a few steps from the 
wick-iup was approached from behind by 
one of the Musquakies called " Black 
Wolf," who drew a revolver and fired three 
shots. The first entering the back of the 
head, and passing through the brain lodged 
under the skull in front ; the second one 
passing into the base ofthe neck,pas8ed up- 
ward toward the head and came to the sur- 
face near the right ear ; and the other was 
mearly a scalp wound. The last two 
wounds were not necessarily fatal, but the 
first one bore unmistakable evidence of the 
intention of him who held the fatal 
weapon. At the first shot the Pawnee 
went down, and the other two must have 
hit him while in the act of falling. When 
we reached the camp, the Pawnee, had 
been buried, and not fearing a dead 
Indian, we had no necessity for the pro- 
fessional assistance of either of the gentle- 
men who accompanied us. Soon after, the 
coroner, deputy sheriff, Indian agent and 
several other parties appeared upon the 
scene, and the dead Pawnee was resur- 
rected, brought to Tama city, togethei 
with his murderer and on Saturday even- 
ing an inquest was held by E. M. Beilby, 
county coroner." 

When it was proven that Black Wolf 
did the bloody deed, a warrant was issued 
and delivered to deputy sheriff Bartlett 
who arrested him and lodged him in jail. 
Black Wolf remained in jail until Febru- 
ary 18, 1875, when he was discharged, the 
witnesses failing to appear against him. 



^pv* 



*k^ 



246 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE BEGINNING. 



To the readers of local history the 
chapter relating to the early settlement, 
the first events and beginning of the his- 
tory of a country, is of general interest. 
Especially is this the case with pioneers 
themselves ; those who have witnessed 
the changes that have been made ; who 
have seen a trackless wilderness or prairie 
transformed into a beautiful country, and 
tilled with an enterprising and happy peo- 
])le. He reads here slowly and critically, 
every word recalling memories of the past, 
which for a generation have been buried 
among a host of recollections which now 
arise before him like a dream. His old 
associations, the deeds, the trials and bat- 
tles against hunger and cold, while set^ 
tiers were few and far between, and 
wolves howled about the little log cabin, 
sending a chill to his heart ; and the wind 
(hiving the sifting snow through the crev- 
ices — all arise now vividly before him. 
Often it is with pleasure he can recall 
these recollections, viewing with satisfac- 
tion the thought that he lived through it 
all to see a thrifty and wealthy land, dot- 
led with school-houses and churches, and 
villages and cities. 

But again it will be with sadness that 
the past is recalled, as thoughts spring up 
of the dark and painful side of weary 
davs. How a wife, whose virtues, bravery 



and simplicity will always be remember- 
ed, or a child, prattling in its innocence 
being called from earth to its eternal 
home, was laid away under the cruel sod 
in solemn quietude, by the rough and ten- 
der hands of hardy pioneers. Time had 
partially allayed the sting, but the wound 
is now uncovered by the allusion to days 
gone by, and the cases are not a few, 
where a tear of bitter sadness will course 
down the cheek in honor of the memory 
of those who have departed. 

Notwithstanding the many disadvanta- 
ges, and even sorrows attendant upon the 
first steps of civilization, and the adversi- 
ties to be encountered, the pioneers led a 
happy life. The absence of the aristo- 
cratic and domineering power of wealth 
and position must have been a source of 
comfort and satisfaction. Merit alone in- 
sured equality, and this could not be sup- 
pressed by tradition. The brotherhood of 
man was illustrated in a sincere and prac- 
tical way, and hospitality was not consid- 
ered so much of a christian trait as a du- 
ty to humanity. 

EARLY SETTLEMEN'T. 

To learn with any degree of accuracy 
the first actual settler of a locality that has 
been settled for a generation is a more dif- 
ficult task than would be imagined. 
There is only one rule which can be adopt 



9) 



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^%<M^. 



%-C<yTL(P(r-iO 



J^=±l^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



249 



ed, anil that is to state the arrivals in the 
order in which they came, giving the 
dates as given by the parties themselves, 
and let the reader judge for himself. 
For years past there has been controversy 
over the question as to who was really the 
very first settler in Tama county. The 
historian does not dispute a single claim, 
but presents the statement of each claim- 
ant. The matter was submitted to the 
(Teneral Committee appointed by tlie Old 
Settlers Society for the revision of the 
history, and they decided that full cre- 
dence should be given the statements of 
the settlers themselves, as there was no 
way of either proving or disproving the 
claims. 

According to the dates given the histo- 
rian, the first to locate in the territory 
now comprising Tama county, with a 
view to secure a permanent home, was the 
Yaudorin party, who came from Henry 
county, and settled in York township May 
•21, 1849. The principal part of the little 
colony was William Riley Vandorin, his 
wife Rachel and tw'o children. With 
them came two hirwi men, James Van- 
dorin and Isaac McKern ; Ephraim Whit- 
taker also came with his wife and two 
children. William Riley Yandorin and 
his wife's brother, Isaac Smith, came to 
Tama county in the fall of 1848, and took 
the claims upon which they afterward set- 
tled, and then returned to Henry county, 
where the family had been left. In Hen- 
ry county Smith was taken sick, and de- 
layed the party starting until May 9, 1849. 
When they finally got started. Smith was 
left to follow in June, as he was still un- 
able to travel. Vandorin had five yoke 
of cattle, and Whittaker four, and thg 



mud was so bad that often it took the 
whole drove of nine yoke to pull one of 
the wagons. They were obliged to leave 
their breaking plows by the wayside. 
Vandorin settled upon the place he had 
selected in section 22, York township, 
where he had erected a cabin, upon the 
low lands. In 1851 the hard rains came, 
flooded' the cabin and surr undings, and 
Vandorin built another one upon the 
bluffs, where he moved his family and 
stock. Ephraim Whittaker took a claim 
south of Irving, in what is now called 
Salt Creek township, about 5 miles from 
Vandorin's. He stayed until fall, but 
thought the country was " too new " for 
him, and returned to Henry county. The 
first furrow of land was turned by Van- 
dorin and Whittaker June 3, 1849. The 
men planted it in pumpkin seed and corn 
raised quite a lot of corn, and nearly a 
hundred wagon loads of pumpkins. Van- 
dorin's claim was entered away from him 
in 1854, and he took up another quarter. 
In 1883 he was living iu Coon Rapids, 
Carroll county, loM'a. In the chapter up- 
on "Reminiscences" will be found an 
interesting account of the settlement of 
this party, by Mrs. Rachel Vandnrin. 

James Vandorin and Isaac McKern, 
who have been mentioned as being hired 
men, only remained until fall, returning 
to Henry county. They both took " squat- 
ter's claims." 

During the fall of the same year, 1849, 
another party made their appearance and 
became citizens of Tama county. These 
where the Wilkinsons, consisting of the 
mother, three brothers, Anthony, Robert 
and William, and three sisters, who all 
settled in township 82, range 13 now 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



!t 



Salt Creek. Their arrival in Tama coun- 
ty was on the 14th day of October, 1849; 
they came from Coshocton county, Ohio. 
Anthony and William had been soldiers 
in the Mexican war and had ju.st received 
their "land warrants," which they in due 
time located. The brother Robert pur- 
chased land near them in the same town- 
ship. They immediately commenced build- 
ing a hewn log cabin on the southwest 
(juarter of section 21, which was then own- 
ed by Robert. In the "Reminiscence 
Chapter" will be found an interesting ac- 
count of their settlement by Anthony 
Wilkinson. Anthony and William still 
live in Salt Creek township, the oldest liv- 
ing settlers in Tama county. 

Anthony Wilkinson was born in Ireland, 
July 28, 1817. At the age of fourteen he 
came with his parents to America, spend- 
ing the first three years clerking in a store 
in Prince George county, Maryland, after 
which he joined his parents in Ohio, where 
they had settled on a farm. Shortly after, 
he commenced work at the carpenter trade 
and followed that business the greater part 
of the time until coming to Tama county 
in 1849, as stated. Here he located land 
on sections 19 and 20, where he still re- 
sides. November, 1850, he married Miss 
Sarah A. Grahapi, a native of Ohio. They 
have a family of seven children — Milton 
H., Albert A., Lincoln P., Grant, Thomas, 
Mary A. and Edith. In 1 846, Mr. Wilk- 
inson enlisted and served under General 
Taylor in the Mexican war. After eight 
months of active service he was taken 
prisoner by the Mexicans and suffered un- 
told distress and exposure for seven months. 
After the seige and surrender of the City 
of ISIexico, he was liberated on parole. 



He now owns a fine farm of 357 acres, but 
pays special attention to the raising of 
fine stock. He is highly respected as a 
man and citizen. 

William Wilkinson, also a native of 
Ireland, was born August -3, 1820. When 
fourteen years of age, 'he came with his 
parents to America, and located on a farm 
in Ohio, where he remained until 1847, 
when he enlisted and went with General 
Scott to Mexico, participating in the Mexi- 
can war. He served eighteen months and 
on receiving his discharge, returned to 
Ohio. In 1849, he came to Iowa, finally 
locating in Salt Creek township, Tama 
county, on section 21, where he has since 
made his home. In 1852, he married Miss 
Sarah Hollepeter, of Ohio. They have 
had a family of twelve children — Theres- 
sie J., Harriet I., Francis E., Charles A., 
William E., (dead ) Josiah A., Martha E., 
Harry O., Robbie (deceased) Kate A., 
Mabel E., and Reeba A. He has a large 
farm and is highly respected as a citizen. 

The next to arrive in Tama county with 
a view to securing a home, was Isaac 
Asher, who passed through the fertile ter- 
ritory of the Iowa Valley, during the year 
1847. In his meanderings he finally ar- 
rived near the present site of Indiantown, 
just over the line in Marshall county, on 
the 18th day of May of that year, and 
made a temjiorary settlement. Isaac 
Asher was a native of Tennessee, but 
when a young lad, removed to Shelby 
county, Indiana, where in 1823 he was 
married to IMartha Greer. In 1845, with 
his wife and family of nine children, he 
started for the great west, and on the last 
day of the year named, they crossed the 
Mississippi river at Hurlington. Here 



^-. 



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.\^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



they remained for eighteen months when 
they again pushed westward, and on the 
18th of May, 1847, halted just over the 
line, in Marshall county, as stated. Here 
on June 13, 1848, Elkanah Asher was 
horn — the first birth in that county. The 
family remained upon that place until 
November, 1849, Mr. Asher often travers- 
ing many parts of Tama county in quest 
of game. At the time mentioned — in 
November, 1849, he moved his family into 
Tama county and located on section six, of 
what now comprises Indian Village town- 
ship. A tew years later he removed to 
section eight, in the same township where 
he remained until the time of his death, 
which occurred in 1800. His widow still 
occupies the homestead. 

This comprised all the arrivals up to 
the year 1850. Many had in the mean- 
time came this far west and then turned 
back disheartened and discouraged by the 
newness of things, and some even had 
pushed on westward in hopes of coming 
to some more beautiful spot, but they were 
merely transients, whose names if they 
were learned at all, have long been for- 
gotten. 

At this time the law favored " squatters 
cfaims " aud some of these roving, rest" 
loss pioneers, would, while passing through, 
drive a stake, on which were carved their 
initials. Markets were far from them, 
traveling tedious and hard, and when a 
trip was made, a good deal of study was 
had so as to be sure and get all that was 
ro(juired for the ne.xt six months. Be- 
tween the different settlements there was 
little or no communication, and, in fact, 
for several years after the time they were 
made in 1849, to one, the other was hardly 



known to exist. The Vandorins, on Salt 
Creek, in what is now York township ; the 
Wilkinsons on the Iowa river, in what is 
now Salt Creek township, and the Ashers 
in the western part of the county, for 
several years never once heard of each 
other, and lived in almost seclusion, hav- 
ing only the society of themselves, and 
the transients who chanced to pass through. 
A little garden truck and some corn was 
raised, but they mostly lived upon what 
game they procured, and fared sumptuous- 
ly, for game was plenty and a good share 
of the time was spent in hunting. 

During the year 1850, a few actual set- 
tlers moved in, although a number of those 
who afterwards came and located perma. 
nently, came and secured claims there- 
Many passed through, along the Iowa 
river, which was a thoroughfare for emmi- 
grant travel, and many of these stopped 
for a short time. 

Rezin, A Redman came in the fall of 
1850, brought a load of goods and put up 
a shanty. He then left William Boaz with 
the stock and returned to Indiana. 

W. L. Brannan and family, Samuel J. 
Murphy and family, James Umbarger and 
family came in the fall of this year but 
only remained a few weeks. 

Robert Arbuthnot came early in 1850 
and settled in Salt Creek township. 

In 1851, the southern part of the county 
received a number of settlers, among 
whom were Rezin A. Redman, William 
Blodgett, the Carters, Eli Chase, Anthony 
Bricker, Levi and D. D. Appelgate, New- 
ell Blodgett, William Taylor, Eli and John 
Daily, John Dooly and Mr. Warner. 

Rezin A. Redman, who is first mention- 
ed was a well-known early settler. He 



A 



-A^ 



HISTORY OF TAJyiA COUNTY. 



came from Jaek.son county Indiana, mak- 
ing his first trip to Tama county in the 
fall of 1849, with J. C Vermiiya, and 
locating land warrants in timber land, in 
what is now Tama township. In the fall 
of 1851 he moved his family to his new 
home, and remained for several years. 
He was a tailor by trade, but desired to go 
into the mercantile business. When he 
left Tama county he went to Marengo and 
opened a general merchandise store; was 
not very successful, as he was visionary, 
his notions too high liown and extravagant, 
and he soon failed. It is said that Redman 
erected the first cabin in Tama county 
north of the Iowa River. 

William Blodgett came from Jackson 
county, Indiana, from whence came 
a number of the early settlers of Tama 
county. He came west in 1851, and on 
the 1st day of August of that year, set- 
tled upon a claim where Tama City now 
is. He is a brother-in-law of Judge J. C. 
Vermiiya. and is still living near his origi- 
nal claim. 

Eli Chase settled with his family in 
what is now Columbia township in March 
1851. 

Early in the spring of 1851, Anthony 
Bricker, and family and Levi Appelgate, 
came from Indiana. Appelgate settled in 
what is now Carlton township, while 
Bricker crossed the line and settled in 
Marshall county for a few months when 
he moved into Tama county. Here he 
remanined for a number of years, and now 
after having made his home in several 
states, lives in Idaho Territory. Levi 
Appelgate divides his time between Tama 
county and Nebraska. 

David D. Appelgate came in the fall of 



1851, and made his home with his brother 
Levi. He still lives in Toledo, has served 
the county many j^ears in an official ca- 
pacity and is now engaged in the practice 
of law. 

Newell Blodgett came during tjie sum- 
mer of this year and located in Indian 
Village township, where he still remains. 

William Taylor located at Imliantown 
in May, 1851, and still lives in the same 
township. He is a native of Ohio, l)ut 
came to Iowa directly from Illinois. 

Eli Daily came with his family from 
Jackson county, Indiana, in the summer of 
1851, and located near Indiantown, where 
he opened a farm and remained until the 
time of his death, in 1860. He had been 
one of the associate Judges of the co\inty 
from whence he came and was a man of 
worth and intelligence; a quiet, good citi- 
zen and an honest man. 

John Dooley came at about the same 
time, from Jackson county, Indiana and 
settled near Daily with his family. He 
only remained a few years. He is spoken 
of as a plain, good, sociable and honest 
farmer. 

The man Warner was a German, who 
settled near Indiantown in 1851; but not 
much is remembered of him. 

By this time the southen part of the 
county contained quite a settlement, but 
there was still room for more, and arrivals 
with a view of settling were received with 
cordiality. The year 1852 witnessed 
many additions, among the new settlers 
being Christain and David F. Bruner, J. 
C. Vermiiya, J. H. Ilollen, W. T. Ilollen, 
the Morrison family, William Potts 
Thomas Everett, Widow Croskrey and 
sons, William TI. Wesley, John, Joseph 



■v^ 



J^l 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



;in(l Jacob ami one girl, Mr. IJeabout, 
Pt'ter Overmire, William Schammerhorn, 
15. W. Wilson, Thomas Skiles, William 
t'ruthers', Washington Abbott, J. H. Voor- 
hies, William Martin, the Myers brothers, 
Ilonry Lance, Richard Podmore, John 
(4olwitzer, Zebedee Rush, Isaac Butler, 
Samuel (liger and family. 

Christian Bruner and his son David F. 
Bruner and their families came to Tama 
county from Ohio in 1852, the former ar- 
riving in the summer and the latter in the 
fall, and making permanent settlements. 
Both had been here in the fall of the pre- 
vious year. Christian settled in Howard 
township where he erected the first saw- 
mill in the county; was largely interested 
in the platting of Monticello, and was 
otherwise a prominent man in early times. 
David F. Bruner settled in Toledo town- 
ship, where he still lives. He was the 
first treasurer and recorder of the county 
elected, and in the chapter upon " Repre- 
sentation " a sketch of his life will be 
found. 

In March, 1852, J. C. Vermilya came 
with his family and located in what is now 
Tama township, where he still lives. He 
was the first judge of Tama county after 
organization, and is noticed at length in 
the chapter upon " Representation. " 

On the 27th of April, 1852, J. H. Hol- 
len and family and W. T. Hollen, from 
Jackson county, Indiana, landed in Tama 
county, settling where Tama city now 
rests. They are still residents of the 
same township, and have taken an active 
and prominent part in the development of 
the county. J. H. Hollen was one of the 
first Justices of the Peace in the county. 

The Morrison family consisted of the 



old gentleman, William Morrison, his wife 
and two sons, George and Henry, togeth- 
er with a son-in-law, William Potts, also 
came in this year. They had taken 
claims and done breaking here in the fall 
of 1851, and in the spring of 1852 moved 
in, the Morrisons settling in Columbia 
township, and Potts in Richland, although 
at that time there were no township divis- 
ions. The old gentleman and wife are 
dead and buried there on the old home- 
stead. George was a married man ; he 
remained until 1871, when he removed to 
Missouri, where he has since died. George 
was quite a prominent man in early days, 
was one of the first Justices of the Peace 
in the county, was postmaster of Ola post- 
office in 1853, and was a man of fair abili- 
ty. His great fault was, that he was too 
good natured for his own good ; being a 
man of strict integrity and too inclined to 
think all men like himself. Henry Morri- 
son remained here until 1871, when he 
went to Kansas, where he still lives. He 
was an easy going, clever and genial man. 
William Potts died at an early day. 

Thomas Everett came to 'Jama county, 
with his family, from Ohio, in the fall of 
1852, and settled in the territory which 
now comprises Columbia township. He 
remained there until the time of his death, 
which occurred a number of years ago. 
His family still live on the farm. He was 
a large, heavy man, a first rate farmer and 
had accumulated a large property before 
his death. Thomas Everett had been a 
soldier in the war of 1812, and participat- 
ed in the battle of Lundy's Lane, under 
General Scott. He very much resembled 
General Scott. 

Widow Croskrey and her sons, William 



t' 



:f^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



£t. 



II., Wesley, John, Joseph, and Jacob, 
and one daughter, settled in township 82, 
range 15, in the fall of 1852. Mrs. Cros- 
krey died there and the sons are still liv- 
ing in the county. The daughter married 
Geo. W. Louthan, and now lives in 
O'Brien county. 

Mr. Beabout settled in Salt Creek town- 
ship in 1852 with his family. Not much 
is remembered of him more than that he 
was a native of Tennessee and left this 
county years ago. 

Peter Overmire came to Tama county 
in the spring of 1852, and located in Tole- 
do township. He was a native of Ohio, 
born in Perry county of that State, Feb- 
ruary 1, 1814. He is a son of Jacob and 
Mary ( Guima ) Overmire, who emigrated 
to Ohio in 1810, being among the early 
settlers of Perry county. Here Peter 
grew to manhood, receiving an education 
in a log cabin. When eighteen years of 
age, he went to Sandusky county, where 
he became acquainted with and married 
Miss Elizabeth Hill on June 24, 1838. 
Five children blessed this union — Eve, 
John F., Levi W., Silas and Mary C. 
Mr. Overmire left Ohio, went to Indiana, 
and, in the summer of 1851, emigrated to 
Iowa City, where he spent the winter, 
emigrating in the spring of 1852, to Tama 
county, and settled on section 6, in Tole- 
do township. About the time of his ar- 
rival, there was a heavy snow storm, the 
snow falling to the depth of eleven inches. 
Mr. Overmire went to work and soon 
erected a log cabin, one among the first in 
the township, here he remained four years, 
when he removed to the vicinity of Monti- 
cello. In tl>e spring of 1860, he moved to 
his present farm, where he has since resid- 



ed. His farm consists of eighty acres of 
land under good cultivation, valued at 
§40.00 per acre, and twenty acres of tim- 
ber. Mr. Overmire is a member of the 
Baptist church and his wife of the 
J^utheran. 

The Myers brothers came from Indiana 
and located in Toledo township, Tama 
county,in June,1852. Noah was the princi- 
pal factor of the party, his brothers being 
James, a young man, and Angelo, wlio 
■was married. Noah was the first school 
fund commissioner of the county, and a 
j)rominent and influential politician in ear- 
ly days. He onl}' remained in the county 
five or six years. He now lives in Mis- 
souri. 

B. W. Wilson and Thomas Skilos set- 
tled with their families in what is now 
Salt Creek township, south of the river. 

William Cruthers settled with his fami- 
ly north of the river, in the same town- 
ship, lie left the county some years ago. 

Washington Abbott and William Mar- 
tin settled with their families in the west- 
ern part of the county in 1852. 

Samuel Giger, E. Moler and R. A. Run- 
die all settled in the county during the 
year 1852. They are noticed elsewhere 
in this work. 

The northern part of Tama county did 
not lie in the same path of travel as the 
southern part. It seems that the valley of 
the Iowa River was followed by emigrants 
mostly from Davenport, Muscatine and 
other points in that direction. Northern 
Tama laid directly in the path of those 
coming by way of Dubuque. Thus it was 
much later in receiving settlers. The Io- 
wa river was an established highway for 
travel, and in many places 100 miles west 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of Tama county, there were settlers be- 
fore any settled in northern Tama, ten 
miles from the river. The first settlers 
in the northern part of the county were 
Norman L. Osborn, David Dean and his 
two sons, Ira and Lewis, who arrived Jan- 
uary 1, 1852. During the summer and 
fall of that year, the following named 
made their appearance, and swelled the 
settlement in that vicinity : Samuel Dun- 
kle, Mr. Springmyer, Nelson Usher, Vol- 
ney Carpenter, Patrick Casey, John Con- 
nolly, Jonas P. Wood, Joseph and John 
Connell, William D. Hitchner, Joshua C. 
and L. E. Wood, Wesley A. Daniels, Dan- 
iel Connell, senior, Robert Connell and 
his sister Margaret, and Otto Story. 

Norman L. Osborne came to Tama coun- 
ty in January, 1852, and claimed the 
southeast quarter of section 20, Bucking- 
ham township. After a few months he 
sold this claim to Mr. Dunkle, and remov- 
ing to what is now Perry township, enter- 
ed the northeast quarter of section 10. 
In 185:i he again sold out to the Taylor 
Iirothers, and entered the northwest quar- 
ter of the same section, where he broke 
several acres and built a log house. Two 
years later he sold to Stephen Klingaman, 
and sought a new field for speculation. 
At last accounts he was in Missouri. Mr. 
Osborn was a good man, of more than or- 
dinary intelligence. lie and his family 
were well liked by his neighbors. 

The same year David Dean and family 
came and settled on the southwest quarter 
of section 27, Perry townshij). His son 
Ira entered the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 28, and another son, Lude, settled on 
the northeast quarter of section 33. They 
all sold out in 1855, and went west. One 



*^i= 



of the sons is now at Goldfield, Wright 
county, where he keeps a grocery store 
and meat market. The Dean family came 
from Indiana, and went from here to 
Wright county some time in 1857 or 1858. 
They were good neighbors. 

Mr. Dunkle came to the county in 1852, 
and purchased the farm of Norman L. Os- 
borne, but did not remain long, selling his 
farm and removing from the county. 

Another early settler who came in the 
year 1852, was Patrick Casey, a native of 
Ireland. He settled on secton 25, Buck- 
ingham township. In 1854 he sold his 
farm and went to Geneseo township, where 
he lived for a few years, and then remov- 
ed to Kansas.' He is not living. Mr. Ca- 
sey was a full-blooded Irishman, and like 
all the rest of his race was genial and 
warm-hearted. 

Otto Story came to Tama county with 
the Dean family in 1852, and made a 
claim on section 33, Buckingham town- 
ship. He did not prove up his claim, but 
sold in 1854, and went to Wright 
county. 

The same year Mr. Springmeyer came 
and setttled on section 26, Buckingham 
township, where he remained a short time ; 
then went to Cedar county in this State. 

Some time in June of 1852, Jonas P. 
Wood, William D. Hitchner, and Joseph 
and John Connell came together, and set- 
tled in what is now known as Perry town- 
ship. 

J. P. Wood entered 400 acres of land 
in the northwest quarter of section 4, the 
north half, of the northwest quarter of 
section 5, in township 80, range 14 ; and 
the southeast quarter of section 3, in 
township 83, range 15. In October of 



rrv* 



^t 



fe> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



that year, Mr. Wood returned to Ohio 
and brought out his family. He still lives 
here on section 4, Perry township. Two 
brothers of Mr. Wood, Joshua C. and 
Lyman E., came with him to Iowa, on his 
return from Ohio. J. C. now lives on 
section 33, Buckingham township, and L. 
E. resides on section 6, Perry. Sketches 
of them will be fourd elsewhere. 

William Ilitchner, who settled in what 
is now known as Perry township, commit- 
ted suicide in 1874. Details of this may 
be found in the chapter "Miscellaneous." 

The Connell brothers located on the 
north half of the southwest quarter of 
section 4, Perry township, and were join- 
ed in the fall of that year by their father, 
Daniel Connell, now deceased ; their 
brother, Robert, who died in 1876 ; and a 
sister, Margaret. Jo.seph Connell died in 
September, 1854, while on a trip to Vin- 
ton ; John Connell now resides in Toledo. 
Daniel Connell, Jr., came seyeral years 
hiter. 

W. A. Daniels, also a settler of 1852, 
located on the west half of the southeast 
(juarter of section 33, Buckingham, where 
he still lives. 

Nelson Usher and his son-in-law, Vol- 
ney Carpenter, came in 1852, the former 
entering the south half of the southwest 
ijuarter of section 4, and also a part of the 
northwest quarter of section 9, in Perry 
township. He sold in 1854, and went 
west. His son-in-law. Carpenter, followed 
iiim and at last accounts were both in 
Oregon. 

This brings the settlement of the whole 
county up to January, 1853, after which 
lime immigration set in rapidly. It is un- 
necessary to carry the settlement any 



further in this chapter, as this subject is 
treate i at length in the history of the 
various townships, where the most of the 
pioneers who have here been brietlj' treat- 
ed, and those who may have been omitted, 
will receive due and lengthy notice. 

THE COtrUTY NAME. 

Tradition says that the name which 
Tama county bears, was given in honor or 
remembrance of the wife of the Indian 
chief " Poweshiek," after whom the coun- 
ty joining Tama on the south was named. 
In the Indian tongue, the name signifies 
beautiful, pleasant or lovely. This is gen- 
erally accepted and believed to be the 
true source from which came the name of 
the county. There is another theory ad- 
vanced, however, which sets forth that the 
name was derived from that of an Indian 
chief " Pottama. " 

OKGAXIXATIOX. 

The occupancy of this territory l)y In- 
dians is treated at length in another chap- 
ter. In 1845-6, the tribe was removed to 
the reservation assigned them in Kansas, 
but many of them wandered back to the 
old hunting grounds, and began settling 
uj)on the tract of land wliere they yet re- 
main. Soon afterward the territory of 
Tama county was attached to lienton coun- 
ty for Revenue, Judicial and civil purpo- 
ses, to accommodate the few settlers. A 
portion of the county was surveyed in 
1843, and it was completed during 1845 
and 1846 by A. L. Brown and his corps of 
assistants. In 1848 entries of land were 
made and soon afterward the pioneers be- 
gan drifting into Tama county. In 1850 
the U. S. census gave the county a popu- 
lation of eight, but in reality it was about 
double that number. This rapidly increas- 





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J^l 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



259 



ed until in the spring of 1853 there were 
a number of neighborhoods in various 
parts of the county, which made a total 
population of considerably over 200. Early 
in 1853 the settlers began talking ■ f the 
need of having some political organization. 
After considerable agitation, the matter 
was brought to a culmination by the pre- 
sentation of a petition to the county judge 
of Benton for the organization of the coun- 
ty into townships. This petition was sign- 
ed by most of the inhabitants of the coun- 
ty ; but who they were it is impossible at 
this late day to tell, as the petition itself 
has years ago been destroyed. 

Upon receiving this application, the 
county judge of Benton county issued or- 
ders for the organization of Tama county 
into three civil townships. These orders 
have also been lost ; but Daniel Connell, 
of Gladbrook, was thoughtful enough to 
make a transcript of the one authorizing 
the organization of the northern part of 
the county. This one reads as follows : 
" State of Iowa, ) ss 
Benton County, j' 

7'o N'. L. Osborne, John Connell and Da- 
vid Dean: 

You are hereby notified that the Coun- 
ty Court of said County has this day or- 
ganized the following described townships 
into a Civil Township, for Judicial purpo- 
ses, viz : Townships 85 and 86, in range 
13 ; 85 and 86, in range 14 ; 85 and 86, in 
range 15, west, in Tama County, Iowa; 
and has appointed you the Trustees of 
said Township, and you are hereby au- 
thorized to call, according to law, and 
give necessary notice, and hold an e'.ec- 
lion on the first Monday of April, A. D., 
1853, as provided for in the Statutes. 



( Signed ) J. C. Traer, 

Clerk of the Court. 
By order of County Judge." 
The order bore no date, but it is pre- 
sumed to have been made some time in 
February, 1853. An informal meeting of 
the citizens was held to give name to the 
towns thus organized. The men failing to 
agree, it was left to Miss Margaret Con- 
nell, and she named it Buckingham, in 
honor of Gov. William A. Buckingham, 
of Norwich, Connecticut. 

By this it will be seen that Buckingham 
embraced the territory now organized in- 
to the following civil townships : Gene- 
seo, Buckingham, Grant, Crystal, Perry 
and Clark. 

The other two orders mentioned hereto- 
fore were for the organization of Howard 
and Indian Village Townships. Howard 
embraced the territory now comprising Co- 
lumbia, Toledo, Tama, Howard, Carroll, 
Otter Creek, Richland, Salt Creek, York 
and Oneida. Indian Village embraced all 
the balance of the county. The electors 
of Buckingham met at the house of Nor- 
man L. Osborn ; those of Indian Village 
at the house of Eli W. Daily, and those 
of Howard at the residence of Rezin A. 
Redman. The townships were thus legal- 
ly organized. Thus was the territory of 
Tama county first set apart from all else, 
and the wheels of local government started. 
In the meantime a movement for a coun- 
ty organization had been set on foot, and 
in March, 1853, a majority of the citizens 
of Tama county petitioned the County 
Judge of Benton County for the necessa- 
ry order for a county organization. The 
order was accordingly issued, command- 
ing that an election be held on the first 



r 



j j" — ^ 



^ • 



t^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Monday in May, 1853, for the election of 
county officers, who should j'erfect the 
county organization, and serve until {he 
ensuing regular election in August. On 
the day set the election was held, and re- 
sulted in the choice of the first county of- 
ficers of Tama County, as follows : 

County Judge, Tallman Chase ; Prose- 
cuting Attorney, John Huston ; Clerk of 
the Courts, J)avid D. Applegate ; Survey- 
or, ^yesley A. Daniels. For School Fund 
Commissioner, David F. Bruner and An- 
thony Wilkinson received an equal num- 
ber of votes, so neither was elected. 

The entry upon the record books regard- 
ing this election is a curiosity. A third of 
a century has nearly obliterated the marks 
of pen and ink, but, as best it can be read, 
the entry is here presented verbatim : 

" Be it remembered that on day of 

March 1853 a majority of the citizens of 
Tama county petitioned to the Judge of 
Benton county Iowa, to be organized, 
where upon receiving the said petition, an 
order was issued to hold an election on 
the first Monday in May 1853. Due notice 
was given, the election was held and the 
Returns was made to Benton county, the 
following officers was elected : Tallman 
Chaise, Co. Judge ; John Huston, Pros. 
Atty ; David D. Applegate, Clerk of the 
District Court. 

David F. Bruner and Anthony Wilkin- 
son was tie for School Fund Commission- 
ers. Wesley A. Daniels, Surveyor. 

The following officers qualified in time 
prescribed by law : John Huston, Pros. 
Atty.; David D. Applegate, Clerk of the 
District Court and Wesley A. Daniel, Co. 
Surveyor. John Huston, 

Pros. Attv." 



^' 



Several of the officers didnot (jualify, as 
the emoluments of the office would not 
pay for the trouble, and the regular elec- 
tion for officers for the full term would 
take place the following August. A local 
writer says of it: "They realized that 
they might not be in office long enough to 
get their seats warm before bein^ invited 
to step down and out." However, these 
were the first county officers ever elected, 
and as was the j>revailing custom of those 
days, it is said they indulged, one and all, 
in a jolly time. Thus was the judicial 
life of Tama county " brought before the 
world." 

Those officers who did qualify, wfnt lo 
Vinton, Benton county, to be sworn in by 
the county Judge of that county. Tluisc 
who qualified afterward, were sworn in by 
the prosecuting attorney of Tama county. 

On the fourth Monday in July, lSo3, 
the first term of court was held, and, as 
Tallman Chase, who had been elected 
county Judge had not qualified, this term 
was presided over by the prosecuting at- 
torney, John Huston. It was held at the 
house of Huston in Indian Village town- 
ship. At this time David F. Bruner was 
appointed Treasurer and recorder to .serve 
until the ensuing August election. Nor- 
man L. Osborn was appointed Siierifif as 
he had failed to qualify within the time 
set by law. 

The tie for school fund commissioner 
was settled by the appointment of Noah 
Myers to the office. 

On the first Monday in Augu.st, 1853, 
Tama county was permanently organized 
by the election of county officers for the 
regular term of two j-ears. There were 
seventy-two votes polled, and from the 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



*-^ 



returns it seems that politics did not enter 
into the campaign at all. There were 
three candidates for county judge, John 
C. Vermilya, James H. Hollen and J. P. 
Wood, and the former was successful by 
a majority of four votes. There were 
two candidates for Treasurer and Record- 
er, John Ross and David T. Bruner. 
Ross being successful by a majority of 20. 
For Sheriff, there were three. Miron 
Blodgett, W. F. Hollen and N. L. Osborn, 
and the first named came out ahead with 
eleven votes to spare. The "woods were 
full of candidates ; " for coroner, there 
being Franklin Davis, who received 40 
votes ; Zebedee Rush, 15 ; J. H. Voor- 
hies, 10 ; Franklin Vorn, 4 ; and Wesley 
A. Daniels, 18 ; Wesley A. Daniels was 
elected surveyor with but little opposition. 
This makes the list — county judge, John 
C Vermilya ; treasurer and recorder, John 
Ross ; sheriff, Miron Blodgett ; coroner, 
Franklin Davis ; surveyor, Wesley A. 
Daniels. The board of canvassers at this 
election was composed .of John Huston, 
Robert Wilkinson, and William Booher. 
Tliere were three voting precincts. How- 
ward, Buckingham and Indian Village. 

LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT 

As soon as the organization of the 
county was permanently effected, the mat- 
ter of the location of the county seat pre- 
sented itself. Hon. James P. Carlton, 
Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, ap- 
pointed Joseph M. Ferguson of Mar- 
shall county, and R. B. Ogden, of Powe- 
shiek county, commissioners to ^locate a 
seat of justice for Tama county. They 
met at the house of John C. Vermilya, on 
the '20lh day of October, 1853, and start- 
ed out in (piest of a location. They first 



examined a quarte"- section near Bruner 
Mill, in Howard township. At this time, 
this was about the most notable point in 
the county. The town of Monticello had 
been here platted, and a saw mill erected 
by Christian Bruner. The commissioners 
were strongly inclined to locate it at this 
point. David '^r. Bruner offered to give 
20 acres from the north part of his farm, 
on section 4 ; Christian Bruner offered 
twenty acres of the town site of Monti- 
cello, and twenty adjoining it on the north. 
But this difficulty arose : Adam Zehrung 
owned one-half of the townsite of Mon- 
ticello, and he refused to donate any of it, 
but insisted upon keeping the very centre 
of the town. In lieu thereof he offered 
to give twenty acres of bottom land, be- 
longing to his son, which was not fit to 
erect a house upon. The commissioners 
looked the matter over, and tried to per- 
suade Zehrung to give it up, and all the 
neighbors joined, but to no avail. Chris- 
tian Bruner offered to buy the land, pi-o- 
posing to give three times its value, but 
Zehrung refused to sell at any price, think- 
ing the county seat would be located 
there any way. Then Christian Bruner 
offered 160 acres of raw prairie, lying 
near the present location of Howard cem- 
etery, but this the commissioners refused 
to consider, because it was too far from 
water, and was not suitable. The Com- 
missionerSjthen moved' on and examined 
other locations. 

In the meantime quite a crowd of citi- 
zens had assembled, but the extreme 
southern part of the county had scarcely 
heard of it Finally Noah Myers started 
out to get help in the effort to secure the 
location as far south as possible. Going 



" "^ fl 



^- — ► 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



on a run to J. H. Hollins, he •roused him 
by exclaiming . " What in thunder are 
yi)u laying aronnd here for, when there is 
a county seat at stake ? " llollen had not 
licard that the commissioners had arrived, 
hut it did not take him long to under- 
stand the situation, as Myers liad been 
with the commissioners. In a few mo- 
ments they had decided upon a plan to get 
it located where Toledo now rests. At 
that time this was school land, and was 
claimed by John Sporh, Solomon Huf- 
ford, John Ross and Peter Overmire. 
The commissioners had decided not to 
consider bids of less than 80 acres, and 
HoUen and Myers immediately started for 
the houses of these settlers to get them to 
offer 20 acres each, thus making 80, which 
they at once agreed to do, so it only re- 
mained to arrange with the commission- 
ers, llollen and Myers came upon the 
commissioners at the farm ot Samuel 
Walkup, and after a short explanation the 
whole crowd moved toward the present 
site of Toledo. "While they were passing 
the house of Solomon IIufFord, R. B. Og- 
den, one of the commissioners, picked up 
a stake and sharpened it, without sayinga 
word. When they arrived upon the spot 
now occupied by the Toledo Hotel Block, 
he halted and exclaimed : " Gentlemen, 
here is the spot that shall be the future 
county seat of Tama County I " lie then 
drove in the stake with an ax, which had 
been brought for the purpose. This clos- 
ed their labors. The location was de- 
scribed as follows : Southwest ([uarter of 
southeast quarter, and west half of south- 
east (piarter of southeast quarter ; and 
south half of the northwest quarter, of 
the southeast (juarter, of section 15, town- 



ship 83, range 15. 

The commissioners had the right to 
name the future county seat, but for some 
reason they failed to do so, and it took 
the name of Toledo from the postoffice, 
which had been established during the 
summer, with J. H. Holien, as postmas- 
ter. Mr. Holien got the name from read- 
ing the book, " Knight of Toledo, in 
Spain. " 

FIRST EVENTS. 

The first marriage in the county was 
that of Myron Blodgett to Miss Sarah 
Cronk, August U, 185.3. The happy 
couple were united by John C. Vermilya, 
county judge. Thi-s was Judge Vermi- 
lya's first effort in this line and he was not 
a_ little embarrassed, it is said. Blodgett, 
in a joke, called upon him immediately 
after he qualified. 

The second marriage was that of Fred- 
erick L. Knott to Martha Gayor, in Buck- 
ingham township, on the ICth of October, 
1853, the ceremony being performed by 
Rev. S. W. Ingham, who still resides in 
the county, ripe with many years of u.seful 
labor. 

The first death in the county was Frank- 
lin, a son of David F. and Catharine Bru- 
ner who died September 19th, 1852. 

The second death as near as can be as- 
certained, was that of Miss Maria Blodg- 
ett, which occurred early in the spring of 
1853. 

The next was William T., a son of Mr. 
and Mrs. J. H. Holien, who died April 1, 
1853. The little one was horn February 
9, 1853. 

William Ililchnerand wife had a daught- 
er born to them on December 1st, 1852, 
and it is claimed upon good authority that 



f' 



At 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



this was the first birth in the county. 
They lived in Northern Tama. 

The first fire and destruction of projier- 
ty in the county, was the burning of the 
log cabin of Alexander Fowler, in what is 
now York township, in the fall of 1853. 

The first county warrants Nos. 1, 2, :i 
and 4, amounting to $19.50, were issued 
October IS, 1853, to David F. Bruner for 
services as assessor of Howard township. 

The first flouring mill was erected by 
C. Bruner late in the winter of 1854. He 
did not get to grinding until the spring of 
1856. 

About the same time the Iiidiantown 
mill was erected. 

As early as July, 1852, a methodist de- 
vine — Rev. Hesswood — held religious ser- 
vices at Indiantown, in the cabins of 
various settlements, but no organization 
was effected. 

The next preaching in Tama county was 
by the Rev. Stone, a Presbyterian minister 
from Iowa City, in the winter of 1852-3. 
Services were held at the house of Chris- 
tian Bruner, in Howard township. 

Religious services were held at the 
house of Norman L. Osborn in Perry 
township in the latter part of May, 1853, 
with Rev. Solomon W. Ingham as preach- 
er. The reverend gentleman organized a 
class the same time and Ira Taylor was 
appointed leader. This meeting was held 
on what is now the site of Traer under 
the auspices of the Methodist Episco])al 
church and the organization was known as 
the " Tama Mission." 

Their first quarterly services were held 
Novembet 26, 1853, as the house of Zebe- 
dee Rush, near Toledo, and Elder Ingham 
delivered the sermon. Thev built their 



first church in Toledo in 1856. 

The first Congregational Church in 
Tama County was organized at Toledo In 
December, 1754, with a membership of 
nine. Rev. George H. Woodward was tllfe 
first pastor and came in 1856. They 
erected and dedicated toeir first church in 
1860. 

The first regular Baptist Church was 
organized at Toledo, May 20, 1855 with 
a membership of sixteen persons, and 
Rev. George G. Edwards as pastor. 

The first Presbyterian Church in Tama 
County was organized by the settlers of 
Cai'lton township on the 20th of August, 
1855, called "Rock Creek Church" with 
ten members and James Laughlin and 
James Reed as elders. 

The first citizen to become naturalizeil 
was Gotlieb Waggoner, who received his 
final papers from Judge Smyth on the 20th 
of May, 1856. At the same time John 
Waltz was naturalized. 

The first will probated was the will of 
James Hatfield, deceased, on the 2'7th day 
of November, 1854, in County Court, by 
John C. Vermilya, County Judge. 

The first letters of Administration were 
issued to Nathaniel E. Horton, October 
23rd, 1854. Amos Hatfield was the first 
guardian appointed by the County Court 
on November 29th 1854. 

The first lopge of " Free and Accepted 
Masons " was organized at Indiantown. 
Their dispensation was received August 
4, 1867. Their charter was received Jime 
2, 1858, and called "Polar Star Lodge, No. 
115." The charter members were W. C. 
Salsbury, W. M.; Charles Gray, Jr., S. 
W.; S. Cronk, J. W. It was named by 
Judge Salsburv. 



^ 



^t 



i\ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Prior to the latter part of 1883, the 
pioneers traveling through this region 
usually followed trails, paths, kept the set- 
ting sun straight ahead and followed any 
yther devise to keep in the right direction. 
On July 1, 1S.53, a Slate Road was laid out 
by the Legislature, running from Marengo 
to Fort Dodge through the southern part 
of Tama county. During the year fol- 
lowing (1854) a mail route was established 
from Merengo to Marietta, in Marshall 
county along this road. Prior to this, in 
the summer of 1853 a post office had been 
established with James H. Hollen as poet 
master. In January, 1854, a post office 
was established at Kinnesaw, with An. 
thoiiy Wilkinson as post master, his com- 
mission bearing the date of February 27, 
1854. These — the State road, mail route 
and post offices — were the tirst established 
in the county. They gave material aid to 
the settlers, and seemed in a degree to 
li(^ a connecting link bgtween their east- 
ern homes and the Far West. 

In August, 1853, the A. D. Stephen's 
and Hardin county road was located. 

In December of the same year a State 
road running from A. D. Stephen's place 
to Indiantown was located running north 
from the Iowa river, and with the streams 
temporai'ily bridged proved a great benefit 
to the country. . 

Early in 1854, a road was located from 
J. H. Hollen's place, near the Iowa river 
running northwesterly to James Laugh 
liiis house in Carlton township. 

On the 30th of May, 1854, the Black 
Hawk and Toledo road was located by 
way of Toledo and Ijuckingham to l.lai'k 
Hawk county. 

On the 15th of July, the same year, a 



road from Bruner's mill in Toledo town- 
ship to Salt Creek, was located and opened. 
On July 29, 1855, a road from Vinton 
to Newton by way of Toledo was located, 
and others followed rapidly, showing that 
Tama county pioneers had the determina- 
tion, energy and enterprise to carry it 
through, and to have the county open to 
travel and free communication. 

THE FIRST FOUKTU OF JULY CKI.EliRATlON 
IN TAMA COUNTY. 

Buckingham township has the honor of 
passing into history as the first to celebrate 
the anniversary of American Independ- 
ence. It took place in 1853, and was en- 
tered into with a zeal and patriotism which 
has never since been surpassed. Probably 
no celebration since that time in Tama 
county has been more thoroughly enjoyed, 
and at that time, all being socially equal, 
the brotherhood and common interest of 
human beings was felt and illustrated in a 
way that made the occasion doubly hai)i)y. 

The most important 'workers in the 
movement to inaugurate the celebration, 
were, Col. John Connell, J. C. Wood, J. 
P. Wood and Wesley A. Daniels. A sub- 
scription paper was started, which was 
signed by about twenty persons subscrib- 
ing in all, the amount of i;9.75 ! The col- 
lector of this subscription was Joshua C. 
Wood, and the list is still in his hands. 
The preamble is in the hand-writing of 
John Connell, and is in a good state of 
preservation, l)Ut the names signed are fast 
being obliteriited. One name, remember- 
ed as that of Alvah L. Dean, cannot be 
distinguished at all, and those of L. E. 
Wood and Joseph Connell can barely be 
read. John Connell and J. C. Wood went 
to Cedar Ra])Ids and procured the neces- 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



265 



sary eatables, as that was the nearest point 
where provisions could be obtained. It 
was the intention to have the celebration 
begin in the morning of July 4, 1853, but 
the day before a heavy rain came and the 
streams were swollen to unusual propor- 
tions, so that it was with difficulty that 
those who attended, I'eached the place to 
open the ceremonies in the afternoon and 
many were prevented from coming. About 
seventy-five persons were present, and had 
it not been for the high water, it is said 
that nearly the whole county would have 
been in attendance. Swings were put up 
which furnished amusement for the young 
people ; some good singing enjoyed and 
the balance of the afternoon spent in 
social talk and having a pleasant visit. 
Several short speeches were made but no 



oration. In the evening a fine supper was 
prepared, which the assemblage greatly 
enjoyed, and the feast to this day, is often 
spoken of as being the best the partici- 
pants ever ate. After this they all return- 
ed to their homes, feeling that the day had 
been well spent. 

In 1854 a celebration was held at Ver^. 
milya's Grove, near the present site of 
Tama City. It was very largely attended) 
there being about 500 persons present. 
Orations were delivered by Alfred Phil- 
lips and Rev. Mr. Petefish. A table 200 
feet long was spread and all were fed in 
royal style. A notable feature was ice 
water, the ice having been furnished by J. 
C. Vermilya. No liquor was on the 
.ground and not a drunken man was seen. 



CHAPTER V- 



COUNTY GOVERNMENT. 



For a few years prior to the organiza- 
tion of Tama county, the territory now 
comprising it was attached to Benton for 
civil and judicial purposes.' On the 10th 
of March, 1853, the voters of Tama coun- 
ty presented a petition to the County Judge 
of Benton asking for a separate organiza- 
tion. This was granted and the county 
efEected a temporary organization by the 
election of the following named officers: 



Tallman Chase, County Judge; David D 
Appelgate, Clerk of Courts; Norman L. 
Osborn, Sheriff; John Huston, Prosecu- 
ting Attorney; Weslty A. Daniels, County 
Surveyor; David F. Bruner and Anthony 
Wilkinson received an equal number of 
votes for School Fund Commissioner, but 
Noah Myers received the appointment. 
This election was held on the first Monday 
of May 1853, and as the organization was 



6 "V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



T 



merely temporary, many of the officers did 
not qualify. 

The next and first regular election was 
held on the first Monday in August, 185.3, 
and the following ofBeers were elected: 
County Judge, John C. Vermilya; Treas- 
urer and Recorder, John Ross; Coroner, 
Franklin Davis; Surveyor, W. A. Daniel; 
Sheriff, Norman L. Osborn. This set the 
governmental wheels of the coimty in 
motion, and their busy hum has since con- 
tinued without interruption. The details 
of matters pertaining to organization, elec- 
tions and coimty officers, will be found 
elsewhere in this volume. 

In early days the mode of county gov- 
ernment differed very much from that of 
the present day. The executive depart- 
ment was vested in what was termed a 
"County Court," whichexercised the same 
jursidiction and had the same powers 
which are now held by the County Board 
of Supervisors, and in addition to this 
had jurisdiction in all cases of a civil 
nature which now come before the Circuit 
Court, together with probate and marriage 
license matters. The court consisted of 
the County Judge, Sheriff and a Clerk. 
The former had all the authority and the 
two latter, when they acted at all, were 
assistants. Thus the office of County 
Judge was one of much importance. 

ACTS OF THE COUNTY COURT. 

On the organization of Tama county it 
comprised three townships — Howard, In- 
dian Village and Buckingham. Each of 
these townships was organized by order of 
the County Judge of Benton county. 

The qualified electors of Howard town- 
ship met at the house of Rczin A. Red- 
man, and organized the township, t],,. 



boundary lines of which were as follows : 
Beginning at the southwest corner of 
township 82, north of range 15 west, 
thence to the northwest corner of town- 
ship 84, north of range 15 west, thence 
east to the north east corner of township 
84, north of range 13 west, thence south to 
the southeast corner of township 82, north 
of range 13 west, thence to the place of 
beginning. 

Indian Village township was organized 
at the house of Eli W. Daily Its boun- 
dary lines were as follows, as described in 
the records of the County Court : " Con- 
taining the west tier of Congressional 
townships in said county, which is town- 
ship 82, north of range 16 west, 
and tt!)wnship 83, north of range 
16 west, township 84, north of range 16 
west, township 85, north of range 16 we§t, 
and township 86, north of range 16 west." 

The qualified electors of Buckingham 
township met at the house of N. L. Os- 
born, and organized the township, which 
was bounded as follows : — " Beginning at 
the southwest corner of township 85, north 
of range 15 west, thence north to the 
northwest corner of township 86, north of 
range 15 west, thence east to the south- 
east corner of said county, thence south 
along said county line to the southeast cor- 
ner of township 85, north of range 13 
west, thence west to tlie place of begin- 
ning." 

The first session of county court was 
held at the house of John Huston, in In- 
dian Village township in 1853. 

Tallman Chase who had been elected 
county judge, had failed to qualify, and 
this term was presided over by the prose 
pUling attorney, John Huston. 



J±=:^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



267 



The first term of the county court, pre- 
sided over by Judge Vennilya, was held 
at the house of the Judge in October, 
1853. At this time the officers of the 
county made settlement with the county 
judge. The record is as follows : — 

Fees received by County Judge | 2 10 

Fees received by Clerk 3 35 

Fees received by Recorder aud Treas- 
urer 

Due County Judge for salary 10 40 

Due Clerk for five month's salary 17 40 

Due Recorder aud Treasurer for five 

months salary 12 50 

Warrants No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were issued 
in f.avor of David Bruner for services ren- 
dered in assessing Howard township. The 
amount issued was for $19 50. 

The third record made by the County 
Judge was the report of the commission- 
ers to locate the county seat, of which 
mention is made elsewhere in this work. 

At the April term, 1854, the county of- 
ficers again made settlement, the record 
of which is as follows: 
Fees received by the Couniy Judge for 

last quarter $5 15 

Fees received by Clerk for last (luarter. . 2 60 
Fees received by Recorder and Treasurer 

for last quarter 37 00 

Balance due County Judge for last quar- 

t«r 7 35 

Balance Clerk for last quarter 9 90 

At this term a warrant was issued to 
the Sheriff for the organization of the 
following named townships. 

Carlton township to contain all of In- 
dian Village township that lies north of 
the Iowa river, its first election to be held 
at the house of William Murtz on the 
first Monday in April, 1854. 

Richland township to contain all of 
Howard township that lies south of the Iowa 



River, the first election to be held at the 
house of Aluson P. Rich on the first Mon" 
day in April, 1854. 

Salt Creek township to contain all of 
Howard township that lies east of the west 
line of range 15 west and north of the 
Iowa river, the first election to be held at 
the house of Levi Marshes, on the first 
Monday in April 1854. 

At the August term, 1854, settlement 
was made by the county officers, showing 
the following amounts : 
Fees received by county Judge for last 

quarter |8 85 

Fees received by Clerk for last quarter. . 3 20 
Fees received by Treasurer and Recorder 

for last quarter 37 90 

Salary due county Judge 16 58 

Contingent expenses of county Judges 

allowed by Prosecuting attorney 75 00 

Clerk's salary . 16 58 

Treasurer and Recorder's salary 16 58 

Prosecuting Attorney 9 00 

On the 5th day of February, 1856, the 
county Court met and received the petition 
of a number of the citizens of Bucking- 
ham township, for its division and the 
creation of a new township. The 
prayer of the petitioners was granted 
and a township was organized comprising 
Congressional township 86, north of range 
13 west of the 5th principal meridian, 1o 
be known as Geneseo township. 

At the same term the townships of Co- 
lumbia, Otter creek, and Toledo were 
formed. The township of Columbia was 
formed from the township of Richland 
and was made to comprise Con- 
gressional township 82, north of range 
15, and that portion of township 83 range 
15, that lies on the south side of the Iowa 
river. Otter Creek township was formed 
from Howard township and was made to 






^1 

e 
1 



kn 



268 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 






comprise all of Congressional township 83, 
north of range 14, and that portion of town- 
ship S-2, range 1 4, that lies on the north side 
of the Iowa river. Toledo township was 
also formed from Howard and made to 
comprise that part of Congressional town- 
ship 83, range 15, lying north of the Iowa 
river. Howard township, thus divided, 
as described upon the record " shall em- 
brace only the congressional townships 84, 
range 15, and township 84, range 14, and 
no more, and be hereafter bounded by the 
said lines, bounding said Congressional 
township and no more and no less." 

The election for Howard township was 
ordered to be held at the house of Benja- 
min Hammit ; in Otter Creek township at 
the house of A. Tompkins ; irt Geneseo 
at the house of Nathaniel Spencer ; in 
Columbia at the house of Joshua Burley. 

On the second of October, 1854, by 
order of the County County, a proposition 
was submitted to the people " For or 
Against the Distraining of Sheep and 
Swine from running at large in the county 
from and after April 1st, 1855." The vote 
was canvassed by John C. Vermilva, 
County Judge, Zachariah T. Shugart and 
Benjamin Hammit, and it was decided 
that " ninety votes were cast for Distrain- 
ing, and forty-nine votes cast against Dis- 
training." Therefore it is presumed they 
wire "Distyained." 

The first case of pauperism in Tama 
t'ouiity was that of Charles Potter's fam- 
ily. It seems that Potter had deserted 
his family, leaving them destitute. The 
County Court ordered that the property 
he had left be used for the sustenance of 
the deserted family. This record bears 
the date of March 5, 1856, at which time 



Alfred Phillips is acting iii the capacity 
of ex-office County Judge. 

At a term of County Court held upon 
the 10th day of Mrch, 1856, the town- 
ship of Salt Creek was divided and that 
of York was formed, as embracing town- 
ship 84, range 13, and township 83, 
range 13. Notice was given to James R. 
Craham to call the first election at his 
house on the first Monday in April, 1856, 
and organize the new township. A jie- 
tition was presented to the Judge on the 
22nd of March, 1850, to again consolidate 
the townships, but he refused to comply 
with the request. 

Judge Vermilya, at a session held on 
the first day of May, 185(), appointed John 
H. Myers as agent of the county for one 
year to sell liquors for medicinal, mechani- 
cal and sacramental purposes. The record 
adds " subject to revocation for cause or at 
my pleasure ; annual salary of agent shall 
be dollars. " 

At the same term thi' boundaries of the 
townships of Salt Creek and ^'ork, were 
slightly ch.anged. 

At the July term, in IS5(i, a settlement 
was made with the county officials and it 
appears from the records tha,t, for the 
quarter ending .luly Tth, they had ie<-ei\eil 
salaries as follows : 

John G. Vermilya, t'ounty Judge, $ 4 50 

D D. Applegate, Clerk cf Courts ','.) 35 

G. Q. Staley, Treasurer and Recorder, . . . l(!(i 25 
Salarly due Judge over what had bieii 

received 45 .50 

Balance due county frini C'leik, i) 35 

" " " " .Staley l>(i 25 

Due Prosecuting Attorney for salary,. ... 20 00 
Due Sheritf for salary, . . 5 00 

Then followed receipts from the various 
officers. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



269 



On tlie 9th of August-, 1850, it appeared 
to the Judge that the removal of the agent 
for selling intoxication liquors in the Vil- 
lage of Toledo, would be a benefit to the 
citizens, and he therefore revoked the 
license he had given to John H. Myers, 
and appointed Ira J. Wilkins, of Toledo 
township, in his stead. 

The labors of the 3'ear 1857 were opened 
by the county court in session on the fifth 
of January, at which the usual settlement 
with the county officers was made. 

At the March term in 185*7, the t wn- 
ship of Crystal was formed by the division 
of Buckingham; and Carroll was formed 
by the division of Howard. A warrant 
was issued to J. S. Bishop to organize 
Crystal, and one to Nathan Fisher to 
organize Carroll. 

The Judge fixed tlie bonds of various 
officers as follows: County Treasurer, 
j;iO,000; Sheriff, $10,000; Justices of the 
Peace, $1,000; Constables, |1,000. 

During September of this year the name 
of John C. Vermilya drops from sight, 
Leander Clark taking his place, signing 
the records as county Judge. 

In December 1857, the county Judge 
ordered that the School Fund Commisioner 
file a bond in addition to what had been 
filed in the amount of $17,000, the former 
amount not being deemed sufficent. L. S. 
Frederick was Commissioner at this time. 

On the 12th of February 1858, James 
Thorington, of Davenport was appointed 
special agent to select the swamp lands 
belonging to this county. 

About the same time, the entry being 
dated March 1st, the township of Buck- 
ingham was divided and Perry townsliip 
was set off and ordered organized the 



warrant for calling the first election being 
issued to J. W. Southwick. The meeting 
was duly held on the first Monday in 
April 1858, at the store occupied by Geo. 
W. Free, Jr , in the village of West Union, 
and an organization was permanently 
effected. 

The boundaries of the townships of 
Toledo, Columbia, Richland and Otter 
Creek were also slightly changed. Carl- 
ton was divided and Spring Creek town- 
ship created. A warrant was issued to 
G. M. Finch commanding him to call the 
first election of the new township at the 
house of William B. King. 

At a session of the county Court on 
March 3, 1859, the county Judge, ordered 
that the following proposition be submit- 
ted to the legal voters of Tama county, 
viz: "Shall the county Judge in behalf of 
said county issue county bonds to the 
amount of $40,000 to draw interest at the 
rate of six per cent per annum, as a dona- 
tion to the Iowa State Agricultural College 
and Model Farm, and the Board of Equal- 
ization of Tama county be authorized to 
levy upon taxable property of said county 
two and one-half mills upon the dollar of 
the valuation thereof, annually until an 
amount sufficient to li<iuidate said bonds 
and int rest shall be raised; the first levy 
to be made at the meeting of said board 
for the levy of ordinary taxes in the year 
1859, all to be done expressly on the con- 
dition that the said "Iowa State Agricul- 
tural College and Model Farm" shall be 
located in Tama county." 

The election was duly held and resulted 
in there being 444 votes in favor of the 
proposition and 195 against it. The offer, 
however, was not liberal enough and Story 



^IV** 



** « »^ 



iK 



■210 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



county secured the college. 

The following entry appears upon the 
record under the date of May 19th 1859, 
and explains itself. 

"To the Hon. Leander Clark, County 
.Judge of Tama county: This is to certify 
that at a meeting of the Presidents of the 
several township school districts in Tama 
county, the County Superintendents were 
allowed the sum of $100 by the said board 
of Presidents for the year ending April 
5th, 1859. 

Signed, ( W. C. Salsburv, Chairman, 
f T. A. Grauam, Sec'y. 

At the July term of 1859 the matter of 
settlement with the various county officials 
again came up, and the following entry 
was made as to their salaries for the quar- 
ter ending July 4th, 1859, viz: 

Couuly Judge had Received $ 2 35 

CouBty Clerk had Received 128 45 

County Treasurer and Recorder R'c'd. . . 12H 90 
Salary due Judge above what he had 

Received 97 65 

Salary due Sherifl" 10 00 

Due County from Clerk 28 45 

Due County from Treas. and Recorder 23 90 

Then follows the receipts from the 
officers. 

It will be noticed that often a long time 
elapses between the date of the extracts 
given. The balance of the time was spent 
in routine work, such as the issuance of 
marriage licences, attending to petitions, 
and like matters of no especial interest. 

In the winter of 1859-60, the General 
Assembly passed an act which was duly 
signed by the Governor changing the mode 
of government in the various counties in 
the State, and creating the county Board 
of Supervisors. This body took charge of 
nearly '^11 of the business formerly attend- 
ed to by the Judge of the County Court 



The office of County Judge, however, was 
continued until 1869, that officer having 
only jurisdiction in probate matters and 
the issuance of marriage licenses. Noth- 
ing of note transjjired and a list of the 
various gentlemen who held the office of 
County Judge, will be found in connec- 
tion with the chapter upon National, State 
and County Representation, where sketch- 
es of each will also appear. 

In the new system — the Board of Super- 
visors — consisted of one member from 
each township. 

ACTS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. 

Pursuant to law, the first meeting of the 
Board of Supervisors was held on the 7 th 
day of January, 1861, at the court house 
in Toledo. It was organized by appoint- 
ing Jonathan Peterson, temporary chair- 
man. The various townships were repre. 
sented by the following gentlemen — their 
respective townships and terms being 
marked opposite their names : 

Anthony Bricker, 1 year Indian Village 

Wesley A. Daniel, 2 years ; .Buckingham 

T. Forker, 2 jears. Richland 

Wm. Gallagher, Jr.. 1 year Howard 

B. A. Hall. 2 years Toledo 

Rohison, Johnston, 2 years Highland 

Lucius Kibbe, 2 years Carroll 

A. C. Marslon, 1 year Spring Creek 

G. G. Mason, 1 year Oneida 

M. Mitchell, 1 year Otter Creek 

Janathan Peterson, 1 year Carlton 

8. C. Rogeis, 2 years Crystal 

P. L. Sherman, 1 year Geneseo 

J. W. Southwick, 1 year Perry 

T. S. Talmuge, 1 year Clark 

Isaac Toland, 2 j ears CoUuubia 

James A. Willy 2 years Salt Creek 

L. B. Dresser, 2 years York 

The board proceeded to the election of 
a permanent chairman which resulted in 
^he choice of P. L. Sherman, he receiving 



*^^=^ 






k^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



271 



ten votes and Jonathan Peterson seven. 
Gommittees were appointed to draft rules 
for the government of the body and order 
of business. 

At the same session tlie board appropri- 
ated the sum of $104, for the support of 
the poor persons and paupers already on 
the county for the six months ending July 
1st, 1861. 

On the 11th of January, 1861, the com- 
mittee appointed to investigate the school 
fund matter reported as follows: 

"We, your committee appointed to ex- 
amine into the affairs of the School Fund 
beg leave to make the following report: 
Having examined the books and papers 
eonnected with the said School Fund we 
find the reports of the officers correct. 
We also ascertain that there are three 
thousand and two hundred acres of land 
belonging to the said fund, the sales of 
which have been declared fraudulent. We 
also ascertain that there are 960 acres of 
these lands on which the payments have 
been made and patents issued. We there- 
fore recommend that the sales of these 
lands on which the patents have been 
issued, be considered legal, and that here 
after taxes be levied on the same." 
A. Bricker, ) 

G. G. Mason, V Committee. 
T. S. Talmage, ) 

On the 5th of June, 1861, Spring Creek 
township was divided, and a new civil 
township under the name of Lincoln, was 
created. A warrant was issued to Joseph 
Preseott, commanding him to call the first 
election at his house. 

During this term Judge Leander Clark 
presented his resignation as County Judge, 
and it being referred to a committee, was 



r?^ 



reported on as follows : 

" Whereas, Leander Clark, our county 
judge, has handed in his resignation, to 
take effect as soon as his successor shall 
be appointed and qualify, therefore. 

Resolved, That we believe it due to Le- 
ander Clark to acknowledge our obliga- 
tions, and that of our constituents, for the 
faithful and impartial manner in which he 
has performed his duties. 

Resolved, That while we believe it 
would be for the interest of the county 
that the Judge should continue in service ; 
at the same time, in .accordance with his 
desire, we reluctantly grant his request ; 

Resolved, That considering the legal 
ability, business tact and stability of many 
of our citizens, we trust we shall be able 
to fill the vacancy thus occasioned by one 
who will not disappoint the expectations 
of our constituents. 



S. C. Rogers, 
( Signed ) J. Peterson, 
B. A. IIali,, 



Committee. 



The following day John Allen was ap- 
pointed to fill the vacancy. 

The matter of appropriating money for 
the purchase of a poor farm came up at 
this meeting, but was defeated. 

The excitement of the war began over- 
spreading the country about this time, and 
T.ima county was not long in officially 
taking the right position. 

Uuder the date of June 8, 1861, the 
Board of Supervisors unanimously adopt- 
ed the following resolution, which was 
presented by W. A. Daniels : 

" Whereas, The time has come when 
every patriot should show his devotion to 
the Government in a way that cannot be 
misunderstood, and as it is the duty of 



;nv* 






ht. 



272 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



every one to aid in subduing rebellion and 
wipiiii/ traitors from the face of this ' fair 
land ; " Therefore, be it 

Hesolved, That the Board of Su})ervi- 
sors of Tama county pledge themselves 
and the county for the support of the fam- 
ilies of residents of the county who may 
volunteer and be called into service by 
the government as long as they are de- 
tained in such service ; also, all other ap- 
projjriations that may be required of us 
to aid in maintaining the government and 
enforcing the laws." 

On the 25th of July, 1861, D. D. Ap- 
pelgate, clerk of courts, issued the follow- 
ing notice and call for a special meeting 
of the board of supervisors, viz. ; 

•' Wheeeas, The undersigned Clerk of 
the District Court of Tama County, Iowa, 
has been requested in writing by a major- 
ity of the members of said board to call a 
special meeting for the object hereinafter 
set forth : — 

Notice is hereby given that there will 
be a special meeting of the Board at the 
Court-House in Toledo Iowa, said county 
and State, on Monday, August 5, A. D., 
1861, at 12 o'clock M., of said day, for the 
purpose of taking into consideration the 
matter of making an appropriation for the 
organization of a Military Company from 
Tama County for the war, and the support 
of the families of Volunteers, and other 
matters connected therewith." 

Accordingly at the appointed time the 
Board convened with all the members 
present. On motion Messrs. Forker and 
T. Walter Jackson were invited to ad- 
dress the Board, the latter complying. On 
motion of Mr. Mason, Daniels,Gallagher 
and Hall were appointed a committee of 



three, to rejiort the amount necessary to 
equip the " Tama county Rifles, " as rec- 
onmiended in the Governor's circular. 
Mason, Peterson and Rogers were appoint- 
ed a committee of three, to report a plan 
for the supjjort of families of volunteers. 

The committee last named made a re])ort 
which was adopted by the Board as fol- 
lows : 

lieiiolriid, That for the purpose of sup- 
porting the families of volunteers during 
their service from the time of enlistment 
until they are discharged, that there be, 
and hereby is, appropriated out of the 
County Treasury the sum of live dollars 
per month for the wife and two dollars 
per month for each child under twelve 
years of age, of each volunteer. 

'■'■Hesolved, That when a father or moth- 
er is dependent on a volunteer for support, 
they shall receive five dollars per month 
each, and also when a brother or sister un- 
der twelve years of age are dependent, 
they shall receive two dollars per month 
each, during his time of service. " 

" Resolved, That all volunteers who shall 
be entitled to the above appropi-iations 
shall file with the County Clerk, their 
affidavit as to the number of their family 
and age of their children. 

" Hesolved, That said appropriations be 
paid monthly upon orders of the clerk of 
the Board of Supervisors, who shall keep 
articles of clothing as recommended in 
the Governor's circular, making an aggre- 
gate of six hundred and thirty-seven dol- 
lars and fifty cents. Also that the sum of 
one hundred and twelve dollarsand fifty 
cents be appropriated and placed in the 
hands of the clerk of this Board, for tlie 
purpose of clothing a further number of 



^-* 

" 



B^ 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



273 



men as above, until the number of men 
readies one hundred and one, the amount 
drawn for each man to be seven dollars 
and fifty cents, and we would further rec- 
ommend that an agent be appointed to go 
to Chicago and make, the purchases. " It 
was then 

Jiesoli'ed That B. A. Hall, act as agent 
to go to Chicago. Thus the comjiany wa.s 
duly organized and equipped. 

John Connell was also special agent for 
a time to purchase clothing and supplies 
for volunteers. The following entry re- 
lative to his agency is rather amusing : 

" A statement was also received from 
Mr. Connell in regard to his expenses in 
going to Chicago to buy the clothing, 
showing that he had exj^ended thirty-one 
dollars and forty cents, and had received 
from the county the sum of thirty dollars. 
On motion the account was considered 
square. " Then on motion Mr. Connell 
was tendered a vote of thanks for the 
manner in which he discharged his duties. 

On the third of September, 1861, the 
Board i>assed the following resolutions : 

First — "That we do not consider it ex- 
pedient to make a specific api>ropriation 
l(ir the support of families of volunteers 
who may hereafter enlist in the service of 
the State or Government during the pres- 
ent war, from this county." 

Second — "Resolved that the appropria- 
tions now made for the support of the 
families of the volunteers of Tama county 
be e.vtended during the war to the families 
of those volunteers who now receive the 
benefit of said appropriation, who may be 
killed or die while in the service of the 
United States." 

The first resolution was presented by 



G. G. Mason and the latter by J. A. 
Willey. 

Just before the Board adjourned G. G. 
Mason, presented the following which was 
adopted: 

"Resolved, that we will grant aid to the 
families of volunteers who may hereafter 
enlist for the war from this county as far 
as we may judge to be for the interest of 
all parties concerned." 

S. C. Rogers followed by presenting 
the following concerning the soldiers, 
which was adopted: 

"Resolved, that we are highly gratified 
with the comfortabla quarters furnished 
for the military company from tnis county, 
and pleased that the soldiers acquiesce in 
the strict discipline enjoined upon them, 
and sincerely hope that all will be faithful 
in every respect to their superiors and 
their Country. 

At the October session the Board passed 
additional resolutions relative to furnish- 
ing aid to the families of volunteers. This 
closed the labors of the Board for the 
year 18G1. 

The second annual meeting of the Board 
of Supervisors convened at the court house 
in Toledo on the 6th day of January 1862> 
as required by law. The following newly 
elected members qualified and took their 
seats: 

John A. Tenny ; Indian Vilhiiie. 

Adam Haibaugb Howard. 

W. B. King Spiing Creek. 

G. G. Mason Oneida. 

N. Lewis Otter Creek. 

Jonathan Peterson Carlton. 

T. F. Clarke Geneseo. 

Amos Kile Perry. 

T. S. Talmage : Clark. 

G. W. Morehouse Lincoln. 



'f^ 



J4> 



274 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The Board then proceeded to organize 
by the election of B. A. Hall as chairman 
for the ensuing year, and by the appoint- 
ment of the various committees. 

At this session a committee appointed 
to examine the county property, reported 
that: "having viewed the county buildings 
would say that although they are not what 
we should like to see in our county, still 
we find them in a passable condition; we 
think there is a little, and but little repair- 
ing required at the present time." 

On the same day the following resolu- 
tion was adopted by the Board: " WJiereas, 
the county of Tama in response to the call 
of the Governor furnished the "Tama 
county Rifles" with a fatigue dress at an 
expense of upwards of $800 or thereabouts. 
Therefore, Resolved that the clerk of this 
Board be instructed to present to the legis- 
lature a bill of particulars of clothing fur- 
nished and expenses incurred by the county 
and that our Senator, Hon. Joseph Dysart, 
and our Representative, Hon. Leander 
Clark, be requested to use all proper efforts 
to have the same promptly adjusted." 

It will be remembered that August 5, 
1H61, the Board passed a resolution, appro- 
priating f;5.00 per month for the wife and 
$2.00 per month for each child of volun- 
teers. At this session, January 1862, it 
was reported that according to the provis- 
ions of the act named, there had been paid 
$1,047, up to December 12, 1861. This 
was for the families of members of the 
"Tama county Rifles." 

Another relief appropriation was resolv- 
ed by the Board October 16, 1861, for the 
support of the families of the company 
raised by William II. Stivers, known as 



Company G. of 14th, Iowa Regiment, the 
wife to receive $4.00 per month and the 
children $1.00; no family to receive more 
than $7.00 per month. 

The committee appointed for the pur- 
pose of summing up, reported. "We find 
the whole amount expended for clothing, 
sustenance and transportation of said com- 
pany to Marengo (Rifles), $1,052.14. 

We have received from the U. S. Disbursing 

officer I 20o 00 

We further e.\pect the State will refund 

about I 847 94 

There has been expended for the sup- 
port of the families of volunteers: 
For the first company up to December 12th 

1861 .1' 1,047 00 

For the second company 94 00 

Total 1,141 00 

This will amount in one year to 3,984 00 

County Order No. 1 was issued at this session to 

John Allen, for the sum of 7 45 

No. 2 and No 3 to D. D. Appltgate. 

At the opening of the Jtme session in 
1862, the Chairman announced the vacancy 
in the oftice of Supervisor from Carlton 
township occasioned by the death of Jona 
than Peterson, and presented the creden- 
tials of James Roakes, who had been ap- 
treasury, pointed. Mr. Roaks appeared, 
qualified and took his seat as a member. 

On the fourth of June the Board de- 
clared the office of county Judge vacant, 
occasioned by the removal of John Allen 
from the county, and appointed T. F. 
Bradford, to fill the vacancy. 

On the following day Mr. Forker of- 
fered the following resolution which was 
adopted : 

" Jic-iolved, That the families of commis- 
sioned oflieers of the 'Tama county Rifle 



•^ 



'U 




\ 




::0^^ 



(^^^^^ 4^- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



277 



company' shall not be allowed to receive any 
more of the appropriation made August 
5th, 1861, by this board from the county 
Treasury from June 1st, 186-2, unless said 
families become in neady circumstances." 

Mr. Rogers, |a-esented the following 
vote of thanks which was adopted : 

"Hesolved, that the thanks of this board 
be tendered to Orrin Burright, of Crystal 
township, for his gratuitous services as 
<lrtimmer, together with the use of an 
omnibus and for horses in carrying volun- 
teers to different points in the county for 
the purpose of soliciting volunteers and 
finally to Marengo." 

On the 18th of August, 186-i, a special 
session of the Board of Supervisors was 
held for the purpose of taking steps to till 
the quota of the county in answer to the 
President's call for 600,000 men. It re- 
sulted in appropriating the sum of |i25 to 
each volunteer who should enlist under 
the present call of the president." At 
the next meeting of the board, in Septem- 
ber, it was resolved that the act above re- 
ferred to did not express fully the inten- 
tions of the Board, and it was declared 
that, the intention was to give this bounty 
of ^'25, only to residents of the county. 

Mr. Tenny at the same session offered 
the following resolution which was at once 
adopted : Whereas Isaac Butler has, in 
view of the condition of officers of our 
county, and the wants of the families of 
those who are now fighting the battles of 
the country, generously offered to give his 
foes as Justice in all State cases previous 
to this date, amounting to- about nine dol- 
lars for the benefit of said families there- 



fore resolved that the thanks of this board 
be tendered him for his generosity." 

It seems that the Adjutant general had 
credited Iowa county with thirty-six vol- 
unteers, who had enlisted from Tama 
county, and at the September session S. C. 
Rodgers was appointed agent of the coun- 
ty, to go to the office of the adjutant Gen- 
eral and have the mistakes rectified. 

At the opening of the October session, 
in 1862. Samson Strong presented his 
credentials of appointment as Supervisor 
from Carlton township in place of James 
Roakers who had gone to the war. Mr. 
Strong qualified and took the seat. 

The third annual meeting of the board 
convened at the court house on the 
5th of January, 1863, and organized by 
the selection of B. A. Hall as chairman 
for the ensuing year. The following were 
the newly elected members: 

B. A. Hall Toledo 

R. Johnston Highland 

Peter McRoberts Carroll 

J. S. Tovvnsend Crystal 

J. A. Willey Salt Creek 

Geo. W. Selvy York 

6. W. Morrison .Columbia 

T. Forker Richland 

D. C'onnell Buckingham 

G. D. Berry : . ...i Howard 

Nothing of special interest transpired 
until December of this year when, on the 
2lst day of the month, a special meeting 
of the board was held for the purpose of 
offering bounties to volunteers, and to 
provide in the best manner that the board 
should see fit for the families of those 
enlisting. The following was unanimous- 
ly adopted by the board being presented 
by T. Forker: 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



^ 



"He it Re.tolved by the Board of Super- 
visors of Tama county, Iowa, that the sum 
of ten thousand dollars or so much there- 
of as may be necessary, be and the same 
is hereby appropriated from the funds to 
be hereinafter raised for the purpose of 
paying bounties to persons who have or 
may hereafter enlist in the ser\'ice of 
the United States under the last call made 
by the President for 300,000 volunteers; 
that a tax of four mills on the dollar shall 
be levied on the taxable property of said 
L-ounty at the next regular meeting of 
said board for levying county taxes for the 
special purpose of paying the appropria- 
tion hereby made; and further, that each 
volunteer under said call shall receive a 
warrant on the Treasury of the county for 
the sum of ^100 payable at the oftice of 
the county Treasurer of said county on or 
before January 1st, 1866, with ten percent, 
interest from January 1, 1864. But the 
Hoard of Supervisors shall have the right 
til order said warrants paid at any time 
after they are issued by L'ivingthirty days 
notice in .some newspaper published in 
said county, if there be one, and if not 
by causing a notice for the same length of 
time to be posted on the court house door, 
after which time all interest on said war- 
rants shall cease; and be it further resolv- 
ed * * that the family of each volunteer, 
who are residents of said county enlisting 
under said call, shall be entitled to draw, 
the same amountfrom the County Treasury, 
as the families of the members of Com- 
pany G, 14th Regiment Iowa Volunteers, 
upon filing of affidavits and complying in 
all respects with the regulations made 



for the members of said Company " G." 

It seems that at this term there was a 
little difficulty in regard to the seat of one 
of the members. The record states : 
" Mr. James A. Miller presented his cre- 
dentials as member from Lincoln town- 
ship in place of Mr. Morehouse, who bad 
removed from the township ; Mr. More- 
house contested the right of Mr. Miller to 
appear as a member of said Board from 
Lincoln township- Mr. Forker moved that 
Mr. Miller be entitled to his seat as a 
member of this Board, carried and Mr. 
Miller came forward and qualified. " 

J. T. Shugart presented his credentials 
as a member of the Board of Supervisors 
from York township in place of ^Mr. Selvy 
who had removed from the county. He 
qualified and took his seat. 

The fourth annual session of the Board 
convened at the court house in Toledo^ 
January 4, 1864. Peter McRobcrts was 
made chairman pro-tem., and the follow 
ing members elect a])j)eared and (jualified, 
representing the townships named : 

Indiiin Village A. Urickcr 

Howard Wm. Gallagher, Jr 

Spring Creek V. S. Bartlell 

Oneida Josiah Thomas 

Otter Creek A. Tompkins 

Carlton Wm. Conant 

Genesee T. F. Clark 

Perry Daniel Connell 

Clark Joseph Dysarl 

Lincoln I A Miller 

The Board then proceeded to effect a 
permatient organization by the election of 
B. A. Hall, chairman for the ensuing 
year. 

At this session a committee was in- 
structed to investigate the matter of buy- 
ing a poor farm for the county. Another 



:>> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



279 



committee was instructed to issue a proc- 
lamation that at the next general election 
the question would be submitted whether 
sheej) and hogs should run at large or not. 

It was also resolved that bonds of the 
county to the amount of $1500, be issued 
to pay bounty warrants. 

At the June session Mr. Taplin was ap- 
pointed as supervisor from Indian Village 
township. 

'I he Board resolved at its September 
session 1864. to submit the question of 
building a court house. The proclama- 
tion read: 

"Whether the Board of Supervisors 
shall on or before the first day of June, 
1865, order and contract for the erection 
of a court house within the village of 
Toledo, the county seat of said county; 
probably costing over $2,000, provided 
that in no case and under no circumstances 
shall the said contract for the building and 
finishing and furnishing of said court 
house exceed the sum of |!20,OuO. The 
proposition was defeated at the polls. 

The Fifth annual meeting of the Board 
convened at Toledo on January 2nd 1805, 
and organized by the election of P. L. 
Sherman Chairman, for the ensuing year. 
The following newly elected members ap- 
peared and took their seats, viz 

Geueseo P. L. Sbcrmau. 

Buckingham G. Jaquii. 

Lincoln A. C. Brockway. 

Carroll .' S. Doolittle. 

Toledo W. F. Johnston., 

York L B. Dudd.' 

Sail Creek ....: S. Prill, 

Columbia J. Ros^s. 

Highland E. M. Po>neer. 

It was ordered that $5.00 be the bounty 
paid for wolf scalps. 



The war committee made a report at 
this session stating that "upon a careful 
examination of the books in the clerk's 
office we find that there has been paid on 
relief warrants for the benefit of soldiers 
families the sum of $9,155.66, for the year 
ending January 1st, 1865; also that the 
amount paid during the month of Decem- 
ber last is $785 which is less than the av- 
erage monthly expenditures for the year 
past; from which we infer that this branch 
of the county expenses has reached its 
maximum and is giadually on the de- 
crease." 

On the 5th of January, 1865, Hon. Jos. 
Dysart offered the following resolution and 
moved its adoption. 

Whereas, "The President of the United 
States, has issued his proclamation calling 
for 300,000 volunteers to be enlisted before 
the 15th day of February 1865. There- 
fore, be it resolved, that each volunteer 
drafted man or substitute mustered into 
service of the United States under said 
call shall be entitled to receive a county 
warrant of the denomination of $200, pay- 
able January 1st 1868, with interest at six 
per cent from the 15th day of February, 
1865, provided that no warrant shall be 
issued until the certificate of the Provost 
Marshal of this district or that of the 
Aj't. General of Iowa be filed in the 
office of the Clerk of this Board, showing 
that the i)erson claiming the same, shall 
have been credited to some township in 
Tama county; and provided further that 
the number of warrants issued to volun- 
teers, drafted men or substitutes of any 
township, shall not exceed the quota of 
volunteers, demanded of such township un- 
der the above named call, and further be 



'f 






-^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



it resolved that a tax of two mills on the 
dollar, on the taxable property of Tama 
county shall be levied by the Board of 
Siii)ervisors of said county at the time of 
levying taxes in 1R60, and every subse- 
ijuent year thei'eafter until said warrants 
with the interest thereon are paid. 

The power to direct the payment of the 
whole or any part of the warrants that 
may thus be issued is reserved by the 
Board of Supervisors, by giving thirty days 
notice by publication in some newspaper 
in Tama county, or posting such notice on 
the court house door, and all interest there- 
after shall cease." 

The resolutions were unanimously 
adopte<l. 

At the June session C. N. Knapp pre- 
sented his appointment as Supervisor from 
Sprijig Creek township; John Ransdell 
from Richland township, Mr. Anthony, 
from Oneida, and all (jualified and took 
their seats. 

The war committee on the 8th of .June, 
1 865, reported "that the amount now be- 
ing paid out of the relief fund monthly for 
the benefit of soldier's families is 1748. 

At the September session a resolution 
was passed to the effect that a proposition 
be submitted to the legal voters of Tama 
county at the general election held in 
October, 1865, for the purpose of deter- 
mining whether or not said county will 
donate the swamp lands and the proceeds 
of the swamp lands and the proceeds of 
said swamp lands belonging to the county 
or held by the county, to the Iowa Central 
Railroad Company, provided, said road 
would build through the county. (See 
Railroad (^hapter.) 

At the .same term the bond of the county 



Treasurer was fixed at §60,000. 

The railroad matter came up in different 
form at the same session and was decided 
that the following question be subraittSS 
to the voters of the county; whether the 
people would donate the sum of 840,000 to 
the Iowa Central R. R. Company to be 
used in building the same in this county, 
and a tax of four mills on the dollar be 
levied in the year.s 1866, 1867 and 1868, to 
pay the same. It carried at the polls. 

A resolution was passed about the same 
time offering a bounty of 10 cents upon 
each pocket gopher killed. This was pre- 
sented by Mr. Tompkins. 

The war committee consisting of A. N. 
Poyneer, L. B. Dodd and Wm. Gallagher, 
again reported this term, but treated of 
nothing except local matters. 

G. G. Mason appeared at the October 
session and qualified as Supervisor from 
Oneida township. * 

The sixth annual session of the Board 
commenced on January 1st 1866, at the 
court house in Toledo, and Mr. Johnston 
was chosen temporary chairman. 1 he 
following named appeared and qualified 
as members from their various townships, 
they being the members-elect: 

Genesee P. L- Sherman 

Clark Joseph Dysart 

Richland Turner Forker 

Perry James Wilson 

Indian Village. A. C. Tenny 

Carroll B. Dickerson 

Salt Creek A. B. Haucox 

Howard W. Gallagher 

York Z. T. Shugart 

Oueida Nathan Harmon 

Spring Creek C. N. Knapp 

Otter Creek J. H. Brooks 

Carlton A. Donaldson 

Lincoln W. C. Thomas 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



:l^ 



The Board permanently organized by 
the election of P. L. Sherman chairman 
for the ensuing j'ear. 

It was resolved that each Su]>ervisor con. 
stitute a committee of one in their respec- 
tive townships, for the purpose of seeing 
that none of the families of soldiers 
suffered. 

Nothing of especial interest transpired 
during this year. 

The Board convened at its Seventh 
Annual session on the 7th of January 1867, 
A. Donaldson took the chair pro tern and 
upon the roll being called the following 
named gentlemen were found to be pres- 
ent representing their townships: 

Otter Creek .James Brooks 

Columbia William Cory 

Oneida B. Dicliersoa 

Clark Joseph Dysart 

Carlton A. Donaldson 

Richland T. Forker 

Crystal C. C. Guilford 

Howard William Gallagher 

Toledo W. F. Johnston 

Buckingham W. T. V. Ladd 

Lincoln Greenwood Prescott 

Carroll Joseph Powell 

Highland A. N. Poyneer 

Geneseo P. L. Sherman 

Indian Village A. C. Teuny, Jr. 

Perry James W dsou 

The record states of York, Salt Creek 
and Spring Creek "no representatives." 
The matter of electing a permanent chair- 
man was then taken up and resulted in 
the re-election of P. L. Sherman, over 
James Wilson and A. Donaldson. 

The matter of erecting a court house 
received attention at the September ses- 
sion 18G7, when the following resolution 



was presented and read by Mr. Johnston, 
and adopted by the Board. 

Resolved, "By the Toledo court house 
Association that for the consideration here- 
inafter expressed, the said Association do 
hereby release to Tama county the "One 
Hundred Dollars" heretofore contracted to 
be paid as rent for said house by said 
county and agree to furnish said building 
according to the plans and specifications 
as soon as said building can be reason.ably 
completed, and then to give the full con- 
trol of said building and grounds to said 
county so long as said county shall use the 
same for county purposes. Provided said 
county shall appropriate the sum of $5,000 
to help finish said building. * * * 
W. F. Johnston, President, 

A. J. Free, Secretary. 

The sum of $5,000 was then appropriated 
in compliance with the resolution of the 
Association, and the court house became 
county property. 

At the October session 1667, the county 
officers ware authorized to move into the 
court house as soon as possible. 

For 1868 the Board commenced their 
year's labor on the 6th of January. Mr. 
Tompkins was chosen temporary chairman 
and the following new members sworn in: 

Geneseo T P. L. Sherman 

Oneida Martin Leavens 

Spring Creek H. P. Willard 

Howard Wm. Gallagher 

Clark Joseph Dysart 

Otter Creek A. Tompkins 

Carlton C. Bratt 

Indian Village A. C. Tenny, Jr. 

Salt Creek James A. Willoy 

Perry W. Rogers 

P. L. Sherman was unanimously elected 



A« 



l\^ 



HISTORY OF TAJtf A COUNTY. 



chairman for the ensuing year. 

At the .Tune session R. J. Hall appeared 
and ijualified as Supervisor from Crystal 
township in place of Mr. Guilford who had 
removed from the township. 

The township of (xrant was created on 
the 2nd of June, 1808, the resolution read- 
ing as follows: 

llettolred, "That this Board do grant the 
prayer of the petition of John W. Flera- 
mingand others asking that the congres- 
sional township described as township 86, 
range 15, be set off from Buckingham 
township and be organized into a civil 
township to be known as "Grant." That 
the Clerk of this Board be directed to re- 
cord the boundaries of said township as 
required by law. That he issue a warrant 
for holding the next general election." 

At the same session the Board passed a 
resolution encouraging the cultivation of 
shade trees. 

During September the Board decided 
that at the next general election the ques- 
tion should be submitted to the legal voters 
of Tama county whether the Board of 
Supervisors should be authorized to oiler 
and cause to be paid a bounty for the ex- 
termination of pocket gophers in Tama 
county. 

On the ninth of September 1868, Mr. 
Willard offered the fol'owing resolution 
to the board, moving its adoption. It ex- 
plains itself : 

" /ieso/red, That whereas, a child be- 
longing to Mr. Healy.of Spring creek, Tama 
county, Iowa, was lost or kidnapped on or 
about the 2nd day of September, A. D., 
186a, and whereas, report is being circu- 
lated that said child was kidnapped. 
Therefore resolved that the Clerk of this 



board be authorized to offei a reward of 
five hundred dollars for the arrest of the 
kidnapper, and return of the child, and 
that said reward he published in the three 
county papers, for three consecutive 
weeks." ( See chapter " Miscellaneous.") 
At the September session Mr. Dysart 
moved to change the name of •' Tama city 
township " to " Tama township." It was 
carried. 

The ninth annual session of the board 
commenced January 4, 1869. A. Tomp- 
kins was chosen as temporary chairman. 
The members who were present are record- 
ed as being Messrs. C. Bratt, E. S. Beck- 
ley, Jos. Dysart, T. Forker, A. N. Poy- 
iieer, Martin Leavens, B. A. Hall, (4. 
Jaqua, Jos. Powell, W. Rodgers, P. L. 
Sherman, A. Tompkins, Tenney, U. T. 
Willard, Jacob Loutzenheiser, J. S. Town- 
send, Jno. Flemming, C. H. Baldwin, H. 
L. Smith A. Wilkinson. P. L. Sherman, 
from Geneseo, was duly elected chairman, 
for the ensuing year. 
At this session it was, 
" liesolced, That in the opinion of this 
board the time has come to purchase a 
farm to be known as the "Poor Farm of 
Tama county. 

During the same session J. R. Stewart, 
the county Superintendent presented a 
lengthy paper to the board, showing the 
condition of educational matters. 

During this year the name of Thomas 
S. Free as Clerk of the board drops from 
sight, but reappears on the records as 
"Audilor." 

The years work of 1870 was inaugu- 
rated by the board in the session com- 
mencing on January :i, 1870, M. Wilkin- 
son was chosen as temporary chairman. 



1' 



-^ — »t >^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



283 



Messrs. Willard, Withington, Sapp, Sher- 
man and Staley, all took the necessary 
oath qualifying them as the newly-elected 
members of the board. B. A. Hall was 
elected permanent chairman. 

Nothing of importance came before the 
board this year, their time being mostly 
occupied in routine work. 

During the winter of 1869 and 18':0 an 
act was passed by the General Assembly 
changing the mode of government from 
what had been practiced for a decade past. 
The board of Supervisors was to consist of 
three members from the county at large 
instead of one from each township. The 
new board was elected at the general 
election in the fall of 1870. 

The new board first met on the second 
of January, 1871, and was composed of 
Leander Clark, G. .Jaqua and A. N. Poy- 
neer although at the opening of this 8^'s- 
sion only Leander Clark and A. N. Poy- 
neer were present. The following day all 
were present and Leander Clark was elect- 
ed chairman for the ensuing year. 

At the June session a resolution was 
presented to the board favoring the sub- 
mission of the question to the voters as 
to whether or no, there should be five 
supervisors. It was lost. 

For 1872 the board consisted of A. N. 
Poyneer, G. Jaqua and John Ramsdell, 
the latter, having been elected in the fall 
of 1871 to succeed Mr. Clark. A. N. 
Poyneer was elected chairman for the en- 
suing year. 

At the June session of this year it was 

Resolved, That the question be submit- 
ted to the legal voters of the county 
" whether or not the swamp lands, now 
owned by said county shall be sold and 



the proceeds thereof be devoted to the 
purchase of a poor farm in and for said 
coun':y of Tama." 

In the fall of 1872 G. Jaqua was re- 
elected his own successor, .and when the 
board first met in January 187.3, he ap- 
peared and took the oath. A. N. Poyneer 
was re-elected chairman for the year 1873. 

At the .June session the board passed 
the following rather significant resolution: 

" Whereas : The Hon. M. M. Walden 
has donated to the school fund of this 
county $236.65, as a part of the proceeds 
of what has been called the "salary 
■grab," therefore. 

Resolved, That believing the partaker 
in unjust gains is as bad as the principal, 
we herewith instruct the Auditor to return 
said donation, preferring to trust in Prov- 
idence and our own efforts for the educaj 
tion of our children rather than to dis 
honest gains, however obtained. 

For 1874 the board consisted of John 
Ramsdell, G. Jaqua, and S. W. Huttou, 
the 1 tter having been elected to succeed 
A. N. Poyneer. John Ramsdell was cho- 
sen chairman for the ensuing year. 

The fifteenth annual meeting of the 
Board was commenced on January 4th, 
1875, and the members were G. Jaqua, S, 
W. Button and J. H. Lauderdale. Mr. 
Lauderdale was the member-elect and he 
qualified and took his seat. G. Jaqua was 
elected chairman of the board for the 
ensuing year. Routine work occupied the 
attention of the board during this year. 

The sixteenth annual session convened 
on January 3d 1876, the board being com- 
posed of S. W. Hutton, J. H. Lauderdale 
and Theo. Clark, the latter having been 
elected in the previous fall to succeed G. 






284 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Jaqua, and the latter gentleman became 
Representative of Tama county in the 
General Assembly. S. W. Hutton was 
chosen chairman for the ensuing year. 

A special meeting of the board was 
held in August, 1870, for the purpose of 
acting upon a petition of citizens of 
Chelsea and vicinity asking that a ditch 
drain and embankment be constructed 
from Long Point on the Iowa river south- 
easterly to Otter Creek. The scheme was 
defeated. 

The board for 1877 was composed of J. 
II. Lauderdale, Theo. Clark and H. H. 
Withington, the latter named being the' 
incoming member. lie qualified at the 
opening of the .January session and took 
his seat. Mr. Lauderdale was elected 
chairman for the ensuing year, Mr. Clark 
was in feeble health and was unable to at- 
tend the meetings of the board. On the 
4th of December he resigned his office 
and Joseph Dysart was appointed to fill 
the place. 

R. M. Tenny was elected Supervisor in 
the fall of 1877, and thus the board for 
1878 was composed of II. H. Withington, 
Joseph Dysart and R. M. Tenny. Mr. 
Withington was elected chairinan for the 
ensuing year. 

At the .lune session it was resolved that 
the question be submitted to the people 
whether the Board of Supervisors should 
be increased to five members. It was sub- 
mitted at the ensuing general election and 
defeated. 

The following was adopted on the same 
day: 

"WiiEKEAs, It is uncertain what is the 
bounty for killing a wolf , lynx, swift or wild 



cat, in this county. Therefore be it 

liesolval. It be fixed at *2.00 per scalp 
in addition to the one dollar allowed by 
law." 

For the year 1879, the board was com- 
posed of the same gentlemen as the year 
previous, Joseph Dysart having been elect- 
ed his own successor. H. H. Withington 
was elected chairman for the ensuing 
year. 

The same board officiated in 1880, II. 
II. Withington being re-elected. 

In the fall of 1880 A. Z. Rawson was 
elected Supervisor to succeed R. M. Tenny. 
Thus for the year 1881, the board was 
composed of Joseph Dysart, IL II. With- 
ington and A. Z. Rawson. H. II. With- 
ington was elected chairman for the en- 
suing year. 

At the April session the Auditor pres- 
ented a certificate from the Secretary of 
the State showing length in miles, of the 
several railroads in Tama county, and ihe 
assessed value thereof as follows. 

Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern 
(Pacific Division) 18 miles, assessed at 
*4,000 per mile. 

Chicago &, Northwestern, 25.38-100 
miles, assessed at -i!lO,575 per mile. 

Toledo & Northwestern, 22.14-100 
miles, assessed at |;2,000 per mile. 

In 1882, the board first met January 
2, at the court house in Toledo, being 
composed of A. Z. Rawson, II. II. With- 
ington and B. Smith, the latter being the 
member-elect. H. H. Withington was 
elected chairman for the ensuing year. 

The official bonds of the various officers 
were fixed as follows: 







l\^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



County Treasurer |100,000 

County Auditor 10,000 

Sheriff 15,000 

Coroner 2,000 

County Superintendent 1,000 

County Surveyor 1,000 

The work of the year 1883 was inaugu- 
rated by a meeting January 1st. The 
board consisted of A. Z. Rawson, B. 
Smitii and Joseph Dysart, the latter be- 
ing the new member. 

Mr, Dysart presented a resolution which 



was adopted at the January session, fixing 
tlie salary of the County auditor at $1200 
per annum, sheriff $300 per annum exclu- 
sive of fees ; deputy clerk, deputy Audi- 
tor and deputy treasurer, each $50 per 
month. 

At the general election in the fall of 
1882, it was decided by the people that 
hereafter there should be five members of 
the Board of Supervisors. 



CHAPTER VI. 



OTHER OFFICIAL MATTER. 



In this connection are presented various 
official matters, which, although too brief 
to place in a chapter separately, are too 
important to be entirely ignored. The 
items have been gathered from records 
and from interviews with those familiar 
with sucli matter. 

MATRIMONIAL. 

This is a matter which often attracts 
attention when treated historically. In 
various lands the marriage rite is solem- 
nized in different ways and by different 
ceremonies ; in all, the acts of the con- 
tracting parties must be understood by 
each, and by the community in which 
they live as being a mutual agreement to 
hold the relations toward one another as 
man and wife. In this State a license has 
always been required ; or in lieu thereof, 
for a number of years, a couple could be 



married by publishing their intentions 
through a public assembly, although in 
Iowa it was never practised to any great 
extent. 

The first marriage that appears on the 
record books of the county was solemnized 
on August 14, 1853, more than thirty 
years ago. The parties were Miron Blod- 
gett and Sarah Cronk. They were mar- 
ried by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. 
It was the first marriage solemnized in the 
county subsequent to its organization. 

In early days young men and maidens 
were not married in the grand style which 
usually characterizes marriages of the 
present time. They did not wait for 
riches to come before marriage, as is gen- 
erally the present custom, but married 
and lived in simple and comfortable style, 
and generally lived happily and gained 



"IV" 



-4 » 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the respect of their neighbors by attend- 
ing to their own business. There were no 
" diamond weddings " in those days and 
the extravagance that often now attends 
the marriage ceremony was unheard of. 
The old folks were plain, economical and 
hospitable people, and the young folks 
were imbued with the same attributes that 
characterized their fathers and mothers. 
They were willing to commence house- 
keeping in a style corresponding with 
their means, trusting to the future for 
larger houses and more expensive furni- 
ture. 

There are many rich anecdotes of the 
rustic marriages in early days, but where 
possible they are treated in connection 
with the history of the townships in. which 
they occurred. How, when the time came, 
the blushing and rosy maid, would drop 
her milk pails, throw off her apron and 
tying on her sun bonnet, clamber into the 
lumber box wagon, while "John" in his 
over-alls and farm boots would take up 
the whip, and the oxen would move off 
with the bridal procession to the " Squires " 
who did the " jining of the knot. " 

One of these anecdotes, which is not 
located and therefore cannot properly be 
placed in the townships, is here given. 
In an early day a young couple, fresh 
from the wilds of the frontier, sauntered 
into one of the pioneer villages, entered a 
store and, confronting the proprietor, told 
him that " they wanted to get married. " 
■' Why, " said the merchant, " I — I — can't 
do any marrying. " " Well, if you can't, 
I'd like to know who can. We're goin' to 
get married, you bet " said the aspiring 
young bride-groom with a gushing look at 
the damsel at his side. "I tell you, " said 



the merchant ; "you go over to the post- 
master, I think he can do the job for 
you." The young couple started off with 
great joy to find the man who could mar- 
ry them. They found the postmaster and 
told him that they had come to " git mar- 
ried. " This rather dazed the mail man 
and he told them " he couldn't marry. " 
" But, " says the bride-groom, " the man 
over there in that store said you could, 
and I guess he ought to know. " " Well 
I guess he ought ; that's so," said the post- 
master. " It seems to me that I've seen 
something about marrying somewhere in 
the instructions to postmasters. Yes, I 
guess that's all right. " Accordingly the 
couple were ranged in front of him and 
in the most approved style he pronounced 
them " Mr. and Mrs., as provided by the 
U. S. postal regulations. Go your way, 
keep your mouths shut and you'll be hap- 
py. " As they turned to leave, he remark- 
ed, "only a dollar a piece, please. " 

The following is a list of all the mar- 
riages that occurred in the county for the 
first few years after organization, as taken 
from the record in the office of the Clerk 
of Court: 

Miron Blodgett and Sarah Cronk, mar- 
ried on August 14, 1853, by John C. Ver- 
milya County Judge. 

Granville Dennis and Elizabeth Jane 
Shephard December 4, 1853, by Rev. S. 
W. Ingham. 

Fred L. Knot and Martha Taylor Octo. 
ber 16, 1853, by Rev. S. W. Ingham. 

George Wier and Mary Jane Rush De- 
cember 25, 1853, by Judge J. C. Vermilya. 

George McCharabers and Cordelia A. 
Lux, October, 16, 1853, by Robert Wilkin- 
son, Justice. 






•r^ 



^ 


4 k_ 


-» • 






^^ 




a ^ 


■^ 


HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 287 


' 




The marriages during the year 1854, 


December 17, by John C. Vermilya, Coun- 






were as follows. 


ty Judge. 






Solomon W. Ingham and Cynthia Tay- 


George Carter and Phebe Ann Cronk, 






lor, .January 28, by Andrew Coleman. 


December 25, by John Vermilya, Coun y 






.James W. Grant and Mary E. Wilkin- 


Judge. 






son, April 13, by Rev. S. Dunton. 


John Zehrung and Mary E. Connell, No- 






Jacob Bruner and Susan Ashby, April 


vember 26, by Rev. D. H. Petefish. 






16, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. 


Joseph A. Brown and Margaret Hill, 






Alpheus Goodpaster and Mary Hill, 


December 3, by Rev. D. H. Petefish. 






April 29, by John Connell, J. P. 


The following is a list of the marriages 






Wm. H. II. Hill and Sharloc Helm, 


for the year 1855, without going so par- 






M,ay 21. by John Connell, J. P. 


ticularly into dates: 






Logan McChesney and Lucy A. Ilancox, 


P. B. Hill and R. Dice by Rev. D. H. 






March 20, by A. Ladow Licentiate. 


Petefish. 






Martin S. Slate and Charlotte M. Dingey 


William Blanchard and Sarah Wilkins, 






July 4, by Rev. Solomon Dunton. 


by N. B. Hiatt, J. P. 






Joseph Riddle and Mary Ann Yoste, 


Jacob Yost and Sarah Ann Sparks, by 






September 3, by J. C. Vermilya, County 


John C. Vermilya, County Judge. 






Judge. 


John Allman and Julia K. Voorhies, by 






George W Voorhies and Carlista J. 


Rev. Wm. Armstrong. 






Dingee, September 27, by John C. Ver- 


William Leach and Elvina He'm by 






milya, County Judge. 


Tobias R. Shiner. 






Mark Webb and Catharine Voorhies, 


Harrison Wisehart and Elcy Ann Ap- 






September 27, 18.54, by John C. Vermilya, 


pelgate by John C. Vermilya. 






Judge. 

William T. Hollen and Sarah Bruner, 


Angelo A. Myers and Nancy Ross, by 
John C. Vermilya, County Judge. 






Sfi)teniber 17, by Benjamin Hamraitt, J. 


John Eakins and Sophyna L. Leonard, 






P. 


by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. 






Josei)h Davis and Rebecca Bruner, Sep- 


Elias H. Price and Sarah Hatfield by 






tember 17, by Benjamin Ilammitt. 


Newton B. Hiatt, J. P. 






James Giilen and l.ydia Grover, Octo- 
ber 11, l)y J. C. Vermilya, County Judge. 

George More and Mary Ann Howard, 
September 10, by N. B. Hyatt, J. P. 

Nathaniel E. Horton and Eunice Mary- 
ette Horton, October 26, by John Connell, 


P. L. Baldy and Asenith McChesney, by 
John C. Vermilya. 

Robert Carter and Eliza Ross, by Judge 
VernJlya. 

Truman Prindle and Emily M. Michael, 
by Judge Vermilya. 

Hiram Pickett and Louisa E. Miner, by 






J. P. 

Wm. Blodgett and Veteria A. Ladow, 
August 22, by A. Ladow, Licentiate. 


N. B. Hiatt, J. P. 

David Hunnevvell and Katharine Myers 
by Judge Vermilya. 


L 


J, 


Hugh Hammitt and Nancy Zehrung 


Newton Sanders and Mary McDormand 






(t r- 


» — . 


— »• 



. 








-^ 


fl k.. 


-» ♦ 


.ku 










9) 

1 


288 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 






by Geo S. Williams, J. P. 


Adam Zehrung and Dorcas Denison. 






Elias HalHeld and Ellen S. Rich by 


Isaiah Hunnewell and Minerva Chase. 






Jmlye Vennilya. 


Martin Richardson and Elizabeth Mc- 






Andrew J. Litell an 1 Ann Ilammett by 


Pheters. 






Judge Verniilya. 


Ephriam A. Suthard and Elizabeth Jor- 






William Kandall and Marintha Riccard 


dan. 






by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. 


Alpheus Harworth and Elizabeth Fee. 






Jacob C. Zehrung and Caroline Gettis 


Horace A. Hartshorn and Philida Kyle. 






l)y Judge Vermilya. 


Samuel Long and Eliza Early. 






Albert Keneday and Sibel Harris, by 
Judge J. C. Vermilya. 


Henry C. Foster and Mary Jane Olthy. 






John Bruebaker and Racheal Liimm. 






Robert Foster and Nancy Hunter, by 
Rev. W. N. Brown. 








J. S. Edmands and Malinda Shugart. 






Reuben Huffman and Maria Zehrung. by 


Francis M. Davis and Martha Jane Ap- 






Benjamin Hammitt. 


p legate. 






Tyler Blake and Nancy J. Dairs, by 


Charles Barnes and Harriet Hatfield. 






Benjamin Hammitt, J. P. 


Lorenzo R. Dobson and Mary Judge. 






Chas. T. Stewart and Mary A. Sadler, by 


Jonas P. Wood and Margaret Connell. 






Judge J. C. Vermilya. 


Riley Haworth and Melissa J. Fisher. 






Andrew Rorke and Sophia Earhurt, by 


Mathias Travis and Rachael Davis. 






Isaac Butler, J. P. 


Francis Henry and Sarah Myers. 






The list for 1S.5G materially increases 


John Connell and Catharine Graham. 






as follows: 


Rezin Overturf and Henrietta Byron. 






Newlon F. Crosley and Rebecca J, 


L F. Drake and Rachael Overturf. 






Marvin. 


Elias H. Bowens and Elizabeth Powell. 






Fredrick Frederich and Susanah Mitch- 


T. J. Staley and E. J. Graham. 






ell. 


Alonzo Helm and Emily Recksten. 






George Cook and Sarah House. 


David Gillespie and Francis A. Har- 






John D. Smith and Mary Mann. 


man. 






Henry Wilson and Absila Boling. 
Benjamin Rush and Rebecca Corfman. 








J. C. Wood and Elizabeth Kile. 






Ephriam Jeffries and Catharine Ross. 


W. M. Dunlap and Fannie A. Johnson. 






Jesse Hoj)kins and Rebecca Myers. 


Andrew Hanna and Sarah J. Bates. 






(xeorge. Wyvill and Nancy Southard. 


Geo. W. Shiner and Jennette Leffler. 






Elijah T. Rust and Julia K. Edwards. 


Tiberius Donaldson and Emily A. Fay. 






James Pickett and Nancy Bennett. 


J. Wiliamson and Mary Richey. 






William W. Davis and Eliza Jane Par- 


J. L. Graham and A. Wood. 






ker. 


Samuel Walker and Arminda Paxon. 






Cyrus Shelton and Mary Ann Southard. 


Andrew McPheters and Rachael Ab- 




< 


John H. Carlton and Sarah Stoddard. 


bott. 


I 




John Newton and Martha Arbuthnot. 


The following table shows the number 




-♦i 




t9 


^ 

' ' 


. . — 


■^ » 


'^."" 


> r- 





^1 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of marriages contracted from 1853 to 1883 
inclusive : 



1853 


5 


1869 


..140 


1854 


35 

'..27 


1870 


151 


1855.... 7.. 


1871 


...134 


1856 


45 

37 


1872 


..125 


1857 


1873 

1874 


163 


1858 


49 

49 

50 


.150 


1859 


1875 


181 


1860 


1876 

1877 


...195 


1861 


41 


...180 


1862 


44 


1878 


. . . 176 


1863 


50 


1879 


...Ito 


1864 


68 


1880 


...180 


1865 


80 


1881 


. . .224 


1866 


124 


1882 


...204 


1867 


115 


1883 to April 1st. 


. ... 67 


1868 


138 











Total 


.3,399 



A glance at the foregoing figure.s .shows 
conclusively that the matrimonial market is 
affected by the state of the times. In 1857 
hard times set in and the marriage list de- 
creased in ratio. Again in 1874, banks 
suspended and a season of depression set 
in and fewer marri ges were contracted. 
The war too caused a falling off in the 
number of marriages annually contract- 
ed, but in 1866, when the boys got home 
the market at once jumped back to and 
above its normal condition. 

ABSTRACT OF ASSESMENTS FOR TAMA COUNTY, FOR 
THE YEAR 1882. 

No. of Acres, exclusive of Town 

Properly 452,301 

Value exclusive of Town Property.. $4 299,624 

Total exemption for trees planted. . . 102,516 

Total after deducting exemptions... 

Aggregate value of Realty in towns. 
Aggregate value of R. R. property. 
Aggregate value of Personal Proper- 
ty including horses and cattle .... 

Total valuation of Tama County. . 



4,197,108 
551,073 
380,840 

1,400,573 
6, 529,594 



REALTY VALUE IN TOWNS AND CITIES. 

Dysart $47, 344 

Chelsea, 18,052 

Traer 76,560 

Toledo City 120,382 

Tama City 202,364 

Gladbrook 31,130 

Garwin 6,705 

Montour 29,159 

Other small towns 19,374 

Total .551,073 

VALUATION OF LIVE STOCK. 

No. ' Val. 
Cattle assessed in the county.. 31,917 $383,817 
Horses " '• " .. 11,670 401,880 

Mules " " " .. 543 23,086 

Sheep " " " .. 3,043 3,376 

Swine " " '• ..37,115 98,223 

Total valuation $910 383 

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 

The first building really used for official 
purposes was the house of John CI. Ver- 
milya, County Judge, which stood about 
one-half mile east of the present site of 
Tama City. It was a log building and. 
there was not room in it scarcely for a 
jury to sit. Judge Verrailya soon took 
proper steps for the erection of a court 
house, and the contract was let to T. A. 
Graham for the sum of $1,300. The court 
house was completed in the latter part of 
1 854, and « as a commodious, two story 
frame building, which stood on lot 2, in 
block 5, Toledo. This building served the 
purpose until 1866, when it was sold. 

During the year 1865, the people of 
Toledo agitated the question of a new 
court house, as it was realized that a larger 
one was needed. At a meeting held in 
Toledo, there was a Court House Associa- 
tion organized, with A. J. Free as secreta- 
ry ; and W. F. Johnston, W. H. Harrison 



290 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



D. D. Applegate, T. A. Graham, N. C. 
Wieting and G. R. Struble as trustees. 
The matter was settled and bids for the 
erection advertised for, upon plans and 
specifications submitted. P. B. McCul- 
lough, of Toledo, was the successful bid- 
der, and he began the construction of the 
building. lie failed to complete it, and 
H. 15. Belden agreed to finish it under the 
contract. The cost of the building was a 
trifle over S22,000, of which all but about 
$5,000 was paid by the association, and it 
was donated to the county. The building 
occupies a fine site, standing near the cen- 
tre of Toledo, in the Public Park, and 
presents an elegant and imposing appear- 
ance. The grounds have been beautified 
by shade trees, which were planted years 
ago. The basement is of stone, the build- 
ing is of brick and is roofed with corru- 
gated iron. A large belfry surmounts the 
building. The first floor is divided into 
the county oflices, the court room and office 
of the county superintendent occupy the 
upper story. 

The county jail stands just northeast of 
the court house, and is a fine brick struct- 
ure 30 X .34 feet, two stories in heighth. 
It was erected in 1869, and was first occu- 
pied in 1870. The upper story contains 
six pleasant rooms and is occupied by the 
jailor or sheriff and family. The lower 
story, or jail proper, contains a large 
wrought iron cage, 22 x 2.5 feet, with 
sleeping ap.artments, for the close confine- 
ment of prisoners. The outer door lead- 
ing into the hall is also wrought iron, and 
the inner one is a grated door. The en- 
tire building is covered with a wrought 
iron roof. 



TAilA COUNTY POOE FAEM. 

At the general election in 1875, the 
proposition of purchasing a poor farm and 
the erection of necessary buildings, was 
submitted to the voters of Tama county. 
It carried by a large majority, and the 
Board of Supervisors purchas' d of A. J. 
Wheaton, a tract of one hundred and 
fifty acres in section two, township 83, 
range 15, for $6,750. The contract lor 
remodeling and enlarging the building 
was awarded to the Tama Hydraulic 
and Builders' Association, for §4,084.65, 
while Kent and Conklin were the archi- 
tects. 

The house is on a high elevation, a dry 
and healthy location ; it has been rebuilt 
and greatly enlarged, and various changes 
instituted. As the building appears from 
the road it is more suggestive of an East- 
ern suburban hotel, or something of that 
kind than a charitable institution. Its 
extreme length from north to south is 84 
feet, its width varies, being, we believe, 
24 feet and 34 feet. It is divided up into 
the rooms, kitchen, dining room, halls 
and bed rooms. It is so arranged that 
there are three different stair-cases lead- 
ing to the second story, so that in case of 
fire the upper story could be easily empti- 
ed of its occupants and contents, no mat- 
ter in what locality the fire might be. The 
furniture is plain and substantial, though 
neat. Near the kitchen is an excellent 
well and a large cistern in which a force 
pump has been placed for protection 
against conflagration. The farm is well 
stocked with implements, and everything 
seems to be in good, healthy condition. 
The place is under the charge of Mr. Abel 
Child, who with the assistance of his 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



k^ 



amiable wife, seem to be the right people 
ill the right places. It requires a pecu- 
liar disposition and manner to make a 
success of such an instituion, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Child seem to be possessed of that 
peculiarity. 

There is a certain discipline required, 
which, while it is kind and gentle, must, 
at the same time, be strict enough to easily 
quell any refractory or perverse spirit 
which will at times show itself even under 
the most generous and favorable circum- 
stances. 

Mr. Child keeps the farm in business 
like manner, and each month makes out 
duplicate reports, one copy of which is 
filed in the Auditor's office, while the 
other is preserved for reference, either for 
himself or any one that many be visiting. 

Abel Childs, Superintendent of the 
County Poor Farm, was born in Broome 
county, N. Y., September 4, 1S34. His 
parents, Josiah and Betsey (Aplington) 
Childs, died when he was a mere child, 
and he was reared by his grandfather Ap- 
lington, in Broome county, where he grew 
to manhood. At the age of twenty-one he 
left New York and removed to Ogle coun- 
ty, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. 
In 186'2, he was married to Miss Margaret 
Lawson, a daughter of John Lawson, a 
native of Scotland. She was born in 
Paisley, Scotland. Her father was enga- 
ged largely in the dyeing business, and at 
the time of the World's Fair, he took the 
first premium on Paisley shawls. Mr. and 
Mrs. Childs are the parents of five child- 
ren : Mary, Fleeda, Lizzie, Fred, and Ros- 
coe. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Childs 
came to Tama county, and located in Car- 
roll township, remaining until 1876, when 



he received the appointment to his present 
position. In politics he is a Republican, 
and has held several local offices of trust 
in the gift of the people. 

ATTEMPT TO MAKE A CHANGE. 

In the Fifteenth General Assembly 
which convened at Des Moines, in Janu- 
ary, 1874, a bill was introduced in the 
Lower House to cut oflf the northwest 
corner townships of Tama county, and 
annex them to Grundy county. These 
townships were Lincoln and Grant. The 
following extract from the House Journal 
relates to the matter: 

"Tracy called up H. F. 191, to provide 
for a submission to the voters of Tama 
and Grundy counties the proposition to 
detach township 86, north range 15 and 
16 west, from Tama county and attach 
the same to Grundy county, and moved 
that the rules be suspended, bill be con- 
sidered engrossed and read a third time 
now, and advocated the bill. 

"Marlin, of Tama, asked for delay, in 
order to receive an expression from the 
people of the townships named. He be- 
lieved it a plan to make Grundy county 
square. Thought the people of Tama 
knew nothing of the matter. He had not 
heard of it himself until this bill was in- 
troduced." 

After some discussion the bill was laid 
over. It met with unqualified disapproval 
in Tama county, it being a scheme to 
make Grundy county square by disfiguring 
Tama, and the people in the townships 
affected, soon manifested their desire to 
remain as they were. Remonstrances 
were circulated and extensively signed, 
which defeated the bill. 



IV 



^t 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



POPULATION OF TAMA COUNTY. 

The population of Tama county is made 
up of foreigners and Americans in about 
the same ratio as 1 to 6. They are all a 
hard working, industrious class, as is 
abundantly testified by the fact that the 
county is lo-day recognized as among the 
leading counties of Iowa. The time of a 
great majority of the citizens is devoted 
to agricultural pursuits, yet a healthful 
proportion find employment in manufac- 
turing and other industrial enterprises, 
and mercantile pursuits. 

In the fall of 1849, the population of 
Tama county did not exceed 20. In the 
spring of 1849, there was not a white man 
within the boundaries of the present 
county. To show how rapidly the popula- 
tion increased: In 1852 it was 262 ; in 
1854, 1,103; in 1856, 3,520; in 1859, 
5,340; in 1860, 5,285; in 1863, 7,027; 
in 1805, 7,882; in 1867, 11,105; in 1809, 
14,254; in 1870,10,131; in 1873, 16,343 ; 
in 1875, 18,771 ; in 1880, 21,585. At pres- 
ent there are only 23 counties in the State 
that exceed it in population ; and there are 
77 that fall below it. 

The population of the various town- 
ships and towns in the county, as given by 
the census of 1867, 1875 and 1880, were as 
follows : 





1867 


1875 


1880 


Buckins;h:im 


436 
707 
215 
99 
437 
273 
337 


668 
844 
575 
711 
776 
616 
569 
343 
593 
902 

1059 
389 

514 


687 


Carltou 


1009 


Carroll 


790 


Clark 


1109 




818 


Crystal 


747 




694 


Grant 


599 


Highlaiul 


193 
886 

1330 
38 


703 


Howard 


900 


Indian Village exclvsive of 


912 




624 


Montour, town of 


457 



Oneida 

Otter Creek 

Perry, exclusive of Traer 

Richland 

Salt Creek 

Spring Creek 

Tama, exclusive of Tama 

City 

Tama City 

Toledo, exclusive of town 

Toledo City 

Clielsea 

Traer, town of 

York 



Total. 



741 

451 

773 

9'< 

239 



1374 
805 



1875 



1043 
778 
870 

106; 
713 

222 
1197 

655 
1022 



740 
1120 



18, 771 



1880 



874 
997 
812 
808 
960 
974 

566 
1289 

719 
1026 

263 
1100 
1149 



21, 586 



FIRST INSTRUMENTS RKCOBDED. 

The earliest entry which affected Tama 
county land was made while the territory 
now comprising Tama county formed a 
part of Benton county, and was first en- 
tered upon the books of that covmty, and 
when Tama was organized was transcribed 
into Tama county books. It bears the 
date of January 5, 1849, and is an inden- 
ture transferring the southwest quarter of 
section 25, township 83, range 16, now 
Indian Village town.ship, from Isaac VV. 
Tibbetts of Tippacanoe county, Indiana, 
to Samuel Opp, of Montgomery county, 
Indiana, for the sum of ii400. 

The first deed entry upon the books 
which were opened for Tama county after 
its organization bears the date of July 19, 
1859. It is a conveyance of 160 acres of 
land in township 83, range 15, from Jacob 
S. Staley, of Johnson county, to William 
Blodgett, for the sum of «;200. The wit- 
ness to the execution of the instrument 
was Edward Connelly. 

The second deed entry is dated August 
25, 1853, and conveys a piece of land from 
Le Grand Byinton to Noah Myers. 

The first real estate mortgage entered 
upon the Tama county records, was made 



^ 



=t^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



295 



on June 19, 1856. In this instrument 
Robert Crawford mortgages to Samuel 
Strouse, for the sum of $258, several pie- 
ces of land lying in Tama county. The 
mortgage was witnessed by T. Walter 
Jackson, and recorded by T. J. Staley, 
County Recorder and his deputy, L. B. 
Nelson. 

FINANCIAL. 

The following are the various amounts 
of taxes levied from 1856 to 1883. 

For the year 1856 $ 15,266,87 

" " " 1857 16,164 13 

■' " " 1858 35,094.32 

" " " 1859 21,015.55 

'• " " 1860 16.543.20 

•• " " 1861 31,148.20 

" " •' 1863 29,458.35 



1863 .3.5,850.84 

1864 57 -,690.86 

1865 59,399 75 

1866 79,376.78 

1867 90,749.03 

1868 85,043.06 

1869 110,630,35 

1870, 118,448.77 

1871 306,056.16 

1872 145,986.47 

1873 112.471.49 

1874 102,534,12 

1875 120,369,31 

1876 126,386 37 

1877 123,173.25 

1878 119,61-9.71 

1879 187,239.58 

1880 120,326.97 

1881 117,655.49 

1883 172,626.43 



CHAPTER VII 



PIONEER LIFE. 



In this chapter it i.s the design to pre- 
sent some of the interesting and peculiar 
phases of frontier life. It is not the pur- 
pose to here portray conditions and cir- 
cumstances that apply to every case, but 
to pick out from the mass of material 
some of the most extreme cases, and be- 
longing properly to the extreme frontier. 
While as a means of variety here and 
there are stated occurrences and conditions 
which have existed up to within a very 
recent day. It is impossible to single out 
Tama county as an issolated case in the 
description of pioneer life, for it finds its 
parallel in almost every county in the 



State and throughout the entire west. And 
it is, on the other hand, just as impossible 
to limit the portrayed so as to just precise- 
ly fit and cover given cases, and territory. 
Pioneer life must be taken as a whole, and 
as it existed a third of a century ago in 
the west. Some of the illustrations may 
not apply to the exact manner in which 
this or that particular settler got along, 
nor is it the intention that it should, but 
it is attempted to show what has been 
done in the early development of the 
Great West. 

■ But a little more than a third of a cen- 
tury ago Tama county was not in existence ; 



>te* 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the territory comprising it was as wild and 
desolate as the Indians who inhabited it ; 
and there was not a white settler within 
its bounderies. When the Wilkinsons, 
the Ashers, and the Vandorins, Brst among 
the determined pioneers settled here they 
found an unbroken, uncultivated and un- 
inhabited prairie. Wild beasts, and but 
little less wild savages roamed at will over 
the prairie, through the groves and forests 
and along the waters of the Iowa river, 
their domain knowing no bounds. The 
miniature forests skirting the prairies 
were to be felled, cabins erected, homes 
prepared, mills built, and the river and 
creeks made to labor for the benefit of 
mankind. The beautiful prairies were to 
be robbed of their natural ornaments, and 
the hand of art was to assist in their dec- 
oration. Who was to undertake this 
work? What will be the effect of their 
labors upon future generations? 

Tama county pioneers had many diffi- 
culties to contend with, not the least of 
which was the journey from civilization to 
their prairie homes. The route lay for 
the most part through a rough country ; 
swamps and marshes were crossed with 
great exertion and fatigue ; rivers were 
forded with difficulty and danger ; nights 
were passed on open prairies, with the sod 
for a couch and the heavens for a shelter ; 
long, weary days and weeks of travel 
were endured, but finally "the promised 
land " was reached. 

EARLY MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. 

The young men and women of to-day 
have little conception of the mode of life 
among the early settlers of the country. 
One can hardly conceive how great a 
change has taken place in so short a time 



In a new country, far removed from the 
conveniences of civilization, where all are 
compelled to build their own houses, make 
their own clothing and procure for them- 
selves the means of subsistence, is is to be 
expected that their dwellings and garrtR-nts 
will be rude. These were matters con- 
trolled by surrounding circumstances and 
the means at their disposal. 

Some few of the earliest settlers con- 
structed what were called " three-faced 
camps " or in other words, three walls 
leaving one side open ; but this was, in 
reality only resorted to by some of the 
transient squatters who only remained 
long enough to find a purchaser for their 
claim to the land, and then move on 
farther west to repeat the process. These 
" three-faced camps are desci'ibed as fol- 
lows: The walls were built seven feet 
high, when poles were laid across at a dis- 
tance of about three feet, and on 
these a roof of clapboards was laid, which 
were kept in place by weight poles placed 
on them. The clapboards were about four 
feet in length and from five to eight 
inches in width, split out of white oak 
timber. No floor was laid in the "camp." 
The structure required neither door, win- 
dow, or chimney. The one side left out 
of the cabin, answered all these purposes. 
In front of the open side was built a large 
log heap, which served for warmth in cold 
weather and for cooking purposes in all 
seasons. Of course there was an abund- 
ance of light, and on either side of the 
fire, space to enter in. 

They were probably more easily con- 
structed than the ordinary cabin, but in 
this region very few are remembered, 
as having been built. A more common 



f- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



297 



place of abode was what might be called a 
" four faced camp." This was constructed 
in a good deal the same manner except 
that it had four sides. 

The cabin was a material advance for 
comfort, in home life. This was built of 
logs, the spaces between the logs being 
filled in with split sticks of wood called 
" chinks," and daubed over both inside 
and out, with mortar made of clay. The 
floor, sometimes, was nothing more than 
earth tramped hard and smooth, but it 
was commonly made of " puncheons," or 
split logs with the split side turned up- 
ward. The roof was made by gradually 
drawing the top to the ridge pole, on cross 
pieces, laying the " clapboards," which be- 
ing several feet in length, instead of being 
nailed were held in place or kept from 
rolling off by " knees " placed against the 
one below, which served as a prop. For a 
fire-place, a space was cut out of the logs 
on one side of the room, usually about six 
feet in length, and three sides were built 
up of logs, making an offset in the wall. 
This was lined with stone, if convenient ; 
if not, then earth. The flue, or upper 
part of the chimney, was built of small 
split sticks, two and a half or three feet 
in length, carried a little space above the 
roof, and plastered over with clay ; when 
finished it was called a "cat and clay" 
chimney. To describe it more minutely, 
the sticks are laid just as bricks are, with 
mortar; the clay is mixed with cut straw 
or grass to prevent it from crumbling, and 
then the outside and inside were plastered 
with the clay and rubbed smooth with the 
hands. The door was made by cut- 
ting a space in one side of the room of the 
required size, the door itself being made of 



clapboards secured by wooden pins to two 
crosspieces. The hinges were also some- 
times of wood, while the fastenings con- 
sisted of a wooden latch catching on a 
hook of the same material. To open the 
door from the outside, a strip of buckskin 
or leather was tied to the latch and drawn 
through a hole a few inches above the 
latch-bar, so that on pulling the string the 
latch was lifted from the catch or hook, 
and the door was opened without further 
trouble. To lock the door, it was only 
necessary to pull the string through the 
hole to the inside. Here the family lived, 
and here the guest and wayfarer were 
made welcome. The living room was of 
good size, but to a large extent it was all 
— kitchen, bed-room, parlor and arsenal, 
with flitches of bacon and sometimes rings 
of dried pumpkin suspended from the 
rafters. 

Sometimes in the more extreme cases a 
pioneer's cabin was erected of poles that 
one man could lay together; without 
" notching," after reaching about the 
height of a man, it would be covered witli 
the bark taken from some Indian's aban- 
doned " Wick-e-up," the cracks tilled 
with prairie grass, and skin hung upon the 
inside and outside to keep the wind from 
blowing out the grass. The skins thus 
used were wolf, bear, deer, elk, and fre- 
quently buffalo. The fire was built on 
the ground and a hole left in the roof for 
smoke to escape. No floor was had until 
the season came to " peel Linn bark." A 
door would be made, almost always in 
these extreme cases, of an elk skin. In 
cases of this kind the beds were made of 
prairie hay, spread on the ground floor. 
Sometimes, a forked stake would be driven 



LliU 



298 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



into tlie ground at an e(jiial distance from 
two walls which were at right angles, and 
])oles laid through the fork to the walls. 
On this would be laid " shakes" and brush 
until (juite a fair bed stead would be the 
result. For bed clothes, when quilts were 
wanting, skins and robes would make up 
the deficiency, and in cases like those just 
mentioned, skins were almost wholly used. 
In a great many instances all of the house- 
hold furniture was home-made, blocks 
being used for chairs, and rude benches, 
which were made from "shakes" with 
the " easy side up," holes boi-ed in the 
bottom and rude legs inserted. A place 
fur cooking utensils was made by boring 
holes in the wall, placing a smooth shake 
upon pegs which had been driven in, and 
a shelf was complete. In these extreme 
cases the pioneers usually had a few 
knives and forks and plates, but there 
were many who had neither. Rev. S. W. 
Ingham, who was the pioneer Methodist 
preacher in this part of the State, told the 
writer that he had many times, notwith- 
standing he was given the best, sat upon a 
rude block, which he doubted not conformed 
to the usual rule of " easy side up," and in 
eating, cut his venison upon a piece of 
bark laid on his knees, using his own jack- 
knife. It is difficult to describe some of 
the tables used, they were of all shapes 
and sizes, sometimes a "shelf" would be 
made upon which the victuals were served. 
Sometimes a box or two in which the 
clothing was stored, pegs would be driven 
yito the log walls and clothing hung upon 
them. Books were very seldom found in 
these extreme cases, except probably a 
fraction of a book here and there, which 
was well thumbed. In one corner was 



placed the trusty rifle, and just above it 
were hung the powder horn, shot flask and 
hunting pouch. Often a loft was made to 
the cabin for a sleeping place and the 
storage of " traps " and articles not in 
common use. This was reached by a lad- 
der secured to the wall. Sometimes the 
bed rooms were separated by sheets and 
blankets suspended from the rafters, but 
until the means of making these partitions 
were ample, they all lived and slept in the 
same room. If a stranger was present, 
partaking of the hospitality, the light 
would be blown out when the old folks 
wished to retire ; the children would un- 
dress while the " stranger was looking the 
other way." Frequently the pigs and 
chickens inhabited the same room. 

Familiarity with this mode of living did 
away with much of the discomfort, but as 
soon as improvement could be made, there 
was occasionally added to the cabin an ad- 
ditional room, or a " double log cabin," 
being substantially a "three faced camp," 
but generally the old cabin was replaced 
by a better one. 

The furniture in the cabin corresponded 
with the house itself. The articles used 
in the kitchen were as few and simple as 
can be imagined. A "dutch oven," or 
skillet, a long-handled frying pan, an iron 
pot or kettle, and sometimes a coflfee pot, 
constituted the utensils of the best fur- 
nished kitchen. A little later, when stone 
formed the base of the chimney, a long 
iron " crane " swung in the chimney place, 
which on its " pot-hook " carried the boil- 
ing kettle or heavy iron pot. The cook- 
ing was all done on the fire-place and at 
the fire, and the style of cooking was as 
simple as tb€ utensils. Indian, or corn 



1' 



:fz 



^1 



^-"k ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



meal, was the common flour, which was 
made into " pone " or " corn-dodger, " or 
"hoe-cake," as the occasion or variety de- 
manded. The " pone " and the " dodger" 
was baked in the Dutch oven, which was 
first set on a bed of glowing coals. When 
the oven was filled with the dough, the lid, 
already heated on the fire, was placed on 
the oven and covered with red hot coals. 
When the bread was done it was taken 
from the oven and placed near the fire to 
keep warm while some other food was 
being prepared in the same "oven" for 
the forthcoming meal. The "hoe-cake" 
was prepared in the same way as the 
dodger — that is, a stiff dough was made of 
the meal and water, and, taking as much 
as could conveniently be held in both 
hands, it was moulded into the desired 
shape by being tossed from hand to hand 
then laid on a board or flat stone placed at 
an angle before the fire and patted down 
to the required thickness on the "johnny, 
cake board." In the fall and early win- 
ter, cooked pumpkin was sometimes added 
to the meal dough, giving a flavor and 
richness to the bread not attained by the 
modern methods. In the oven from which 
the bread was taken, the venison or ham 
was then fried, and, in winter, lye hominy, 
made from the imbroken grains of corn, 
added to the frugal meal. The woods 
abounded in honey, and of this in pioneer 
times, the early settlers had an abundance 
the year round. For some years after the 
very first settlement, corn meal formed the 
staple commodity for bread ; but as soon 
as the settlers began trading at Cedar 
Rapids, flour could be obtained more easi- 
ly than corn meal, for the reason that it 
was easier to grind. 



These simple cabins were inhabited by 
a kind and true-hearted people. They 
were strangers to mock-modesty, and the 
traveler seeking lodgings for the night, or 
desirous of spending a few days in the 
community, if willing to accept the rude 
offerings, was always welcome, although 
how they were disposed of at night the 
reader may not easily imagine ; for, as 
described, often a single room would be 
made to serve the purpose of a kitchen, 
dining-room, sitting room and parlor, and 
many families consisted of six or eight 
persons. 

CHAEACTER OF THE PIONEERS. 

The character of the pioneers of Tama 
county falls properly within the range of 
the historian. They lived in a region of 
exuberance and fertility, where Nature had 
scattered her blessings with a liberal hand. 
The fair suj^ply of timber, the fertile prai- 
rie, and the many improvements constant, 
ly going forward, with the bright prospect 
for a glorious future in everything that 
renders life pleasant, combined to deeply 
impress their character, to give them a 
spirit of enterprise, an independence of 
feeling, and a joyou.sness of hope. They 
were a thorough admixture of many na- 
tions, characters, languages, conditions 
and opinions. There was scarcely a State 
in the Union that was not represented 
among the early settlers. All the various 
religious sects had their advocates. All 
now form one society. Says an early wri- 
ter : " Men must cleave to their kind, and 
must be dependent upon each other. Pride 
and jealousy give way to the natural yearn- 
ings of the human heart for society. They 
begin to rub off the neutral prejudices; 



Jl 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



one takes a step and then the other ; they 
meet half way and embrace ; and the 
society thus newly organized and constitu- 
ted is more liberal, enlarged, unprejudiced, 
and, of course, more affectionate, than a 
society of people of like birth and char- 
acter, who bring all their early prejudices 
as a common stock, to be transmitted as 
an inheritance to posterity. " 

They were bound together by a feeling 
that all were equal and were laboring and 
striving for a common end. They had 
all left more or less comfortable homes 
in the eastern States, and cast their lot in 
a country where there was nothing save 
the intrinsic merit of the location. Here 
they were all on equal footing ; riches 
could give no advantage, even had they 
existed, and the absence of the aristocratic 
element that is now so painfully apparent 
in society, must alone have been a great 
source of comfort to the pioneers. They 
all felt an equal interest in the improve- 
ment and development of the country, and 
to the softening and smoothing over of 
the rough edged disadvantages against 
which they had to contend. Everyone 
was thought of and treated as a brother. 
Their public gatherings were like the re- 
union of a parted family, and the fact that 
there was no rivalry, made the occasions 
doubly joyous. Their hospitalitj' knew 
no bounds. If a traveler pulled the latch 
string, it was considered that, as a matter 
of course, he should receive an equal share 
with the rest of the household, be it much 
or little. 

CLOTHING. 

In this respect the settlers differed con- 
siderably, but were dressed as a rule as 
plain and simple, as their houses were 



built. Necessity compelled it to be in 
conformity to the strictest economy. The 
clothes which the early settlers brought 
with them were worn smooth, and darned 
until it was impossible to tell from what 
material the garment was originally made 
sometimes, and in fact in the cases of 
squatters, almost always, the men were 
dressed as much in skins as anything else. 
In summer, nearly all persons, both male 
and female, went barefooted. Boys and 
most men, never thought of wearing any- 
thing on their feet, except during months 
of the coldest weather, when Imckskin moc- 
casins were worn. These useful articles 
were made by taking a tanned piece of 
skin, cutting it after a pattern to the right 
size, then it would be stitched and puck- 
ered with deer sinew. The latter came 
from the neck of the deer, and was small 
enough to run through a darning needle, 
yet strong enough to " hang a man." The 
moccasins were very common until the set- 
tlement was quite well advanced. It is a 
fact that Rev. S. W. Ingham, who for 
many years travelled this region as the 
pioneer Methodist preacher, was ordained 
elder with moccasins on his feet. 

Clothing was but one of the many things 
in which the pioneers stinted themselves 
Every move they made was hindered by 
some disadvantage, which constantly re- 
minded them of labor to be performed and 
time which must pass to evolve comfort 
and convenience from the former condi- 
tion of affairs. It is well for "young 
america" to look back on those early 
days. It involved a life of toil and hard- 
ship, but it was the life that made men of 
character. Tama county to-day has no 
better men than the immediate descend. 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



301 



ants of those who labored thus, and the 
actors themselves have not yet all passed 
away. One who had passed through pio- 
neer life in the eastern portion of the State, 
wrote that " the boys were required to do 
their share of the hard labor of the clean- 
ing up the farm, for much of the country 
now under the plow was at one time heav- 
ily timbered, or was covered with a dense 
thicket of hazel and young timber. Our 
visits were made with ox teams, and we 
walked, or rode on horse-back, or in 
wagons, to ' meeting.' The boys ' pulled,' 
' broke ' and ' hackled ' flax, wore tow shirts 
and indulged aristocratic feelings in fring- 
ed 'hunting-shirts' and 'coon-skin caps,' 
' picked ' and ' carded ' wool by hand, and 
' spooled' and ' quilled' yarn for the weav- 
ing till the back ached." 

Industry such as this, supported by an 
economy and frugality from which there 
was then no escapes, necessarily brought 
its own reward. Change and alterations 
were to be expected, but the reality has 
distanced the wildest conjuncture; and 
stranger still, multitudes are still living 
who witnessed not only the face of nature 
undergoing a change about them, but the 
manners, customs, and industries of a 
whole people almost wholly changed. 
Many an old pioneer sits by his fireside 
in his easy chair with closed eyes, and 
dreams of the long ago, in sympathy with 
the poet describing eastern pioneer life, 
and seeing here and there strains that are 
parallel to his own experience. 

"The voice of Nature's very self drops low, 
As though she whispered of the long ago, 
When down the wandering stream the rude canoe 
Of some lone trapper glided into view, 
And loitered down I he watery path that led 



Thro' forest depths, that only knew the tread 

Of savage beasts and wild barbarians, 

That skulked about with blood upon their hands. 

And murder in their hearts. The light of day 

Might barely pierce the gloominess that lav 

Like some dark pall across the watei's face, 

And folded all the land in its embrace , 

The panther's screaming, and the bear's low 

growl. 
The snake's sharp rattle, and the wolf's wild 

howl. 
The owl's grim chuckle, as it rose and fell 
In alternation with the Indian's yell. 
Made fitting prelude for the gory plays 
That were enacted in the early days. 
■ 'Now, o'er the vision, like a miracle, falls 
The old log cabin with its dingy walls. 
And crippled chimney, with the crutch-like prop 
Beneath, a sagging shouldei at the top. 
The 'coon skin, battened fast on either side. 
The wisps of leaf tobacco, cut and dried ; 
The yellow strands of quartered apples hung 
In rich festoons that tangle in among 
The morning glory vines that clamber o'er 
The little clapboard roof above the door ; 
Again, thro' mists of memory arise 
The simple scenes of home before the eyes ; 
The happy mother humming with her wheel ; 
The dear old melodies that used to steal 
So drowsily upon the summer air. 
The house dog hid his bone, forgot his care 
And nestled at her feet, to dream, perchance. 
Some cooling dream of summer-time romance. 
The square of sunshine through the open door 
That notched its edge across the puncheon floor, 
And made the golden coverlet whereon 
The god of slumber had, a picture drawn 
Of babyhood, in all the loveliness 
Of dimpled cheek, and limb, and linsey dress. 
The bough-filled fire-place and the mantle wide, 
Its fire-scorched ankles stretched on either side, 
Where, perchance upon its shoulders 'neath the 

joist, 
The old clock hiccoughed, harsh and husky 

voiced ; 
Tomatoes, red and yellow, in a row, 
Preserved not them for diet, but for show ; 
The jars of jelly, with their dainty tops ; 
Bucches of pennayioyal and cordial drops, 



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302 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The flask of camphor and vial of squills, 
The box of buttons, garden seeds and pills. 
And thus the pioneer and helpsotne aged wife 
Reflectively reviews the scenes of early life." 

WOLF HUNTING. 

In early day.s more mischief was done 
by wolves than by any other wild animal, 
and no small part of their mischief con- 
sisted in their almost constant barking at 
night which always seemed menacing and 
frightful to the settlers. Like mosquitos 
the noise they made appeared to be about 
as dreadful as the real depredations they 
committed. The most effectual, as well as 
the most exciting, method of ridding the 
country of these hateful pests, was that 
known as the circular wolf hunt, by which 
all the men and boys would turn out on an 
appointed day, in a kind of circle com 
prising many square miles of territory, with 
horses and dogs, and then close up toward 
the center field of operation, gathering, 
not only wolves, but also deer and many 
smaller " varmint." B'ive, ten or more 
wolves, by this means, would be killed in a 
single day. The men would be organized 
with as much system as a small army, 
every one being posted in the meaning of 
every signal and the application of every 
rule. Guns were scarcely ever allowed to 
be brought on such occasions, as their use 
would be unavoidably dangerous. The 
dogs were depended upon for the final 
slaughter. The dogs, by the way, had all 
to be held in check by a cord in the hands 
of their keepers until the final signal was 
given to let them loose, when away they 
would all go to the center of battle, and a 
more exciting scone would followthan can 
easily be described. 

This plan was frecjuently adopted in 
most of the neighboring counties : but not 



a single instance of such a hunt has been 
found in Tama county, by the historian. 

BEE HUNTING. 

This wild recreation was a peculiar one 
and many a sturdy pioneer gloried in ex- 
celling in this art. He would carefully 
watch a bee as it filled itself with the 
product of some sweet flower or leaf bud, 
or water and notice particularly the direc- 
tion taken by it as it struck a " bee-line " 
for its home, which, when found, would 
generally be high up in the hollow of some 
tree. The tree would be marked, and in 
the fall a party would go and cut down the 
tree and capture the honey as quick as 
they could before it wasted away through 
the broken walls in which it had been so 
carefully stowed by the busy little bee. 
Several gallons would often be taken from 
a single tree, and by a very little work, 
and pleasant at that, the early settlers 
could keep themselves in honey the year 
round. By the time the honey was a year 
old it would turn white and granulate, yet 
be as good and healthful as when fresh. 
This was called by some "can-died" honey. 

Another plan of finding the nest was to 
take a little honey in a box, and burn it a 
little, so that it would scent the air. This 
never failed to draw bees if there were 
any near. Then the box would be put 
away and the bee followed. Every now 
and then the hunter would make .some 
mark with his foot so that if he lost the 
bee he could " take a sight," and by fol- 
lowing exactly the direction of the bee 
could find the honey; for the bees fly as 
straight as a bullet. 

SNAKES. 

In pioneer times snakes were numerous, 
such as the rattlesnake, massasauga, many 



r|r 





"^ W^on^-^yz^^ 



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4 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



305 



bl 
varieties of large ^ e snake, garter, wa- 
ter snake and others. A few rattlesnakes 
were found in this region, and some very 
large ones, but they were not very numer- 
ous. The massasauga, which is often 
confused with the rattlesnake, were very 
plenty. They are an ugly looking snake, 
fom eighteen inches to two feet in length, 
clumsy, and of a dirty brown color. They 
have three or four rattles, which they use 
as a warning. They are poisonous, but it 
was very seldom, if ever, that their bites 
proved fatal, or even resulted in much in- 
convenience to the unfortunate. A weed 
called "Indigo Weed," which grows in 
this country, was much used for the bites, 
the recipe having been learned from an 
old Indian. Others found it just as effect- 
ual a cure to bury the foot— if that was 
the part bitten — in the cold mud for half 
.ui hour, pouring water upon it to keep up 
the moisture. 

RELKJIOX. 

The religious element in the life of the 
pioneer, was such as to attract the atten- 
tion of those living in more favored 
lilaces. The pioneer was no hypocrite. 
If he believed in horse-racing, whisky- 
drinking, card-playing, or anything of 
like character, he practiced them openly 
and above board. If he was of a religious 
turn of mind, he was not ashamed to own 
it. He could truthfully sing 

"I'm not ashamed lo own my Lord, 

Or blush to speak liis name." 

But the pioneer clung to the faith of 
his fathers, for a time, at least. If he was 
a Presbyterian he was not ashamed of 
it, but rather prided himself on being one 



of the elect. If a Methodist, he was one 
to the fullest extent. He prayed long 
and loud, if the spirit moved him, and 
cared nothing for the empty form of re- 
ligion. 

AGEICULTURE. 

In the earlier settlement of this section, 
ponds, marshes and swamps abounded, 
where to-day are found cultivated and fer- 
tile fields. The low and flat places were 
avoided for the higher grounds not only 
on account of the wetness, but for sani- 
tary reasons. Agricultural implements 
and the mode of tilling the soil were nec- 
essarily much more rude than at the pres- 
ent day. 

In the cultivation of wheat the land 
was planted the same as to-day, then it 
was often harrowed with a wooden-tooth- 
ed harrow, or smoothed by dragging over 
the ground a heavy brush, weighed down, 
if necessary, with a stick of timber. It 
was then sown broadcast by hand, at the 
rate of about a bushel and a quarter to 
the acre, and harrowed in with the brush. 
The implement used to cut the wheat was 
either the sickle or the cradle. The sickle 
was almost identical with the " grass 
hook " in use, and the cradle was a scythe 
fastened to a frame of wood with long, 
bending teeth, or strips of wood, for cut- 
ting and laying the grain in swaths. 
There were few farmers who did not 
know how to swing the scythe or cradle, 
and there was no more pleasant picture on 
a farm than a gang of workmen in the 
harvest field, nor a more hilarious crowd. 
Three cradles would cut aboiit ten acres a 
day. One binder was expected to keep 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



itp with the cradle. Barns for the storage 
of theunthresheJ grain are comparatively 
a " modern invention," and as soon as the 
shock was supposed to be sufficiently 
cured, it was hauled to some place on the 
farm convenient for threshing, and there 
put in stack. The threshing was per- 
formed in one of the two ways, by flail or 
tramping with horses. The flail was used 
in stormy weather, on the sheltered floor, 
or when the farm work was not pressing; 
the threshing by tramping commonly in 
clear weather, on a level and well tramped 
clay floor. The bundles were piled in a 
circle of about fifteen to twenty feet in 
diameter, and four to six horses ridden 
over the straw. One or two hands turned 
over and kept the straw in place. When 
sufficiently tramped the straw was thrown 
into a rick or stack, and the wheat cleared 
by a "fanning mill," and before fanning 
mills were introduced, by letting it fall 
from the height of ten or twelve feet, 
subjected to the action of the wind, when 
it was supposed to be ready for the mill 
or market. 

THE CLAIM SYSTEM. 

During the first few years of the early 
settlement of this country, the United 
States government encouraged the claim 
system. This induced many speculators 
to turn their eyes toward the western 
states. It furnished lucrative business for 



many who had been hovering between 
civilization and barbarism. Their plan 
was to keep just beyond the line of set- 
tlement and pick out the best claims, 
holding them until some actual settler or 
speculator would come, then they would 
sell out and again move westward to re- 
peat the same. The law provided that 
the land should be sold to the highest bid- 
der, but not for less than ^1.25 per acre, 
and it was seldom sold for any more than 
this. It was generally understood, atid in 
fact enforced, that those who had selected 
a certain piece of land should have it. 
One township of land was sold each day. 
The sales took place in Des Moines. 
When the day set for the sale of a town- 
ship came, all those who had established 
claims in the township in question were 
present. As soon as the bid reached ?!l.'25 
per acre, the hammer came down instant- 
ly. If a rash speculator did now and 
then get in a bid for a little more, some- 
times no attention was paid to him by the 
auctioneer, and the land would be knock- 
ed down to the claimant, but the person 
who did bid against the actual settler 
would be " laid hold of," and would re- 
ceive a severe ducking in the river. In 
some cases like this the obnoxious bidders 
have been almost killed by the " settlers 
rights men." 






9 V 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



307 



CHAPTER VIII 



TAMA COUNTY COURTS. 



Man is an imperfect being, and, as such, 
requires that laws shall be enacted for his 
government. When the Almighty placed 
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden 
he gaye laws fof their observance, with 
penalties attached for their violation. 
The children of Israel, after leaving the 
Egyptian land, were given the "ten com- 
mandments," the principles underlying 
which, have been the basis of all laws 
from that time to the present. The exist- 
ence of laws necessarily implies the ex- 
istence of courts wherein all questions of 
law shall be determined. This fact being 
determined, the framers of the state con- 
stitution instituted certain courts of jus- 
tice with well defined powers. Changes 
have been made in the jurisdiction of 
these courts from time to time, but the 
rights of every citizen of high or low de- 
gree have ever been maintained. 

FIRST TRIALS. 

The first trial of any kind in this county, 
as near as can be ascertained, was held in 
18.52, under what was commonly called the 
Court House Tree," which was subse- 
quently destroyed by lightning. It was a 
most novel case, and was tried in a still 
more novel form. It appears that J. H. 
Hollen, had come into the county, and 
after prospecting around finally located 
upon a tract of land which a man by the 



name of Carter claimed he had entered, 
but when Hollen investigated the matter, 
he found that this George Carter had been 
claiming lands in all parts of the county. 
As a party came and located he claimed it 
as his, and rather than give up their choice, 
he was generally paid his demands, and 
thus he realized more money than the 
farmer or emigrant could by cultivating 
the land for years. This was tried with 
Mr. Hollen, who when he found out the 
scheme determined to resist it. Hence 
the trial. Mr. Hollen was summoned, and 
after due preliminaries the matter was re- 
ferred to a committee with full power and 
authority, both men binding themselves to 
be governed by the decision. The referees 
chosen were John Guin of Benton county, 
and W. L. Brannan of Marengo, Iowa 
county; but these not agreeing, Mr. Dillon, 
of Marengo, was added to the committee, 
and after hearing the evidence on both 
sides, the defendant was discharged and 
his claim to the land endorsed. 

The first case to be tried by a regularly 
organized court was the State of Iowa vs. 
Thos. Everett, on charge of larceny, befoie 
.Jas. H. Hollen, Justice of the Peace, near 
the present site of Tama city. A shoe, 
maker, by the nanie of John Aldrich, made 
a pair of boots for Wm. Blodgettand fixed 
jhe time when he should call for them. 
Thos. Everett, an old gentleman, and a 






k^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



man who onjoycd a joke, found that Blod. 
gett would not call for the boots within the 
time fixed and accordingly called at the 
shoemakers and told him that Blodgett had 
sent him for the boots. Blodgett's credit 
being good, Aldrich delivered the boots 
and Everett put them on and wore them 
with great satisfaction. Soon after Blod- 
gett went for his boots, and much to his 
chagrin and mortification found that Ev 
erett was wearing his boots. The shoe- 
maker and Blodgett became considerably 
exercised and filed information for stealing 
and had Everett arrested, who came into 
o*)urt wearing the boots with considerable 
gusto, and plead not guilty. Alford 
Phillips appeared for the State, and Noah 
Myers, as counsel for the defendant. Aid- 
rich was firstsworn, when he testified, that 
the boots were worth $5, when the Pros, 
ecuting Attorney arose with great deliber- 
ation and demanded a jury on behalf of 
the State. The Justice said that he was 
going to give them all a "square deal," 
and allowed a jury trial. Everett was 
bound over to the district court where the 
case was dismissed. 

The next trial, or at least in the southern 
part of the county, was that of Dr. Hiram 
Patty, who came to the county with a few 
bottles of medicine and some surgical in- 
struments. He soon ingratiated himself 
into the graces of a few of the prominent 
men in the neighborhood, and eventually 
to such a degree that he borrowed of some 
of them money to go to Iowa City, and 
purchase drugs as he was going to start 
a drug store. The money and a valuable 
horse, with true pioneer confidence was 
loaned him. Neither the money, horse or 



man were ever seen by the creditors. The 
few goods and books he left were after- 
ward sold to partly pay the men who loan- 
ed the Doctor the funds. The Doctor 
afterwards located and remained for a 
short time at West Irving. 

DI.STEICT COURT. 

Upon organization, Tama county became 
a part of the Fourth Judicial District, 
which under the constitution of 1846, was 
composed of the counties of Benton, Boone, 
Dallas, Iowa, Jasper, Johnson, Linn, Mar- 
shall, Polk, Poweshiek, Story and Tama. 
Several changes were made in the district, 
from 1850 until 1857, and when it was 
abolished in 1858, it comprised the coun- 
ties of Tama, Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Linn 
and Washington. 

On the 16th day of August, 1854, Hon. 
William Smyth, District Judge, for the 
Fourth Judicial District, issued an order 
for a term of court to be held at the house 
of John C. Vermilya. This house was a 
small log cabin located about one-half 
mile east of the present site of Tama City, 
on section 26, which was used as a free 
tavern, clerk's office and court house until 
the erection of a court house at the county 
seat. On Friday the loth day of Septem- 
ber, 1854, at 11 o'clock a. m., court was 
duly opened, with William Smyth on the 
bench.. There were also in attendance, 
David D. Appelgate, Clerk; Alford Phil- 
lips, Prosecuting Attorney, and Miron 
Blodgett, Sheriff. 

At this term there were three civil cases 
on the docket, as follows: Rezin A. Red- 
man vs. Noah Myer, School Fund Com- 
missioner, and Robert Carter for writ of 
mandamus and injunction; Jacob W. Ap- 
pelgate, vs. Mary A. Appelgate, petition 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



for divorce, and Andrew D. Stephens, vs. 
Noah Myers, School Fund Commissioner. 
All of these cases were continued. 

The first grand jurors empaneled were 
as follows: C. B. Slade, H. Van Vliet, 
Giles Taylor, Joseph Jack, W. H. H. Hill, 
John Freemer, Henry Stokes, G. P. Tocum, 
James H. Hollen, William Blodgett, J. W. 
Appelgate, H. R. Rich, T. A. Graham, P. 
McRoberts and Jonas P. Wood. 

Thtt first petit jnry was as follows: G. 
Smith, J. D. Geddis, T. Marshall, N. Bates, 
E, W.- Daily, J. H. Vanhorn, J. H. Yoor- 
hies, L. Olney, John D. Spohr, J, A. Wil. 
ley, M. Mitchell, and N. Fisher. J. L- 
Carter was sworn as bailiff. 

The first jury trial was the case of Eli 
Innman vs. William J. Booher to recover 
a note and oook account. The jury con- 
sisted of George Smith, J. D. Gettis, 
Thomas Marshall, Nathan Fisher, Norton 
Bates, E. W. Daily, J. H. Van Horn, J. H. 
Vorhies, L. Olney, J. D. Spohr, J. A. 
Willey and M. Mitchell. The jury being 
duly sworn, after hearing the argument of 
counsel and charge of the court, retired in 
the cu.stody of A. S. Curtis, sworn as 
bailiff. The jury rendered its verdict, 
finding for the defendant a judgment, and 
assessed the amount of his recovery at 
five dollars. 

At this term the following members of 
the bar were present : Isaac M. Preston, 
George D.. Woodin, James S. Childs, 
Joseph B. Young, Richard B. Groff, 
James D. Templin and Alford Phillips. 

The second term of the court was held 
at the court house in Toledo, commencing 
May 22, 1855. Tama county was still in 
the Fourth judicial district and William 
Smyth Judge. There were eight cases on 



the docket for this term. 

On the opening day of the term Alford 
Phillips, Esq., moved that Timothy Brown 
be admitted to the practice of law by the 
court. Whereupon Messrs. Templin, 
Woodin and Phillips were appointed to 
examine the qualifications of Brown, and 
after so doing, and reporting favorably re- 
garding the same, a certificate was ordered 
to be issued to Timothy Brown, as an at- 
torney before the courts of Iowa. 

The may term of 1 856, was the third term 
of the district court, and convened at the 
court house in Toledo, on the 20th of the 
month named, with Hon. William Snifth 
still on the bench. At this term on mo- 
tion of C. J. L. Foster, Eugene B. Bolens, 
T. Walter Jackson, and N. C. Wietung 
were admitted to the bar. 

The grand jury, which had been em- 
panelled, reported two indictments to the 
court. The first was against John Burge, 
for malicious mischief in cutting and 
maiming an animal. The second against 
J'ames Harris, for passing counterfeit 
money. They were both acquitted. 

Hon. William Smyth, who had been 
judge up to this time, belonged in Linn 
county. He was appointed to the office on 
October 6, 1853, to succeed James P. 
Carleton, of Johnson county, and qualified 
on the 10th day of the same month On 
April 3, 1854, he was elected by the 
people and served until January, 1857, 
when he resigned. Judge William Smyth 
was a native of the Emerald Isle, and 
emigrated to this country about 1838. A 
year or two later he settled in Linn county. 
He came to the State ignorant and poor; 
but educated himself and became wealthy 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and one of the ablest lawyers in Iowa. 
After resigning the bench he entered the 
service upon the breaking out of the war, 
as colonel of the Slst Iowa infantry. In 
September, 1864, he resigned his commis- 
sion. He was at one time a member of 
Congress. Col. Smyth was a large and 
rather portly man. In his deportment he 
was kind, candid and dignified. His 
merit as a soldier consisted in his kind 
care for his men, and in his great bravery. 
He was not an apt tactician. It is said he 
would sit quietly on his horse under a 
sharp fire of the enemy while determining 
upon the proper command to be given to 
his regiment for a designated movement. 
Not long after entering the service, he 
was ordered by his brigade commander, 
while drilling his battalion, to throw it 
into a certain position. Not remembering 
the proper command, he turned to his ad- 
jutant with, " Lieutenant, what shall I 
say?" 

At the May term of 1857, the Hon. 
Isaac Cook began his term of office as. 
judge, having been appointed by the 
Governor. Tama county was still in the 
Fourth judicial district. A good deal of 
business was on the docket for this term. 

On the second day of the term the grand 
jury reported to the court an indictment 
for murder against Earnest Olleslaugher 
(or Olislaeger). On the 23rd of May the 
grand jury returned an indictment against 
Arthur T. Butler for murder. Both par- 
ties asked a change of venue to Johnson 
county, which was granted. This case is 
given in full in another place. 

The May term of court was opened in 
1858 by the clerk, but as Judge Cook did 



not appear, it was adjourned until the Oc- 
tober term, when there were five indict- 
ments for selling intoxicating liquors, and 
three for larceny reported by the grand 
jury. 

Judge Isaac Cook was appointed by the 
Governor January 28, 1857, and qualified 
March 20. In April following he was 
elected by the people and served until the 
district was abolished by law in 1858. 
He belonged in Marion and afterward re- 
moved to Cedar Rapids. He died a few 
years ago. He was a good lawyer, but 
slow to decide. 

By the reconstruction of the districts in 
1857, Tama county became a part of the 
Eighth Judicial District, which was com- 
posed of the counties, Benton, Cedar, Iowa, 
Johnson, Jones, Linn and Tama. William 
E. Miller, of Johnson county, was elected 
judge, October 12, 1858, and served until ap- 
pointed Colonel of the Twentj'-eighth 
Iowa Infantry Volunteers, August 10 
1862. The first term for Tama county 
that he presided over was the February 
term, in 1859. Judge Miller was a native 
of Pennsylvania, born in 1823. In his 
personal appearance he is prepossessing; 
is heavy set, with broad square shoulders, 
and is about five feet, eight inches in 
height. His hair and eyes are both dark, 
and the expression of his countenance is 
frank and manly. He has a heavy, firm 
voice, and exhibited much ability while 
on the bench. As a military man he was 
a good disciplinarian, and was regarded 
by his regiment as a good and brave offi- 
cer. At the time of entering the service 
Col. Miller was afflicted with a trouble- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



311 



some disease which the exposures and 
hardships of the field so aggravated as to 
compel him to resign his commission' 
He left his regiment just before it march 
ed on the Vicksburg campaign. He is 
now practicing law in Des Moines, has 
been on the supreme bench one term. 

In September, 1862, Norman W. Isbell, 
of Linn county, was appointed judge by 
the Governor to fill the vacancy occasion- 
ed by the resignation of Judge Miller. 
On November 14, 1862, he was elected, 
and served until August 31, 1864, when 
he resigned. He died soon after. 

Honorable Chas. H. Conklin, of Ben- 
ton county, succeeded Judge Isbell, being 
appointed by the Governor August 19, 
1W64, and in November was elected. He 
resigned one year later. His fir.st term in 
Tama county was the September term, in 
1864. C. R. Scott, of Jones county, was 
appointed district attorney, October 1, 
1 864. He was elected in November of 
the same year, and re-elected in October, 
1866. 

Judge Conklin was a native of New 
York, born in January, 1831. In his early 
<lays he studied law, and was admitted to 
the bar in Steuben county. New York, in 
February, 185.5, where he soon afterward 
opened an office. In May, 1866, he aban- 
doned all his brilliant prospects in New 
York, and removed to Benton county, 
Iowa, where he immediately entered into 
the active practice of law. As stated, in 
1864 he was appointed to the bench of 
the district, and succeeded so well as a 
judge, that when in 1865, he resigned, 
there was a general feeling of regret 



throughout the district. As soon as he 
resigned he re-entered upon the practice of 
law at Vinton, which he continued until 
the time of his death, March 16, 1875. 
In 1867, mid the duties and labors of a 
full practice at the bar, he found time to 
write and publish "Conklin's Treatise,'' 
a most valuable work on the duties of) 
and practices before, justices of the peace 
in Iowa. As a lawyer, Judge Conklin 
was bold, honorable, logical and candid, 
clear in statement, strong in argument, 
and always deferential and polite. He 
was almost invincible in the presentation 
of his facts, the application of the law to 
the testimony, and in the influence of his 
eloquence over the hearts and minds of 
the jurors. His bearing in the presence 
of the court and bar was always dignified 
and courteous, while his cases were always 
thoroughly digested and understood. In 
his death the bar lost a power for its ele- 
vation, and he was mourned by a wide 
circle of friends. 

Nathaniel M. Hubbard, of Linn county, 
succeeded Conklin, being appointed by the 
Governor, November 15, 1865, and quali- 
fying on the first of December. He is 
still living in Cedar Rapids, and is one of 
the attorneys of the C. & N. W. R. R. 

The next Judge of the Eighth Judicial 
District was Hon. James H. Rathrock, of 
Cedar county, who commenced his duties 
for Tama county at the February term of 
court in 1867. C.R.Scott was still dis- 
trict attorney. In 1870, the name of Wm. 
G. Thompson appears as district attorney. 
Judge James H. Rothrock was 
born in Pennsylvania in 1832, and at an 



IV 



Mt 



£t^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



early day came to Iowa and located in 
Cedar county. In 1861 he was elected to 
the general assemby and in August of the 
following year he was appointed Lieuten- 
ant Colonel of the Thirty-Fifth Iowa. In 
the latter part of 1863, he resigned and re- 
turned home, engaging in the practice of 
law in partnership with Wm. P. Wolf, M. 
C. In 1866 he was elected to the bench 
of the Eighth Judicial District and was 
re-elected 1870 and 1874, the last time by 
the entire vote of both parties. In 1876, 
he was appointed by the Governor to the 
high office of Judge of the Supreme court, 
and resigned to accept the position. He 
is still a member of the supreme bench. 

Colonel John Shane was the next Judge 
of this district, being elected in 1876. He 
held his first term in Tama county in Sep- 
tember of that year. There were also 
present at this term of court, Mile P. 
Smith, District Attorney; Robert E. Aus- 
tin, Sheriff, and C. J. Stevens, Clerk of 
court. 

John Shane was born in Jefferson county 
Ohio, on the 26th of May, 1822, and was 
educated at the Jefferson college in Penn- 
sylvania. After graduating, he taught 
school for a few years in Kentucky, and 
then, returning to Ohio, studied law in the 
office of E. M. Stanton, who has since been 
Secretary of War. Shane was admitted to 
the V)ar at Steubenville, in 1848, where he 
continued in the practice until 1855, when 
he removed to Vinton, his present home. 
When the rebellion broke out he enlisted 
as a private in Company "G," 13th Iowa 
Infantry; and on its organization was 
elected its captain. He was promoted 
Major, October 30, 1861, and soon after- 
ward made Colonel of his Regiment. After 



the close of the war he returned to his 
home and resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession, which he continued until his re- 
election to the bench of the Eighth Dis- 
trict. Judge Shane is a large man, his 
weight generally being about two hundred 
and ten pounds. He has sandy hair — per- 
haps red — a florid complexion and blue 
eyes, looking out through a large, round, 
good natured face. When in good health 
he was of an easy, joyial nature, relished a 
joke and fond of good living. 

Toward the latter part of Judge Shane's 
term of office his health failed, and a 
stroke of paralysis for a time made him 
mentally incable of filling the position. 
In the fall of 1882, the Republicans met in 
convention and again nominated him for 
the judgeship; but this action was recon- 
sidered and another convention was held 
by which James D. Griffin w'as nominated 
in his stead and was duly elected. A Dem- 
ocrat was elected for district attorney in 
the person of J. H. Preston, of Cedar Rap- 
ids, at the same time. 

CIRCUIT COURT. 

By an act of the General Assembly, 
passed and approved April 3rd, 1868, Cir- 
cuit Courts were established in this State, 
and each Judicial District was divided into 
two circuits, in each of which, at the gen- 
eral election in November, 1868, and every 
four j'ears thereafter, a Circuit Judge 
should be elected. Four terms of court 
were proyided per year in each county in 
the circuits. By this act the office of 
County Judge was abolished, and all busi- 
ness of a legal nature pertaining to that 
office was transferred to the Circuit Court, 
which was also to have concurrent jurisdic- 
tion with the District Court in all civil 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



D^ 



actions at law, and exclusive jurisdiction 
of all appeals and writs of error from jus- 
tices' courts, Mayors' courts, and all other 
inferior tribunals, either in civil or criminal 
cases. 

Tama became a part of the First circuit 
of the Eighth district upon the law cre- 
ating the circuit courts going in force. 
An order was issued by Judge James H. 
Rothrock, commanding that the circuit 
court should convene at Toledo for the 
year 186», as follows : Cfn the third Mon- 
day in January ; on the third Monday in 
April ; on the first Monday in August ; 
and on the third Monday in October. 

Accordingly on January 18, 1869, the 
first term of circuit court convened at 
Toledo with Hon. William E. Miller on 
the bench. There were also present 
Knight Dexter, sheriff ; and L. B. Blinn 
clerk of court. Upon the calling of the 
venire the following jurors answered : 
John Ramsdell, George Reed, H. H. Wil- 
liams, Robert Wilkinson, Alonzo Rines, 
William Clark, John Flathers, P. W. 
Dumbauld, Samuel Edwards, E. Granger 
and T. A. Hopkins. 

The first case which came up was en- 
titled Mary Manny vs. James W. Coburn 
and V. Sumner. It was settled. 

As stated, Hon. William E. Miller was 
the first circuit judge. He was elected in 
the fall of 1868, and served until he was 
appointed to the supreme bench of the 
State in 1870. Judge Miller was a native 
of Pennsylvania, coming to Iowa in 1852 
and settling in Iowa City. At an early 
day he was judge of the district court of 
this district, and is noticed at length in 
that connection. 

Succeeding him to the circuit bench 



Hon. George R. Struble, of Toledo, was 
appointed to fill the vacancy, and began his 
duties in 1870, continuing in that capacity 
until the fall of 1872, when, owing to a 
press of other business, he resigned and 
W. J. Haddock was appointed his successor- 
Judge Struble made an excellent judge, 
logical, clear, prompt and impartial, giving 
the same universal satisfaction that has 
characterized his administration in what- 
ever position the people have placed him. 
He is at present Speaker of the House of 
Representatives ot Iowa, and is treated at 
length elsewhere in this volume. 

Judge W. J. Haddock was succeeded by 
John McKean, of Anamosa, who assumed 
official duties in January, 1873. Four 
years later he was re-elected and served 
until January, 1881. Judge McKean was 
a native of Lawrence county, Pennsyl- 
vania, born in July, 18.3.5, being of Scotch- 
Irish descent. The family came to Iowa 
in 1854 and located in Jones county. 
Young McKean returned to the east in 
1856, and in 1859 graduated from the 
Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsyl- 
vania. Returning then to Iowa he com- 
menced reading law and was admitted to 
the bar in 1861 at Anamosa, where he at 
once commenced practice and still remains. 
He was a democrat until the civil war 
burst upon the country, and shortly after- 
ward from a war democrat became an out 
and out republican, to which party he owes 
his repeated political honors. Prior to his 
election as judge he represented his county 
several times in the General Assembly. 
Judge McKean is a tall, spare man, with 
dark hair, complexion and eyes. He was 
very well liked on the bench and was an 



♦7i 



10 



h^ 



^ — • b> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



excellent equity lawyer. One peculiarity 
— or rather misfortune — remembered of 
him is that he usually had a stiff neck, and 
when he wished to look to the right or 
left he must turn his whole body. 

In the fall of 1882 Christian Hedges 
was elected Circuit Judge, and is the pres- 
ent incumbent. His home is in Marengo, 
Iowa county, where he has been practicing 
law for a number of years. He is a good 
lawyer, and makes a dignified and satis- 
factory judge. He is a large, portly man, 
weighing over two hundred pounds, and is 
a genial and pleasant conversationalist. 

COUNTY COURT. 

In 1851, by an act of the General As- 
sembly, county courts were established 
and the office of county judge created. 
By the same act the office of probate 
judge was abolished, as was also the 
offices of county commissioners, the du- 
ties of the oounty commissioners and pro- 
bate judge devolving upon the county 
judge. The county of Tama not being 
organized till 1853, it had no probate 



judges or county commissioners. The first 
county judge to serve was John C. Ver- 
milya, and the first regular term of court 
was held at his house in October, 1853. 
Upon Judge Vermilya devolved the duty 
of perfecting the organization of the 
county dividing it into townships an such 
other work as was necessary to perfect a 
system of county government. Judge 
Vermilya was succeeded to the office by 
the following gentlemen, in the order 
given: Leander Clark, John Allen, T. F. 
Bradford, T. A. Graham and Maj. T. S. 
Free. During the latter's term of office 
the judgeship was abolished by law, and 
Mr. Free was made ex-officio county audi- 
tor. During the year 1861 the board of 
county supervisors was created, which 
took considerable business from the coun- 
ty judge. The proceedings of the county 
court will be found in connection with the 
chapter upon government, and sketches of 
the county judges in the chapter upon 
" representation." 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE BAR OF TAMA COUNTY 



There is no subject connected with the 
history of the county, of more general in- 
terest than a faithful record of its bar. 
In reviewing the history of the bar, it 
must be borne in mind, that as the pros- 
|)crity and well-being of every community 
depends upon the wise interpretation, 
as well as the judicious framing of its 



laws, therefore it must follow that a record 
of the members of the bar must form no 
unimportant part in the county's history. 
Upon a few principles of natural justice 
is erected the whole superstructure of 
civil law, tending to relieve the wants and 
meet the desires of all alike. The busi- 
ness of the lawyer is not to make the laws. 



;^ 



*-^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



315 



but to apply them to the daily affairs of 
men. But the interests of men are divei-- 
sified, and where so many interests and 
counter interests are to be protected and 
adjusteil, to the lawyer and the judge are 
presented many interesting and complex 
problems. 

Change is everywhere imminent. The 
laws of yesterday do not meet the wants 
and necessities of the people to-day, for 
the old relations do not e.xist. New and 
satisfactory laws must be established. 
The discoveries in the arts and sciences, 
the inventions of new contrivances for 
labor, the enlargement of industrial pur- 
suits, and the increase and development 
of commerce, are without precedence, 
and the science of law must keep pace 
with them all; nay, it must even foreca.st 
the event, and so frame its laws as will 
most adequately subserve the wants and 
provide for the wants of the new condi- 
tions. Hence, the lawyer is a man of to- 
day. The exigencies he must meet are 
those of his own time. His capital is his 
ability and his individuality. He cannot 
bequeath to his successors the character- 
istics that distinguished him, and at his 
going, as a general thing, the very evi- 
dences of his work disajipear. 

Anthony Thornton, President of the Il- 
linois State Bar Association, in 1878, in 
an address before the association, thus 
speaks of the lawyer: " In the American 
State the great and good lawyer must al- 
ways be jirorainent, for he is one of the 
forces which move and control society. 
Public confidence has generally been re- 
posed in the legal profession. It has ever 
been the defender of popular rights, the 
champion of freedom, regulated by law, 



the firm support of good government. In 
times of danger it has stood like a rock 
and breasted the mad passions of the 
hour, and firmly resisted tumult and fac- 
tion. No political preferment, no mere 
place, can add to the power or increase 
the honor which belong to the pure and 
educated lawyer. The fame of Mans- 
field and Marshall and Story can never 
die. 'Times' iron feet can print no ruin- 
trace' upon their character. Their learn- 
ing and luminous exposition of our juris- 
prudence will always light our pathway. 
It is our duty to preserve the prestige of 
the profession. The past, at least, is se- 
cure; the present and future summon us 
to action. With the progress of society 
and the increase pf population, wealth 
and trade, varied interests arise, and nov- 
el questions requiring more thought con- 
front us. A disregard of the law has 
been developed, crime meets us unabash- 
ed, and corruption stands unmasked in the 
high places of the laud. It is no fancy 
picture that the law has, to some extent, 
lost its authority, and it is only the shade 
of that which once was great. Hence, 
new duties are imposed and a firmer cour- 
age is required. ***** 
The exaltation of the profession is a 
duty enjoined upon us. It is a debt which 
only death. can discharge. Lord Bacon has 
said: ' Every man is a debtor to his pro- 
fession, from the which, as men of course 
do seek to receive countenance and profit, 
so ought they of duty to endeavor them- 
selves, by way of amends, to be a help 
and ornament thereto.' Every lawyer is 
a debtor to his profession. If worthy, it 
gives him an honorable character and 



"^^ 



, 4« — »- 






316 



UIS'J'ORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



liigli position. The lawyer sliould prize 
and love his i>rofession. He should 
value its past renown, and cherish the 
memory of great men whose gigantic 
shadows walk by us still. He should love 
it for the intrinsic worth and innate truth 
of the fundamental truths which adorn 
it." 

THE BAR OF THE PAST. 

The bar of Tama county has numbered 
among its members some who have been 
an honor, not only to the county, but to 
the state as well. So far as material was 
accessible, sketches are given of each at- 
torney who has practiced before the courts 
of the county. If any are omitted it is be- 
cause their names have been forgotten, 
and not from intention. The peculiarities 
and personalities which form so pleasing 
and interesting a part of the lives of the 
members of the bar, and which, indeed, 
<-onstitute the charm of local history, are 
in a great measure wanting. Unlike the 
fair plaintiff in the famous Bardell vs. 
Pickwick, we have no painstaking "ser- 
geant to relate the facts and circumstances 
of the case." 

Of those attorneys who resided in the 
county at one time, and are now either 
dead or have quit practice, or gone, the 
historian will speak first. Later, of the 
present bar. 

Among those who have ))racticed before 
the courts of Tama county and who have 
been resident lawyers, were the following: 
Alford Phillips, Timothy Brown, Mr. 
.lohnson, Isaac L. Allen, Noah Levering, 
T. Walter Jackson, Nathan C. Wieting, 
Charles J. L. Foster, Eugene B. Bolens, 
Paul (2ueal, Albert Stoddard, T. F. Brad- 
ford, John G. Safely, Charles H. Craw- 



ford, G. II. Goodrich, Homer S. Bradshaw, 
William Reickhoff, Michael Aunist, 
George Raines, Charles R. Appelgate, 
Thomas S. Free, J. ,W. Stewart, Mr. 
Bangs, Mr. Crafts, W. L. Crozier, C. E. 
Hibbard, E. M Doe, George W. Stinson, 
G. P. Griswold, Randolph & Hotchkiss, 
Captain J. G. Strong, A. Branaman, Mr. 
Dougherty, Mr. Townsend, Frederick & 
Hartshorn. 

About the first attorney to locate in 
Tama county was Alford Phillips, who 
came here in the fall of 1853 and located 
upon a farm near the present site of Tole- 
do. He was a native of New York, quite 
an intelligent man, and was the second 
prosecuting attorney of Tama county. He 
still lives in Toledo. 

Timothy Brown, who was among the 
most successful of Tama county's early 
lawyers, was born near Cooperstown, 
Otsego county. New York, on the 2Tth of 
December, 1827. When Timothy was four 
years of age, his parents removed to Un- 
adilla, on the Susquehanna river, where 
he shared the advantages of winter schools, 
and after his majority, was for three terms 
a student of the Unadilla Academy. At 
the age of twenty-one he became a law 
student in the office of Hon. J. C. Grego- 
ry, of that place, now of Madison, 'Wis- 
consin. After two years study he enter- 
ed the office of his uncle, Elijah Brown, of 
Milford, New York. At the end of a 
year his uncle moved to New York City, 
and Timothy having been admitted to the 
l)ar, opened an office and began his pro- 
fessional career. In the spring of 1855, 
closing his business in Milford, he moved 
to the west and settled in Toledo, Tama 
county, Iowa, where he practiced law; a 



■^« .- 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



317 



portion of the time being in partnership 
with Isaac L. Allen. In 1857, he removed 
to Marshall county. In the county seat 
excitement, he took an active part, and 
just before the county seat was pemia- 
nently located at Marshalltown, he re- 
moved to that place and there still remains. 
As a lawyer, Timothy Brown has been de- 
cidedly successful, and is considered one 
of the best attorneys in this part of the 
State. His great forte lies in the way he 
works up a case, and brings out the details ; 
he is a good jury lawyer, but is slow to 
answer a sharp hit by an opposing attor- 
ney, usually paying no attention, and 
pushing right n with his case. Mr. Brown 
is something above medium, in stature, 
standing six feet in height and weighing 
about one hundred and eighty-seven 
pounds. Politically, he is a Republican. 
A good story is told of Brown by the 
old settlers, which will serve as an indica- 
tion as to the color of his hair when he 
came here. In February, 1856, he, in com- 
pany with Dr. P. L. Baldy, and P. L. 
Willey, procured horses and dogs, and 
started out for a wolf hunt, through the 
Iowa river and Salt Creek bottoms. 
Wolves were plenty, and it was not long 
until three were scared up and away went 
the bold hunters, horses, and dogs in hot 
pursuit. Tim'shorse was a superior ani- 
mal to those ridden by his companions and 
he was rapidly distancing them. They 
crashed over the prairie, up hill and down 
hill, and through the bottom land of Pla- 
quemin Creek, with terrific force. Brown 
was some distance ahead and was gaining 
at every step ; his stirrups were flying, and 
he was hanging on for dear, life, while his 
waving hair furnished a beacon for those 



in the rear. Suddenly — when he was about 
3 mile east of the present site of Chel- 
sea — his horse made a limge and with a 
crash went down back-deep into one of the 
treacherous sink-holes of the Plaquemin 
bottoms, while Brown went flying right 
over the horse's head and into a hole a few 
feet in advance ! The others rapidly 
came up and pulled Tim out and then with 
difficulty, extracted the horse. Neither 
was seriously hurt, Tim mounted and 
again they set out for the wolves, but soon 
found that they had got away, and the 
hunters gave up the chase. When they 
returned to Toledo, the news of the esca- 
pade got out and the people began con- 
gratulating themselves, saying that as 
" Tim had struck head first, it was lucky 
there was a heavy coat of snow, as it 
would surely have set the prairie a fire. " 
Tim's head of hair— like Albany, New 
York — was "forty miles from Aubuin.' 
An attorney named Johnson, located in 
Toledo in the early spring of 1855 and re- 
mained for a few months. He was a 
young man probably 26 years old, and a 
fine looking fellow. He had been admit- 
ted to the bar previous to coming here, and 
was a well read, and capable man, a lawyer 
of good ability. There was but little bus- 
iness to do here, and he did not even make 
enough to pay his board. Finally becom- 
ing discouraged he took his earthly pos- 
sessions in his grip-sack and quietly walked 
out of town leaving his bills unpaid. He 
afterwards wrote to Col. John Connell, 
stating that he was sorry he had to do it, 
but he " could not bear to eat other peo- 
ple's bread and molasses so he left." 
Just as he was leaving the place 
he was met by Dr. Baldy, who 



vis r- 



r 



A^ — ^ 



\^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



remarked jokingly : " Hello ! running 
away?" "Oh! no," he replied, blushing 
considerably and went on. As time went 
by and he did not turn up, the people came 
to the conclusion that that was just what 
he had done, although when the doctor 
spoke to him, such a thing as its being 
true was the fartherest from his mind. 
[There has been some controversy as to 
the name of this lawyer, but a majority of 
the early settlers agree that it was .John- 
son.] 

Isaac L. Allen was one of the most able 
attorneys who have honored the bar of 
Tama county. He was a native of Ver- 
mont, but came to Tama county from 
Marion, — where he had been in practice 
for a short time, — in the fall of 1855. He 
was a single man at the time, but was 
married in the summer of the following 
year. He at once opened an office, and 
in partnership with Timothy Brown, com- 
menced the practice of law. He was well 
posted, a graduate of the Albany Law 
school, and also a classical graduate of 
some eastern college. He had a good 
share of the business of early days, and 
was very successful. In 1858, he was 
elected district attorney, was re-elected in 
1862 and served until elected Attorney 
General of Iowa in October 1864. During 
this year his health failed and in January, 
1866, he was obliged to resign his office 
on account of softening of the brain. In 
the fall of 1865, he purchased property in 
Marion, and removed to that place. He 
rapidly grew worse and was finally placed 
in the Insane Asylum where he died in 
December, 1868. His partnership with 
Timothy Brown, continued until Brown 
w'ent to Marshalltown in 1857, from that 



date until 1863 he was alone in business. 
In 1863 he and George R. Struble, formed 
a partnership which continued until he re- 
moved to Marion. Soon after his death 
his wife returned to New York. Isaac L. 
Allen was an excellent lawyer, both in 
office and before a jury, perhaps the latter 
was his great lever of success. He was a 
good speaker, and had a strong argumen- 
tative and logical mind. Before a jury he 
was perfectly at ease, and in pleading 
drew vivid and practical illustrations. 

Noah Levering came to Tama county in 
the spring of 1856 located at Toledo, and 
was among the first attorneys in the coun- 
ty. He was a native of Ohio, had a fair 
education and was admitted to the bar 
after his arrival in Toledo. He made a 
first-rate lawyer, and had his .share of the 
business. He remained a few years and 
then went to Sioux City where he still 
lives. 

T. Walter Jackson came to Toledo 
in April, 1856, in company with 
Nathan C. Wieting. Being both ad- 
mitted to the practice of law, they 
at once formed a partnership and 
opened an office Jackson was a native of 
West Troy, New York, and was about 
twenty-two years of age at the time of 
coming here. He and Mr. Weiting had 
been school acijuaintances in a New York 
seminary. Jackson was one of the most 
eloquent and brilliant orators the State 
has ever possessed and certainly the county 
has never had his equal. He was well 
posted, especially in history, a good judge 
of human nature, and had that wonderful 
power of word-painting which would 
carry an audience with him, almost breath- 
less. His mfluence over an audience was 



~i 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



319 



something remarkable ; his logical and 
eloquent flights would hold his hearers 
spell-bound and speechless,until reaching- 
the climax, when, after a moment of pain- 
ful silence, the pent-up feeling burst with 
the wildest ajjplause. He built up a very 
extensive practice and became very popu- 
lar in the new country. In ISSV he was 
elected to represent,,liis district in the Leg- 
islature, and was recognized as the most 
able and powerful orator in that General 
Assembly. When the war broke out Mr. 
Jackson enlisted and served for a short 
time. In a few months he returned to his 
old home in West Troy, New York — hav- 
ing been married while here — and engaged 
in practice there. He was afterward an 
attorney in some of the largest and most 
important cases in Albany, New York. 
He continued in liis profession until the 
time of his death, which occurred in 18T0. 
As a lawyer, T. Walter Jackson was bold, 
logical and self-reliant, and his p'^wer be- 
fore a jury was almost unlimited. To 
show how he was held by the bar : On 
one occasion while he was yet a young 
man, he was employed for the prosecution 
of a murder trial which had been trans- 
ferred from this to Johnson county. His 
opposing counsel — for the defense — was I. 
M. Preston, who was conceded to be one 
of the leading attorneys in this part 
of the State. Preston, in speaking of the 
case afterward said that, he made his plea 
one upon which he devoted all his 
talent and energy, and considered it one 
of the best efforts of his life. After finish- 
ing, he turned the jury over "to Jackson 
and took a seat outside the room. Jack- 
son began, and in a few moments, as Mr- 
Preston said, "The audience began to 



crowd toward the railing ; I heard Jack- 
son and got up and went inside the bar. 
I never heard such eloquence ! My argu- 
ments dwindled into insignificance and I 
saw the case passing beyond my reach. 
It was the most able plea I ever heard." 
This is a sufficient eulogy to Mr. Jack- 
son, and he was all that it implied. Had 
it not been for the fault that has ruined so 
many great men, he might, years ago, 
have occupied the highest position in the 
gift of the people of the State. 

Nathan C. Wieting became a member 
of the bar of Tama county in the spring 
of 18.56, and his residence in Toledo has 
been continued since that time, although 
he has not been actively engaged in the 
profession. Nathan C. Wieting is a na- 
tive of Otsego county, N. Y., born June 8, 
1 828. His parents were John C. and Katie 
C. (Planck) Wieting, both of German 
descent. His grandfather was a soldier 
in the war of the revolution; his father 
was a farmer, who was also born in New 
York, and who died in March, 1874, at 
the advanced age of 74 years. His 
mother died in February, 1853, at the 
age of forty-five years. Nathan C. was 
the oldest of a family of nine children 
seven of whom are still living, having 
lost one brother in the war of the rebel- 
lion. Three of the family, beside him- 
self, are in Iowa, P. G. Wieting, in Tole- 
do, Mrs. Arena A. Sewell, at Dennison, 
and Mrs. Lucinda M. Ti])ple, at Manches- 
ter, Iowa. Nathan was brought up on his 
father's farm having the advantage of dis- 
trict schools until nineteen years of a^e, 
when he struck out for himself, and began 
teaching in the winter and attending a 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'^ 



seminary in the summer. When 26 years 
of age he began reading law, and during 
the following year started west and land- 
ed in Tama county on the l7th of .April, 
1856. The same spring he was admitted 
to the bar and commenced practice. He 
has made extensive trips to Kansas, Miss- 
issippi, and recently to Florida. Mr. 
Wieting edited for a number of years the 
Iowa 7runscript,ihe first paper established 
in the county, and has also at various times 
been interested in other newspaper enter- 
prises, as will be seen by a glance at the 
press chapter. He was prosecuting attor- 
ney of the county, and has been deputy 
United States assessor, and also deputy 
collector of Internal Revenue. Mr. 
Weiting is a medium sized heavy set man, 
with dark complexion ; a gentleman in 
every sense ; unassuming in manner ; yet 
with the force of will, and confidence in 
his own resources, which know no such 
word as fail. He is an excellent writer, 
and a man with a vast amount of informa- 
tion. 

Charles J. L. Foster became a member 
of the bar of Tama county in 1856, loca- 
ting at Toledo. He was a native ■ f Michi- 
gan ; was a married man but left his wife 
at his old home while he sought a location 
in the west ; she arrived as soon as he had 
decided to permanently locate. His father 
was a prominent and wealthy man in 
Michigan, and Charles was given the bene- 
fit of a collegiate education, as well as law 
training. He had been admitted to the bar 
and had e gaged in practice before coming 
to Tama county. He was a good lawyer and 
a fair orator, although the business of the 



then new country did not furnish enough 
work to keep him busy. After three years 
sojourn in Toledo he removed to Powesh- 
iek county. He afterward represented 
that county in the Lower House of the 
General Assembly of the State 

Eugene B. Bolens came to Tama county 
locating at Toledo in the summer of 
1856. He was a native of Ohio ; a 
married man and brought his family, con- 
sisting of a wife and one child, with him. 
They both died shortly after his arrival. 
For a time he was engaged in the 
publication of the Toledo Tribtme but de- 
voted some of his time to the practice of 
law. He remained until 1860, having been 
married again in the meantime, and then 
removed to La Crosse, st 'ppiug a short 
time at various points before reaching his 
final destination. Bolens was a man hard 
to describe ; small, quick, wiry, and 
of a nervous temperament. He was 
sharp, quick witted, and, when excited, 
vindicative and lost his self control. 
He, had formerly been a whig, politically, 
but something had changed him and while 
here he was a Democrat and Secessionist, 
his talk having the same ring of treason; 
that characterized Brick Pomeroy through 
the rebellion. As a lawyer he had fair 
success considering the times ; he was 
studious and industrious in his business, 
shi'ewd and wiry with his cases and a for- 
cible talker before a jury. 

Paul Queal came to Tama county at an 
early day from Onondaga county, New 
York and located at Toledo. He only re- 
mained a few months when he moved fur- 
ther west. He was a young man, smart, 
quick witted and intelligent, w ith good 









^•*a^ m ^ 



■§^ffi^V^ 






^^ 



»^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



prospect for success in life. 

Albert Stoddard became a member of 
the Tama county bar in 1859, locating at 
Toledo. He was a native of Connecticut, 
but came here from Fort Madison, where 
he had been for several years, editing a 
newspaper. He was admitted to the bar 
at that place, and commenced practice 
soon after his arrival here. When the 
war broke out he enlisted, became Captain 
of Company C, 10th Iowa Infantry, and 
served to the close of the rebellion. Re- 
turning, he resumed the practice of law 
continuing until the time of his death, 
which took place about 1870. Mr. Stod- 
dard was a good writer, easy and full of 
pith, and made an excellent newspaper 
man ; but did not make as successful a 
lawyer as his friends had imagined ; not 
for want of ability, but for some reason he 
soon lost interest in it. He was really 
more successful than the average lawyer 
but not what he might have been. He 
was a good deal of a politician and made 
a good stump speech. Socially he was a 
])leasant, genial aTid rather talkative man, 
and had an easy, good natured and jovial 
disposition which found vent in cracking 
jokes. He was deputy assessor of Inter- 
nal Revenue, under John Connell, during 
the Andy Johnson administration. His 
family remained in Toledo a few years 
after his death and then removed to Illi- 
nois. 

T. F. Bradford came to Tama county in 
1861, and began the practice of law. He 
WIS a native of Tennessee, from which 
State he had been driven by the excite- 
ment preceding the war. He had been 
admitted to the bar and in practice in 
Tennessee and while here was very suc- 



cessful in his profession. He was a good 
jury lawyer and had a good knowledge 
and understanding of the law. In June, 
1862, he was appointed County Judge by 
the Board of Supervisors to fill the va- 
cancy occasioned by the resignation of 
Judge John Allen. After serving out the 
unexpired term he returned to the practice 
of law. In October, 1863, he was elected 
County Judge but resigned within a few 
months to enter the army. When Brad- 
ford came to Tama county he had a dread 
of going to war, knowing that in case of 
capture he would be shown no mercy, 
having formerly been a Southerner, and 
was sore afraid that some scheme of con- 
scription would be inaugurated whereby 
he would be forced into the service. But 
as the war progressed he became very pa- 
triotic and finally returned to Tennessee 
and volunteered in a regiment which had 
been raised by his brother. About one- 
half the regiment was composed of ne- 
groes, and was stationed at Fort Pillow 
about seventy miles above Memphis, on 
the Mississippi. Early in 1864 the Fort 
was surprised by General Forrest and the 
whole regiment massacred. T. F. Brad- 
ford who had been promoted to theCaptain- 
cy,being shot down whi e holding the Union 
flag. Mr. Bradford's widow remained in 
the county four or five years, and subse- 
quently married Col. C. K. Bodfish. 
They separated and she removed to Mar- 
shalltown where her brother, H. E. J. 
Boardman lives. T. F. Bradford was a 
man of great honor and integrity, faithful 
to a friend and bitter to an enemy. He 
was a pleasant, genial man socially, of 
easy habits, and made many friends. 
John G. Safely was a member of the 



:w* 



.u 



^ » K> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Tama county bar, located at Toledo. He 
was born in Cohoes, New York, Novem- 
ber 2, 1839, and died in Perry township, 
July 12, 1879. He was but one year old 
when his parents moved to Iowa and set- 
tled in Cedar county, so he knew no other 
llian his Iowa home. In boyhood he 
showed great taste for books, and notwith- 
standing the imperfect school privileges 
of a half century ago, as compared w'th 
those of to-day, he made rapid advance- 
ment, and was early prepared for college. 
He graduated from Cornell College with 
full classical honors, in 1859, when he was 
twenty years of age. The stormy times of 
1860-61, soon diverted the attention of the 
young graduate from any plans for the fu- 
ture, which he may have entertained. 
Prompted by a desire to serve his threat- 
ened country, and to do what he could to 
avert the danger, in whatever capacity, he 
onlisted as a private in Company K, Elev- 
enth Iowa Volunteers. His abilities and 
brave conduct were such, that, befor • the 
close of the war, he was promoted to the 
captaincy of Company I, same regiment, 
and served until the close of the rebellion. 
Of the many engagements in which his 
regiment participated, the following may 
be mentioned: Shiloh, Seige of Corinth, 
Battles of Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta 
{•.impaign, and the Battle of Atlanta. At 
the last named, he received a severe 
wound, from which he never fully recov- 
ered. In reporting the Uattle of Atlanta, 
Colonel Abercrombie used the following 
language: " I would make mention of 
Sergeant Major John G. Safely, who, with 
the First Sergeant of Company K, John A. 
Ruck (afterward killed — brave fellow). 



and a party of picked men numbering 
thirty or forty, made a dash over the works 
held by the enemy, bringing back more 
than their own number as prisoners, 
amongst whom were a Colonel and a Cap- 
tain." On January 1, 1865, he was pro- 
moted to the captaincy of Company I, and 
was mustered out of the service with his 
regiment at Louisville, Kentucky, July 15, 
1865. The war over, and while enjoying 
needed rest at his father's home, he was 
nominated and elected by the Republicans 
of Cedar county, to represent them in the 
State Legislature. He discharged his du- 
ties in such a manner as to reflect credit 
upon the judgment of those who elected 
him, and honor upon himself. At the ex- 
piration of his term in the legislature, he 
re-commenced preparation for his life- 
work, by entering the law school at Ann 
Arbor. He graduated in 1867, and came 
to Toledo, where he formed a partnership 
with W. H. Stivers. He was married in 
1868 to Miss Jennie Fraseur, of Cedar 
county. Three children were born to 
them — Fred, Jessie and Bertha. Mr. 
Safely continued in active and successful 
practice until 1876, when, his health fail- 
ing, he retired to his farm, where he re- 
mained until the time of his death. Since 
her husband's demise, Mrs. Safely has suc- 
cessfully managed her large farm of 1000 
acres. The Safely farm lies about three 
miles southwest from the village of Traer, 
in Perry township. 

Charles H. Crawford was also a member 
of the Tama county bar for some time, 
located at Toledo. He was a native of 
Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois, read 
law and was admitted to the bar at that 



f^ 



-fe> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



325 



place ; then attended the University of 
Michigan, and graduated in law. He 
then returned to La Salle county, Illinois, 
and in 1869, in company with Hon. L. G. 
Kinne, came to Iowa and located in Tole- 
do. For a few months he and Mr. Kinne 
practiced in partnership, when they dis- 
solved and L. G. Kinne became a partner 
of D. D. Appelgate, while Mr. Crawford 
continued practice alone. He remained 
in Toledo for about two years, a portion 
of the time being city attorney ; then re- 
turned to his old home, Mendota, Illinois. 
In a short time he removed to the city of 
Chicago, where he is still following his 
profession, living in Hyde Park. Craw- 
ford was a married man, a pleasant, gen- 
ial, sociable fellow, and a first-rate lawyer. 

G. H. Goodrich became a member of 
the Tama county bar, settling in Toledo 
in about 1870. He was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, came to Iowa a few years previ- 
ous to the time mentioned, and located in 
Tama City, where he was employed as 
clerk in one of the banks. After practic- 
ing for a short time alone, in 187.3, he be- 
came a partner of Judge Geo. R. Struble. 
This business relation was continued for 
about four years, when, for two years he 
practiced alone, and then removed to Mar- 
shalltown. After a year's sojourn in the 
latter city, he moved to Des Moines, where 
he still lives. When last heard from, he 
was employed as collector for some Chica- 
go wholesale house. He was fine ap- 
pearing, a good lawyer before a jury, 
having a good voice, and commanding pres- 
ence. During his stay in Tama county, 
he was married. 

Homer S. Bradshaw located at Toledo 



"^Jls 



in 1871, and o))ened a law and collection 
office. He came from Mechanicsvillo, 
Iowa, where he had been employed for a 
number of years as principal of the pub- 
lic schools. He was a well educated man, 
and had a comparatively good practice, 
proving himself of more than ordinary 
legal ability. He has recently removed to 
Ida Grove, Iowa, where he is still in prac- 
tice. 

William Reickhoff came to Tama coun- 
ty and located in Toledo, in 1862, engag- 
ing at black-smithing. In 1872 he sold 
his shop and engaged in the law and real 
estate business. In 1875 he began ab- 
stracting and remained here until 1881. 
He was a native of Germany, or at least 
of that descent, and was a married man. 
As to law, he never pretended to do very 
much, devoting his whole attention to real 
estate, abstract and loaning business. He 
was a careful and untiring business man, 
thoroughly honest and reliable, and be- 
came rich while here. He was very out- 
spoken, and in argument or discussion, 
when excited, would talk very plain, re- 
gardless of other's feelings, being hard to 
manage in this respect, although, consid- 
erable of a politician, he never held any 
office here, it being thought he talked too 
plain. lie never attempted public speak- 
ing. In 1881, he removed to Orange City, 
this State, where he still lives. 

Michael Austin was a member of the 
bar of Tama county fiom 1874 to 1880. 
He came here from Grinnell, being a grad- 
uate of the college of that place, and en- 
tered into partnership with George L. 
Bailey. He was a fair lawyer and had a 
good promise, although just commencing 



^1 



A^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



practice, having been admitted to the bar 
just prior to coming here. He was genial 
and affable and became popular, serving 
the city at different times as attorney and 
mayor. Uijon leaving Toledo he returned 
to Grinnell, gave up the practice of law 
and became agent for a company handling 
header harvesters. 

About 1874, a couple of young lawyers 
located in Toledo and opened an office 
near where the postoffice now stands, and 
remained for about six months, when they 
left for parts unknown. Their names can- 
not be recalled. 

R. G. Mclntire, the present county aud- 
itor, practiced law in Toledo for some 
time, then removed to Traer. 

George Raines was for many years one 
of Toledo's practicing lawyers. He was 
an old settler in the county, and was for 
many years in the ministry. In 188:3 he 
removed to Dakota. 

Charles R. Appelgate was for some time 
engaged in the practice of law in Toledo, 
in partnership with his father, D. D. Ap- 
pelgate. He was a graduate of the law 
department of the Iowa State University. 

Among others who have been admitted 
to the bar here, or who have practiced for 
a time in Toledo are : Col. John Coniiell, 
Daniel Connell, Jr., T. A. Graham, Thomas 
S. Free, J. W. Stewart. 

Personal sketches of most of these gen- 
tlemen appear elsewhere in this volume 

An attorney named Bangs was one of the 
first lawyers to locate at Tama City. He lo- 
cated there in 1866, and remained for 
nearly two years. None remember where 
he came from or where he went. He was 
married ; abo\it 45 years of age ; a man of 
considerable ability, well read in law, a 



fair speaker and had sufficient 

traits," but did little, if any, business while 

in Tama City. 

Mr. Crafts located at Tama City in 1867, 
and remained for about one year. He 
came from New York, was a man about 
thirty years of age, with a family, and had 
been admitted to the bar previous to his 
coming here, although not in practice. He 
was a very good speaker, and was well 
read in law, but did not understand how 
to make its application. After leaving 
this place he went to Cedar Rapids ; his 
whereabouts at present are unknown. 

W. L Crozier was for a time engaged 
in the practice of law at Tama City. He 
had been prosecuting attorney of Dubuque 
county, but came here direct from St. 
Louis, to which place he returned after 
leaving Tama City. He was a man of fine 
ability as a lawyer, a good speaker and 
well informed on almost every subject. 
In personal appearance, it has often been 
remarked that he looked very much like 
Stephen A. Douglass. He is not living. 

C. E. Ilibbard came to Tama City from 
Massachusetts in 1868. He had been in 
practice in his native State, and was a 
good lawyer, both in office and before a 
jury. He remained here for about four 
years and returned to Boston, where, 
when last heard from, he was engaged in 
his profession. 

K. M. Doe came to Tama City from 
Iowa City in 1870, and began the practice 
of law. After remaining a few years he 
returned to Iowa City where he won quite 
a reputation as an equity lawyer. He sub- 
sequently removed to Texas. Was a 
graduate of the Iowa State University, and 
had a good dfeal of acquired as well as 



^^^=i^ 



J'- 



-* — "l it. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



327 



natural ability. 

George W. Stinson located in Tama 
City in 1875, coming from Kansas where 
he had been in the practice of law. He 
formed a partnership with O. H. Mills and 
remained two yeans, when he returned to 
Kansas and located at Phillipsburg. He 
was a very successful lawyer. 

■ G. P. Griswold practiced law in Tama 
City for about one year. He came here 
from Michigan in 1878, and from here 
went to Marshalltown. He had been in 
practice before coming here and was a 
good general lawyer. 

The law firm of Randolph & Hotch- 
kiss, opened an office in Tama City in 1881 
and remained in practice for a short time. 

Captain J. G. Strong located in Trear 
soon after the village started, coming from 
Tama City. He remained for several years 
and then removed to Grundy Center. 
From there he moved to Brett, where 
he still lives. He was a well educated 
man and a successful lawyer. 

A. Branaman, commenced practice in 
Traer about 1874, and continued for sev- 
eral years, when he went to Dysart where 
he started a bank. He is now in Grundy 
Center. 

Mr. Douglierty, a native of Kentucky, 
practiced law in Traer for five or si.x 
months. 

About 1875 Mr. Town.send came from 
Washington, D. C, and opened a law of- 
fice in Traer. He had been clerk in some 
of the government departments, was a 
smart fellow and a good lawyer. He re- 
mained about one year when he returned 
to his old home in Washington where he 
is now running a pension law office. 

Frederick Hartshorn, a graduate of the 



law department of the State University 
located at Traer in 1879, and opened a 
law office He remained for about ten 
months, when he moved to Clarion where 
he still lives. 

S. C. Leland, the present clerk of court 
of Tama county practiced law in Traer 
for some time, lie is noticed elsewhere 
in this chapter. 

THE PRESENT BAR. 

The bar of Tama county of to-day has 
many able representatives. Almost with- 
out an exception, they are men of expe- 
rience and thought ; gentleman and schol- 
ars. In this connection are presented per- 
sonal sketches of all those from whom a 
sketch could be obtained. They are ar- 
ranged in the order in which the gentle- 
men commenced practice in the various 
towns of the county. The list comprises 
the following : W. H. Stivers, Hon. 
George R. Struble, D. D. Appelgate, C. 

B. Bradshaw, Hon. L. G. Kinne, George 
L. Bailey, Hon. E. C. Ebersole, S. C. Le- 
land, James A. Merritt, W. J. Ham, H. J. 
Stiger, William L. Lamb, J. W.Lamb, W. 
G. Sears, Wallace B. Louthan, Daniel 
Reamer, A. M. Moore, F. J. M. Wouser, 
O. H. Mills, A. W. Guernsey, W. H. H. 
Tiffany, James W. Willett, W. W. 
Wouser, Robert E. Austin, E. Harmon, 
James Fowler. E. T. Langley, Orson T. 
Biainerd, R. G. Mclntire, N. C. Rice, F. 

C. Wood, W. H. Wood, George L. Wil- 
bur, E. H. Benedict, C. H. Roberts, Rich- 
ard Fitzgerald, W. V. Dooley. 

Prominent among the attorneys of To- 
ledo is William H. Stivers, of the law firm 
of Stivers & Louthan. Mr. Stivers com- 
menced the study of law while working at 
his trade— blacksmithing— and after five 



Pv 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



fe^ 



years spent in this manner, came to Toledo, 
read law, and in March, 1857, was admit- 
ted to the bar at Marion, Linn county. 
He was born on the 18th of May, 1830, 
at what is now Attica, Wyoming county, 
New York. His father was a blacksmith 
by trade, and as soon as William became 
of sufficient age, lie learned the trade and 
folio «'ed it until coming to Toledo in 
1856. On the 22nd of August, 1852, he 
was married to Miss Emily Baugh, of 
Jones county, this State. Four children 
have been born to them — Emma, wife of 
M. J. Boyle, of Toledo ; Seward J., George 
Sumner, and Lillie V., wife of W. B. 
Louthan,' junior member of the firm of 
Stivers & Louthan. 

Hon. George R. Struble, the present 
Speaker of the House of Representatives 
of Iowa, and a member of the law firm of 
Struble & Kinne, Toledo, has been a 
prominent lawyer in Tama county for the 
past twenty-three years. He was born 
July 25, 1836, in Sussex county. New 
Jersey. His parents were Isaac and Emma 
T. (Cox) Struble, both of whom are still 
living near Toledo, Iowa. When quite 
young, Mr. Struble removed from New 
Jersey to the vicinity of Fredericksburg, 
Virginia, and there remained with his pa- 
rents until their removal to Chesterville, 
Ohio, in 1847. In 1856, Mr. Struble left 
Ohio, came to Iowa, and located first in 
Iowa City, but only remained in that place 
until the following spring, when he came 
to Toledo, Tama county, and has since 
made this his home. Mr. Struble was 
married at Toledo, Iowa, on the 19th of 
April, 1860, to Miss Sophia J. Nelson, 
daughter of Seth B. and Jane Nelson, and 
niece of Rev. Dr. H. A. Nelson, formerly 



of St. Louis, now of Geneva New York. 
Mr. Struble first commenced the study of 
law in the office of T. Walter Jackson, and 
was admitted to the bar in February, 1860, 
at the regular term of the district court. 
Judge W. E. Miller presiding. In 1863 
he formed a partnership with Isaac L. 
Allen, under the firm name of Alien «fc 
Struble. The partnership continued xxntil 
1865. During most of the time of this ^ 
partnership, Mr. Allen was occupying the / 
position of Attornej'-General of the State. 
In 1870, Mr. Struble was elected judge of 
the circuit court of the Eighth judicial 
district, and held that responsible position 
until 1872. Mr. Struble was elected a 
member of the House of the 18th General 
Assembly of the State of Iowa, and re- 
elected to the 19th General Assembly, of 
which he was elected Speaker in 1882. 
He is now practicing law in Toledo, in 
partnership with L. G. Kinne, under the 
firm name of Struble & Kinne. He is 
also a member of the loan firm of H. J. 
Stiger & Co., and is one of the directors 
of the Toledo Savings Bank. In politics 
he is a republican, and is a member of the 
Congregational church of Toledo, Iowa. 
Mr. and Mrs. Struble have been blessed 
with six children ; Agnes N., wife of Hiram 
Baldwin, cashier of Toledo Savings Kank ; 
.VlayT., Gertrude N., Jessie F., George 
Herbert and Grace. Judge Struble is of 
medium height, well proportioned and is a 
tine appearing man ; has a high forehead, 
a keen, penetrating eye. Socially, he is 
pleasant, affable and courteous, though al- 
waj's cosidering business paramount to so- 
cial ties. As a lawyer, he is quick to 
see a point, has a ready and eloquent flow 
of language to " push it ; is a forcible 



"^c r- 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



329 



speaker, well educated in his profession, 
and withal a most successful practitioner. 
Judge Struble is a man in whom not only 
the county, but the State may take pride ; 
and the honors that have been bestowed 
upon him have only served to make him 
more deserving of them. In his public 
life he has fully demonstrated himself to 
be a man of thorough integrity and ster- 
ling worth, possessing qualities which 
make him a leader among men. 

D. D. Appelgate has been one of Tole- 
do's attorneys since 1868, and is among 
the oldest settlers of Tama county. He 
was born in Jackson county, Indiana, 
October 31, 1829, and was there reared 
upon a farm. In 1848 he left Indiana and 
came to Iowa, locating in Cedar county, 
where he remained until September, 1851, 
when he came to Tama county and located 
in Carlton township. In the spring of 
1853, he was elected the first clerk of 
courts of Tama county ; was re-elected 
from time to time and served until Janu- 
ary, 1869, in the meantime reading law 
with Isaiic L. Allen, ex-Attorney General, 
of Iowa, and in 1868, was admitted to the 
bar. He has followed the profession ever 
since. In 1&56, Mr. Appelgate was mar- 
ried to Miss Margaret McLaury, of Dela- 
ware county, New York. They have si.x 
cliildren. He was formerly an "old line 
Whig, " but since the organization of the 
Republican party, has advocated its prin- 
ciples. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, and of the A. 0. U. W. organi- 
zation, a much respected and worthy citizen. 
C. B. Bradshaw was born December 2(5, 
1839, at Richmond, Jefferson county, Ohio. 
Ilis parents were Harvey and Susan ( Sul- 
livan ) Bradshaw ; the former a native of 



Connecticut ; the latter of Pennsylvania. 
His father died at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 
November 8, 1 861 ; and his mother in Juno, 
1873, at Toledo, Iowa. His father was a 
Methodist minister, and at the time of his 
death, agent of Cornell College, Mt. Ver- 
non. The family consisted of two sons — 
C. B., and H. S. Bradshaw, the latter 
practicing law at Ida C4rove, Ida county, 
Iowa. C. B. was reared in Ohio, receiv- 
ing his early education in the common 
schools. He came to Iowa in the spring of 
1860, and entered Cornell College, remain- 
ing until August, 1862. At that time he 
enlisted in Co. F. 24th Iowa Vol. Inf'ty, 
joining Grant's forces at Helena, Arkansas» 
started to Vicksburg, but before reaching 
there, was in the battles of Port. Gibson 
and Champion Hills, reaching Vicksburg 
on the 24th of May, 1863, a' d was there 
during the seige of that city. In July, 
1865, he was discharged at Davenport, 
where his regiment disbanded. He then 
went to Michigan and entered the law de- 
partment of Ann Arbor University, grad- 
uating in 1867. Mr. Bradshaw was admit- 
ted to the bar of Iowa, at Marion, Linn 
county, at a term of the district court. 
Judge Rothrock presiding. He then 
came to Toledo, and formed a partnership 
with G. R. Struble, which continued until 
the fall of 1870, at which time Mr. Struble 
withdrew from the firm to enter upon the 
duties of Circuit Judge, to which office 
he had been e'ected. Mr. Bradshaw has 
since been alone in business. He was 
married in December, 1867, to Miss Mary 
Ann Hayzlett, daughter of William and 
Elizabeth Uayzlett, a native of Linn coun- 
ty, this State. Mrs. Bradshaw graduated 
in the classical course at Cornell Collejre. 



*^<F=i^ 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



in June, ls64. They have two children 
—Alice, born May 8, 1869 ; and Charles, 
August 4, 1871. In 1868, Mr. Bradshaw 
was admitted to practice before the Su- 
preme Court of the State, at Dubuque, 
Iowa, before Judges Dillon, Cole, Beck 
and Wright. During his service in the 
Union Army, he was promoted to second 
Lieutenant then to first Lieutenant and dur- 
ing the last year of the war, he held the 
position of Captain. Mr. Bradshaw was 
formerly a Republican, but at the close of 
the war, joined the Democratic party. 

Hon. L. G. Kinne, L. L. B.. is one of 
the leading members of the bar of Tama 
county, and a member of the law firm of 
Struble & Kinne, of Toledo. He was 
born November o, 1846, in Syracuse, New 
York ; a son of Esop and Lydia Kinne. 
His father was a farmer living at the old 
homestead until his death in 1871; his 
mother died in 1865. Of the family, there 
are still living four boys and two girls. 
The subject of this sketch left home in 
1865 and went to Mendota, Illinois, hav- 
ing in the meantime completed the course 
of the Syracuse High School. Remaining 
at Mendota during the summer of 1865, 
he kept books for his brother-in-law, and 
studied law with Hon L. B. Crooker, since 
member of the Illinois legislature and 
present Collector of Internal Revenue 
with headquarters at Aurora, Illinois. In 
the fall he entered the Law Department 
of the University of Michigan, from which 
he graduated in 1868, receiving the degree 
of L. L. B. In the meantime, in 1867, was 
admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court 
of Illinois. After graduating he return- 
ed to Mendota, Illinois, and opening , in of- 
fice, practiced there until 1 869, when he came 



west and settled in Toledo, Tama county, 
where he still resides. Immediately after 
his arrival he formed a partnership with 
Charles H. Crawford, who came to the 
State with him, and continued in this con- 
nection for about si.x months when this re- 
lation was dissolved, and he formed a 
partnership with David D. Appelgate. 
In 1876 this partnership was dissolved, 
and after continuing alone until Novem- 
ber, 1877, Mr. Kinne became a partner 
with Judge George R. Struble, under the 
firm name of Struble & Kinne, which bus- 
iness relation is still maintained. Mr. 
Kinne was married mi 1869 to Miss Mary 
E. Abrams, of Peru, 111. They have two 
children Lillian and Hettie. 

Politically Mr. Kinne is a Democrat, 
and one of the leading men of that party 
in Iowa. He has been mayor of the city 
of Toledo, for three terms, and city at- 
torney one term. He has been the candi- 
date of his party for various high offices, 
among which are District Attorney, Circuit 
Judge, and in 1881 was the unanimous 
choice of his party for Governor of the 
State and ran considerably ahead of his 
ticket. He was also the unanimous choice 
of the Democratic party for the office of 
United States Senator and received a 
larger number of votes than any Demo- 
cratic candidate since the State became 
Republican in politics. For the past ten 
years he has served upon the Democratic 
State central committee, either as Secre- 
tary or Chairman, almost constantly. 
During the political campaign of 1882 he 
was chairman of the Democratic Central 
Committee and managed in a manner 
which excited surprise and consternation in 



^, 



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i^.k 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



^ 



the ranks of the opposing parties. That his 
labor was efficient is shown by the official 
vote as compared with that of former 
years. In 1876 he was a delegate from 
Iowa to the National convention for the 
nomination of President. Daring his can- 
didacy for Governor he made political 
speeches in fifty of Iowa's leading cities. 
In 1880, by invitation of the Democratic 
National Campaign Committee he spent 
three weeks in political speaking in the 
State of Indiana. In June, 1883, Mr. 
Kinne was again honored with the nomi- 
nation for Governor, and entered upon the 
campaign with strong hopes of an election. 
It will thus be seen that Mr. Kinne is con- 
sidered a leading member of the party 
with which he affiliates and in fact, has 
been honored by the party more than any 
other one man in the State. The fact that 
the Democratic party in Iowa is in the 
minority does not detract an atom from 
the flattering testimonial paid Mr. Kinne. 
He was unanimously chosen to represent 
and lead a party controlling over 100,000 
votes, and it is a distinction of which any 
man may well be proud. Mr. Kinne in per- 
sonal appearance, is fine looking, being a 
little above the average height of men. He 
has at various times edited a paper in Toledo 
and is at present editor and part owner 
of the Tama county Democrat. As 
a writer, he is forcible, clear, 
and pithy and uses excellent lan- 
guage. His articles are sometimes severe 
but only when occasion requires it, and 
there is no affection or straining as is so 
commonly found in newspaper editorials. 
George L. Bailey, one of the prominent 
attorneys of Toledo, was born in Camden, 



Lorain county, Ohio, on May 26, 1837. 
He is a son of Johiel and Hannah (Bates) 
Bailey, natives of Lewis county. New 
York, where they settled in an early day. 
In 1855, George's father emigrated to 
Tama county, locating on section 14, To- 
ledo township, where he purchased land, 
opened a farm, and remained for a num- 
ber of years. In 1864, he returned to 
Ohio, and located near Oberlin for the 
purpose of educating his family. The 
father died in 1864, leaving a widow and 
a large family to mourn his loss. Mrs. 
Bailey is still living at Toledo at the ad- 
vanced age of 79. George L., the subject 
of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and 
received a liberal education. In 1861 he 
was appointed deputy district clerk, which 
position he held until 1869. In the mean 
time he devoted all his spare time to the 
study of law. In 1869 he engaged in the 
land and loan business, and in January, 
1871, was admitted to the bar, at a term 
of the circuit court, with Judge Struble pre- 
siding. He W.1S married in Milwaukee, 
Wisconsin, on the 18th day of May, 1864, to 
Miss Hattie E. Horton, daughter of Dennis 
Horton, a resident of Lorain county, Ohio. 
Two children have been born to them — 
Mabel H., who died in infancy, and Rollin 
H., born on the 27th of February, 1868. 
Mr. Bailey, in politics, is a Republican, 
and has given his support to that party 
since its organization. In 1869 he was 
elected justice of the peace, and held that 
office for two years. In 1873 he was 
elected clerk of Toledo township, and also 
city recorder of Toledo, holding the latter 
office for two years and the former for 
seven. Mr. Bailey is the present clerk of 



"^^i^^ 



12 



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• h- 



r^=fk^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the school board of Toledo, having been 
first elected to that position in 18T4. On 
the SHh of October, 1876, he was admitted 
to practice before all the circuit courts of 
the United States, by Judge Dillon, at 
Des Moines. The career of George L. 
Bailey has been both honorable and suc- 
cessful. He has always enjoyed the con- 
fidence and respect of the community in 
which he has lived. Since he came to To- 
ledo he has taken a deep interest in every- 
thing that pertained to the growth and 
prosperity of the town. His social quali- 
ties are of the highest order; genial, affa- 
ble, and a gentleman in every sense of the 
word. He is an upright citizen, a straight- 
forward business man, an ardent worker 
in the temperance cause, and would be an 
honor to any community in which his lot 
might be cast. He is a prominent mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, holding the 
senior wardenship of Toledo Lodge No. 
1 18, and has been an officer of that frater- 
nity ever since joining it, in 1866, with 
the exception of one year. 

E. C. Ebersole, Reporter of the Su- 
preme Court of Iowa, and senior member 
of the law-firm of Ebersole & Wiliett, 
is, from his official position and private 
character, worthy of prominent mention 
among the leading citizens of Tama coun- 
ty. His earlier career was one continuous 
struggle to overcome obstacles, which 
seemed almost insurmountable, but devel- 
oped in him an energy which was a guar- 
entee that he would not fail to reach a 
])osition of honor and influence. Mr. Eber- 
sole embodies the best traits of his ances- 
try. Of German parentage, he is, in its 
broadest and finest significance, a typical 
American. He was born October 18, 184o 



at Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania. His father, 
Jacob Ebersole, was a carpenter by trade, 
whose industry and thrift kept him in com- 
fortable circumstances. He was radical in 
all his proclivities, especially in his op- 
position to the aboniinations of slavery 
and intemperance, and instilled into his 
children principles of integrity, self-re- 
spect, and duty to mankind. He felt his 
own lack of education, and therefore made 
provision for his children to receive such 
aid in procuring an education, as they 
might desire. He died in 1856. His wife, 
Catharine ( Keister) Ebersole, is living at 
Lecompton, Kansas, with her only daught- 
er, Mrs. Flora Stauffer. She has two sur- 
viving sons — Solomon K., a merchant at 
Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and E. C, 
the subject of this sketch. E. V. Ebersole 
passed his youth in the public schools of 
his native j)lace. The terms of his fath- 
er's will gave him an opportunity to secure 
a liberal education, and he entered Mt. 
Pleasant College. At the end of a year 
he found himself in health so impaired as 
to necessitate rest from mental application, 
and, when sufficiently recovered to resume 
his studies, the College had passed imder 
the control of Otterbein University, of 
Ohio, and he followed it thither. January 
1, 1861, he had nearly reached the close of 
the junior year in the classical course, 
when he was again compelled to susj)cnd 
mental work. His ambition to proceed in 
his course of study led him in a few 
months to seek some institution of learn- 
ing that offered a wider range of nieta- 
piiysical studies, and, in April, IS(ii,lie 
entered Amherst College, Massachusetts. 
Professor Seeley, now President of the 
College, occujVied the chair of metaphys- 



*«F|s f 



If^ 



-»4> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ics. Manual exercise was a feature of the 
curriculum, and Mr. Ebersole found it 
beneficial to his health. He graduated in 

1862, in a class of 5.3. He engaged for a 
few months as teacher in the celebrated 
Tracy Institute at Tarrytown on the Hud- 
son, and then returned home. He enlisted 
in the spring of 186.3 in Dick's ( detach- 
ed ) Pennsylvania Cavalry, but was dis- 
charged in October following. During his 
last year in College, he was elected tutor 
at Otterbein, but did not accept. In July, 

1863, he was e'ected Professor of Mathe- 
matics in Western College, Iowa, holding 
the chair two years. In the spring of 

1864, he enlisted in the " Student's Com- 
pany, " ( Company D., 44tli Iowa Infant- 
ry, Col. Stephen H. Henderson command- 
ing) to serve 100 days. On the expira- 
tion of that period, he resumed his duties 
in the College. He was married Septem- 
ber 25, 1865, to Francis E. Spencer, a 
teacher in the same College. Resigning 
their situations, they entered into an en- 
gagement to teach in the Fort Madison 
Academy, but Mr. Ebersole's health again 
failing, the"y abandoned teaching and 
moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the 
fall of 1866, Mr. Kbersole went to Chicago 
to pursue the study of law, and was engaged 
as tutor in a private family. Again illness 
interfered with Jjis studies and he went 
to Penrsylviinia to aid in the final settle- 
ment of his father's estati'. This duty 
discharged, he returned to Iowa and pur- 
chased a tract of land near Jefferson, 
Green county, with the intention of com- 
bining out-door interests with mental 
study, but a disastrous fire put an end to 
this sclieine. Returning to Cedar Rapids, 
he was tendered the management of 



" Western College " and accepted. The 
students, by petition to the Trustees, pro- 
cured his election as President in June, 
1868, Init on the same day he was elected 
Principal of the Preparatory Department, 
and assistant Prof' ssor of Ancient Lan- 
guages in the Iowa State University. He 
accepted the latter position, which he held 
for two years. Ad interim, he had conti nued 
his course of preparation for the legal 
profession, and, resigning his appointment 
in the University, in June, 1870, he was 
admitted to the bar at the Circuit Court of 
Johnston county. Judge W. E. Miller pre- 
siding. Mr. Ebersole began practice at 
Iowa City, where he was associated with 
J. H. Coon, and later with Judge Z. C. 
Luse. In the spring of IS'Zl, he went to 
Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, where he pur- 
sued his profession, and after a few 
months formed a partnership with S. A. 
Calvert, now Judge of one of the circuits 
of the Fifth Judicial District, under the 
the firm name of Ebersole & Calvert. He 
sold his business interests to his partner and 
went to Arkansas, prospecting. On his 
letiirn, he was appointed Principal of the 
High School at Cedar Rapids, which he 
taught one year, his wife assisting. In 
1873, he formed his present business rela- 
tion with J. W. Willett, ( see sketch) and 
located at Toledo, Iowa. This is now the 
oldest and one of the most prosperous of 
the law-firms in Tama county. Mr. Eb- 
ersole served as Mayor of Toledo in 1876 
and 1877, and again in 1881, and has acted 
in other municipal positions. In 1882 he 
was elected Reporter of t' e Supreme 
Court of Iowa, for four years. Mr. Eber- 
sole is a man of keen observation, dis- 
criminating judgment, ripe scholarship. 



-%' 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



:l^ 



possessing a mind <if wonderful balance 
and discipline. His peculiar gifts render 
liira one of the safest lawyers and ablest 
counsellors in the State. Mrs. Ebersole's 
parents were Daniel and Elizabeth ( Mor- 
ton ) Spencer, natives of New York, Her 
father died in 1882 , her mother resides at 
Cedar Jiapids. Mr. and Mrs. Ebersole are 
members of the Congregational church. 
The}' have an adopted daughter — Maud. 
Mr. Ebersole is a Republican by heritage 
and choice. The political impressions re- 
ceived from his father, at a time when to 
be a " free-soiler" was to be a hero, were 
sanctioned and confirmed by his mature 
judgment in after life. He believes in a 
very broad sense, that " all men are creat- 
ed equal, " and rejoices to see those in the 
lower ranks going up higher, and to help 
them when he can. He refers with par- 
donable pride and enthusiasm to the fact 
that his relatives, both on his father's and 
mother's side, are all, so far as he knows, 
sober, honest, industrious and thrifty peo- 
ple, contented with such gains and honors 
as they have justly earned, and simple 
hearted enough to believe in the general 
goodness of their fellow-men, and in the 
existence and benevolence of an overrul- 
ing Providence. In all matters of true re- 
form, Mr. Ebersole belongs to the "Right 
Wing. " In these matters he is not vis- 
ionary, but practical, thinking it wiser to. 
seek only so much as is fairly attainable 
than, by demanding all that is desirable, 
to fail in realizing anything. 

.lames W. Willett, of the law firm of 
Ebersole & Willett, is a native of Mercer 
couiiiy, Illinois, where his" parents belong- 
ed to the pioneer element which formed 
the world wide repute of the Sucker State, 



and developed her matchless record as a 
commonwealth. He passed his youth 
among the influences of the early period in 
the history of Illinois, and from them he 
received the qualities which have thus far 
characterized his career in public life. 
Ambitious energy, unfaltering courage, 
and a total want of self-consciousness are 
among his many marked traits. He early 
learned that a career worthy of his man- 
hood would involve much of the stuff that 
baffles and overwhelms weak men, and, 
believing in all sincerity, that all he cotdd 
be, depended on his inflexible faithfulness 
to the promptings of his inner nature, 
he took his resolves, and has never 
flinched his self-imposed obligations^ 
In the work of the world, he de- 
cided to perform his part according to 
his own understanding, and subject to no 
vacillations from the predjudices and mis- 
conceptions of other men. His commerce 
with dailj' events and exegeneies of the 
times has no feeble or uncertain ring. If 
he is misjudged by his generation, the ul- 
timatum of his record will justly fix the 
responsibility. He regards his life and 
abilities as trusts of a character that ad- 
mits of no dallying or deferring, and, in 
any emergency, or on any occasion, he 
acts with decision and directness of pur- 
pose. He is a candid and impassioned 
speaker, ranks fairly as an advocate among 
the legal fraternity of Iowa, and stands to 
the front in the interests of the political 
element to which he belongs. On coming 
to Iowa he at once threw himself into the 
arena of politics, and has ever since done 
valiant service in the Republican ranks of 



:|V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



33V 



his adopted State. General oratory, such 
as the period demands is his forte, and 
wlialever the issue which enlists the 
strength of his eloquence, the element he 
re|)resents suffers no disappointment. In 
forensic debate he is well-nigh peerless, 
and the judicial record.s of the courts 
whe'e he has acted as advocate in some of 
the most important cases that have been 
argued before those angust tribunals, pre- 
sent an enviable exhibit of his success in 
his chosen profession. Mr. Willett was 
born March 8, 1840. He is a son of Wil- 
liam and Nancy J. (Deniiison) Willett, 
residents of Mercer county, Illinois. His 
father wasbotnin Mead county,Kentucky, 
and after his removal to Illinois engaged 
in mercantile business. His mother was 
a native of Wayne county, Indiana. Mr. 
Willett obtained a common school educa- 
tion, and in the spring of 1863, left the 
paternal roof to make his single handed 
contest with the world, and during the 
following summer, was a sailor on the 
great lakes, preparatory to a more impor- 
tant step. He enlisted in the United States 
navy, October 1, 186;i, and was enrolled at 
Cleveland, Ohio. He was assigned to the 
United Stites steamer "Springfield," under 
Commodore Foote, in the Mississippi 
Squadron of Admiral Porter. He was 
ranked as "Boatswain's Mate," and after a 
year's service on the steamer he was trans- 
ferred to the Naval Hospital Service on 
the Mississippi. He followed sea-faring 
and river service occupation during sev- 
eral years, gathering material and knowl- 
edge of men and matters, which he has 
made subservient to his after career. Ad- 
interim, he pursued a course of study at 
Eastman's Commercial CoUeee at Pouij;h- 



keepsie, New A''ork, and was graduated 
with the class of 1867. In the spring of 
1870 he made a flying visit to Tama coun- 
ty on business, and again in December of 
that year. February 1, 1871, he entered 
the law office of Stivers & Safely at Toledo 
to p'osecute the studies'" of the profes- 
sion. He was admitted to the bar, Feb- 
ruary 26, 1872, and remained with Messrs. 
Stivers & Safely until July, 1873. He had 
subsequently been admitted to practice in 
all the Federal and State Courts of Iowa. 
In August, 1873, he formed a co-partner- 
ship with the Hon. E. C. Ebersole, of Tole- 
do under the firm name and style of Eber- 
sole & Willett. Until the summer of 1879 
their business was conducted at Toledo ; 
since that date Mr. Ebersole represents 
the firm at that place and Mr. Willett 
manages the office of the firm at Tama 
City ; the co-partnership remaining intact. 
Mr. Willett was married December 24, 
1874, to Miss A. R. Stoner, daughter of 
Isaac and Catherine Stoner, long-time 
residents of Toledo. Mrs. Willett was 
born in Seneca county, Ohio. Their three 
children — Williain S., Maggie M. and 
James H., are aged seven, five and three 
years, respectively. 

S. C. Leland commenced the practice of 
law in Tama county in 1875, locating at 
Toledo, and continued in practice until 
elected clerk of courts of Tama county, in 
1880. In 1882 he was re-elected to the 
office by a larger majority than any candi- 
date upon the same ticket, and is now 
serving his second term. He was born in 
Quincy, Branch county, Mich., December 
23, 1844. His parents were Elijah Leland 
and Julia Sherwood, who emigrated to 



IK" 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY 



Branch county, Michigan, in 1832, where 
the father took up land, opened a farm, 
and remained until his death, which oc- 
curred in June, 1863. S. C. Leiand was 
reared and educited in his native State. 
In December, 1861, he enlisted in B .ttery 
G, First Michigan Light Artillery. In 
their first engagement at Cumberland 
(4ap, he was taken prisoner and was held 
for two months, when he was paroled and 
returned to Michigan, where he- remained 
until he was exchanged. He again joined 
his battery at Milliken's Bend and partic- 
ipated in the battles of Port (4ibson, 
Champion Hills. Black River Bridge, 
siege and capture of Vicksburg, Jackson, 
Miss., and others. He was mustered out 
at Jackson, Michigan, in January 1865. 
After he left the army he attended school 
at Hinsdale for three years, and in 1871 
he went to Charles City, Floyd county, 
Iowa, where he entered the law office of S. 
P. Leiand. In 1873 he was admitted to 
the bar, and in 1875 came to Tama county, 
where he followed the practice of law un- 
til he was elected (ilerk of courts of Tama 
county. Mr. Leiand has many of those 
(characteristics which make a man popular. 
He is kind and considerate, and in his 
official capacity is always courteous, ren- 
dering all assistance necessary to those 
with whom he has business to transact. 
Mr. Leiand is the present mayor of the 
city of Toledo. He was married in Branch 
county, Michigan, to Miss Harriet Porter. 
By this union there have been four chil- 
dren, three of whom are living — Fred, 
Jennie and Lillie. Mr. Leiand is a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Pythias, Royal Arch 
Masons, and Grand Army of the Republic. 



In politics he is a republican, and cast his 
first vote for Abraham Lincoln. 

Jacob W. Lamb, attorney-at-law, of To- 
ledo, is one among the successful young 
men of Tama county. He was born in 
Columbus, Ohio, in 1849. His parents, D. 
C. and Rebecca (Waters) Lamb, came 
from Ohio to Tama county in the spring of 
1850, when there were but few inhabitants 
and little expectation that Tama county 
would ever be what it is now. Jacob's 
early life was spent on a farm, and he was 
enabled to acquire a good common school 
education. In 1869 he entered the Iowa 
State L'niversity, and remained there six 
years, receiving the degree of Bachelor of 
Philosophy at his graduation, on the -JOth 
of June, 1875. After n ceiving his diplo- 
ma, he determined to make law his profes- 
sion, and to this end, commenced his 
studies in the law department at Iowa 
City, remaining one year. June 20,1876, 
he received his degree of Bachelor of 
Laws, and was admitted to practice in 
all the courts of the State, at the State 
House in Des Moines. From that date 
Mr. Lamb has been in the active law 
practice at Toledo, Tama county. He has 
built up a fine and lucrative practice. He 
is known as a man of untiring industry, 
sterling integrity, decided character and 
has ever)' promise of a prosperous and 
honorable career. He is a hard student, 
thoroughly Iq love with his chosen profes- 
sion, and a never tiring worker. Sincehe 
has been a member of the bar of Tama 
county he has been very close and atten- 
tive to business, and it is already having 
its effect in a business way. In 1881 he 
worked hard and gave liberally to secure 



*7il 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the location of the western college at To- 
ledo; having himself had the advantages 
of a higher education, he felt keenly the 
importance and benefit of having a thor- 
ough educational institution in their midst, 
and therefore gave financially more than 
any other business man in Toledo of his 
years. 

James A. Merritt, of Toledo, is a son of 
James B. and Laura C. (Wing) Merritt. 
and was born in Lunda, Livingston coun- 
ty, N. Y. October 10, 1853. His father, 
also born in N. Y., was a mason by trade, 
which business he followed in his native 
State. In March, 1856, the family moved 
to Tama county, and pre-empted land on 
section 16, Highland township. Here 
James was reared, receiving his education 
in the district schools, and at seventeen, 
attended four terms at Iowa College, Grin- 
nell. In March, 1873, he went to the 
State Agricultural College, remaining until 
part way through the junior year, then 
attended the State University at Iowa City 
for about one year, and in July, 1877, 
came to Toledo, and enteied the law office 
of Struble & Goodrich, to pursue the study 
of that profession. When this partner- 
ship was dissolved, he entered the office of 
Struble & Kinne, studying at night and 
writing for the firm during the day, re- 
ceiving fU.OO per month for his services. 
In November, 1878, Mr. Merritt was ad- 
mitted to practice in the circuit and dis- 
trict courts of Iowa, by Judge McKean, 
ins examination being conducted by C. B. 
l^radshaw. J. W. Willett, and M. Austin. 
Me at once opened an office at Tama City, 
continuing there until the following June, 
then came to Toledo, where he is at pres- 



ent. On the 1st of June, 1881, he formed 
a partnership with W. G. Sears, a former 
classmate, and now does a general business 
under the firm name of Merritt & Sears. 
Mr. Merritt was married August 9, 1882, 
to Miss Ida L. McClain, a native of Illi- 
nois, born January 3, 1857. Her parents 
were James and Elizabeth R. (Heflin) 
McClain, natives of Fleraingsburg, Ky. 
Mr. Merritt, in politics, is a Republican. 

W. J. Ham is one of the prominent at- 
torneys of Toledo, and is having good suc- 
cess in the profession. 

H. J. Stiger, of Toledo, was born on the 
6th day of June, i857, in Morrow county, 
Ohio, and is a son of S. and Abigail 
(Jackson) Stiger. In 1860, he came 
with his parents to Iowa, where his moth- 
er died in the summer of 1863, after which 
he lived with his grand-mother, Mrs. Mary 
Jackson, at Gallon, Ohio, for about two 
years, at the end of which time he return- 
ed to Iowa. In 1873, he commenced read- 
ing law in the office of Appelgate & Kin- 
ne, where he remained until 1876. At 
this time he was appointed Deputy Audi- 
tor, but resigned the appointment in 1878, 
to accept the appointment of Deputy 
Treasurer of Tama county, which position 
he held until 1882. He was admitted to the 
bar on the 1 8th day of September, 1880, and 
on the 1st day of August, 1881, he formed a 
partnership with L. G. Kinne and G. R. 
Struble in the real estate and loan busi- 
ness. He also owns a half interest in the 
Tama county Democrat. On the 1st day 
of June, 1882, he was married to Miss 
Carrie E. Blinn, a daughter of L. B. and 
Caroline (Seibert) Blinn, of Toledo, Iowa. 
William L. Lamb was born at Hebron, 






340 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Licking county, Ohio, August 5, 1851, and 
came with his father to Tama county, 
Iowa, in the spring of 1856. He remained 
with and worked for his parents on the 
farm, eight miles east of Toledo, like a 
faithful and obedient son until the fall of 
1871; when he went with his brother to 
Iowa City to attend school and spent the 
first year there in the academy, preparing 
himself for entering the State University. 
The next fall (1872) he entered the col- 
legiate department of the university, from 
which he graduated with a class of 25 in 
June, 1878, returning home at the close of 
each school year, and helping his father on 
the farm during the three months of the 
summer vacation. 

During his collegiate life he remained 
out of school during the school year of 
1875 and 1876, and during the winter 
taught school four months at Middleburg, 
Washington county, Iowa, and in the 
spring and summer returned and helped 
his father on the farm. The last of 
■June, 1876 he went to the Centennial Ex- 
hibition at Philadelphia, spending five 
weeks there and with relatives in Fairfield 
county, Ohio. In the fall of 1878 he en- 
tered the law departmentof the university 
at Iowa City, from which he graduated in 
June, 1879, with a class of 126. During 
the winter of 1879 and 1880 he taught 
school four months at Buckingham, Tama 
county, Iowa, and began the practice of 
law with his brother in the fall of 1880 in 
Toledo. 

W. G. Sears, of the law firm of Merritt 
& Sears, Toledo, was born in Winslow, 
Stephenson county, Illinois, on the 19th of 
November, 1854. When 10 years of age 



his parents emigrated to Tama county. 
His education was principally received in 
the common schools, but he was a student 
at the Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, 
for one and a half years. In September, 
1875, he entered the collegiate department 
of the State University at Iowa City, and 
in 1879 entered the law department, grad- 
uating in June, 1880. In October of the 
same year he went to Stanton, Nebraska, 
where he followed his profession for a 
short time. He then came to Toledo, 
where he formed his present partnership 
with Mr. Merritt. They are building up 
a lucrative business. 

Wallace B. Louthan, of the law firm of 
Stivers & Louthan, Toledo, was born De- 
cember 22, 1851, at Troy, Ohio, his parents 
being Dr. John B. and Mary M. (Mikesell) 
Louthan. The family having removed 
from the "Buckeye State," settled on 
Richland Creek Valley, Tama county, in 
March, 1855, where his father, being a 
physician, practiced medicine and opened 
up a small farm. In 1860 the family 
moved to Helena, this county, and here 
they carried on a large stock farm during 
a period of about twenty-one years. W. 
B. worked on the farm in summer and at- 
tended common school in winter, till he 
was 20 years old, at which age he attended 
the Tama City high school one year, and 
afterwards completed the sophomore year 
of the philosophical course, in the Iowa 
State University. He has taught in 
Tama, Marshall and Ida counties, of this 
State, and one term in Ohio. He is of a 
sandy complexion, about five feet and 
seven inches high, average weight about 
135 pounds., W. B. early desired to 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



make the practice of law his life occupa- 
tion, and accordingly, in February, 1879, 
entered the law office of Stivers & Brad- 
shaw, at Toledo, Iowa, where, after one 
year's close reading, he was admitted to 
the bar, February 24, 1880; and on the 
evening of the same day was married to 
Miss Lillie V. Stivers, the youngest 
daughter of William H. Stivers, the senior 
partner of the firm. Lillie is of a sterling 
type of American womanhood ; she is in- 
telligent, practical and in every way an 
amiable lady and well worthy of her life 
partner. They have two children, both 
girls. Mr. Louthan succeeded Mr. Brad- 
shaw in January, 1881, as a jjartner of 
Mr. Stivers in the law business. He is 
meeting with good success in the profes. 
sion. 

Daniel Reamer, of Toledo, was born ^n 
Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pa., on 
the 18th of January, 185.5. He is a son of 
Daniel and Mary M. (Crooks) Reamer, 
who were parents of three sons and one 
daughter. Daniel is a graduate of Otter- 
bein University, at Westerville, Ohio, 
where he graduated in June, 1878. In 
1979 he entered the law office of Mc- 
Affee & A'.,kinson, of Greenburg, Pa. 
There he remained until March, 1881, then 
came to Toledo, Tama county, where he 
was admitted to the bar during the same 
year, by the district court. 

A.M. Moore is another of Toledo's law- 
yers. He is having a comparatively fair 
practice, and is making a good lawyer. 

O. H. Mills, of the law firm of Mills & 
Guernsey, Tama City, was born in Kala- 
mazoo, Michigan, on the 14th day of Au- 
gust, 1845. He is a son of F. G. and Ad- 



eline (Powers) Mills. Ten years after his 
birth his father and family came to Iowa, 
and settled on a farm in Buchanan county. 
The subject of our sketch spent his early 
life on the farm, and received a good com- 
mon school education, which enabled him 
to teach at the age of sixteen. In 1865 
he began the study of law at Marion 
Linn county, under Thomas Corbett, with 
whom he also completed his studies, and in 
1867 was admitted to the bar of that 
county. Mr. Mills soon after located in 
Grand Traverse county, Michigan, where 
he practiced law until he came to Tama 
City in 1868. He immediately opened a 
law office here, and soon after associated 
himself with C. E. Hibbard, under the 
firm name of Hibbard & Mills. At the 
end of two years they dissolved. Mr. 
Mills then associated himself with, first, 
E. Harmon, and later, G. W. Stinson. 
These partnerships lasted two years each 
During 1878 he entered into a partnership 
with A. W. Guernsey, with whom he has 
since been associated. Mr. Mills is re- 
garded as one of the ablest attorneys in 
Tama county, and also as one of the most 
successful. In politics he is a Republican, 
and has twice been elected to the office of 
mayor of Tama City. He is the present 
master of Hiram of Tyra Lodge, and oc- 
cupies the position of high priest in Doric 
chapter. No. 54 R. A. M. Mr. Mills is al- 
so a member of St. Bernard Commandery 
No. 14, of Belle Plaine. In April, 1863, 
he was married to Miss Mary J. Stinson, 
a native of Iowa. Six children have been 
born to them, four of whom are now liv- 
ing — Frank, Charles, Mertie and Larry. 
Probably one of the best read attorneys 



342 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



in Tama county is the subject of this 
sketch — W. H. H. Tiffany. He is a native 
of New York, being born in Wayne coun- 
ty, May 5, 1828. His parents were Chan- 
dler and Lydia (Perkins) Tiffany. Durins;- 
Mr. Tiffany's early life he attended the 
common schools near his home, and later, 
the public schools of Adrian, Michigan; 
during which time he began reading law 
with Judge A. R. Tiffany, who was noted 
as a writer on criminal law; and also 
studied under F. C. Beaman, a member of 
Congress from that district. In his youth- 
ful days, the subject of this sketch had 
made a vow that he would some day be a 
lawyer, therefore, as soon as old enough, 
he began fulfilling his promise. In 1854 
he graduated from the Michigan Univer- 
sity at Ann Arbor, in both the classical 
and law departments. Upon completing 
his education, Mr. Tiffany began the prac- 
tice of his chosen profession at Toledo, 
Ohio, where he remained about eight years, 
and then removed to Syracuse, New York, 
where, in 186.3, he was admitted to all the 
courts of the state. After practicing in 
that city three years, he turned his steps 
westward, and first located at Montezuma, 
Iowa, being admitted to all the courts of 
Iowa shortly after his settlement there. 
In April, 1870, he removed to Tama City, 
where he has since gained the reputation 
of being one of the ablest lawyers of cen- 
tral Iowa. In politics he is a staunch Re- 
publican; has held several of the local 
offices, among others that of mayor of 
Tama City. On the 3rd day of Decem- 
ber, 1869, he was united in marriage with 
Rebecca Snyder, widow of Dr. Snyder, 
who was once president of the Cincinnati 
INIedical College. She settled in Tama 



county in 1859. 

A. W. Guernsey, partner of O. H.Mills, 
is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born 
in Tioga county, of that State on the 14th 
day of May 1 834. He is a son of Joseph 
and Ann ( Brewster ) Guernsey. The 
first fifteen years of his life were spent at 
home, attending the district schools and 
helping with the farm work. He then 
spent three years on a whaling expedition, 
and upon leaving the ocean, followed rail- 
roading until the beginning of our late re- 
bellion, at which time he enlisted in com- 
pany D. 16th Pennsylvania cavalry. At 
the battle of Getteysburg, he was promoted 
to the second lieutenancy and on the 6th 
day of September, was made Ist lieuten- 
ant ; in which rank he served until his 
resignation in January 1865. Mr. Guern- 
sey participated in many battles ; among 
others, were Getteysburg, Mine Run, The 
Wilderness, Shepardstown, Yellow Tav- 
ern, Travillion Station and Petersburg. 
At the close of the war, he resumed rail- 
roading, which occupation he continued 
to follow until 1867, when he was com- 
pelled, on account of failing health to 
abandon that work, as well as all other 
requiring manual labor. lie therefore be- 
gan the study of law and in 1869 came to 
Tama City. From the time of his settle- 
ment here until 1870, he prosecuted his 
studies, and was admitted to the bar of 
Tama county, in September of that year. 
June 7th 1876 he was admitted to practice 
before the United States court, and two 
days later was admitted to practice before 
the Supreme court of Iowa. Soon after, 
Mr. Guernsey entered into partnership 
with E. Harmon, which partnership lasted 
until 1878, since which time he has been 



'^1 



^1^ 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



343 



associated with O. H. Mills. In politics, 
Mr. Guernsey is a democrat, and has held 
various offices of trust within the gift of 
the people. He was Secretary of the 
school board for several years and has 
always taken an active part in educational 
matters in Tama City. Mr. Guernsey was 
elected Mayor of Tama City, Iowa, March 
5, 1883. He has taken the 32nd degree 
in Masonry, is a member of the A. O. IT. 
W. and I. O. O. F. Fraternities. In 1856, 
he was married to Miss Harriett J. Cran- 
dall, a native of Tioga county, Pennsyl- 
vania. They have been blessed with two 
children — Clara M., now the wife of 
Frank Gadbury of Tama City, and Wal- 
lace C. 

F. J M. Wonser, who is postmaster at 
Tama City, was born at Ellisville, Fulton 
county, Illinois, Mayo, 1838. His paternal 
ancestors were Hollanders ; on his moth- 
er's side he comes of a long and famous 
line of English nobility and military dis- 
tinction, she being a direct descendant 
of Sir John Churchill, duke of Marl- 
borough. Mileden G. Wonser, his father, 
was a pioneer of Illinois, and contributed 
his share to the hardships and privations 
common in the history of her dauntless 
corj)S of settlers. His mother's maiden 
name was Ruth M. Churchill. Mr. 
Wonser took his preparatory course of in- 
struction in the log school house of his 
native county, "passing" thence to the 
frame structure of more pretensions, but 
with practically the same course of 
study. He made excellent use of his priv- 
ileges, and from the age of 17 to 21 spent 
the winter seasons in teaching, and worked 
on a farm summers. The date of his mar- 
rige is recorded as January 1, 1859, when 



Miss Julia C. Weaver became his wife. 
Mr. Wonser decided on the profession of 
law as one likely to suit his ambition and 
taste, and he matriculated in the law de- 
partment of the Uni versity of Michigan, 
at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in the 
class of 1865 . In August, 1865, he settled 
at luka, now Tama City, Iowa, where he 
entered upon the practice of his profes- 
sion. After a few years he was compelled 
to relinquish his business, by a bronchial 
difficulty, which precluded his perform- 
ance of the duties of an advocate, and he 
decided to change his vocation. October 
8, 1875, he purchased the office and in- 
terests of the Tama Citizen, which he 
merged into that of the Tama Herald 
and immediately entered upon the publi- 
cation of the latter named journal. Its 
existence is still maintained, and its busi- 
ness relations are managed by his son, 
who is present proprietor. Mr. Wonser is 
still editorially connected with the paper. 
He is earne-tly interested in all issues in- 
volving moral reforms, and realizing the 
power to be wielded, even by compara- 
tively small journalistic enterprises, he de- 
termined that the Tama Herald, while 
under his control, should rank as an out 
and out temperance periodical. If any 
problem was to be demonstrated by the 
venture, so to speak, he is quite satisfied 
with the solution he reached. He has 
served as postmaster at Tama on an earlier 
appointment, continuing eight years and 
expiring April, 1879. He was re-commis- 
sioned to the same position March 1, 1883. 
Mr. Wonser belongs to a class pre-eminent 
in every western community — cultured 
without ostentation, genial without 
loss of dignity, and popular with- 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



out sacrifice of manliness. He is 
efficient in his relations with the 
public, warmly interested in the progress 
and stability of the state of his adoption, 
and possesses traits that render him a valu- 
able citizen. Of eight children born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Wonser, two died in infan- 
cy. Those surviving are — Wm. W., an 
attorney at Tama City ; Charles J., pro- 
prietor of the Tama Herald; Flora, 
Celestia, Ella, Fred and Vera. Mr. Won- 
ser belongs to the Prohibition element, 
and, on all occasions when his abilities or 
influence could be brought to bear on the 
issues of the movement in his vicinity, he 
has been foremost in the work. 

W. W. Wonser, of Tama City, is a 
son of F. J. M. and Julia C. (Weaver) 
Wonser; was born in Whiteside county, 
Illinois, December 21, 1859. In 18G6 
the family removed to Tama county, Iowa, 
where Mr. VVonser's father became one of 
the prominent attorneys of Tama City. 
The subject of our sketch received his 
education in the Tama City High school ; 
and during 1878-9, he attended the law 
department of the Michigan Fnivensity, at 
Ann Arbor. Subsequently he read law 
two years with Struble & Kinne, of Tole- 
do. He was admitted to the bar in Feb- 
ruary, 1881, before Judge Shane, and im- 
mediately began the practice of law in 
Tama City. In June, 1882, he became 
editor of the Tama Herald, which posi= 
tion he still fills. Mr. Wonser was married 
September 7, 1881, to Miss Bertie Lamb, 
a native of Pennsylvania. They have one 
child— Feme, born July 28, 1882. 

Robert E. Austin, of Tama City, ex- 
Sheriff of Tama county, is, despite his own 
modest disclaimer,justly rated as among the 



most reliable citizens of Tama county. 
Born and bred in one of the best sections 
of New York, his character has retained 
all the sturdy integrity and fixedness of 
principle, fostered by the influences under 
which he grew to manhood. Since his 
residence in Tama county, his business re" 
lations have been broad and extended, and 
the public confidence he has won quietly 
and without effort, is as substantial as that 
of any other man in the community. The 
facts pertaining to his political record 
since he began hi.s career in the State of 
Iowa, sufficiently attest the estimate in 
which he is generally held. A Democrat,he 
carried a strongly Republican county for 
Sheriff three times by more than 500 ma- 
jority, a fact seldom paralleled even in 
the non-conservative West. His personal 
traits are strongly marked — reticent, ob- 
serving, discriminating, faithful in his 
friendships and lenient in his opinions, he 
exercises an influence which is more felt 
than perceived, and, notwithstanding his 
nature is so retiring as to amount nearly 
to diffidence, he holds a position in the 
genial esteem second to none. H s nom- 
ination as Democratic candidate for Con- 
gress from the Fifth Iowa District gives 
evidence that he is honored beyond the 
limits of his own county, his party clearly 
perceiving its opportunity in his distinct- 
ion at home. Mr. Austin was born April 
2, 1827, in Broome county, New York. 
His father, J. A. S. Austin, was a native 
of Connecticut and was a .soldier of the 
war of 1812; he died in 18G6. Mr. Aus- 
tin's mother, Tamson (Baker) Austin, was 
born in New York, where she is stili liv- 
ing in Broome county. Four of her chil- 



IV 



4* — *- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Jren rejoice in her hale okl age — Robert 
E., Lydia, Carrie (Mrs. Harry Martin of 
Colesville, Brown county) and W. H.Aus- 
tin resident at Clarkville, Merrick county, 
Nebraska. The latter was a soldier of the 
civil war from its inception to its end, 
honoring his heritage of patriotism from his 
grand-sires, both of whom fought in the 
Revolution. Mr. Austin was married 
December .31, 1849 to Mary Wilcox, of 
Broome county. New York. Their family 
of nine children are all living. Winfield 
S., is a graduate of Middlebury College, 
Vermont, and is now a practicing attorney 
at Seattle, on Puget Sound, Washington 
Territory. The second and third sons, 
Clifford C. and Frank, are engaged in 
land and timber operations at the same 
place. The six remaining children are — 
Carrie (Mrs. U. Stoner of Toledo), Metta, 
(Mrs. W. D. Reedy of Monticello), George 
H., Belle, Arthur E. and Robert E. Mr. 
Austin came to Linn county, Iowa, in the 
spring of 1S.56, and operated there eight 
years as a carpenter and house builder. In 
1864 he moved to Tama and was occupied 
with his trade and farming until 1874, 
when he was elected Sheriff of Tama 
county and served six years. In 1880 he 
was admitted t6 the bar to practice law 
but has never had leisure from business 
engagements to enter the profession. He 
is a member of the Masonic Order. 

E. Harmon, Justice of the Peace of 
Tama City, was born in the State of Ver- 
mont, March 12, \S-26, and is a son of 
Jared and Clara (Harmon) Harmon. Soon 
after his birth, the family removed to 
Otsego county, New York, where he grew 
to manhood and obtained a liberal com- 



mon school education. He was reared on 
a farm, but after reaching his majority, 
engaged in the lumber business and also 
followed mercantile pursuits. In 18.55 he 
removed to Tama county, Iowa, locating 
in Toledo, wh( re he soon became engaged 
in general merchandise. In 1862 he set- 
tled in Tama City, since which time he 
has done more or less insurance business. 
In 1875 he was rdmitted to the Tama 
county Bar, having studied law during his 
leisure hours for a number of years pre- 
vious. In politics he is a Republican. 
Has held the office of Justice of the Peace 
for the past ten years, and at the election 
of 1882 was re-elected for another term of 
two years. In 1871 he built the "Har- 
mon " House, which was totally destroyed 
by fire, October 6, 1882. By its destruc- 
tion, he, its owner and proprietor, lost at 
least ten thousand dollars. Mr. Harmon 
held the office of Mayor of Tama City two 
years. He was married in 1854, to Miss 
Kitty M. Browning. 

James Fowler, of Traer, is a native of 
Kentucky, born near New Castle, in Oc- 
tober, 1832. His father died in 1838, and 
soon after his mother removed with .her 
family to Southern Indiana. In 1852 Mr. 
Fowler went to the northern part of Illi- 
nois, wht^re he was married to Sarah Green, 
a native of Indiana. In 1856, they came 
to this county, and Mr. Fowler engaged 
alternately in farming and the mercantile 
business, at Toledo and Tama City, until 
the town of Traer came into existence, 
and, as it promised to be an important 
point, he took up his abode there. Mr 
Fowler at once turned his attention to the 
tudy of law, and has been in practice 



^^ 



,fr 



fc- 



346 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



since the spring of 18V4. Though he did 
not begin his practice until late in life, yet 
by patient study and natural adaptation to 
the profession, he has attained to consid- 
erable prominence among his brother law- 
yers. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have three 
children — Mary, wife of W. W. Blanch- 
ard, Cordelia A. and Louise. 

E. T. Langley, attorney and postmaster, 
came to Traer in March, 1876. He was 
born in Ohio in 1843 ; his father, J. E. 
Langley, came to Iowa with his family in 
1S5.5, and settled in Linn county. He now 
lives in Kansas. Mr. Langley enlisted in 
18G1 in the 14th regiment, Iowa Volunteer 
Infantry, and served three years. He was 
taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh and 
was held prisoner about six months. He 
was admitted to the bar in Benton county 
in 1872. He is engaged in the practice of his 
jirofession ; also in attending to his duties 
as postmaster. His wife was Lavancia 
E. Bloodgood, born in Walworth county, 
Wisconsin. They have one son — Charles 
C, born in October, 1867. 

Orson T. Brainerd of Traer, is a native 
of Lewis county, New York, born in 1831. 
His parents, Hezekiah and Lovica Brain- 
erd, removed to Geauga county, Ohio, 
when Orson was a child. Orson was 
brought up near the old home of Gen. 
Garfield, and was a school-mate of Presi- 
dent Garfield for several terms at Geauga 
Seminary. Mr. Brainerd came to Talna 
county in August. 1855, and entered a 
quarter section of land in York township, 
where he lived and improved his farm un- 
til 1864. At this time, on account of ill 
health, he left the farm and removed to 
Tama City, where he engaged in the jew- 
elry business. He was also located for 



three years at Rockford, Floyd county. 
Mr. Brainerd came to Traer in the fall of 
1875, and in 1876 was elected Justice of 
the Peace, which office he has since held. 
He was also Justice of the Peace at Rock- 
ford. While acting in the capacity of 
Justice, he has devoted himself to the 
study of law, and was admitted to the bar 
in September, 1878. Mrs. Brainerd was 
formerly Miss Orissa A. McGee, born in 
New Hampshire. They have seven chil- 
dren — Arthur T., Charles E., Flora A., 
Laura, Welman S., Clarence A. and Loe 
M. Mr. Brainerd's father was a resident 
of Toledo, this county, from 1856 to 1807, 
when he returned to Ohio. He is eighty- 
seven years of age and is a pensioner of 
the war of 1812. 

R. G. Mclntire was one of the lawyers 
at Traer for several years prior to his elec- 
tion as county Auditor, in 1877. He has 
been twice re-elected to this office and is 
the present incumbent. He was born in 
Erie county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 
1830. When thirteen years old, his par- 
ents emigrated to Clinton county, Iowa, 
where his father took up a large tract of 
land, opened up a farm and remained un- 
til his death, which occurred June 15, 
1877. His mother died in 1868. They 
were among the early settlers of Clinton 
county. In early life the parents joined 
the Congregational church, but after com- 
ing to Iowa they united with the Metho- 
dists. The subject of this sketch was 
educated in the common schools and in 
Knox College, Ills. In 1852, he went to 
California in search of a fortune. He 
spent eight years mining and prospecting 
for gold and then turned his attention to 
the practice of law and was admitted to 



w 



^ * — ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



347 



the bar in 1860. In 1864 he enlisted in 
the 2nd California Cavalry and remained 
in the service until April 1866, when he 
returned to Iowa. In the fall of 1867 he 
l)urchased land in Tama county, and the 
following year began farming. In 1873 
he removed to Traer where he purchased 
the first bill of lumber used in building that 
prosperous town. In the fall of 1877, he 
was elected to the office of county Audi- 
tor, which office he has since held with 
credit to himself and to his con- 
stituents. Mr. Mclntire was mar- 
ried in Tama county, in 1868, to 
Miss Harriet Beatty, daughter of Henry 
Beatty, an old settler of the county. 
Three children bless this union — William 
H., Mattie P. and Edwin G. Mr. Mclntire 
is a member of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. 
TJ. W. and the Legion of Honor. 

The first attorney to locate at Dysart 
was Abraham Brannaman, who came from 
Traer in 1875 and remained until 1880. 

In the spring of 1883 the legal profes- 
sion in Dysart was represented by N. C. 
Rice, and F. C. and W. H. Wood. 

N. C. Rice of Dysart, was born in Buffalo, 

New York, on the day of November, 

18si4. His early life was spent in his na- 
tive place, where he received an academic 
education, and studied law to some extent 
with his father, who was of that profes- 
sion ; and also afterwards with an uncle. 
During the first years of his manhood he 
removed to the State of Michigan, where 
he made a short stay, and in 1855, came to 
Tama county, Iowa, and settled on a farm 
near Traer. While tilling the soil, Mr. 
Rice employed his leisure time by read- 
ing law, and, in 1876, was admitted to the 



bar. During 1878, he came to Dysart and 
opened his present law office. In politics 
he was a Republican, until Horace Gree- 
ley's nomination for the Presidency, when 
he changed and voted for Mr. Greeley. 
He is now an Independent. Mr. Rice has 
always taken an active part in county poli- 
tics ; he was elected first Mayor of Dy- 
sart, and was Justice of the Peace four 
years. His marriage with Miss Sarah 
Dodge occurred in la46. She bore him 
five children, all of whom are living, and 
died in 1862. He was married the second 
time in 1863, and chose for a helpmeet, 
Rachael Wood, of Perry township. She 
died December 20, 1882. 

F. C. Wood, of Dysart, is a native of 
Bureau county, Illinois, born January 11, 
1859. Subsequently tiis father and family 
moved to Benton county, Iowa, where the 
subject of this sketch received a common 
school education. During 1878, he began 
the study of law with D. E. Voris, of Vin- 
ton, and March 1, 1881, was admitted to 
the bar before Judge Shane, at Toledo, 
Tama county. Mr. Wood began the 
practice of his profession at Dysart, in 
June, 1881. In the spring of 1882, W. 
H. Wood became a partner, and the firm 
continued F. C. and W. H. Wood, until 
April 1, 1883, when VV. U. Wood retired. 
F. C. Wood still conducts the business. 
He was married to Miss Delia T. Short, 
April 1, 1882. 

W. H. Wood, of Dysart, was born in 
Wayne county, Ohio, April 13, 1853. Two 
years after his birth, the family removed 
to Bureau county, Illinois, and thence, 
nine years later, to Benton county, Iowa. 
W. H. received a good education in the 



r 



348 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



common schools, and in 1878, began the 
study of law in the office of Nichols & 
Cooper, of Vinton. He was admitted to 
the bar of Beutou county, March 10, 1S>*0, 
before Judge Shane. Early in the spring 
of 1882, he associated himself with his 
brother, in Dysart, under the firm name of 
F. C. & W. II. Wood. In April, 1883, 
this partnership was dissolved, VV. H. 
Wood retiring. 

The first lawyer at Gladbrook was Geo. 
L. Wilbur ; the second was E. H. Bene- 
dict. Both are still representing the legal 
profession at that place. 

George L. Wilbur was born February 
23, 1835, in Randolph, Norfolk county, 
Mass. lie was the eldest son of Lockhart 
and Sarah (Spear) Wilbur. He received 
his education at Stetson high school in 
Randolph, from which institution he grad- 
uated in 1854, and became an assistant 
teacher in the school for one year, when 
he entered the law office of A. B. Berry, 
intending preparation for the bar. Before 
completing his studies he came to Tama 
county, Iowa, in March, 1857, and settled 
on land bought by his father the year 
previous, in what is now known ns Lincoln 
township, and pursued the calling of a farm- 
er until 18t)2,.when he enlisted as a pri- 
vate in Capt. Woodburg's company "K" 
23d Iowa Infantry. While in rendezvous 
at Des Moines he was placed on detatched 
service as clerk in the Adjutant's office. 
While in Missouri he was appointed Di- 
vision Ordnance Sergeant on the recom- 
mendation on Col. Kinsman ; remained in 
that position until relieved by General 
Davidson, commanding United States 
forces in Southwest Missouri; re-appointed 



to the Adjutant's office as clerk ; was pres- 
ent at the battle of Black river ; was by 
the side of the gallant Kinsman when his 
young life was given up on that bl ody 
field ; participated in the succeeding siege 
of Vicksburg ; reported as clerk at head- 
quarters 13th "A. C." by order of General 
Ord ; remained at those headquarters un- 
til the corps was abolished by General 
Grant ; and was then ordered to report to 
the headquarters military division of 
WestMississippi, Maj -Gen. E. R. S. Canby 
commanding ; on Canby's recommenda- 
tion was appointed captain in the U. S. col- 
ored infantry, which was declined ; ap- 
pointed second lieutenant headquarters 
troops of the Gulf ; detatched and placed 
on staflF of General Canby as acting as- 
sistant Adjutant General, serving in this 
capacity until June 24, 1865, when he was 
discharged from the service on surgeon's 
certificate of disability ; returned to Iowa 
and settled in Marshall county, and en- 
gaged in farming until 1875, when he re- 
sumed the study of the law and was ad- 
mitted to the bar. He opened a law office 
at Traer, in partnership with S. P. Shef- 
field, under the firm name of Sheffield & 
Wilbur. On the dissolution of the partr 
nership, he removed to Gladbrook, where 
he still continues in his profession. Po- 
litically, Mr. Wilbur is a radical republi- 
can casting his first vote for President, for 
Abraham Lincoln. He was married Sep- 
tember 10, 1858, to Miss Adella W. Mon- 
lux, daughter of George and Martha 
(Bailey) Monlux. They have had eight 
children — Nellie A., wife of William B. 
Artz ; Otis A., George, Jessie, Sadie, An- 
nie, Hent and Ada. Nellie A., was the 
first child born in Lincoln township, Tama 




,7 






HISTORY OP TAMA COUNTY. 



351 



county, Iowa. Mr. Wilbur is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity, Legion of Honor 
and V. A. S. fraternity. 

E. H. Benedict is a native of Linn 
county, Iowa, born in 1856. His parents 
were L. D. and Sarapta (Minter) Benedict, 
tlie former a native of New York ; the lat- 
ter of Ohio. His father died in 1877, in 
Linn county, this State, where he had 
spent a part of his life. The subject of 
this sketch received his education at Lenox 
Collegiate Institute at Hopkinton, Iowa, 
and afterward took a course of law at the 
Iowa State University, where he graduated 
in 1882. He then came to Gladbrook, this 
county, in the fall of that year and opened 
a law office, doing a general law and col- 
lecting business. Mr. Benedict is a straight 
republican and has always trained with that 
party. His wife was Miss Ada M. Fay, a 
daughter of John H. and Isabella (Ward) 
Fay. 

C. II. Rol)erts, who represents the legal 
fraternity at Montour, was born in Man- 
chester, Indiana, in 1840, his parents being 
Samuel and Maria (Clark) Roberts, both 
natives of New England. In 1842 the 
family moved west and settled at Fort 
Madison, Iowa. C. H. received a good 
education, and in 1809 went to Tama City, 
where he remained until December, 1870, 
when he removed to his present location, 
and has since devoted his attention to the 
practice of his profession. He was admit- 
ted to the bar at Marion, L"nn county. 

Richard Fitzgerald, Esq., of Carlton 
township, is a native of Dupage county. III., 
born in 1845. He is the son of P. H. and 
Mary (Barry) Fitzgerald, natives of Ireland, 
who emigrated to America about the year 



1888, settling in New York State, there re- 
maining until 1843, when they moved to 
Dupage county, 111. They raised a family 
of eleven children, Richard P., the iftabject 
of this sketch, being the fourth. In May, 
1804, Richard enlisted as a private in Com- 
pany A, 140th Ills. Vol. Infty. for 100 
days, and was discharged in November of 
that year. On February 18, 1865, he re- 
enlisted in Co. G, 156th Ills. Vol. Infty., to 
serve for one year. June 9, 1865, he was 
promoted to the position of Ist sergeant 
of his company, and soon after was recom- 
mended for a Lieutenantcy; but, owing to 
the close of the war, he only had charge 
of his company for a short time before he 
was mustered out of service, in October, 
1865. Mr. Fitzgerald was educated in the 
common schools of Whiteside county. Ills. 
After his discharge from the service, he 
returned to Illinois, and from there went 
to Lyons, this state, where he attended 
school. In May, 1866, he came to Tama 
county, settling in Carlton township, 
where he now resides. Mr. Fitzgerald, 
since his youth, has had a desire to become 
a member of the bar, and has for years 
improved his leisure time by reading the 
works of eminent authors, and for a num- 
ber of years has ^practiced in the lower 
courts of the county. The event of his 
life occurred on February 26, 1883, when 
he was admitted to'the bar at the regular 
term of the district court, over which 
Judge James D. Giffins presided. Mr. F. 
was married on the 24th day of Septem- 
ber, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth L. Welton, 
who was born in Moultrie county, 111., in 
1843. By this union there have been two 
children — Charles E. (deceased) and Ella 



14 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



E. Mrs. Fitzgerald is a member of the 
M. E. Church. Mr. F. was formerly a Re- 
publican, but at present is an anti-monop- 
olist. * 

M. V. Dooley, lawyer and insurance 

agent, living in Spring Creek township, 
was born on the 8th of August, 1851, at 
La Salle, Ills., a son of P. L. and Anna 
(Green) Dooley. He received his educa- 
tion at the Polytechnic Institute, St. Louis, 
and graduated a Bachelor of Arts at St. 
Vincents College of Cape Girardeau, Mo. 
He was principal of public instruction at 
La Salle Ills., for four years, until 1878, 
and was admitted to the bar at Ottawa, Ills. 
In 1879 he removed to Cedar Rapids and 



took up life insurance as his profession. 
He is now general agent of the Iowa Mu- 
tual Benefit Association, of Tole lo, Iowa. 
In politics he is a Democrat, casting his 
first vote for President for Horace Gree- 
ley. He is a Roman Catholic in faith. 
On the 27th of December, 1881, he was 
married to Miss Kate M. Cole, daughter 
of T. M. and Mrs. .lulia (Duncan) Cole, a 
graduate of St. Mary's Academy, of La 
Salle, Ills., who has been principal of the 
intermediate department of the public 
schools of La Salle for five years. By 
this union there is one daughter, Mary 
Anna, born on the 27th of January, 1883. 



CHAPTER X. 



THE PRESS. 



*1^^ 



Tama county has had an abundant op- 
portunity to test the value of newspapers 
as aids in building up business centers and 
making known its resources to the outer 
world, while its civilizing influence has been 
almost unlimited ; and, as a general thing, 
its citizens have always manifested a lib- 
eral spirit or purpose towards the various 
journalistic enterprises that have been in- 
augurated in their midst. It must be truth- 
fully said, that in dispensing their patron- 
age to the press, they have been tolerant 
and magnanimous, as they have been rea- 
sonably generous to journals of all parties. 
It may be difticult to correctly estimate the 
advantages derived by Tama county, in a 



business point of view, from the influence 
of the press ; which at various times has 
called into requisition respectable, if not 
eminent, talent in the advocacy of local 
interests, which has had a tendency to 
inspire its citizens, as well as friends, far 
and near, with a hope and confidence in 
its prosperity. 

In every community there are shriveled 
souls; who.se participation in the benefits 
of enterprise is greater than their efforts 
to promote the public welfare. These are 
the men who will never subscribe for a 
newspaper, but will always be on the alert 
to secure, gratuitously, the first perusal of 
their neighbors' papers. These are the 



•-. S.|iv 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



k. 



croakers who predict evil and dispa,rago 
enterprise. But, with very few excep- 
tions, the press of this region, or the 
(immunity through which they circulate, 
has never been cursed with such drones. 
On thQ contrary, as patrons of the press, 
Tama county citizens have established a 
good name. As records of current history, 
the local press should be preserved by 
town and county governments iu their 
archives for reference, as these i)apers 
are the repositories wherein are stored the 
facts and the events, the deeds and the 
sayings, the undertakings and the achieve- 
ments that go to make final history. One 
by one these things are gathered and placed 
in type ; one by one the papers are issued ; 
one by one these papers are gathered to- 
gether and bound, and another volume of 
local, general and individual history is laid 
away imperishable. The volumes thus 
collected are sifted by the historian, and 
the book for the library is ready. 

There should be some means devised by 
which press records might be preserved 
and made accessible. This, of course, is 
attempted in all offices, but, as a general 
thing, files are sadly deficient ; still by 
diligent search and much inquiry, enough 
data has been gleaned to supply a toler- 
ably accurate record of the county press ; 
but if any inaccuracies or omissions are 
noticeable, they may be attributed to the 
absence of completeness in the files. 

THE TOLEDO TRIBUNE. 

This was the first newspaper established 
in Tama county. It came to public light 
through its first issue on April 21, 1856. 
M. V. B. Kenton was the editor. The 
avowed principles of the paper were inde- 
pendent, although in practice it was re- 



publican. Its size was a six column folio, 
all home print, and started out with a fair 
advertising patronage considering the con- 
dition of the country at this time. The 
files for the first year have all been lost. 
Sometime during the year Mr. Kenton sold 
the office to H. T. Baldy, and returneil to 
Ohio, his native State. 

Mr. Baldy was a physician by profes- 
sion, and a man of good ability, but he 
knew comparatively nothing of the news- 
paper business. He was a good writer, 
however, and was full of push and energy. 

In the Tribune's issue on April 22, 1857, 
Mr. Baldy says : 

"Fellow citizens of Tama county: As 
the first volume of the Iribmie is about to 
close, we wish to say a few words in rela- 
tion to our paper, and to the course we in- 
tend to pursue in the future. 

" As an inducement to you, fellow citi- 
zens, to continue your subscriptions for the 
next year, and to make it satisfactory to 
all parties and creeds, we will commence 
with the second volume to publish an 
Independent paper. We think this is the 
best means to allay party excitement and 
restore harmony, now that the presidential 
election has passed by, and party politics 
about ceased. We hope this will meet the 
approbation of all. 
***** * * * 

Fellow citizens, will you sustain your 
county paper ? We think we shall have 
your approving smile and generous aid. 
The press is certainly the index of your 
intelligence, and will be the exponent of 
your views. We have labored under 
many disadvantages ; first, we are no prin- 
er ; in the next place we have had a very 



is 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-i^ 



cold 1 ffice to work in during the winter, so 
■ that our paper at times, has not presented 
as good an appearance as we could have 
wished. 

It lias been uphill business thus far, hut 
our motto is •' CtO Ahead. " 

The inscription which he placed at tlie 
mast-head was : " A Family Journal — 
Devoted to Truth, Justice, Humanity and 
the news of the Day. " 

Among the liome advortiaers in this 
issue, were the following : T. W. Jack- 
son, N. C. Wieting, Appelgate & Staley, 
Isaac L. Allen and Timothy Brown, attor- 
neys ; John Council, J. P. Wood, Isaac 
Butler, T. A. Graham, J. Burley and John 
Zehrung, real estate agents ; H. T. Baldy, 
and W. A. Daniels, physicians. The Tole- 
do advertisers were, C. G. Trusdell, gen- 
eral merchandise, Staley & Zehrung, C. 
D. Fanton and II. M. Mettkeflf, gift distri- 
bution ; J. A. Ballard, boot and shoe ma- 
ker ; Merchant & Davis, general merchan- 
dise ; William Ilarkins & Bro., drugs ; 
G. G. Edwards, photographer ; Kains & 
VVaugh, Toledo Hotel ; Robert M. King, 
hardware ; Chinn tfe Cannon, cabinet ware; 
and C. G. Butkereit, tailor. There were 
also many advertisements from Muscatine 
and Iowa City. 

Mr. Baldy in a short time, sold a_share 
of the paper to T. W. Jackson, and in 
August, 1857, it was purchased by George 
Sower, now one of the proprietors of the 
Jl'/rshall Times and E. B. Bolens, a law- 
yer, the paper being run in the name of 
Mr. Bowers. In assuming control, they 
said : 

"Politically, we shall be strictly neutral 
— emphatically Knmc Nothings. " 



A short time afterward, although no an- 
nouncement of change in proprietorship 
was made, the name of E. B. Bolens took 
the place of George Sower. In this shape 
matters remained until the 28th day of 
October, 1858, when the books, good-will 
and material were all sold to N. C. Wiet- 
ing and George Sower. The former took 
full control, and the name of the paper 
was changed to 

THE KlWA TRANSCRIPT. 

Mr. Bolens then retired from the edito- 
rial field in Tama county. In closing his 
connection with the paper, he published a 
short valedictory, in which' there creeps a 
vein of feeling of disappointment, say- 
ing : 

" If we should again assume the re- 
sponsibility of a publisher and editor, we 
shall do so under true " colors " and with 
the flag of " Democracy and the Union, " 
instead of Independent. 

Mr. Wieting at once made the paper 
Republican, and soon enlarged and other- 
wise greatly improved its appearance. In 
taking charge, he said, among other things: 

"In religion we are independent, yet 
ever extending a cordial invitation to the 
clergy of all denominations, for such con- 
tributions, free from the taint of sectarian- 
ism, as they may see fit to present. In 
National politics, in compliance to our 
Qwn feelings and judgment, as well as, 
we think, to the requirements of a large 
majority of the citizens of our county, 
we are and must be a Republican." 

In a short time Sower went out of the 
firm and Mr. Wieting disposed of half 
the oflice to T. J. Staley. The paper was 
run with good success for several years, 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY, 



part of the time J. F. Farley being inter- 
ested in it, Staley having retired. Mr. 
Wietiug had full control during the bal- 
ance of the time. In November, 18GG, 
the ofKce was moved to Belle Plaine, 
Iowa, where the material has since been 
used on the lielle Plaine Union. 

TAMA COUNTY REPUBLICAN. 

This paper was established in the winter 
of 1860-67, the first issue making its ap- 
pearance early in January, 1867. J. T. 
Rice was the founder. He was lately 
from Mount Vernon, where he had been 
in attendance at the Cornell College. In 
a short time J. T. Stewart purchased an 
interest, but did not, however, remain con- 
nected with the Repuhlicati very long. 
He sold to M. B.. C. True, who, in a few 
months, purchased the entire office. Rice 
went to Denver, Colorado, but soon re- 
turned to Tama county. 

During M. B. C. True's management the 
name of the paper was changed to 

"the TOLEDO CHRONICLE," 

under which caption it still runs. He was 
from Jones county, and came to Toledo in 
1868. Mr. True was a man of fine educa- 
tion, with a great deal of natural ability. 
He was not as successful with the Chron- 
icle as had been hoped and expected by 
his friends, from the fact that he was too 
apt in his articles to overshoot the intelli- 
gence of the average reader of a country 
paper. On finance, political economy, or 
any of the great subjects, he could write 
telling and forcible articles; but he could 
ncjt come down to plain, local work. He 
continued publishing the paper until lS7:i, 
when it was leased to Warren Harman, 
and he removed to Lincoln, Nebraska. 



Soon after his arrival in Nebraska he was 
admitted to the bar, and began to practice 
law; being also for a time interested in a 
daily paper at Lincoln. A few years ago 
he removed to Crete, in that State, and is 
again running a weekly paper. He has 
become a prominent man in Nebraska pol- 
itics, and has served one term in the Gen- 
eral Assembly of that State. During Mr. 
True's residence in Toledo he made many 
warm friends; he was firm and positive in 
his convictions; pleasant, though rather 
retired, and a man of honor and integrity- 
In the issuff of January 16, 1873, M. B. 
C. True retired from the management, say- 
ing in his announcement of the fact: 

" * * * How long the re- 
tirement will continue is uncertain. For 
the year 1873 Mr. Warren Harman will 
publish and edit the Chronicle. He is 
fully competent and is commended to the 
good people of Tama county. It may be 
proper to remark here that the ownership 
of the Chronicle is now vested in a joint 
stock company, named and styled. The 
Chronicle Company, in which the under- 
signed is a stockholder. 

In vacating the editorial chair which he 
has occupied for the last four years and a 
half, he regretfully ceases his weekly com- 
munication with his many personal friends 
all over the county — a communication that 
has become a daily pleasure. 

M. B. C. TiuE." 

Mr. Harman was better calculated for a 
local writer than Mr. True. He came 
from Mount Vernon, and had also been in 
attendance at Cornell College. After re- 
• tiring from the paper he removed to Ce- 
dar Rapids, where he still remains en 



^■(j r- 



r 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



gaged in the real estate business and the 
practice of law. lie was a single man; 
genial, pleasant, good-hearted and well 
liked. 

With the issue of December 25, 187.3, 
Warren Ilai'man retired from the editor- 
ship of the Chronicle, the office having 
been sold to James B. Hedges, who in a 
short time enlarged and otherwise greatly 
improved its appearance. In assuming 
control, Mr. Hedges presented the follow- 
ing terse article as his "salutatory," in the 
issue of January 1, IS'74: 

" It is customary for persons taking 
charge of a newspaper to commence his 
editorial career with some kind of salu- 
tatory or greeting, we presume you will 
expect something of the kind at the pres- 
ent time and hope you will bear with us 
while we try to tell you something of our 
plans and purposes for the coming year, 
and in fact as long as we have control of 
this paper. 

" And in the first place we would state 
that we have bought the office and moved 
here, and expect to stay here as long as 
we receive a fair degree of support from 
the citizens of Toledo and Tama county. 

" Having come hero to stay and cast our 
interests in with yours, we shall do all in 
our power to assist in the upbuilding and 
advancement of our town and county in 
,every respect. It will be our constant 
aim to make The Chronicle one of the best 
local papers in central Iowa, and we shall 
try to make each number an improvement 
on the preceeding one, and to this end we 
invite the assistance of every resident of 
the county — in furnishing us items and 
sending us communications on matters of 



general interest. 

Politically, The C7ironicle will continue 
to ailvocate the views and doctrines of the 
Republican party, believing that to be the 
great party of progress and reform. We 
will ever be found lighting against mo- 
nopolies of every kind, and defending the 
interests of the farmers and mechanics 
and laborers. 

" As soon as we can make all necessary 
arrangements, we intend jjutting an entire 
new dress on the paper and just as soon as 
our patronage will warrant it, we will en- 
large to an eight column sheet. When 
we get our new dress we propose making 
The Chronicle one of the handsomest pa- 
pers in the State, and it only remains with 
the business men to say_ whether we shall 
enlarge it or not. It is also our intention 
10 put into the office a first class job de- 
partment with which we will be enabled to 
do all kinds of job printing such as cards, 
circulars, letter heads, bill heads, state- 
ments «&c. «&c., in as good style as is done 
anywhere East or West, and at Chicago 
prices. 

"Trusting that we may merit and re- 
ceive a generous and hearty support the en- 
suing year, and that it may be one of pros- 
perity and happiness to us all, we close by 
wishing you each and every one a happy 
New Year. J. B. Hedge. 

January 1st, 1874. 

Mr. Hedge still owns and publishes The 
Chronicle. When he assumed the control 
the circulation was about 300, which he 
has increased to 1,000. The paper is a 
nine column folio, all printed at home. 
It is neatly gotten up, well printed and 
edited, and contains more original matter 
than any paper in the county. Mr. Hedge 



>N* 



^^=^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



357 



is a thorough newspaper man, well edu- 
cated ; a man of extensive reading and an 
easy and forcible writer. 

James B. Hedge was born in Jackson 
county, Iowa, on the 19th of March, 1849. 
His parents were of English descent, al- 
though both were born in America ; and 
were lineal descendants and indirect heirs 
of the Hedge's of England who left such 
vast estates, which are now in litigation. 
His father was a carpenter and cabinet 
maker. James B. was brought up at 
school and in 1858 commenced learning 
the printer's trade. At nine years of age 
he began attending Cornell College, and, 
irregularly attended for over three years 
In 187.3 he came to Toledo and in Septem- 
ber purchased the Toledo Chronicle, taking 
charge in the following January. Mr. 
Hedge was married January 25, 1872, to 
Nellie C. Palmer, of Marshalltown, for- 
merly of New York City. They have 
three children — John Garnett, James B_ 
Jr., and George R. 

THE PRESS AT MONTOUE. 

The various j)apers which have in the 
past been published at Montour are all de- 
funct, and as no files of them are to be 
found, a full history cannot be obtained. 
The first paper published in the town was 
f undedby W. W. Yarhamin 1867 and was 
known as the Oxford Jjeader. Mr. Yarham 
furnished the people with weekly news for 
about eighteen months, when he sold the 
paper to W. M. Patrick and soon after- 
ward to M. B. C. True, who removed the 
material to Toledo. 

In 1879 A. A. Blackman founded the 
Montour Review which soon passed into 
the hands of D. A. Ellis & Bro., who con- 
tinued its publication until the fall of 1882 



when they removed the same to Bancroft. 

THE TAMA COUNTY UNION. 

This was the first newspaper published 
at Tama City. Cyrus B. Ingham was the 
founder, and the first issue made its ap- 
pearance on the 26thof April, 1866. The 
first copy struck off is now in the hands of 
J. H. Hollen, of Tama City, who to en- 
courage the enterprise paid $20 for it. 
At this time Tama City was known as luka. 
The editors of the paper were C. B. Ing- 
ham and C. E. Heath, it being a six column 
folio. Under tke heading the following 
motto appeared : 

"O! seize on truth where'er 'tis found, 
Among your friends, among your foes. 

On christian or on heather ground, 
The plant's divine where'er it grows." 

For two years the paper continued in 
this management, meeting with good suc- 
cess, both in advertising and in circulation. 
It then went into the hands of W. G. 
Cambridge, who changed the name to 

THE TAMA CITIZEN. 

He enlarged it to an eight column folio. 
During his management the paper had a 
good support and circulation. 

In the kitter part of 1875, Mr. Cam- 
bridge was taken seriously ill and the issue 
of the paper was stopped. A few m 'Uths 
later the material was sold to F. J. M. 
Wonser, and on the eighth day of October, 
1875, the paper resumed issue under the 
head of 

THE TAJIA HERALD. 

It was made a nine column folio. Mr. 
Wonser remained editor and proprietor of 
the Herald until June 2, 1882, having 
changed the size of the paper at different 
times to a six column quarto, and eight 
column folio. On the date named, the 



riV 



Ll£V 



358 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



present proprietor and editor, W. W. 
Wonser, purchased and took charge of the 
office. On December 29, 1882, the size of 
the Herald was enlarged to a six column 
(juarto — the only quarto form newspaper 
published in the county. It has a large 
and increasing circulation, and, it is the in- 
tention of the enterprising proprietor to 
add a power press to his already well 
equipped office. 

W. W. Wonser is a lawyer by profess- 
ion and in connection with the chapter 
upon the "Bar of Tama county" a person- 
al sketch of him will be found. He is an 
educated and well-read man upon all 
toj)ics and is a forcible and pungent 
writer. 

TAMA CITY IIEKALD OF ECONOMY. 

This was the title of a newspaper en- 
terprise carried on in Tama City in 1868. 
It was a monthly sheet, distributed gratu- 
itously through the city and surrounding 
country in the interest of the business 
men, its object being the advancement of 
the business prosperity of the town. It 
was well written, neatly printed and fur- 
nished a correct directory of Tama City 
at the time it flourished. The editor and 
proprietor was William Heath. 

TAMA COUNTY LIHEKAL. 

This was a campaign paper started in 
the interests of the "good and true Democ- 
racy," by Hon. L. G. Kinne of Toledo. 
This was for the general campaign of 
1872 and the publication ceased soon after 
the election. The printing was done at 
Marshalltown, and it was one of the most 
ably edited papers ever published in the 
county. 

/ CHELSEA 1'EOPLE's FKIEND. 

This paper was started at Chelsea in 



November, 1873, as an eight page, four- 
column-to-the page sheet. The founder 
was C. Fremont Neal. It was a well got- 
ten up paper, but for some reason lived 
but a few months. The editor-in-chief 
was a Spiritualist. 

THE TKAER CLIPPER. 

This paper was established by Bernard 
Murphy, in 1874. It was an eight column 
folio, and made its first appearance on the 
1st of January, 1874. Mr. Murphy was a 
good printer and an excellent writer. He 
continued to manage the paper until Au- 
gust 16, 1876, when it passed into the 
hands of Averill Brothers & Beatty. On 
January 1, 1877, they enlarged the paper 
to a nine column folio, and printed the 
paper entirely in the home office. In the 
fall of 1878 Averill Brothers bought Beat- 
ty's interest, made it one of the official 
papers of the county, and attempted to 
make a metropolitan paper of it. 

In this shape it continued until the 
night of the 24th of December, 1878, 
when the office was destroyed by fire. 
The proprietors struggled on, notwith- 
standing this discouraging event, until 
the 20th of July, 1879, when it passed in- 
to the hands of Hon. James Wilson, 
James Morison and R. H. Moore. In a 
short time the latter named gentleman 
withdrew from the firm, and Wilson & 
Morison continued to conduct it until No- 
vember, 1881, when Hon. .Tames Wilson 
assumed full control On the first day of 
April, 1882, a half interest in the office 
was purchased by O. J. Smith, and the 
firm became Wilson & Smith. 

In the issue of April 6, 1882, Mr. Smith 
said: 



jpy 



i^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



361 



" It is usually customary when a new 
man takes the helm as editor, that he 
make an editorial bow, and salute his pat- 
trons by declaring his aims and intentions, 
and make promises concerning the course 
he proposes to pursue, but * e shall forego 
the custom on this particular occasion. * 
* * We shall simply add, however, 
that we shall try to the best of our ability 
to aid Mr. Miller in making the Clipper 
second to no county paper in the Fifth 
congressional district in point of excel- 
lence." 

(). .J. Smith had for eight years been ed- 
iting the Shellsburg Record, was a natural 
and thorough newspaper man, and was 
very highly spoken of by the press in this 
part of the State. He at once became one 
of the editors of the Clipper. In this shape 
the paper remained until the first of 
August, 18.S2, when Hon. James Wilson, 
having been nominated for Congress, and 
pressed by other business, sold his inter- 
est to G. Jaqua. In closing his connec- 
tion with the Clipper, among other things 
he said : 

" I give over the care of the Clipper 
with regret. It is like a member of my 
family that I have worked for and thought 
for anxiously. It was poor and weak, it is 
strong and vigorous. Three years ago it 
had but few subscribers, now it has many. 
It was then a burden of expense, it is now 
a source of profit. Much of its success as 
a business enterprise is due to the untiring 
attention of Mr. James Morison, whose 
pride of locality induced him to devote 
time and thought to it. The present well 
filled local page and well appointed job 
office is due to the master hand of Mr. 



Smith. So, really, the work that we set 
out to do, to put a home paper on its feet, 
is done. It has the sympathy of a superior 
farming community and the confidence of 
a class of business men seldom equalled 
for honor and enterprise in the State. 

Jasles Wilson." 

Hon. Gamaliel Jaqua at once assumed 
editorial duties. He was well known to 
the public, having settled in Buckingham 
township in 1856. He is a native of Ohio, 
born in Preble county, that State, Decem- 
ber 30, 1828. He grew to manhood in 
Preble county, remaining at home with 
his parents until eighteen years of age, as- 
sisting upon the farm and attending dis- 
tiict school. From this time he began 
teaching school during the winter months 
and attending school in the summer, until 
he attained his majority. He was appoint- 
ed examiner of teachers for Preble county, 
and was afterwards elected county super- 
intendent of schools. In 1856, as stated, 
he came west and located upon a farm in 
Buckingham township, and divided his at- 
tention for some time between teaching 
and farming. In 1866, he was elected a 
member of the Board of Supervisors and 
filled this office for a number of years. In 
1875, he was elected to represent Tama 
county in the House of Representatives; 
and served for two terms, making a most 
industrious and faithful representative. 
He is a man of culture and education, well 
read on all subjects, a sound and logical 
writer, and well fitted for the editorial po-.- 
sition he fills. 

In introducing himself to the readers of 
the Clipper, Mr. Jaijua said : 



»fr 



4*- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



" Having ])urcliaseil the half interest of 
the C!ij>pir belonging to Hon. James Wil- 
son, in taking his place upon the same, it 
is only fit and proper for me to say that I 
shall to the best of my abilities, try to sus- 
tain for it the same reputation it now has 
in the county and elsewhere. Being a 
resident of the county for the last twenty- 
five years, it is needless for me to assure 
the public of the political course to be 
pursued in this paper while conducting 
the same. Republicanism is founded in 
the principles of justice and right and those 
claims will be set forth without fear or 
hesitancy. We shall treat all with cour' 
tesy and with a spirit of kindness and, 
while we shall maintain with fervor, what 
we deem to be right, we hope to accord to 
all who differ with us an opportunity 
when space permits, to give their views 
to the public. * * * ." 

Thus the firm became Jaqua & Smith, 
who still own and conduct the paper. The 
Clipper is a neatly printed, nine column 
folio, well filled with home advertisements 
and local and general news. It has a cir- 
culation of over 1,300 and is among the 
most able, influential and prosperous 
county papers in the State. 

Tama County Indki-endent. 
This newspaper enterprise was establish- 
ed by Rudolph Reichnian in 18T4. It 
was an eight column folio and made its first 
appearance on the 4th of July, 18'74. Po- 
litically it was independent and supported 
the anti-monopoly ])arty, contributing 
largely to the election of the candidates 
on that ticket during the fall. On August 
1, 1S77, S. W. Grove leased the office and 
ran a paper for a few months, when it 



again passed into Mr. Reichman's hands, 
and was shortly afterwards sold to Nathan 
C. Wieting. 

The Founder of this Paper, 
Rudolph Reichman, was born on the 
loth of March 1821 in Schleswig-Hol- 
stein, Germany. He is a son of Christian 
and Anna Dorothea ( Hansen ) Reichman ; 
his father being a printer by trade. He 
received his education at the High School 
of his native town. At the age of 16 he 
entered into apprenticeship in a printing 
office at Hamburg, Germany, serving as 
an apprentice for 5 years and 3 months. 
He traveled over a great portion of Europe 
for about seven years, working at his trade 
in different.places In 1850 he came to 
the United States, landing at Quebec, 
•Started for Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where 
he settled down and published a news pa- 
per in gerraan, called the Wisconsin 
Reptihlikiiitcr. He remained at the head 
nf that paper, for about one year, when he 
moved to Milwaukee, was engaged as fore- 
man in the office of a german daily called 
the VolksbliUt, until the spring of 1852, 
when he came to Davenport, Iowa; when 
in partnership with Mr. 'I'heodore Guelich, 
he started a german weekly called Der 
Democrat. He remained there until 185(5, 
then opened a real estate office which he 
continued until 1859, when on account of 
his health, he went to Mercer county. Ills., 
and engaged in farming until 1805 ; in the 
spring of which year he came to Tama 
county, Iowa, settling on sections 35-85- 
IG, Spring Creek township, where he has 
owned in all about 1,300 acres of land. 
He now has a farm of 400 acres on sections 
26 and 35 also 85 acres on sections 2-85- 
15. Here he r<.'mained until fall of 1373, 



"TT 



ifi" 



Ja__^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



303 



when he removed to Toledo, Iowa, where 
in ls74 he edited and published tke Tama 
county Independent. He sold his paper 
in 1878, and retired from active life. He 
now resides at his private residence and 
owns several lots and warehouses near 
the depot, in Toledo. Mr. Reichman 
held the office of Justice of the Peace until 
the fall of 1S73 in Spring Creek township. 
In politics, he is an Independent and cast 
his first vote for president for John C. 
Fremont in 1856. He was married in 
1847, at Bremen, Germany, to Anna Gotte, 
a daughter of Johann F. and Meta (Bru- 
ening) Gotte, by which union there are 
live children : — Ferdinand Gustav, Johan- 
na Ernestine, Fannie, Henrietta and 
Louise Antoinette. 

As soon as N. C. Wieting purchased the 
Independent, he changed the name to 

THE TOLEDO TIMES, 

and *Vill Clark became interested in the 
publication of the paper. Clark had for 
two years been publishing the Pemnan's 
Help, and the office of that paper was 
merged into that of the Times. He re- 
mained in partnership with Mr. Wieting 
in publishing the Times for a year and 
ten months, when he returned to his old 
home in Delaware county. New York, 
where he still lives, publishing the Andes 
Recorder. Mr. Wieting continued alone 
with the Times until April 1, 1881, when 
he rented it for one year to J. C. Prelim 
& Son. After remaining in their charge 
for about six months, Mr. Wieting pur- 
chased their lease and sold the office to 
Smith & Dillman. A large circulation 
had been worked up and the Times was 



one of the most popular newspapers in 
the county. Mr. Wieting was an easy and 
forcible writer, having had many years 
experience in literary work, and a man 
possessing a vast fund of information. 
lie was editor of the first newspaper estab- 
lished in Tama county, and was among 
the first lawyers. (See bar chapter.) 

On July 8th, 1881, the Twi&s was chang- 
ed from a weekly to a semi-weekly publi- 
cation, and also changed from a six column 
quarto to a six column folio. The editors 
said of the change : " There will be no 
change in our terms, either for subscrip- 
tion or advertising. " This was continued 
until September 23, 1881, when it resumed 
the old size and day of weekly publica- 
tion. 

With the issue on October 13, 1881, J. 
C. and A. A. Prehm retired from the man- 
agement, Mr. Wieting, as stated, having 
sold the office to E. H. Smith and J. W. 
L. Dillman. In their " good bye article, " 
the Messrs. Prehm, say : 

"With this issue, our connection with 
this paper ceases. For three months, we 
have in connection with this, published a 
paper for Eagle Grove. We have dispos- 
ed of our interest here and will at once 
remove to the Grove and devote our undi- 
vided attention to the interests of our pa- 
per at that place. In taking our leave, 
we feel that we are severing newly form- 
ed ties. We were weekly becoming more 
and more interested in our five thousand 
readers. But so it is. What is our loss, 
will be your gain. Messrs. Smith and 
Dillman will serve you better than we 
have. Our associations have been pleas- 



UISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ant. The business men have been gener- 
ous, and we have learned to feel at home 
among the good people of Toledo, for 
whom we bespeak a bright future. 

I'KEUM AND SON. 

Smiiii and Dillman, at once assumed 
control, clianged the form of the Tunes 
from a six column quarto to a nine column 
folio, and greatly improved its typographi- 
cal ap))earance. E. H. Smith became edi- 
tor ami J. W. L. Dillman, publisher. 

In this shape the management continued 
unlil August 3, 1882, when E. H. Smith 
ilic<l. He was aged twenty-nine years, a 
iiati\e of Dupage county. Illinois, and : 
graduate of Cornell College, in 187T. 
After graduating, he taught school until 
August, 1878, when he came to Toledo, 
anil, in partnership with W. D. Lee, open- 
ccl a book store. In July, 1881, Mr. Smith 
sold his interest in the store, and in a short 
time, with Mr. Dillman, purchased the 
Tiih'do I'ime.i, remaining in connection 
with it until the time of his death, which 
occurred while he was visiting his parents 
at Marengo, Illinois. He was an able 
writer, a man of honor and integrity, and 
his death was sincerely mourned byalarge 
circle of friends. 

The publication of the Titnca was con- 
tinued by J. W. L. Dillman and the estate, 
under the old firm name, N. C. Wieting 
taking the place of editor, until Decem- 
ber 28, 1882, when the office was sold to 
L. (t. Kinne and II. J. Stiger. 

In closing their connection with the 
paper, the publishers said they regreted 
exceedingly the fatality which produced 
this result, but as they could not control 



*^' 



this adverse fate, they were obliged to 
abide the results, and thanked the subscri- 
bers and public for their patronage, and 
with best wishes for prosperity, bade them 
adieu. 

With the issue on the 4th day of Jan- 
uary, 188.3, the name of the paper was 
changed to 

THE TAMA COUNTY DEMOCRAT, 

and the names of Kinne & Stiger ap- 
peared at the mast-head, as the publishers 
and proprietors. In their .salutatory, they 
say: 

" The proprietors of the Democrat be- 
lieve that there is an opening here for a 
first class democratic paper. We have 
been very considerate of the feelings of 
the people of this county who, in the past, 
have been maintaining eight Republican 
papers, and have purchased the Tohdu 
Tunes office, including the subscription 
lists and good will. We shall aim to pub- 
lish a decent and vigorous democratic pa- 
per. As newspaper men, we have no ene- 
mies to punish. • We shall criticise with- 
out fear or favor, when in our judgment, 
it is necessary. Special effort will be 
made to make this paper a necessity in 
every family. We expect to merit and 
receive a liberal share of your patronage. 
As soon as practicable we shall make sub- 
stantial additions to our office, enabling us 
to furnish a better and neater sheet. We 
are opposed to long introductions and pre- 
fer to let the paper sptak for itself. — We 
have come to stay. " 

On the 9th of March, 1883, Charles I). 
Huston ])urchased an interest in the office 
and the firm is now Kinne, Stiger <t IIus- 



ri^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



>l^ 



ton, the latter being a practical printer. 
The Democrat is now a well printed, neat- 
ly arranged, nine column folio, and its 
editor, Hon. L. G. Kinne, is one of ihe 
most able editorial writers in the State. 
Mr Kinne is the law partner of Hon. 
George R. Struble, and is noticed at length 
in the bar chapter. H. J. Stiger, is also a 
member of the bar and is treated in the 
same chapter. 

The Democrat has a very large and 
growing circulation ; its editorials are 
strong and powerful, and the local columns 
in " make-up " style of writing and news, 
are second to no local paper in the State, 

TAMA CITY PRESS. 

The following is a history of this news- 
paper written by Samuel D. Chapman, son 
of the founder of the paper, and publish- 
ed in his "History of Tama county: " 

"In consequence of the expression of 
the political views of the Republican pa- 
pers in the county, the Democrats in Tama 
City and vicinity were desirous of estab- 
lishing a D mocratic paper, and S. M. 
Chapman, father of the writer, was per- 
suaded to embark in the enterprise, and 
under .he above name the first number 
was issued January 1st, ]s74. . 

After publishing but a few issues the 
paper was turned over to J. 1>. Sjiafford 
and W. S. Mesmer, who issued it for a 
number of months, but, on account of want 
of capital, these gentlemen soon withdrew, 
and the paper went back into its first 
owner's hands who, again resumed the 
responsibility of publishing it. He after- 
wards sold an interest to S. W. Grove, 
and the paper was enlarged to a si.Y column 
.juarto, published every Friday morning 



^« 



by Chapman & Grove, with good success, 
having a large circulation and recognized 
as an efficient advertising medium, until 
the latter part of 1875, when it passed into 
the hands of J. B. Chapman, son of S. 
M. Chapman, who run the paper ; making- 
it one of the official papers of the county, 
until the latter part of 1877, when the ma- 
terial was sold to J. G. Strong, and re- 
moved to Grundy Center." 

THE penman's help. 

Will Clark established this paper at 
Toledo in March, 1877. It was devoted 
to the interests of penmen and penman- 
ship. In April the name was changed to 
The Album iif Pen Art, and it became an 
eight page semi-monthly, with a circula- 
tion that extended over thirty-two states 
of the Union as well as Canada, New 
Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It was well 
gotten up and ably edited. In 1878 the 
office of the Penmaii's Help was consoli- 
dated with the Toledo Thnex and Mr. Clark 
became associated with N. C. Weiting in 
the publication of that paper. In 1879, 
Clark withdrew and returned to New York, 
his native State. 

DYSAKT KJ;PORTEK. 

This was the first newspaper establish- 
ed in Dysart, the first issue making its ap- 
pearance on the 2 2nd day of March, 1878. 
The founder was T. N. Ives, who was po- 
litically an "Independent" and conducted 
his paper on those principles. In his sa- 
lutatory he said: " Through many vicissi- 
tudes, which have been alike trying to 
our patience and our pockets we have at 
length surmounted the manifold obstacles 
that ever attend the starting of a newspa- 
er, and to-day present to the public the 



r- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ihL^ 



first niiiuber of the J)i/s<irt Jiejjorter. And 
while we are willing it should be the sub- 
ject of fair criticism it may be necessary 
to remind you that we have labored under 
many disadvantages, always met in the 
establishment of anew enterprise, and are 
entitled to some leniency. 

" Custom, a despot venerable with age, 
re(]uires of us, at this time, a most respect- 
ful bow, and an introductory salutation, 
with an outline of our intentions in regard 
to the character of our paper. 

We were moved by two great consider- 
ations in the establishment of a paper in 
Dysart, the first personal and material to 
ourself, the other common to the commu- 
nity at large. Believing, as we do, that 
the county surrounding and tributary to 
this town possesses superior agricultural 
and commercial advantages and, that nature 
has been lavish in its manifold gifts to 
this immediate locality, that enlightened 
enterprise will find here a field for suc- 
cessful operation, and that the great natur- 
al resources it so abundantly possesses, will 
in time, be made to yield a golden harvest 
to all whose genius and industry are devo- 
ted to the various pursuits that can here 
be so advantageously and successfully 
prosecuted ; we concluded to cast our lot 
with the people of Dysart, and be jjartici- 
jiaiits in the realization of the coming 
worth and power of this part of our com- 
mon country. We intend to make the 
Eejxrrter a truthful refiex and representa- 
tion of the intelligence, progress and pros- 
perity of our town, and surrounding conn 
try. We intend that it shall grow as our 
young city grows ; that its columns shall 



be used to convey information far and 
wide of our country, its railroads and its 
agricultural resources, of our town, its d'e- 
liglitful location and many business advan- 
tages. 

We intend to invite honest emigrants 
from every quarter to come and help us in 
developing our hidden riches and partici- 
pate with us in the magnificent future. 
The Reporter will be eminently independ- 
ent in tone, will discuss all questions of 
interest to the public with perfect freedom 
of tliought, and criticise the acts of f unc- 
tuaries regardless of their political affin- 
ities or party predelictions. It will un- 
sparingly denounce and condemn all that 
is corrupt, demoralizing, unjust, undemo- 
cratic or unrepublican in party measures 
or party leaders, acting upon the belief 
that independence of thought is the duty 
of every voter, and holding that the meas- 
ures of men and parties shall be open and 
subject to just, impartial and candid criti- 
cism. 

Although we shall devote a fair portion 
of our time and space to political and 
general matter, it is our ambition to make 
the Reporter pre-eminently a local paper, 
devoted to home interests, home business 
and home news. How well we shall suc- 
ceed, depends greatly upon the support 
received. If the people of Dysart and 
vicinity desire a live paper, and we think 
they do, they will bestow their patronage 
liberally and promptly, and if they do 
this, we have no foars for the result. 

With the above annoiincemeHt we sub- 
mit our paper to the consideration of an 
enlightened puhlic, hoping that the inter- 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



367 



course between publisher and patrons may 
be both pleasant and profitable. " 

T. N. Ives. 

Mr. Ives ran the paper until April 14, 
1882. In his valedictory he says: " It is 
with a feelinsf akin to regret that I pencil 
the farewell that separates me, editorially 
from friends and associations of Dysart 
but "the best of friends muat part" and 
with the current issue of this paper, hav- 
ing sold the office to Mr. Elmer E. Taylor 
my name only appears in bidding a brief 
adieu. My sojourn in Dysart has been 
pleasant, and in the vista of the future no 
recollections will be cherished in my heart 
with greater pleasure, than the memories 
of the four years spent in the beautiful 
and enterprising town of Dysart. Whether 
or not my labors here, in the capacity of 
•editor and publisher, have been fruitful, 
even in a limited degree, is not my prov- 
ince to assume. If you have seen any- 
tliing amiss, please attribute it to an error 
of the head and not of the heart, and 
throw the broad mantle of charity over 
my mistakes and short comings. I hope 
I lie paper has been beneficial to the town, 
and exerted a good influence, and I am 
confident that under the new administra- 
tion, or proprietorship, nothing will be left 
undone to advance its infiuence and use- 
fulness. 

It will be in charge of Mr. W. J. Endi- 
cott, whose name appears at the head of 
these columns. I take pleasure in intro 
ducing him to the patrons of the Heporter 
as a young man of ability and moral 
worth. He has taught several terms and 
is recognized as one of the successful 



teachers of the county. For some months 
past he has been learning the "Art Pre- 
servative" with Mr. Taylor, of the Traer 
Star, and is competent to, and I believe 
will, give you a paper that will merit a 
liberal patronage, which I hope and believe 
it will receive. I indulge in high hopes 
for this town and paper. My inter- 
course with the editors of Tama county, 
both socially and professionally, has been 
of the most agreeable nature. They are, 
one and all, the princes of good fellows. 

My numerous tilts with good natured 
and witty Bro. Wonser, or the Herald, oc- 
casional set-to's with IJro's Weiting, for- 
merly of the Times, Wilson of the OKp- 
per, and Connell of the Courier, together 
with an early "struggle" with Hon. G. 
Jaqua, and prolonged discussion, in the 
Traer Star with my esteemed and tal- 
ented friend, Rev. D. L. Hughes, in all of 
which I was worsted, but had the satisfac- 
tion of making it " lively for the boys ;" 
will afford pleasant recollections never to 
be forgotten. These gentlemen are bound 
to me by that " three-fold cord not easily 
broken." May they live long and prosper. 
Arrangements have been made by which 
all subscribers who have paid in advance 
of this number, will receive the paper un- 
til their time expires. Those in arrears 
will settle with me or some one I may ap- 
point as my agent. In conclusion I will 
add that the most friendly feeling has 
ever existed between myself and patrons ; 
— only one thing transpiring to ruflle the 
sea of my newspaper life — and in this, 
my farewell issue, there is a sadness which 
creeps over my pencil that mellows the 



r 



368 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



words into ret^ret that my stay in your 
midst cannot l)e longer." 

T. N. IvKS. 

In their first issue the new editor and 
proprietor says : 

"In this, our first appearance before the 
people of Dysart as manager of the Be- 
porter, we thank the good people with 
whom we have become acquainted, fort e 
cordial treatment we have received at their 
hands, and take this opportunity to solicit 
the assistance of all citizens in making the 
Reporter of interest to all. We do not 
presume to be as able a writer as the re- 
tiring editor, but we will endeavor by un- 
tiring energy to merit the patronage of 
every citizen of Dysart. We ask the for- 
bearance of the people, if for a few weeks 
the paper does not contain the local news 
that it should, on the ground that we are 
not acquainted with the private citizens of 
the place. We intend to make the Re- 
porter a paper of Dysart (and when we say 
Dysart we mean all the county of which 
Dysart is the trading center), and the out- 
side world will be considered when we 
have an opportunity. The character of 
the paper will remain unchanged in regard 
to public affairs, and will have fixed opin- 
ions on public questions. We recognize 
every man's right to reason for . himself 
and believe as the preponderance of evi- 
dence seems to him to prove, and never, 
while we have the control of these col- 
umns, shall they be made use of to insult 
any man on account of political affiliations. 
To quiet all apprehension on that head, we 
wish it distinctly understoo i that this is 
no man's organ, but intended for the use 
and edification of all, and while we turn 



the crank we shall always be grateful for 
contributions of music, and we hope they 
will take such advantage of this oppor 
tunity as to make the Reporter a fair rep- 
resentative of this locality. 

To those who have been accustomed to 
write from other points, we would say we 
hope you will aid us and please the patrons 
of the Repiorter by continuing these fa- 
vors. 

With these few remarks we divest our- 
selves of our coat and settle down to solid 
business, preferring to leave missionary 
spirits of Tama editors in doubt as to our 
origin, but giving them all a cordial invi- 
tation to call and see us and give us fath- 
erly advice when pruning in this part of the 
moral yineyard." 

W. J. Endicott, Editor. 

Elmer E. Tayi.ou, Proprietor. 

They ran the paper until November 17, 
1882, when l.e following appeared as their 

VALEDICTOEY. 

'■ 'Full mauy a flower was born to blush unseen 
And waste its sweetness on the Jeseil air.' 

Perhaps were they but found they'd be 
plucked up, and naught remain to show 
they'd once been there. Perhaps it is not 
the correct thing for a retiring editor to 
quote poetry ; it sounds like a corpse com- 
posing a march for its own funeral. 

But the above stanza is the editor's only, 
for no other class are co modest as to 
" blush unseen." It is with regret that we 
lay aside a title that some of our best cit- 
izens have won honors for, and parting 
chords of friendship cause a pang as we 
bid good bye to the fraternal brotherhood, 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



with a single uxception in tlie fuminine 
gender, the Van Home Times. 

' To all for eight short, anxious months. 

Our labor has been given ; 
But if a fellow lives on faith, 

He's got to board in heaven.' 

"A printer must have a limited amount of 
patronage to keep soul and body in the 
same neighborhood. We have tried to 
earn the approbation of the just and the 
reproaches of the unjust. Next to a wise 
man's friendship we prize a fool's enmity. 
If we have friends, we are as grateful to 
them for their many manifestations of kind- 
ness as the emotions of a heart that knows 
low to feel gratitude can express. We 
aiso thank the opposition for their lack of 
m.nagement in their efforts to injure us. 
Tl.'jre is an element that no one can please. 
Tluy are the mercury of mankind, never 
at rest themselves, nor allowing others to 
rest who have anything to do with them. 

"Chief among our many sins,was the fault 
that we had not a wife and nine or eleven 
children. Should we ever conclude to 
found a paper of our own, we will borrow 
the widow and orphans of Brigham Young 
for the sake of appearances. The only 
faiilt that the proprietor had, was that he 
was born in Traer. Now, we solemnly 
warn succeeding generation.s to consider 
well before they select a town in which to 
bo born, ilany a brilliant youth has 
ruined his prospects for life by being born 
in the wrong locality. Start right, and 
success is assured. If we were to start 
anew in life, we believe that we would 
remedy our fault in this direction. There 
is a class that think to intimidate a printer 
into a passive consent to their ways by a 



withdrawal of patronage extended for the 
same purpose. They have only to con- 
template their failure to convince them- 
selves of their mistake. To the anti- 
men who have been loud in their de- 
nunciations of our course, we say that you 
have, from this time forth, a more active 
enemy than before. We inherited little 
beside a good name and a clear conscience, 
and we propose to keep them good. We 
now know what principle will do, and 
while no one can suit himself and every- 
body else at the same time, he had better 
suit himself first and then you will know 
that some one is pleased. We have done 
all that it was possible for us to do — our 
best. 

" If we deserve credit we are not afraid a 
just public will withhold their apprecia- 
tion. If we have failed it is our own loss; 
but whatever be the estimation in which 
our labors may be held by others, there is 
no regret in our own mind. 

" In taking leave, it is hardly necessary 
to introduce one so well known as our suc- 
cessor, Fred. W. Browne. He is a prac- 
tical newspaper man and will give the cit- 
izens a paper worthy of support. The 
shape and size of the paper will be changed 
from a seven column folio to a six column 
quarto, so that the places that have known 
the Reporter shall know it no more. We 
thank the people again for their kindnes.s ; 
and no one that has not been a stranger 
with nothing to recommend him can ap- 
preciate our gratefulness." 

Fred. W. Browne in his first issue gave 
the following as liis 



16 



4 



370 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



SALUTATOEY. 

" With this issue the Reporter appears 
uiuler a new management, and,having piir- 
chasud the office, subscription list and good 
will of the former proprietor, Mr. Elmer 
K. Taylor, W. J. Endicott retires, and we 
assume entire control. We shall make no 
extravagant statements to start on, lest we 
fall short of them ; but we shall put forth 
"ur best efforts to maintain the present 
good standing of the paper, and endeavor 
to imjirove it constantly. 

" Our columns will be devoted to mat- 
ters of most interest and importance to 
Dysart and the vicinity from which we 
chiefly receive our support. We will ad- 
vocate such measures and policies as we 
deem best for the welfare of our patrons, 
and shall defend their rights against all 
encroachments of any form. We shall 
aim to give the latest general news, polit- 
ical items, and make a specialty of local 
and county news. And we solicit the con- 
sistent efforts of all those who have any 
interest whatever in the ])aper to aid us. 

We ask your indulgence on this issue, as 
we have had much to do in little time, 
have been hindered by the non arrival of 
goods, and deprived of the use of a most 
faithful servant, our right ann, by a pain- 
ful gathering on the wrist, rendering us 
unfit for mental as well as incapable for 
physical labor. We have to thank our 
good friend, T. W. Ives, founder of the 
Reporter, for its appearance this week, 
and much credit is due to him for coming 
to the rescue. 

IIo])ing that the licjKirlcr may horeaftei- 



merit your favor and fully meet your an- 
ticipations, we greet you. 

Fred. W. Browne." 

Under Mr. Browne's editorship and 
management the Reporter is rapidly in- 
creasing in circulation, and it has become 
one of the standard papers of Tama 
county. 

Fred W. Browne, editor and proprietor 
of the Dysart Reporter, was born in 
Black Ilawk county, Iowa, on the 5th day 
of January, 1857. He is a .son of W. P. 
and Martha ( Wiley ) Browne, both na- 
tives of Maine. In 1863, the parents 
came to Tama county and located at Ta:ma 
City where the father engaged in the grain 
trade. Mr. Browne received his educa- 
tion in the public school of Tama City 
and from private instruction. He learned 
the art of printing in the Preas office 
in Tama City. In 1877, he purchased the 
Gilman Dispatch and was editor of that 
paper until May. 1879, when he disposed 
of it and bought the Tribune at Fre- 
mont, Nebraska. In September, ls7'.i, he 
sold the Tribuwi, and established the 
Illinois Trudesman at Peoria, Illinois, 
with which he was connected tor about 
five months. He was then engaged in job 
printing in Chicago until November, 1SS2, 



when he purchased the Dysart Re/Kirt- 
er, which, under his efficient editorship, 
is fast becoming one of the leading papers 
in Tama county. August 16, l.sSO, hewas 
united witli Miss Mary Williamson, a 
native of Pennsylvania and daughter of 
G. Williamson an early settler of Tama 
City. They have one child — Bessie, "born 
October 18, 1882. He is a thorough news- 



^1 aPv ' 



HISTORY OF TA.MA COUNTY. 



371 



papor man, an able writer and a man 
posteil uiion almost all subjects. 

TAMA COUNTY NEWS. 

This paper was started at Tama City, by 
The News Publishing Company, an 'out 
growth of the Tama county Democrat es- 
tablished by W. S. Groves at Toledo in 
April, 1878 afterward bought by Clark & 
Winn, and run by them as an independent 
sheet. In October 1S80, it was bought by 
the News Publishing Company and moved 
to Tama C'ity the first issue being October 
7, 1880. The following was their saluta- 
tory. " On this date we present a copy of 
the iYewv for the inspection of the public. 
We have no wild or extravagant promises 
to make, but will let the Neim venture out 
upon the rough and rugged sea of journ- 
alism upon its merits and favors it may 
receive from the reading public. It will 
be the aim and ambition of the company 
to make the News a complete courier of 
news, and to chronicle all matters of interest 
throughout Tama county. In politics it 
will be Democratic, not of the fluctuating 
kind, but open and uncompromising in its 
principles. It is hoped that every Demo- 
crat in this and adjoining counties can 
see the necessity of an organ in this field 
of Democracy, and will give it their 
hearty supjiort — not promi8es,but financial, 
as well as the good work it may deserve. 
We have founded the New^ for the pur- 
pose of helping to sustain our strong hold 
upon the opposition, and expose the crook- 
edness and corruption' of the old ring 
leaders and stalwarts of Republicanism. 
We will uphold no "76 conspiracy,' 
no 7 to 8 commissions, nor defend any 
participators in bribery and frauds ; but 
censure and expose any one guilty of such 



demeanor. Trusting that every Demo- 
crat in Tama county will not falter, but 
come to the support of his cause and 
organ, without hesitancy, we submit the 
Netrs to your cause and support. 
Truly your fellow democrats, 

NEWS I'UBLISHINt; COMPANY." 

This company ran the News until March 
31, 1881, at which time dates their last 
issue, in which they say, through the edi- 
tor, John E. Chapman : " With this issue 
the Nev)s will pass into the hands of W. 
R. Lesser, formerly of the Enterjjrise, of 
State Centre. This change comes as 
do changes in any branch of business. 
Men will change their ideas and plans, and 
often it is necessary to make a change in 
"one's vocation to effect the desired end. 
We have concluded to change our busi- 
ness and enter into some branch of the 
mercantile trade, and to do this we are 
obliged to sell this oftice. It will be re- 
membered that the News was purchased 
from J. M. Winn, of Toledo, and moved 
to Tama City by its managers, and hero 
let us say, that the present managers en- 
tered into the publication of the News 
without the aid and help of any one, inde- 
jjcndent and alone, on business principles, 
and considered it wholly— a business 
transaction. We are under obligations to 
no one, asked no aid, expected none — as 
we had the individual backing and finance 
to see our way through, and we desired to 
be free from obligation to any one. We 
<lid express the liope that every Democrat 
in the county would see the necessity of 
having and supporting a Democratic organ 
in the county, but after six months of 
tedious waiting, we found that the Democ- 






t 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



rac}^ would not come to the su]ii>oit of 
this ].a]iei- (a few excepted, their own 
i<iii<liiess woiilil tell tliem who J, and find- 
inLi: liiat ihc Democrats would not sustain 
liuir |i:i|,( r :ui(l as we found that our main 
sii]iiMiii came fnmi Rejiuhlican friends, we 
i-iiiHJuilcd, as we could not conscientiously 
pulilish a paper in opposition to those who 
support it, neither could we desert the 
t^ilden ])rinciples of Democracy to please 
them — hence the change comes. We did 
all that we consider can be asked of 
us, informed the leading Democrats of our 
intentions, but they took no interest- and 
di<l nothing. It cannot be expected that 
we can carry all the burden of publishing 
the i)aper in the interests of the party 
unless the advocates of the party come to 
its support. Let it be understood that we 
di) not comi)lain of the financial success 
I if the AV//'.s> since we purchased it, for it 
has l>een a gratifying success in this par- 
licular to us — far exceeding our anticipa- 
lionsi. Our files show a liberal patronage, 
not (lead advertisements but fair ])aying 
ones, not at ))rices as should be, as adver- 
tising in this place has been recklessly 
and unreasonably spoiled by former news- 
])aper men. Our list of subscribers 
re.a<-hes the hundreds (nearly two-thirds 
Keptd)lican ) and nearly all paid. Our job 
rooms have enjoyed a gratifying run of 
work at fair rates. Taking it as a whole 
we do not complain. We have worked 
for i)atronage and have made several hun- 
dred dollars clear of expenses during the 
last six months. We took hold of the 
ottice with the determination of making, 
not losing money, and we have succeeded. 
We made no promises in the beginning, 
and have none to forfeit— we consider the 



matter wholly a business transaction. 
We have endeavored to make the Nmc$ a 
clean, readable sheet — in this we have 
succeeded — by tried patience and endur- 
ance, and can thank the public for an ap- 
proval of this course. During the time 
we have wielded the pen on the A^twg, we 
have received many cheerful and encour- 
aging words from friends, for which, we 
thus publicly tender our sincere thanks, 
and to the business men of this thrifty and 
growing city, we shall ever feel under 
obligations for their courtesies and jjatron- 
age. Toward our exchanges abroad, we 
owe a gift of gratitude, for the fairness 
with which we have been treated and the 
courtesies received. In brief, our short 
connection with the News, has been a 
period of pleasantness to u.s, and if we 
were to continue in the paper business we 
would not wish for a better and more 
profitable field than here in the metropolis 
of Tama county, with all its bright future. 
We most earnestly hope the Neirs is on 
the road to prosperity, — though it be an 
independent paper, as Mr. Lesser informs 
us he will make it. 

"Mr. Lesser is well known in this place 
and has had years of experience in the 
printing business, and doubtless wmII make 
it a success. He has purchased the office 
fixtures, and the subscription books, and 
will continue the paper to those who have 
paid in advance, and collect all arrearages 
The book accounts for advertising and 
job work will be collected by us at once. 
We expect ( nothing to the contrary,) to 
remain here and enter into business and 
feel confident that our standing among the 
])eople in Tama C'ity is such that we can 
friendly and uiiembarrassingly ask your 



^. 



-^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



patronage if we do enter into other busi- 
ness liere. Considering the above a fair 
statement, and again thanking you for 
your patronage, we subscribe ourself . 

John E. Chapman, Editor." 

Mr. Lesser changed tlie name of tlic 
paper to 

THE FREE PRESS. 

His first issue apj)eared April 15, 1S81, 
with the following announcement : 

"How often the remark, 'Well, he'll 
soon be glad to come back again, ' is made 
in regard to a person who has reside<l in a 
town for a number of years, when he takes 
his departure therefrom. In many cases, 
it proves to be the truth, and if any one 
uttered the aforesaid sentence when we 
left Tama City two years ago, they spoke 
the ' Gospel Truth ' for we are back 
again and as far as we are able to peer 
into the future, to remain, adding our 
mite towards making Tama City what 
every citizen wishes to see her — a promi- 
nent city of Iowa. It is useless for us to 
introduce ourselves to the citizens of Tama 
City and vicinity, for we are well known 
to the larger majority of them, so we pass 
to more important things. There is no 
doubt in our mind, and we presume every 
citizen has the same ideas, but that for 
Tama City, there are in the future many 
bright days in store for her, and they will 
be very bright, as a contrast to the dark 
i)nes, which for various reasons has hover- 
eil over her in the past, and we shall work 
faithfully, doing all in our humble power, 
to add brightness to those days. We shall 
pul)lisli, as far as national j>olitics are con- 
cerned, an independent sheet, with a right 



to say what we please on either side, but 
we shall pay greater attention to town and 
county news, and a good selection of gen- 
eral news, than to political broils. Our 
aim will be to furnish apaper unobjection- 
able to any one or any fireside, always 
having Tama City's and Tama county's 
interest in view, giving all the local and 
county news it is possible for us to obtain, 
making a paper which will be read with 
almost equal interest in all parts of the 
county, and by all classes — the merchant, 
mechanic, farmer, laborer, &c. We shall 
endeavor to get a good live corps of cor- 
respondents who will chronicle all the 
news of their district; an educational col- 
umn, conducted by some competent educa- 
tor, devoted to the interest of the Tama 
county schools, will also be a prominent 
feature of this journal. 

" We are aware that in taking this paper 
we are doing so under peculiar disadvan- 
tages, which we shall work with all oin- 
power to overcome, and we ask our read- 
ers to bear gently with us, and not judge 
us too harshly at the beginning, but give 
us a little time, wait, and see how things 
will develop, and in the meantime we 
shall strive hard for success. At all times 
we shall be awake to the interests of our 
business men, and shall hold ourselves in 
readiness to serve them in whatever man- 
ner the occasion and welfare demands. 
There are a number of things connected 
with our town, which, from our two years 
experience in other towns, we would like 
to see different, and which we are certain 
were they changed or worked on different 
principles, would be of great benefit to 






"IV 



^1 



l\^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the town and its citizens, and as time passes 
by, we sliall work for that end. The Free 
Pngti starts out with a good subscription 
list, well distributed throughout the coun- 
ty ; about equally between the Republi- 
cans and Democrats, and we wish to say 
riglit here, and hope all will comply with 
the request, that we wish all persons re- 
ceiving a Free Press directed to them in 
any post-office, to accept it and read it 
carefully, for one month or four numbers, 
and if at the end of that time they do not 
wish to continue taking the paper, they 
(•an call at our office, or drop us a postal 
card, informing us of their desires, and 
we will discontinue sending it, without 
any expense whatever to them for the four 
numbers received. We shall deem it a 
special favor if all will accept the paper on 
the above terms. With our cotemporary 
the Ihrahl, we expect pleasant relations, 
;iih1 shall do all we possibly can to keep 
out of what very few people rejoice in, 
but what to general readers is very dis- 
gusting — 'a newsjiaper fight.' Perhaps 
a harmless joke or pun may pass between 
us, but for a fight where the character of 
each editor will be picked to pieces and 
scattered broadcast to the world, we shall 
certainly refrain from. With a few words 
to the business men of the town we shall 
close. We are aware that for a number 
of years there has been a great many dol- 
lars' worth of job work sent to foreign 
offices, which, by all means, should have 
been done at home. We are confident 
that we can give satisfaction to our pat- 
rons in all classes of work, that can be 
done in a country town, at prices equally 
as cheap and in some cases cheaper, taking 



into consideration, cost of transportation, 
quality of stock used. We have an ex- 
cellent job office, new and late styles of 
type, good presses, and a well selected 
stock of stationery, and we do think it is 
right for our business men, to give all of 
their work to home offices in lieu of send- 
ing it away. We do not, by any means, 
ask that all of it should come to the Free 
Press office, but that it should be divided 
between the two home offices. 

"Tama is not, nor never has been an ad- 
vertising town, but we are certain that it 
pays, not because we are in the business, 
but from the experience of leading busi- 
ness men of the county, and we hope in 
time to demonstrate the fact to the busi- 
ness men of Tama City, until every busi- 
ness house in the town is represented in 
some manner in the columns of its home 
papers. Before closing, we wish to make 
another suggestion, and that is, praise of 
our town by its citizens at home and 
abroad. If a stranger asks you ' what 
kind of a town you have got here' tell 
him, and tell it to him strong ; do not, of 
course, misrepresent the place, that will 
not be necessary, as the prospects of our 
town to-day are such, that it can be shown 
up in glowing colors. There is a town not 
many miles from here, which owes a good- 
ly share of its popularity to the praise of 
its residents, and such a course by the 
citizens of Tama City, will develop in its 
way, good results. Already Tama is gain- 
ing a valuable reputation abroad, and we 
should all 'put our shoulder to the wheel' 
and keep'er booming. We have, in our 
own mind, set our stake high on the 
journalistic mountain, and shall work hard 
to reacli it, and- perhaps pass it, but if we 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



311 



fail, no one but ourself will ever be the 

wiser. 

Wallace R. Lesser. " 

Within two weeks Mr. Lesser changed 
tile 7'Vee Press from a six column quarto 
weekly to a six column folio semi-weekly, 
making Tuesday and Friday, the days of 
issue. This arrangement is still continued 
by Mr. Lesser. The J^ree Press is neatly 
]irinted, well made up and ably edited. 
Mr. Lesser is a genial, affable gentleman, 
a natural newspaper man and an easy and 
pungent writer. 

Wallace R. Lesser, editor and proprietor 
of the I^ree Press, is a native of Hunts- 
ville, Texas, born August 6, 18.56. His 
father was of French descent, his mother 
American, the former died in Tama City, 
January 5, 1875 ; his mother is still 
living and making her home with her son 
in Tama City. Wallace was brought up 
until eleven years of age, at the place of 
liis birth, attending select school, when he 
went with his father's family to Chicago, 
where they remained a short time and 
then removed to New York City. Here 
they remained for nearly two years, when 
they moved to Earlsville, Illinois, and in 
1872, came west and located in Tama 
City. Wallace had the advantages of a 
good education, attending the high school 
while in New York, and in 1874, began 
learning the printers' trade. In April, 
l.s7'.t, he purchased the Gilman, Marshall 
county Disp(Uch, published that paper 
for one year and then sold out and pur- 
chased the State Centre Euteriirise. In 
April, 1881, he sold that and purchased 
the Free Press, of which he is still pro- 
prietor. He was married in 1877, to Mag- 



gie A. Brown, a native of Tama county, 
and three children have blessed the union, 
Walter, Lawrence and an infant. 

THE TKAER STAR. 

This spicy sheet came into existence at 
the instigation of Elmer E. Taylor, in 
1878, the first issue making its appearance 
on Wednesday, the first day of May. Its 
size was a five column folio, or, twenty 
columns, all printed at home. It was neat- 
ly printed and well gotten up, both editor- 
ially and mechanically. In his salutat<jry 
Mr. Taylor said : 

" It is with extreme modesty that we 
take upon us the duty of editor, for we 
feel that its paths are not always paths of 
pleasantn'ss and peace, nor its duties, 
duties of delightfulness ; but with the 
help of other power which we believe will 
come in time, we feel safe in venturing out 
on the waves of the editorial sea. If we 
are wrong, it will only make the waves 
dash higher to lecture, for it is now too 
late — one thing that will quiet the waves 
is to come up now and then and encour- 
age, rather than discourage. 

" We mean to try and run a paper that 
will correspond with a common person's 
pocket-book — little, but lively — not only 
in form but in finance." 

The subscription price of the Star was 
announced as being $.75 cents when paid 
in advance, and lil.OO if not paid within 
one month. It was announced that it 
would, for the present, take no active part 
or sides in politics, although the editor 
was a Republican. In this shape the Star 
remained until its issue of August 20, 
1870, when it was enlarged to a seven 
column folio. At this time the paper as- 
sumed its political standing; the editor in 



rrr 



^1 



376 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



liis remarks concerning the change, say- 
ing : . 

"Tiie (S'/!(/r will hereafter take sides and 
part in [lolitics and labor for the perpetui- 
ty and advancement of the principles ad- 
vocated by the grand old Republican 
party, which has won so many achieve- 
ments and triumphs — which has preserved 
the Union, destroyed slavery, amended 
tlie constitution in the interest of human 
freedom, and has established the nations 
credit abroad and made it honored and re- 
spected in the eyes of the whole world." 

Since that time the Slur has been en- 
larged to an eight column folio, and the 
subscription to ^1.50 per year. The paper 
has a good advertising patronage and is 
well gotten up. It has a healthy andgrow- 
ing circulation and is one of the best local 
papers in the county. Mr. Taylor is a na- 
tive of Tama county ; was brought up here 
and is therefore, well known. He is a 
thorough and practical printer, a natural 
iiews])aper man, and is giving his patrons 
a satisfactory paper. 

GI-ADHROOK COURIER. 

The first number of this sheet appeared 
in June, 1880, shortly after the first house 
was buUt in the town. S. W. Grove, a 
jteripatetic printer, was editor and proprie- 
tor. The paper was a five column quarto, 
and was soon well tilled with the adver- 
tisements of the live business men of the 
young town. Grove remained in connec- 
tion with the paper until the si)ring of 
1881, when he sold out and bid farewell 
to the people of Gladbrook in the follow- 
ing terms : 

VALE. 

"We have sold the Courier to R. E. 
Austin, Esq., of Tama Cit)-, who in turn 



has sold it to Mr. W. F. Winn, of Toledo, 
whom we take pleasure in recommending 
to our patrons as a young gentleman of 
energy and good financial backing, and also 
as a printer of considerable experience. 

"The people of Gladbrook have been 
good tome, and more than kind to the Co«- 
rier. For this we thank them. Earth con- 
tains no town of its size which can show a 
more intelligent and liberal lot of business 
men than the men who make up Gladbrook. 
Now, that the bitter winter, which seri- 
ously tried men's souls and reached the 
bottom of pockets not too well filled (our 
own, for instance), is over, and old winter 
has been ousted from the lap of spring, let 
us hope that not only the Qnirier, under its 
new regime, but all the town under its old 
control, ma}' prosper as never before. 
Gentlemen of Gladbrook, let us shake I 
Good bye." 

The first issue of the Vunrier under the 
new management bore date May 12, 1881. 
The names of J. M. and W. F. Winn were 
placed at the head of the colums as editors 
and proprietors. In their salutatory they 
say : 

" We hope to make the Coxirier readable 
and profitable. Politically, when it may 
seem reasonable to talk politics at all, the 
Courier will talk straight republicanism, 
reserving the right to criticize the princi- 
])les of parties and the actions of politi- 
cians ,of whatever faith .We shall endeav- 
or to be straightforward and outspoken in 
all things, while always striving to show a 
due regard for the rights and principles of 
others ; but when we make a chalk line 
upon a public topic, we will ' hew to 
the line, let the chi])s fall where they 
may.' Wt do not hope to revolutionize 



", '^ 



:wv. 



^^X^^ H. 9. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-^ 



journalism by our advent into its ranks. 
Undoubtedly there will be many things 
for us to learn and many details to perfect 
before we shall see the Courier as good 
as we wish to see it, but we shall labor 
diligently and zealously to make it so." 

The quarto form of the paper was re- 
tained, but more attention given to its 
mechanical appearance. In its make-up a 
vast improvement was noticed. The mat- 
ter in its columns was arranged with taste 
and regularity. But a few months passed 
befoi-e it came out in an entire new dress, 
and much improved. During the cam- 
paign of the summer and fall of 1881, 
Dan. Connell was in editorial manage- 
ment. In the Courier under date of June 
10, 1881, Mr. Connell made his editorial 
bow, as follows : 

" In assuming management of the ed- 
itorial page of the Courier, we are not sure 
that an introduction is necessary. Twenty- 
six years' residence in Tama'county makes' 
us familiar with her people and her wants, 
and has identified us with its interests. As 
we may occasionally speak on politics, an 
introduction is not necessary, as every pol- 
itician in the county is familiar with our 
views and methods of stating them." 

Mr. Connell did good work in the edi- 
torial department of the Courier during 
the campaign of 1881. As a writer he was 
pleasing and always spoke to the point. 
Mr. Connell's name was carried at the 
head of the columns of the paper until 
July 13, 1882, although for a few months 
jirevious he had done but little writing. . 

On the 2d of February, 1882, J. M. 
Winn withdrew from the firm, and Wm. 
Milholland became associated with the 
junior partner, under the firm name of 



Winn & Milholland. Ilis connection 
ceased June 29, 1882, when W. F. Winn 
became sole proprietor. 

On the issue bearing date April 13, 1882, 
the form was changed to an eight column 
folio, in which shape the Courier still re- 
mains. 

Walter T. Winn, editor of the Courier, 
is a native of Knox county, Ohio, and son 
of J. M. and Mary F. Winn, now of To- 
ledo, Iowa, was born in 1862. He received 
his education at Toledo, and began his 
career as a printer in the office of the To- 
ledo Ti7)ies, in 1879. In 1880, he started 
the Tama Couuty News, in partnership 
with William Clark, but in the same year 
sold his interest, and, moving to Gladbrook, 
in April, 1881, bought the Gladbrook 
Coifi-ier,^ a weekly paper, of which he is 
now editor and proprietor. He was mar- 
ried June 29, 1882, to Miss Emma J. Law- 
son, daughter of Harvey B. and Maria 
(Stewart) Lawson. Mr. Winn is a mem- 
ber of the V. A. S. society of Gladbrook, 
is respected as a citizen, and his success in 
managing newspaper work has more than 
proven his adaptability to that profession. 
He is a pungent and pleasing writer, and 
his articles are always to the point. 

TOLEDO NEWS. 

This newspaper was established at To- 
ledo in 1880, by S. W. Grove, as a seven 
column folio. After publishing it for a 
few months Grove sold the office to Clark 
& Winn and it was shortly afterward re- 
moved to Tama City. Grove had been in 
the newspaper business in Tama county a 
number of years previous to this, and was 
a good printer. He is now somewhere in 
the northwestern part of the State pub- 
lishing a newspaper. The office of \\\v 



IV 



•r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



News has since been merged into that of 
tlie Tama City J'^ree I'rei's, and the publi- 
cation of it given up. 

THE TAMA NORTHERN. 

Tliis newspaper is published at Glad- 
brook. It was established in 1881, by 
Tliiinias E. Mann, the first issue making its 
a|ipearance on the 11th of March, as a 
seven column folio. Friday was the day 
of issue, and the subscription price -^1.25 
per year. In his " greeting," Mr. Mann 
said, in connection with other matters : 

" Before coming into your presence, 
editorially we could not refrain from paus- 
ing, hesitating, doubting long at the 
threshold. 

"No one more fully realizes the fact that 
we are falable and liable to make mi^akes 
than we do ourselves. No one could be 
more alive to the truth, that the pathway 
of an editor has but few resting places in 
it ; but few and far between are the fiow- 
ers that bedeck it, and should he fall by the 
way, the good Samaritan of our day sel- 
dom happens by with his ministrative 
agencies and he is left to expire in entire 
oblivion, 

" It was in view of these things that we 
hesitated. But, be it unfortunate for us 
or otherwise, for having concluded to be- 
come a ' printer, ' this impetus was given 
us on recalling a strange bit of wisdom 
dropped from the pen of that profound 
philosopher Ben Franklin. lie said: 'If 
you would not be forgotten as soon as you 
are dead, either write things worth read- 
ing, or do things worth writing, ' While 
it may occur to some ungenerous mind that 
our [)rospects of remembrance after death, 
according to the above, is not the most 



flattering, we trust that the people of 
Gladbrook and Tama county generally, 
will not be wholly unappreciative of e«- 
ihavors at least, to write and do that which 
may be of some service to them. 

" Hoping that we may not be met 
with the coldest reception the world might 
afford, we subscribe ourselves, editorially 
yours. 

T. E. Mann." 

The Nort/ieni is still owned and pub- 
lished b}' Mr. Mann, although for a time 
his father, S. S. Mann was associated with 
him in its publication. The paper has 
undergone several changes in sine, and 
has finally become a neatly printed seven 
column folio, the same as when starteil. 

In March, 1883, the Nbrtheni closed its 
second volume, and entered upon its third. 
The editor said regarding this event : 

" With this issue, the Tama Northern 
closes its second year. It is now two years 
old. In starting the Northetn we made 
no small venture. Without the least ex- 
perience in the newsj)aper business or in 
the manipulation of type, without a purse 
full of wealth, and without a powerful 
political party to look to for support, with- 
out a hope of getting a draw at the pub- 
lic ' pap, ' with only a few forlorn 'fanat- 
ics,' perhaps half a dozen, to wish us well, 
we launched our craft. It has buffeted 
with many a storm, undergone many ups 
and downs, but we have been enabled to 
keep aboard, and acting upon the advice 
of the great captain to his soldiers, we 
have not given up the ship. " 

The Nortliern now has an e.\tensive and 
growing circulation, and has a bright out- 
look for the future. Mr. Mann publishes 
the paper upon a press of his own inven- 









^l 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



tion, whieli works in a ranch more rapid 
and satisfactory manner than the usual 
i|200. Washington hand-press,' and which 
cost him only about |!40. The politics of 
the paper are with the National Greenback 
Labor Party. 

Thomas E. Mann was born near Center- 
ville, Delaware county, Ohio, September 
27, 185(). When about six monthis old, 
liis parents moved to Jackson county, 
Iowa, where they lived for ten years, then 
came to Spring Creek township. His ad- 
vantages for an early education were very 
limited, but at seventeen he was given a 
fall term in a graded school and at nine- 
teen his father allowed him his time. The 
•following four years of his life were spent 
in teaching and attending college. He 
completed his academic course one year 
after his marriage. Mr. Mann was mar- 
ried April 6, 187S, to Miss Emma Fortner, 
who was a resident of Le Grand, Iowa, 
and a daughter of Rev. Hiram .Fortner, an 
ordained minister of the Christian 
Church. Mrs. Mann is a graduate of the 
Le Grand Academy. This union 
has been blest with three chil- 
dren — Modesta Emma, De Arve 
aud Floy Belle. Mr. Mann, in politics, 
is a Greenbacker. He is a man of good 
ability, a strong writer, and is fearless in 
advocating questions which he deems 
right and essential to the public welfare. 
Mr. Mann descended from a family 
which came to this country from the Isle 
of Man, from which island the family de- 
rived its name. The nationality of the fam- 
ily at that time, was pure Scotch, but by 
inter-marriage the blood has been com- 
mingled with various nations. Ilis great 
grandfather, Shuah Mann, migrated from 



Newton, Sussex county. New Jersey, to 
the vicinity of Co'umbus, Ohio, in a very 
early day and died there at the age of 
eighty-two. Thomas Mann, oldest son of 
Shuah Mann, still lives near Centerville, 
Delaware county, Ohio. The father of the 
subject of this sketch, Shuah Strait Mann 
and oldest son of Thomas Mann, is men- 
tioned elsewhere in this volume. 

THE DYSART. RECORD. 

This paper was established by T. N. 
Ives, the first number appearing Friday, 
January 5, 1883. The following appeared 
in the first issue : 

' Those who so.w in tears shall reap in 
joy. Going forth, they shall walk and 
and weep, scattering the seed, but return- 
ing, tiiey shall return with joy and bring 
their sheaves with them.' 

" Here's our sheaf. What do you think 
of it ? Perhaps some will reply like the 
deacon's son, who was relating to the min- 
ister how the bees had stung his father, 
and the minister inquired : ' Stung your 
pa, did they ? What did your pa say ? ' 
The boy replied : ' Step this way a mo- 
ment, please ; I'd rather whisper it to you.' 
However, we have engaged in the news- 
paper busines again in Dysart, and with 
the commencement of the new year 1883, 
]i resent the first number of the Dysart 
weekly Record as a candidate for public 
favor. A live, progressive newspaper is a 
mirror of reflecting society, and has a mo- 1 
definite and positive relation to the life 
of the community. The poet truly says: — 
' Mightiest of the mightj' means 
Ou which the arm of progress leans — 
Man's noblest mission to advance. 
His woes assuage, his weals advance, 
His rights enforce, his wrongs redress — 
Mightiest of mighty is the Press.' 



382 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



" We expect to make tlie Ittconl a per- 
manent fixture of Dysart, an important fac- 
tor in its future progress and prosperity, 
:ui(l a welcome weekly visitor at the fire- 
siile where it is read. As to the political 
course we intend to pursue; it is hardly 
necessary to speak, as we are so well 
known in Tama county. Whether it is on 
account of being obliged in our younger 
days to ride a bare-back liorse, none too 
I'at, for the purpose of cultivating the corn 
and potatoes, or for some otlier reason, we 
cannot tell, but we have always had an ab- 
lioraiice for the sharp edge between two 
si<les of a question. Aside from the un- 
comfortableness of the position, it is very 
hard to maintain, especially in newspaper 
work. 

" Hence we will aim to be independent, 
ni>t neutral, and as it is impossible to say a 
tiling a dozen ways at the same time, we will 
iiin this paj)er to suit ourself, making due 
allowance for the feelings of others, and 
at all times endeavoring to do what is 
right. In fine, this paper will fill a ' long 
I'elt want' and you want it." 

The Record has grown rapidly in j)opu- 
larily and has a healthy subscription list. 

T. N. Ives, founder and present proprie- 
tor of the Dysart Record, was born in 
Canada West, February 26, 1835. lie is 
a son of A. J. and Mary II. (Horner) Ives. 
In 1S3!), his parents came to Iowa and set- 
tled in Louisa county, where his fatlier en- 
gaged in the mercantile business at Wap- 



pello. His early education was acquired 
in the common schools, and he afterwards 
learned the printer's trade. His first ed- 
itorial work was at Wapello, where he, in 
company with James D. Iiarr, established 
the Louisa county Record, in 1859. He 
afterward published the Morniny Sun Re- 
parler, in the same county. In 1878, he 
came to Dysart and established the first 
paper, the Reporter. In 188:i, Mr. Ives 
sold out the Reporter, and in Jaimary, 
1883, began publishing the Record. Mr. 
Ives is an able writer, and his success 
proves beyond a doubt, that in accepting 
the profession of an editor he chose the 
one that destiny had marked out for him. 
He was married in 1808, to Miss Lizzie P. 
Hayes, a native of Delaware. Three chil- 
dren bless their union — Robert F., Era 
A. and Walter. 

THE TEACHER AND STUDENT. 

This is an educational journal edited by 
the county superintendent in the interest 
of the teachers of the county and the stu- 
dents of Western College. It is publislied 
at Toledo ; is a four column folio .fresh 
and bright and treats at length on all im- 
portant educational questions. 

This paper is a valuable addition to the 
many enterprises inaugurated to elevate 
the educational status of the county, and 
as such is receiving hearty support. This 
paper, it is said, is the first of the kind in 
the State, and since its first publication, 
nineteen like journals have sprung up. 



► ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER KI 



EARLY DAYS. 



ihiU 



The following account of personal mat- 
ter is given to show the disadvantages un- 
der which the hardy pioneers procured 
the homes which now seem so comfort- 
able. Whatever of romjince adhered to 
the lives of the hardy colonists, was abund- 
antly compensated for by hard work. 
Contrast the journey of that devoted party 
through the roadless and britlgeless track 
between Chicago and their destination, 
with a coirpany on a like journey to-day. 
Instead of weeks of labor and toil, priva- 
tion and suffering, with cold and hunger, 
a seat is taken in a palace car, at noon in 
Chicago, an unexceptional supper is par- 
taken of without leaving the train, the 
passenger retires upon a downy couch, and 
in the morning awakes to find liimself at 
his point of destination in central or north- 
ern Iowa, having lost only half a day on 
the journey. Those who enjoy these 
blessings, would be less than human if they 
were not filled with gratitude to these 
early settlers, who paved the way, and ac- 
tually made the present condition of things 
possible. At that time the confines of civ- 
ilization were on the lakes ; Chicago had 
but a few thousand people, Milwaukee was 
just beginning to be a village and Du- 
buque was a mere vidette, as an outpost of 
civilization. There n as nothing in the 
now great State of Iowa, except the intrin- 
sic merit ef the location, to attract people 
from their more or less comfortable homes 



in the east, or on tlio other side of the w.a- 
ter. The liii]ic as to the future, which 
" springs eternal in the hinnan heart," 
lured them on, and, although those that 
came were usually regarded by the friends 
they left, as soldiers of fortune, who, if 
they ever returned at all, would indeed be 
fortunate. They were a sturdy race, wlio 
realized the inecjuality of the struggles in 
the old States or countries, and resolved to 
plant themselves where merit would not 
be suppressed by traditions. 

The men who came were, as a rule, en- 
terprising, open-hearted and sympathizing; 
they were good neighbors, and so, good 
neighborhoods were created, and they il- 
lustrated the idea of the true brotherhood 
of man more by example than by (pioting 
creeds, with a bravery that never blanched 
before the most appalling danger ; they 
nevertheless were tender, kind and con- 
siderate, in the presence of misfortune, 
and their deficiency in outward manifesta- 
tions of piety was more than compensated 
by their love and regard for humanity. 
And if this meed of praise is justly due to 
the men, and it certainly is, wh.at shall be 
said of the heroic women who braved the 
vicissitudes of frontier life, endured the 
absence of home, friends and old associa- 
tions, the severing of whose tender ties 
must have wrung all hearts. The devo- 
tion, which would lead to such a breaking 
away, to follow a father, a husband or son 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



l]^ 



into the trackless waste beyond the Mis- 
sissippi, where gloomy apprehensions 
must have arisen in the mind, causing hope 
to waver and the heart to sink with dread, 
is above all praise. The value of the part 
taken by tlie noble women who first came 
to this uninhabited region cannot be over- 
estimated. Although by nature liberal, 
they practiced economy, and often at crit- 
ical times preserved order, reclaiming the 
men from despair during gloomy periods ; 
and their example of industry constantly 
admonished them to renewed and strenu- 
ous efforts to save the west from a relapse 
into barbarism. This tendency was sup- 
posed to result from the disruption of so- 
cial and religious ties, the mingling of 
heterogeneous elements, and the removal 
of the external restraints, so common, and 
supposed to be so patent in older commu- 
nities. Dr. Bushnell did not have a suf- 
ficiently extended view of the subject, for, 
in looking over the history of the pa.st, it 
is found that in a nomadic condition there 
is never any real progress in refinement. 
Institutions for the elevation of the race 
must be planted deep in the soil before 
they can raise their heads in beauty and 
majesty towards heaven, and bear fruit for 
the enlightenment of nations. The evils 
of which Dr. Uushnell was so afraid are 
merely temporary in their character, and 
will have no lasting impression. What 
actually happens is this : At first there is 
an obvious increase in human freedom, but 
the element of self-government every- 
where largely predominates, and the fusion 
of the races, which is inevitable, will in 
due time create a composite nationality, or 
a race as unlike as it must be superior to 



those that have preceded it. Even now, 
before the first generation has passed away, 
society in the west has outgrown the irri- 
tation of transplanting, and there are no 
more vicious elements in society here than 
in the east, as the criminal statutes will 
abundantly show. 

In this connection are given the person- 
al experiences of the pioneers of 
Tama county. These articles are writ- 
ten or related by the pioneers, and when 
written, the compiler has in no case at- 
tempted to change or vary the style of the 
writer, it being the design to show the pe- 
culiarity of the writer, as well as to record 
the facts narrated. These reminiscences 
are interesting and well worthy of perusal, 
ny MRS. RACHEL vandobix. 

Well I will try and tell what you ask 
me, but in rather an awkward way, for I 
am getting'old and I can't write as I once 
could, and it is hard work for me. I will 
be sixty-one the twelfth of June, if I live 
till then. In the first place, my husband 
and Isaac Smith, for that was my brother's 
name, came to Tama the fall of forty- 
eight, took their claims and erected a 
cabin. It was covered with boards they 
' riv' out themselves, had a dirt back and 
yams and sticks and clay chimneys, 
doors sawed out, puncheons split out and 
thrown into the cabin. We expected to 
move early, but my brother was taken 
sick, and we stayed with him until the 
ninth of May, then we left him V)ettcr. 
A man by the name of Ephriam Wliittaker 
came with us with his wife and two chil- 
dren. He took a claim below Irving in 
what is called Salt Creek township, about 
five miles from us, built a cabin and moved 



"7 a r- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COXJNTY. 



^ 



into it; stayed till fall, butt bought it was 
too new for bim so be went back to Henry 
county. We bad two bired men witb us, 
James Vandorin and Isaac McKern ; tbey 
went back to Henry county that fall. My 
brotber got well and came in June. We 
landed in Tama county tbe tvventy-Hrst 
day of May, 1849, — moved witb seven 
yoke of cattle to our wagon, bad two 
breaking plows, blacksmitb tools and our 
bousebold stuff. Mud was so bad we 
could bardly get along ; we often had nine 
yoke of cattle to one wagon, for Whit- 
taker bad four yoke of cattle to his 
wagon, so tbey would pull one a while 
and then tbe other one. We were 
from the ninth till tbe twenty-first of 
May, hauling our doors and shutters 
witb us. We were so heavily loaded we 
had to leave our plows and other things 
on the road. My husband and Whittaker 
went back after them, so tbe first furrow 
plowed was the third day of June. The 
men chopped in pumpkin seed and corn; 
liad quite a little corn and nearly a hun- 
dred wagon loads of pumpkins. I chop- 
ped in my garden seed ; had a good 
garden. I put up a barrel of pick- 
les. They broke thirty acres more 
and put a good fence around it, — leav- 
ing the cross fence, made two fields. 
We bad a good crop that year, of nearly 
everything. But tbey had, in 18.50, broke 
and fenced this sixty acres on the bottom, 
and in May, fifty-one, it commenced 
raining and kept on till tbe water was all 
round our cabin and in the smoke house ; 
it came up there three times. Tbe second 
time my brotber and husband rafted a set 
of logs for a cabin out to tbe blurt's and 



then my brotber went from twelve to fif- 
teen miles to ask hands to help raise the 
cabin, which was sixteen by eighteen feet. 
The first one was sixteen feet square, and 
had no window. Tbe men came and 
helped raise ; but we bad to keep thoni 
over night ; so they got it covered and 
raised tbe next day and went home in tlie 
evening. That night it rained again. In 
the morning tbe water was around us 
again ; higher, higher, than before. The 
sheep were in a huddle on a knoll; 
.so the men turned the calves out, and they 
and all tbe rest of the cattle swam to shore. 
Then tbey took tbe sheep and started for 
the bluffs, letting them rest when tbey 
came to knolls where the water was not 
swimming deep, and having to help some 
of the sheep through. While they were 
gone I beard things upsetting in the 
smoke-house, I went in there and found 
tbe lard, molasses and vinegar barrels all 
afloat. I floated them up in a big meat 
trough that was in the smoke-house. Tbe 
men came back and we got breakfast ; 
then my husband carried things out of tbe 
large trough and set them in our cabin ; 
then he floated the trough out of the 
smoke-house and up to the door, told me 
to put in whatever I wanted to use and 
get in. I put in two feather beds and bed- 
ding, provision and my work, Ihen got in, 
taking my three children. He put in a 
cross cut saw to saw out a door in the new 
cabin, bored a bole in the end of the 
trougli and put a pin in it, and tied a rope 
to that, for the trough was square ended, 
and he bad to swim and pull us most 
of the time, for half a mile or more. 
Then mv brotber swam our horses to the 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



bluffs. Botli then went to work to saw a 
door in the now cabin, so we could get in ; 
bill they did not get it quite done, when a 
rain came up, and we had to put our thing.s 
in and creep in after them to keep from 
getting wet. I was there for three months 
and never saw a woman but myself. 
Everything in the bottom field was des- 
troyed, and we had to buy all our grain 
that year. Late. that fall Phebe Fowler 
came into that township, and William 
C'ruthers came into York that fall. 

My brother was married in July, 1851, 
and in Feliruary, 18r)2, started to Califor- 
nia. We still kept our claim; had nearly 
thirty acres broke mi high ground, and 
moved our cabin on the hill in June. We 
had a splendid crop or the prospect of it, 
for I had in a good garden. The last 
night in June there came a hail storm and 
destroyed all of it. My husband planted 
corn the third, fourth and fifth days of July; 
li.id the nicest lot of fodder I ever saw. 

After that we had good weather and it 
l)egan to be .settled up ; our neighbors 
were of the very best. But the first four 
years we had no christian influence at all. 
I feel to praise the Lord that it is different 
to-day, and a number of us have rejoiced 
in the love of the Lord since. 

Rachel Vaxdorin." 
the wilkinson party. 
[ By Anthony Wilkinson ] 

Anthony Wilkinson in company with 
his father, mother, two brothers, William 
and Robert, and three fisters, Rebecca, 
Jane and Mary, left Lewisville, Coshocton 
county, Ohio, about the 2uth of Septem- 
ber, I 849, bound for Tama county, Iowa, 
by way of the Ohio canal to Portsmouth, 
Ohio, thence by the Ohio and Mississipjil 



rivers to Muscatine, Iowa. Tlie water 
being very low, they found steam boat 
transportation hard to obtain, hence they 
were nearly three weeks in getting to 
Muscatine. Arriving there, they hired 
teams to carry them to Iowa City. There 
they rented a house for their parents and 
sisters to stop, while the three brothers 
prepared to go ou to Tama county and 
buifd a cabin for the family use. They 
purchased a yoke of oxen and having 
brought a wagon with them, they took 
ifuch things as were necessary for their 
purpo.se, and started on the second day 
after reaching Iowa (^itv, and in three days 
reached their destination, viz., on the 1 4th 
of October. 1849; and there began a set- 
tlement and improvement on land on 
which two of them Anthony and William 
still live, in Salt Creek township. 

Arriving at our future homes, we set to 
work and made a shanty with logs, cover- 
ed it with grass, set up a stove and pre- 
pared for hard work and rough living, 
thirteen miles from a settlement, no road 
and of course no travelers to see, save 
now and then a straggling Indian, who 
would grunt at ifS and go on. We labor- 
ed at our cabin building for two weeks. 
When needing some provisions, Robert 
went to the settlement at Honey Creek 
(now Koszta) and while there, heard that 
a new corner at Iowa City had d'ed sud- 
denly about ten days before; on his return, 
and stating what he had heard, we thought 
best that one should go to Iowa City and 
see how the family were. Accordingly 
next morning Robert started on foot, and 
on arriving there, found that on the morn- 
ing of the fourth day after we left for 
Tama, fathei; had been stricken with ap- 




l^^rU , ^ ^^An^ 



Al^zz±i 



i^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



oplexy, while seated at breakfast, and 
died ill half an hour. 

This sudden bereavment was a sad dis- 
couragement to the female portion of the 
family, being all alone among entire 
strangers, and no chance of communicat- 
ing with us, they hardly knew what to do, 
and who would wonder if they thought of 
the o'd home, but Robert made them as 
comfortab e as possible and returned to 
work ; meantime we were getting our 
house well under way and in two more 
weeks we hired teams to bring the family 
from Iowa City to Honey Creek, from 
there we got them home with our own 
team. 

The first settlement was made on the 
southwest quarter of section 21, township 
82, range 13, west, and owned by Robert, 
where we all lived together for the first 
year. In that year Anthony built a cabin 
on the southwest quarter of section 20, 
and in November, 1850, was married and 
moved into it. 

We got a team of five yoke of o.\en and 
broke prairie, working together for two 
years. In October, 1851, death again 
visited us, our sister, Rebecca died, and 
again, in August, mother died; about two 
years later Jane and Mary were married. 
Jane is now living in Richland township, 
and Mary is living near Houston, Texas. 
Robert died September 29, 1872, on his 
farm in Salt Creek. 

In the early years of our residence here, 
we had a great many difficulties to encount- 
er, but th 8 is a part of the price of cheap 
lands and must be looked for by the pio- 
neers in every part of the country. Up 
to 1858, we had to go to Iowa City or 



Cedar Rapids to mill and market, and usu- 
ally took three to four days. On such 
trips we usually camped out, sleeping in or 
under our wagons ; but bad roads and no 
bridges frequently made traveling interest- 
ing. On one occasion in the -month of 
March, I had been to Iowa City to mill and 
coming home I had to stay over night 
some four or five miles east of Marengo 
The frost was coming out but the ice was 
still in the creeks. It rained during the 
night, and I had to ford a creek about 
a mile from where I staid. On getting to 
it I found it very high, and I knew if the 
ice had gone out, it would swim the team, 
and I might be detained for days, so I un- 
hitched my team, took one horse and rode 
in to see if I could cross, the horse could 
barely go through without swimming, so 
I at once got ready to ford. I got some 
sticks, laid them across the top of my 
wagon box, piled my load of flour and 
other goods on top, took out my end gates 
to let the wagon go through the water 
easier, and drove in, afraid every moment 
to find the ice break under me, but it held 
us up, but I had not got entirely out of 
the water, when, looking behind me, I saw 
the ice I had just crossed on, come to the 
surface and float off. Had it given way 
while I was on it, it is hard to tell what 
the consequence to me would have been. 
On another occasion, I had to cross the 
Iowa river, and, being on foot, I crossed 
at Honey Creek in a dug-out, but in the 
evening was some six miles west of there, 
near the mouth of Salt Creek, but there 
was no boat and the river quite full. I 
must get home and did not want to travel 
six miles away from there to get a boat, so 



18 



ip" 



^• 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



I went into the timber, found some pieces 
of dry cotton-wood, carried them to the 
river, placed three of them in the water, 
side by side, fastened them together with 
a grape-Tine, laid two other pieces across 
them, then one on top of them lengthwise 
of ray raft to sit on, got a small pole to 
steer with, then got on to my raft to see if 
it would float with me, which it did nice- 
ly. So I pushed out in the current and by 
working across as much as I could while 
floating down stream, I landed on the 
other side in about twenty rods, and saved 
at least twelve miles travel, but at the 
risk of a good ducking, if no worse. But 
settlers began to come in rapidly after the 
first two or three years and we got things 
more convenient. 

TIM. brown's poetry. 

During the winter of 1855-6, the literati 
of Toledo formed a society for the dis- 
cussion of such questions as seemed of 
vital importance to those who organized 
the society. Among the first questions to 
come up was that of the " eternity of 
future punishment. " The question being 
one which highly interested all parties. 
An early day was set for the debate. 
. When the appointed day came, the society 
was called to order by David D. Appel- 
gate, the president, and the entertainment 
opened. Among the speakers were T. 
Brown, T. A. Graham, L. Merchant, I. L. 
Allen and J. L. C. Foster. The first 
named, Mr. Brown — now of Marshalltown 
— shortly afterward composed a poem, 
giving the detail of the debate. The 
manuscript is in the hands of J. P. Wood, 
of Traer, and is as follows : 

TO THE CHIP BASKET COMMITTEE. 

Ye, who in elocution's school are taught, 
Pray give attention to my scattered thoushls ; 



And I'll rehearse some efforts not below 
The mighty powers of a Cicero. 

What I relate I know to be a fact, 

I was an eye witnt-ss to each separate act, 

Aud saw the mighty orators laid low ; 

Demosthenes cumpellcd to undergo 

A strange reverse from fortune's ficlvlc liaiid, 

Fur Grecian fame was veiled iu Yanltee laud. 

Great Theologians diflcr in their views, 

And warm discussions frequently confuse 

The minds of men , and on contested points 

Sometime, the truth is sadly out of joint, 

With views the different champions euterlain 

For me to set them would be iu vain. 

But to proceed a question most profound 

Arose in school, proposed by redhead Brown ; 

Something like this ; 

" Resolved. If we compare 

All evidence that's given to us here, 

We must believe the greater part of man 

Through all eternity are damned " 

Our friend in red this doctrine did confute, 
And there arose a very warm dispute. 
Therefore to settle man's eternal fate. 
They to the chair elected Appelgate. 
A man of thought, of comprehension deep. 
Who studies long, while others idly sleep. 

And thus inured himself to mental toil, 
By the assistance of the midnight oil, 
Until his mental powers became so vast 
That he could seize with gigantic grasp 
Questions like this, that future fate involves. 
That great philosophers have never solved. 

He with a grave and dignitary air. 

Seats himself on the judicial chair. 

The sides are taken ; breathless silence reigns ! 

And so intense it almost gives you pain. 

All earthly cares have wandered far from view. 

And the dread future is all that's left to you 

On Time's vast avalanche you stand in awe, 

Waiting for God the misty veil to draw 

That would reveal eternity to sight, 

Show endless woe or Heaven's radiant light ; 

Undo nine-tenths of Adam's fallen race 

Who've lived and sinned away I lie day of grace. 



"^a r- 



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[Ja_ 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



391 



A speaker rises ! let us him survey : 

His face is pale as the cold ashy clay ; 

His auburn loclts like wig ou marble place 

In ringlets hang with a peculiar grace. 

He parts his lips — has Cicero arose 

And been in school during his long repose '? 

With words persuasiye as the lips of love 
He stales the law prescribed by Qod above, 
And handed down through inspiration's hand 
Unto the creatures of this fallen land. 

In magic tones elysian fields he paints 
Of endless joy the blessed abodes of saints, 
Where God in grandeur all his power displays, 
And high born seraphs swell the song of praise, 
Says, he expects to tread those shining plains 
Where endless j ly and peace celestial reigns. 

That blessed abode made for the happy few 
Perchance, is not, my friends, a home for you. 
You have a home where Hell's dread monster 

waits, 
Where grief and vengeance bellow at the gates, 
Where fear and rage and famine on you stare 
Where dread remorse and howling friends ap- 
pear. 

Where pale . disease seize on your quivering 

limbs 
And gnawing conscience rends your souls within. 
Vile discord there her snaky tresses bear, 
And Hell's grim furies in your faces stare. 

In tones of thunder shook the whitened walls. 
And for the proof he on the scripture calls 
And reads this passage " House of Israel, '' tly 
" From your evil ways, why will ye die ? " 
This being said, friend Lewis takes his seat 
With looks expressing that he's hard to beat 
Another speaker steps upon the stand, 
His brow emblazoned like a flaming wand 
With sparkling eyes and fiery aspect stood 
And thundered forth the mercies of his God ; 
Declared that God through Chri.«t had all men 

saved 
And Hell existed this side of the grave. 

Then rose a man, advanced to middle life, 
To take part in this exciting strife, 
Read forty texts in proof of endless pain. 
And modestly required that they be explained 



In fifteen minutes, that being the full time 
To which his opponent had been confined. 
This being done our " Thomas " sits him down 
With looks that say " I've vanquished Brown. " 

Then rose a youth magnificently tall 
Whose stately grandeur interested all ; 
Who in Lycurgus school was deeply read 
And naught but metaphysics filled his head. 
He raised his voice and soared on poetic wings 
And gave his views of spiritual things. 

Another rose, with comprehension vast. 
With eyes enclosed, neath battlement of glass. 
With jaws all mounted with a coat of hair. 
He on his victims cast a haughty stare. 
And opened his mouth — Hell gave a dreadful 

yawn 
And in the tumult " Fostered " hopes had gone. 

The chair was asked the question to decide. 
"Men should be damned " he instantly.replied. 

METHODISM INTRODUCED IN NORTHEEN 

TAMA. 

By Rev. Solomon IC Ingham. 

On the morning of June 3d, 1853, I 
left Vinton for the place now known as 
Traer. After going about nine miles I ar- 
rived at Garrison's Grove. There I saw a 
man with his wagon turned westward, 
watering his horses. I asked him if he 
was going in the direction his wagon indi- 
cated, and he replied " I am. " I told him 
I would soon overtake him, and he said ho 
would wait. He was looking at me very 
sharp, as though suspicious of something. 
I was on horseback, and had my portman- 
teau (vulgarly called saddle-bags), in 
which I carried my clothing and the nec- 
essary apparel to last me during my cir- 
cuit over eleven counties. 

When at last we got started, ray friend 
asked me if I had any friends up where 
we were going. I replied that I had not. 

"Do you know any one there V " 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



" Not any one." 

" Have you lieard the names of any of 
tlie settlers up there':" ' 

" Yes, I have, " and I mentioned over<<ve 
of tlie settlers, his name being among the 
rest. All being church members he found 
that his suspicions were correct. " 

"Ain't you a Methodist preacherV" he 
asked eagerly. 

" Yes. " 

"Well, 'sposen we shake hands!" he 
exclaimed. I rode alongside the wagon 
and over the wheel we gripped, and shook, 
he saying: "I'm glad to see a Metliodist 
preacher, I've not seen one since I came 
to the country. " ' 

Then sitting back in his seat, he asked: 
" Are you a circuit preacher? " 

" I am. " 

" How many appointments have you? " 

" More than days in the month. " 

" Poor cliance for us — you'll not come 
here very often," said he. 

" Only once a month, " I replied, " if 
you wish me to come at all after you hear 
me preach. " 

" Will you form us into a society?" 

" Yes, if I find it practicable. " 

" Well, I don't know whotlier you'll 
make it or not. You'll get three at Os- 
horn's, and one at my brothers. At our 
house we can't do much for you — we can 
only furnish you six there. But I don't 
know about Dean; am afraid he won't 
stick. '] 

At about noon we arrived at a little 
cabin, where the woman was sick ; but the 
man furnished us with a lunch. 

Perhaps two hours before sundown we 
arrived at the house of my friend, which 
was within a short distance of the present 



site of Traer. His wife had been sick for 
some time with ague and chills, and was 
barely able to sit u]), which she was doing 
when we went in. 

" Well, ma, " said my friend, " that 
preacher has come. I told you be would." 

I took her hand as she sat in the chair, 
and she had to wipe the tears from her eyes 
a full minute before she could overcome 
her feelings sufficiently to speak. 1 was 
then made acquainted with all the rest of 
the family except the oldest daughter, who 
was not at home. The girls soon pre- 
pared us some supper and after partaking, 
the host says : "Now we must go for my 
brother Giles. They want to see you. 
Mary is sick. " 

We went there and I was introduced to 
the family and the oldest girl of ray friend 
— my present wife. Mrs. Taylor, was un- 
well, and was in bed, but we had prayers. 

" Now " said Taylor, " we must go to 
Osborn's, they want to see you. " We 
started and had not gone very far when 
we saw Osborn coming. We stopped 
and he came up. 

" Well, Osborn, " said Taylor, " here is 
another prospector. " 

Osborn owned a large amount of land 
in that neigliborhood, but had made up his 
mind not to allow any one to secure land 
who did not intend to locate permanently. 
He therefore proudly asked: "Do you 
want to buy land for a home? I do not 
show land to any one else or to speculators 
any more. " 

Taylor answered: "He's not that kind 
of a prospector. He is hunting sheep. " 

" Sheep ! there never was a sheep in 
forty miles of'here!" exclaimed Osborn. 



'F 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



"Lost sheep! Lost sheep! " says Tay- 
lor. 

"Oh! is he a preacher?" 

The answer was yes. 

" What kind of a preacher? " 

I answered '' Methodist " 

He seized both my liands and asked, 
" Will you preach for us?" 

I answered that I would. 

"Are you a circuit preacher, and will 
you come again ?" 

" If you want me to, after you have heard 
nie preach." 

" Well, let us go to the house, the wo- 
men will want to see you." 

On we went at a rapid pace, I with diffi- 
culty keeping up with him. When we 
arrived within a few rods of the house 
Mrs. Osborn met us with a milk bucket in 
her hands. Osborn told her that " here 
was a Methodist preacher." 

She threw away her milk bucket and 
seized both my hands. She then wanted 
to know whether I would preach for them 
and come again, and insisted that we go 
in the house and tell her mother. The 
lady was out at the back door washing 
potatoes. As soon as Mrs. Osborn got in 
hearing she began clapping her hands 
and crying " Mother, mother, here's a 
Methodist preacher ! " 

The old lady gave her bands a flirt in the 
tub of water and met me in tne middle of 
the floor. She threw her arms around my 
neck weeping and exclaimed : " Praise 
God, I can once more see a Methodist 
preacher before I die ! " The old lady 
was over eighty years of age and has 
long years since passed to her last long 
sleep. 

The following day I preached and 



formed a society consisting of the parties 
named by Taylor. The organization was 
known as the Wolf Creek appointment, a 
branch of the Big Woods Mission. Thus 
was Methodism introduced into the north- 
ern part of Tama county. 

REMINISCENCE HY NEWTON MIl.I.EE, "F 
CLARK TOWNSHIP. 

"Newton Miller and Mary, his wife, 
settled on the northeast quarter of section 
2, Clark township, June 1, 18.50. On 
October 9, that same year, Mary in trying 
to get home to save her children and homo 
from the prarie fire, lost her life. It was 
on the second birthday of her baby. No 
happier family than surrounded the break- 
fast table that morning. She was one of the 
best among the good women who became 
pioneers. She fell in the line of her duty 
with her face toward Heaven William 
the oldest son, in trying to save his mother 
was severely burned. There have been bad 
fires since, but none so swift and terrible. 
William got well in about eighteen 
months, though badly scarred. William, 
and his next brother, Henry, enlisted at 
Buckingham, August 29, 1862, for the 
war. William died at Iowa City of brain 
fever before being mustered into the U. S. 
service. Henry was wounded in the neck 
at Champion Hill, Miss., May Ki, 18(i;i, 
and died June 7, 1803, of wounds. 

Mr. Miller's present wife was Mrs. Ma- 
ther. She left Missouri in the fall of 18()1, 
to go north to her brother, L. L. Webb, 
who lived in Benton county, Iowa. She 
had three boys; they started in the night 
to go north to "God's country," as they 
called it; but not knowing the road, they 
took an abandoned one toward Page coun- 
ty, which was providential for them, as 



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394 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



they were followed the next day by a gang 
ot guerillas, that were after their horses. 
They heard afterward that part of them 
were taken prisoners near the Iowa line. 
They found it a cold time to travel and not 
murli money, but grain was cheap, corn 10 
(XMits a bushel. One noble family living 
near Toledo, in Tama county, invited them 
into their house to stay all night, would 
take no pay except for grain. Their names 
are Mr. and Mrs. Otterman. "I was a 
stranger and ye took me in." — Matt. 25: 
;i5. July 3, 1863, John W. Mather, the 
oldest son, enlisted in the 9th Iowa Cav- 
alr}'. That winter he took a severe cold, 
settling in his throat, causing him to lose 
liis voice. He was with his regiment about 
twenty months after losing his voice be- 
fore he got his discharge. In the fall after 
lie came home he was plowing and bent 
down to fi.x the plow, when one of the 
horses kicked so close to his head that it 
took his liat off, which frightened him so 
lliat he hallooed. The fright and exertion 
of liallooing cause.d something to break in 
his throat, and afer discharging about half 
j\ pint of bloody matter he found that he 
(•ould talk again. His home is now in To- 
le<li). Frank Mather, her second son, to- 
getlur with her brother, L. L. Welch, en- 
listed in February, 1804, in the 2nd Iowa 
Infantry. 

In April, 1860, Mr. Miller and Mrs. Ma- 
ther were married and still live near Dy- 
sart. 

One of the first settlers here was Father 
Moss and family and his son Henry, and 
his family on section 18, in 1856. Acel 
and Catharine Parmenter, settled on the 



southwest quarter of section one They 
have gone to the better country. They were 
good people, remembered with love and 
respect by all who knew them. 

The first wedding was Newton Perkins 
and Ellen Moss. The first school was 
taught by Jacob Parmenter, in Newton 
Miller's house. 

There were nine soldiers enlisted from 
this township; William, Henry and New- 
ton Miller, Newton Perkins, Jerome Plum- 
mer, John Bowen, Matt Eikerman, and 
Torrence brothers. 

Nearly all the inhabitants were Meth- 
odist. 

" THE PIONEER DOCTOR. " 
.By n. T. BaMii, M. D. 

Voltaire says a physician is a very un- 
fortunate man, as he is expected to keep 
the people well, when they violate the 
very laws of their existence every hour of 
their lives. 

The life of a physician is no sinecure, 
as all who follow the profession well know 
— true there is a tunny side in the practice 
of medicine, as well as a serious one. 

Twenty-five to thirty years ago, it was 
rather a serious matter to be a physician — 
and to make the long and lonesome rides, 
through this then newly and sparsely set- 
tled country — when there were scarcely 
any roads, and no bridges, and you were 
frequently lost on the wide expanse of 
prairie, and often floundering in sloughs — 
to find your horse deep in the mire, and 
it was with difficulty that you could get 
out — sometimes your vehicle broken or 
your saddle girth or your harness torn — 
this was the funny side very often. We 
mostly rode on horseback in those days. 



•^i 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



.u 



as there were nothing but bridle paths in 
many parts of the country, but more es- 
pecially up and down the Iowa river and 
also up and down Deer Creek, where the 
paths would more frequently follow along 
the streams, which were very crooked, and 
had to be crossed quite often. We wei'e 
also obliged to ford the Iowa river, wiach 
was often very high and dangerous, es- 
pecially in the night. The writer remem- 
bers once in having gone across the river 
to see a patient who wished to be bled. 
After we had seen the person and performed 
the operation, we hastened to return home 
as we saw a storm approaching, or rather 
a blizzard from the northwest. The rain 
and sleet commenced to pour down, and 
when we arrived at the river, we found it 
had risen quite rapidly, but as we had a 
large powerful horse we entered the stream 
and with whip and voice urged him 
through. Our vehicle was whirled around 
almost ahead of the horse, but we suc- 
ceeded in keeping our seat, and getting 
over all right. 

As our little boy was with ns, we hurried 
home to get his boots off, as they were 
frozen to his feet, but did him no injury — 
with the thermometer 20 or more degrees 
below zero. That was a serious ride. 

The people were generally friendly and 
did evrything they could to make ue 
comfortable, in their small log cabins, with 
scarcely room for tlieir own families. 
Sometimes the doctor had to sleep as best 
he could — .sit up all night in a chair. 

The most disagreeable rides were those 
up and down the Iowa river, as the paths 
or roads ran down the large bottoms cov- 
ered with a rank growth of grass almost 
as high as the horse, which at night, or af- 



ter a heavy shower of rain, would be very 
wet, and you would get your clothes quite 
wet, and then sometimes you would be 
chased by wolves, bitten by mosquitoes, 
and almost scared to death, by the snakes, 
which often came into the cabins, and 
would lie near the stove to keep warm, or 
climb upon the flour sack or even the beds 
— we have seen them. 

We will relate an odd incident about a 
lady and a water-melon. She had eaten 
part of the melon, then laid the two halves 
together, and put them on a box, on the 
outside of the house, thinking the snakes 
would not find it; but the next day when 
she was about to eat the balance of the 
melon which she had also wrapped up in 
a table cloth, she had no sooner opened 
the melon when there lay a large rattle- 
snake inside. She instantly screamed and 
threw the melon, cloth and all, and ran up 
the creek, still screaming, when, thinking 
that there was no one within a half mile 
or more, she returned, and with a hoe kill- 
ed his snakeship, which had seventeen rat- 
tles. 

The ague along the river bottoms was 
almost thick enough to cut with a knife, 
so to speak, and the settlers were often se- 
verely afflicted with those diseases, no 
doubt caused by the dense growth of veg- 
etable matter, and the breaking up of the 
soil, producing a very great amount of veg- 
etable decomposition, which was. dele- 
terious in its effects. Now for a little 
amusing incident. 

Some twenty-five years ago, we were 
called one night to see an old lady, the 
wife of Patrick Dowd, a "rale ould Irish 
gintleman," living about seven miles off; 
went and found her suffering some from 






.' ^ «' « > 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



jiaiii ami sleeplessness. When we arrived 
there the old gentlemen came out, bid us 
good evening, and says "Doctor alight and 
come into the castle," whicli consisted of 
sod for the lower story, and was covered 
on the top with boards, which seemed to 
atiswer for a hen house. After we had re- 
lieved the troubles of the old lady by some 
medicine, and she dropped off into a nice 
sleep, we were invited to remain for tea, 
which we did, of course. Tlie old gentle- 
man said to his son-in-law, John Egan, and 
liis son Frank, "Boys take a fowl off the 
roost;" they proceeded to do so, went over- 
head, and after a few moments Mr. Dowd 
said, "Boys dont take a shank-hi." The 
fowl was cooked in due time, of which we 
ate heartily and drank some tea, when we 
left for home, driving back in the dark 
and crossing a little bridge made by laying 
two boards lengthwise for the wheels to 
run on, and the horse to pass between, 
across the ditch. 

The practice of medicine is hardly as 
pleasant at the present day, as it was in 
the early settlement of the county, not- 
withstanding the great inconvenience of 
long and lonesome rides, there was less 
competion and hard feelings, than there 
seems to be at present. The pe pie seem 
to be more difficult to get along with. It 
requires much skill and tact to hold your 
l)atient through an attack of disease, pro- 
vided it should happen to continue a few 
weeks or months. This is owing a gpod 
deal to meddling with the sick by out-' 
siders. No doubt many may mean well, 
but it is injurious to the patient, and un- 
just to the physician. 

The medical profession is an honorable 



one if conducted in an honorable manner. 
John Quincy Adams said it was the most 
" honorable of all professions. " The 
doctor certainly feels proud to relieve the 
pain and distress of his patients ; to soothe 
the dying pillow, and to comfort the 
afflicted friends. But the people are some- 
times imposed upon by pretenders, who 
claim to cure all the " ills flesh is heir to," 
and to raise the dead, but we think the 
days of miracles have passed — are there 
too many doctors, or has the profession 
lost all honor? The people seem to be 
growing weaker and wiser, but at the ex- 
pense of rigorous health — the system of 
cramming in school does not fit the young 
man for a useful life, nor the young wo 
man to be a good staunch helpmeet. Was 
the boy bright and clever, that was suffi- 
cient reason for the forcing and cramming 
him — so far however as strictly goes, the 
boys have a certain conservatism about 
them that prevents them from committing 
suicide by excessive brain work. The 
poor girls, with their finer organizations 
are the unfortunate victims. How often 
does the doctor have interesting lady )>a- 
tients, who talk beautifully, as they re- 
cline upon the sofa, but who, when married 
and mothers of a single child, prol>ably 
are unequal to the task of a household, or 
the care of a family. 

Our great grandmothers got their 
schooling during winter months, and let 
their brains lie fallow for the rest of the 
year. They knew less of Euclid and the 
classics, than about . housekeeping, an<l 
about how housework should be done, but 
tliey made good wives and mothers, and 
bore sturdy sons and bu.xom daugliters and 
plenty at that. 



Ol<s r* 




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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



From the age of eight to fourteen our 
daughters spend most of their time, either 
in the unwholesome air of the recita- 
tion room, or pouring over their books, 
when they should be at play, when 
released from school, within a year it may 
be she becomes engaged to some unwary 
youth, who, bewitched by her face, and 
charmed by her intelligence, sees not 
the frail body, and butterfly down, he 
weds her to find she has brought him a 
a dower of ill-health, with a large outfit of 
headaches, and spineaches. Unequal to the 
task, she at first tolerates, and then loathes 
the domestic ties; the trouble follows, both 
unhappy whether they remain together or 
not, or obtain divorces, and change mates, 
the Doctor being a perpetual witness to 
the vices and follies and their fatal results. 
Some may say doctors are opposed to ed- 
ucation. Not so. But we do not believe 
in educating the mind at the expense of 
the body, thereby producing a weak 
and effeminate race of people. There- 
fore less cramming in school, more 
out-door exercise, and riding on horse- 
back and walking, also invigorates 
the body, develops the muscular sys- 
tem, strengthens the nerves, pro- 
motes the health, and appetite, and is a 
great pleasure to the persons so inclined. 
Planting trees, shrubbery, and otherwise 
beautifying our homes, than which noth- 
ing can be more pleasing and satisfactory 
to ourselves and to those who admire such 
things — and who does not ? 

The people owe certain duties to the 
physici-in, and the physician owes certain 
duties to the people. We rememember 
once sleeping on a few boards in a 
cabin loft, as they were generally 



called, for a few hours after being up 
all day and night, we had to be pushed up 
through a small hole, kept our overcoat 
on, and when somewhat rested we sprang 
down through the opening to partake of 
some food, when we started for home. 
We lived well in those days ; did not, of 
course, have many of the modern delica- 
cies such as canned fruits, but we had 
good substantial food, such as corn and 
wheat bread, pork, eggs, beef prairie-chick- 
ens, which were very abundant in those 
days, and venison, as deer were plenty. 
There was also an abundance of wild 
fruit, such as plums, crab-apples, cherries 
and other varieties, which our good wives 
prepared for their families. We think 
such a diet was more conducive to health, 
not troubled so much with those modern 
diseases as dyspepsia and indigestion. 

TOLEDO REMINISCENCE. 

By T. Brown. 

You request me to write you a letter as 
one of the old settlers in Tama county. I 
promised I would. Ishall have to delve 
among the memories of the past, go back 
to the days of boyhood and hunt out for 
the stored up treasures written upon the 
tablet of the mind, covered with the col- 
lections of twenty-nine years of actiye 
business life, to find material. 

In the spring of 1855, I entered Tama 
county. The smoke of the wigwam of the 
savage, and log house of the pioneer min- 
gled together. The prairie was then with 
few exceptions, one immense field, shortly 
before the pastures of the buffalo and wild 
deer. It then appeared like nature's gar- 
den, covered with a teeming growth of 
herbage and flowers in summer to be mown 



^7W=^ 



It 



r 



iti 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



down by fire in the fall. I well remember 
the morning I arrived at Toledo, a little 
town springing into business life. I met 
that evening JohnConnell, JohnZehrung, 
T. J. Staley, Lou Merchant, D. D. Appel- 
late and some others, all young men, there 
at Mr. Wadley's. I looked them over and 
formed my opinion. I am not positive that 
Merchant was there. They formed their 
opinion of rao probably. Staley was county 
treasurer and recorder of the county, the 
custodian of the cash and titles. Some 
thought him a little vain. He hired me 
to record deeds for him. I always felt flat- 
tered when he gave me instructions, he 
did so in such a condescending tone that 
seemed to flatter me to think I was ad- 
dressed by him. He did it himself with- 
out communicating through an agent, and 
I felt for him, when I thought of the 
humility he took upon himself to address 
one who was a laboring man, and his house 
had blinds and panels and a door-yard 
fence and a front-yard and trees, all of which 
showed wealth, and to some, extravagance. 
1 have seen no change in John Connell, a 
polite, courteous, good fellow, any one 
could ajiproach; always a gentleman, never 
excelling or falling below himself. There 
was Appelgate, the clerk, all know him; 
kinil and genial, a little set in his way, 
with his own notions of right and wrong, 
and not easily convinced against his will, 
and tl'e less he said about a thing the more 
certain he was, he was right. Then there 
was Lou Merchant, the very antipode of 
Ai)pelgate; a little Frenchy in manners, 
address and appearance, only lacking a 
mustache to make a Frenchman. A charm- 
ing ladies' man for the parlor, or an escort, 
l)ossibly less courted as a husband. His 



classical countenance not angular enough 
for a nun, clear enough for a woman, and 
if those luxuriant, dark brown locks had 
hung on a head a little finer made, and a 
chin-dimpled and had it been banged, he 
could have been changed into a woman in 
a giffy. Lou was the ureat debater of ail 
moral questions, fastidious in his dress 
and manner as a dancing-master. His face 
resembling a piece of rare statuary from 
an old master, and as passionless as a twelve 
year old boy at a dancing school. 

He was a great theological student. 
All instructive mothers pointed him out as 
a sample to their boys when they were old 
enough to go in company, particularly if 
they showed evidence of precociousness. 
The girls all admired him, but still liad 
some doubts. They did not know just 
what he lacked, but there was a secret, 
intuitive something that they could not 
clearly determine, that crept over a heav- 
ing bosom and loving heart that demand- 
ed hesitation.. Lou never married. The 
bar had but two lights when I came to 
Tama county — Phillips and Noah Levering. 
Soon all doubt was expelled. C'. J. L. 
Foster, N. C. Wieting, and T. W.Jackson 
came, who, with myself, were sufficient to 
satisfy the legal desires of the people. 

Foster delivered a Fourth of July ora- 
tion in 18.55. I shall always remember 
that magnificent peroration when he said, 
"There is something .so grand in the loca- 
tion of Iowa, situated between the rolling 
waters of the mighty Mississippi, and 
bound on the west by the placid, clear and 
sparkling Missouri — the unlimited prairie 
covered with flowers between — something 
so pure in the air we breathe, sweetened 
bv the ravs of 'a western sun that soon 



'^K^ld r^ 



~5) "V 

T 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



401 



becomes ethereal and eastern pigmies 
spring to western giants." 

We all cheered when he closed. 

There was Thomas A. Graham, that 
always felt he was not fully appreciated 
by a good people, and felt regret that they 
were blind to the many kindnesses he was 
willing to bestow when he offered himself 
as a sacrifice to save them. He was a 
kind man at heart, with rather an inquring 
turn of mind. Tom Murray was sheriff ; 
always the same Tom Murray he now is, 
and so well known that any words I may 
say would be novel. 

Noah Myers was school fund commis- 
sioner, and the great business man of the 
county. I cannot describe him; I have no 
tact. He was a man of considerable energy 
and activity. He is gone, and I will not 
attempt to say more. John C. Vermilya 
was county judge, a man of good ability 
and thoroughly honest. He was charged 
with not being firm, but it was an error — 
unless kindness led him away. I under- 
took to defend a counterfeiter, upon whose 
person a large amount of spurious money 
was found. I tried to raise some technical 
questions and avoid the facts, but the 
Judge kept his eye fixed on the money, 
and that unexplained fact of guilty posses- 
sion was a silent, but potent witness that 
no skill of mine could overcome. It was 
justice he wanted, and I never knew his 
thoughts to go beyond the strict line of 
right. 

I always meet the old settlers of Tama 
county with pleasure. It seems a sort of 
home yet. I have written already more 
than necessary, and close. 
Yours, etc., 

T. Brown. 



now THE COURT GOT ACROSS THE IOWA 
EIVER. 

In 1856 Judge Hubbard, of the District 
Court, and T. Walter Jackson, a lawyer 
from Toledo, were on their way, at one 
time, from Toledo to Montezuma, then 
the county-seat of Poweshiek county. 
The water was high, and there was no 
bridge over the Iowa river. Unless they 
could get across by some means, they 
would be obliged to go to Marengo, 
which would add nearly seventy miles to 
their journey. "The Court" enquired at 
Toledo how they were going to get across, 
and was told to go to J. H. HoUen, and he 
would get them across if any one could. 
Finally they arrived at Hollen's, and 
"Harvey" told them "Of course he could 
get them over." 

Accordingly J. H. HoUen and his brother 
VV. T., secured some ropes, and they with 
the Judge, Jackson and the horse and 
buggy, repaired to a point on the river 
just south of where Tama City now is. 
The HoUen brothers, then took an old log 
which had been hollowed into a trough, 
and in this they crossed to the other side 
of the river, carrying one end of the rope 
The other end was then tied to the buggy, 
and in a few minutes it was pulled across 
the stream. The current was so strong 
that the buggy was kept whirling over 
and over until it struck shallow water. J. 
H. Hollen then swam the horse across. It 
was an ugly beast, and this was acom- 
plished with much difficulty. Then for 
taking "the Court" and Jackson over. 
They were both made to strip stark naked 
and lie flat in the bottom of the log to 
keep it balanced, and the Hollen's 
towed them over in safety. As will be 



T^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



imagined, it was a laughable sight to see 
the dignified Judge lay flat in the bottom 
of an old trough ; while with Jackson, he 
was a young, stylish fellow, lately from 
New York, and at that time a member of 
the Legislature, and it must have been 
amusing to see him lay aside his fine gar- 
(nents, and red-top boots to assume a like 
position alongside the Judge. Thus the 
old saying came, " How Hollen got the 
Court in a hollow log." 

REMINISEN'CE OF THE EARLY DAYS IN 
NORTUERN TAMA. 

By Daniel Connell. 

At a re-union of the old settlers at 
Traer, in 1875, Daniel Connell delivered 
an address, which was full of historical 
data. The following was gleaned from it 
and is presented as a reminder of days 
gone by : 

There is a time in the life of a man — 
also of a woman — that is of great interest 
to him and to her. The time when they 
leave the home of their birth and child- 
hood, their parents and all the pleasing 
associations of life. The emigrant, how- 
ever much he expects to better his for 
tunes by emigration, parts from the land 
of his nativity with misgivings and reaches 
his ilestination in sorrow and fear. Par- 
ticularly is this the case if the person 
seeks a new country ; there is something 
about it undefined and the mind pictures 
hardships and dangers. When at last the 
emigrant overcomes all privations, when 
success has crowned his efforts, there are 
few more pleasing thoughts than the ret- 
rospective, and one of their delights is to 
gather together and rehearse the incidents 
of — to them — old times. 



Annual meetings of old settlers are be- 
coming common in the west since the old 
settlers became able to enjoy themselves, 
and nothing is more interesting to them 
at these re-unions than a recitation of the 
history of those old days, at that time, 
days of strife for life and comfort ; but 
now days of ease and prosperity. Men 
never tire of the oft-told tale of early 
days. There is no reading so pleasant as 
history, little that men are as much inter- 
est in. We are interested in reading the 
history of the world, of our country and 
of the community we helped to create. 
Here we are deeply interested. Who was 
the first man that came here, when did he 
come, who made the first land entry and 
when, who were first married and when, 
what did the bride wear and who perform- 
ed the ceremony? The first birth and the 
first death are of interest, the first meeting 
and the first school, the first election and 
how manj' votes were polled and who was 
elected , the establishment of the saw and 
grist mills, the long trips to market and 
the enjoyment of those trips ; the political 
division of the settlement ; the methods 
of recreation of those early settlers. As 
the years glide by, the first settlers one by 
one will pass away and there will be none 
left to tell our story, so I proceed to 
gather up the fragments and weave them 
together that they be not lost, but i)reserv- 
ed for our children and theirs. 

Previous to the spring of 1853, Tama 
county was attached to Benton county for 
political and judicial purposes. Before 
this date the population of Tama, was 
sparse ; according to the United States 
census of 1850, there were but eight white 
iidiabitants. They were all or nearly all 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



in Richland township, near Anthony 
Wilkinson and family, who are there now 
after twenty-six years sojourn. 

There has been some uncertainty as to 
the date of the first arrival (in Northern 
Tama) on this part of Wolf Creek — known 
by nearly everbody at that tinie as Big 
Creek. This uncertainty arose from the 
fact that those first settlers have long since 
departed, and their present residence is 
unknown. There is little doubt that the 
first settlers here were Norman Osborn, 
David Dean, and his adult sons, Ira and 
Lewis. These parties arrived here on the 
1st day of January, 1852, Mr. Osborn 
taking possession of the land now occu- 
pied by the heirs of George Kober, then 
moved to the land now owned by Ira and 
Giles Taylor. Mr. Dean settled upon 
Twelve Mile Creek, on land now owned 
by A. Austin and J. Kingley, in Bucking- 
ham township. His sons settled on land 
now owned by G. Jaqua, Esq. 

The summer and fall of this year 
brought important accessions to the settle- 
ment. Mr. Dunkle, who settled upon 
the Kober land, buying from Osborn, 
Nelson Usher on the Horace Hartshorn 
farm, Volney Carpenter who did not 
remain long, Pat Casey and John Con- 
nelly, of unsavory memory, settled near 
where Clarks mill was afterward built. 

On the first of July arrived John and 
Joseph Connell, Jonas P. Wood and Wm. 
D. Hitchner. Later in the summer came 
Josua C. and L. E. Wood, Wesley A. 
Daniel, Daniel Connell, Senior, Robert 
Connell, and his sister Margaret, now wife 
of Jonas P* Wood, also Mr. Story, who 
sold to William Gordon. These all 
scttleil on the west side of W^olf Creek, 



around the village of Buckingham, which 
was soon afterward laid out. These were 
all the settlers during 1852. 

A few additions were made in 1S5:!, 
viz: ■ The brothers Ira and Giles Taylor 
and their families and a Mr. Spade, re- 
garding whom I can learn but little, and 
V. Helm. The same spring the first 
opening was made in Geneseo by Mr. 
Hil! and several adult sons, Harrison, 
Mark and William, who settled near the 
east side of Six Mile Grove, and William 
is still occupying the old homestead. 
John Riley came about the same time and 
still remains on his first purchase, a (|uiet 
unobstrusive man whom the writer has 
never yet seen. 

After this, emigration increased more 
rapidly. The year 1854 witnessed the 
arrivals of Geo. Root on the 16th of Jan- 
uary, P. Nungesser, Henry and Jacob 
Daniel, the two Yays, H. A. and Q. D. 
Hartshorn, Mr. Horton and son, who were 
drowned two months after their arrival 
Mr. Baker, Alfred Wood, Frederick 
Church, G. Jaqua, Willard Snow and Rob- 
ert Granger, Henry VanVliet, Rolf and 
Whitney : Henry, better known as Yan- 
kee Smith. West Wilson and Nelson 
Felter, entered land in Crystal, this year. 
Mr. F. remained, but Mr. Wilson did not 
bring his family until the following year. 
Leander and Theodore F. Clark, William 
Gordon and family, Nathaniel and New- 
ton Spencer and his son, who was killed 
by lightning in 1 86-, H. C. Green, Nor- 
man Rice, Nathan Fisher, Mr. Fee, Mr. 
Powell and Jonathan Hardin settled in 
Carroll on the south branch of Salt Creek. 

These comprise all the arrivals during 
1854. At this time the settlers were 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



widely scattered, mostly in uncomfortable 
log cal)ins, not a frame house, not even a 
board one in the settlement. Until thi.s 
year there was no saw mill to make boards, 
and it v\as a long distance to the nearest 
mill, so puncheon floors, shakes, split and 
sawed shingles for the roof ; after the 
first cold snap mud was used to fill the 
chinks, (as no lime could be got,) which 
the first rains in the spring washed out, 
leaving plenty of circulation. Sometimes 
the roofs were so constructed as to enable 
the occupants of the chambers to study 
the geography of the heavens before 
sleep. 

In 1855 a large addition was made to 
the population, and this is as late as I am 
able to name them, and I cannot now 
name them in the order of their arrivals. 
This year came the Stoakes family, who 
in ]>oint of numbers have ever been an 
important part of the community. Orig- 
inally from Ohio, they settled in Van- 
liuren county, and during the spring men- 
tioned arrived here. At the same time — 
with them — came H. T. Gaston, Esq., and 
L. S. Cope, who were connected with the 
Stoakes' by marriage. This family by the 
marriage of their sons and daughters, 
have made extensive ramifications. About 
the same period came the Klingman 
family — Stephen, George and Hiram^— 
l)ringing Mertz, James Hamilton and 
several others with them. J. A. Stewart, 
A. Wilbur, George Kober, E. Murdock, 
George Lyman, Nathan Ilarman and Mr. 
Kibbe, settled on Salt Creek. John 
McKune, Mrs. Morton, the family of West 
Wilson, and Mr. IJuchanan at the east 
side of Crystal townshi]). David Torrence 
became the solitary settler of Clark. Mr. 



Greenleaf, Lyman Cody, George Sloss, 
G. McMillan, and John Wilson and his 
family, remarkable for their numbers and 
intelligence, a family who have had a mark- 
ed influence in the community for good, 
although tliey did not arrive this year. 
Yet I may here add that the Wilson 
family have been the means of inducing 
more settlers to the place than can well be 
counted, who on their arrival settled as 
near each other as they could, until now 
Scotland, from a southeast to a northwest 
direction from their meeting-house 
extends fifteen miles. F. B. Kile, his 
mother, brother, and sisters, of the latter 
one was the first wife of J. C. Wood an<l 
one of H. A. Plartshorn. John Tedford 
Joel Haywood, the Hansells, Joseph 
Guernsey, H. W. Beach and the Slade 
family, settled in Geneseo township. J. 
T. Ames and William C. Reed, A. Boy- 
Ian, D. C. Ladd, Henry Beaty, D. Higgins, 
Charles Looj), J. W. Southwick, J. L. 
Moore, Peter Greenlee, and C. Hester and 
his sons, who laid out the village of 
Charlottsville, now West Union, and 
opened the first store in the settlement in 
the fall of this year and went to Kansas 
the following year, or in 1857. A Quinn 
settled in Four Mile Grove, and Joshua 
Hull on the east side of Spring Creek 
township. T. R. and S. B. Shiver, John 
Byworth, and Patrick Emett. October 
19, of this year the writer came with his 
family, and tlie first winter was deputy 
treasurer and recorder ; during that period 
I collected all taxes and recorded all the 
deeds and mortgages with plenty of spare 
time. I mention this to show the great 
difl^erence in the county business now and 
then. 



vr« 



ffv" 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



As it is a matter of interest to some to 
know who were the first parties married, 
I have taken pains to learn for the satis- 
faction of such. In the fall of 1853 Mr. 
Knott and Miss Martha Taylor, daughter 
of Ira Taylor, by Rev. S. W. Ingham. 
These parties removed to Kansas, and Mr. 
Knott died there this past summer. 

The second parties were Rev. S. W. 
Ingham, who officiated at the first named 
marriage, and Miss Cynthia Taylor, a sis- 
ter of the first bride, which event happen- 
ed in the spring of 1854; the ceremony 
was performed by Rev. Mr. Pettetish. 

The third contracting parties were Har- 
rison Hill and Charlotte Helm, in the fall 
of 1854. John Council, Esq., performed 
the ceremony. It is said that at the mar- 
riage the groom was coatless, and the 
guests had a good time generally. 

The fourth, and last that I will mention, 
occurred in the fall of 1854, and was John 
Zehrung and Miss Mary Conuell, the cer- 
emony being performed by the Rev. Mr. 
Pettefish, a pioneer through these parts, 
preaching the gospel to all who would 
hear. 

The first birth was in the family of W. 
D. Hitchner, and was a daughter — Amer- 
ica P. — born December 1, 1852, and died 
in December, 1856. 

The first death was a child of Mr. Spade, 
aged 14, who died during harvest time, 
1853. The .second was a child of Mr. 
Usher, five years old, in the fall of 1853. 
About the same time a child of Mr. Car- 
penter, some four years old, died. In the 
spring or early summer of 1854 a Mr. 
Morton and his son were crossing Wolf 
Creek, at Indian Ford, on the land of J. 
B. Green, were drowned, and on the 10th 



of September of same year Joseph Con- 
nell, who had been to Benton City for 
grist, was returning home, some three 
miles west of Vinton, was taken with 
severe cramps. He was laid on the ground 
while a messenger was dispatched to 
Vinton for aid, and was removed to Vin- 
ton, where he died the same night in 
great pain. He was aged -26 years — just 
21 years ago. At the time it was gener. 
ally supposed to be a case of Asiatic chol- 
era. In the death of Joseph Council the 
infant settlement lost an industrious, up- 
right young man. Cheerfully -he bore the 
privations which the isolation of th'e set- 
tlement imposed on the inhabitants. When 
affairs looked dark his disposition and 
faith enabled him to see light beyond. In 
the season of 1854 typhus fever in a malig- 
nant form prevailed to a considerable 
extent considering the number of inhab- 
itants. It was particularly severe in the 
family of Ira Taylor, who lost by its rava- 
ges three sons and one daughter. 

Of these early settlers I learn of the 
following that they have passed away. 
There may be others of whom I have not 
learned. The following is the list : One 
of Dean's boys, Joseph Connell, Wm. 
Gordon, Jr., W. D. Hitchner, Mr. Hill and 
his son Harrison, Nathaniel Spencer, and 
his son Newton, Carnelius Gay, famed for 
his many virtues, Mr. Ilorton, and his son, 
Fred Church the genial social man ; John 
McKune, Lemuel and Amos Kile, and 
their two sisters, Elizabeth and Philena^ 
Joseph Guerney, Mr. Slade, Henry Beatty, 
Dexter Higgins, Peter Greenla, S. B. 
Shiner, L. S. Cope, George S. Kober, and 
Patrick Casey why removed to Kan.sas 
and was killed by the Border Ruffians 



•^ <r- 



-rpv 



Ml 



406 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



wliile defending his home. The wires of 
William Gordon, Daniel Connell, Henry- 
Van Vleit, James A. Stewart, West 
Wilson, A. Quinn, George Lyman, Joseph 
Hull, J. Byworth and John Stoakes ; the 
mother of the Wood family and J. T. 
Ames and the wife of John Stoakes. 

(^f the other old settlers not now on the 
ground I have Hailed to learn of their 
present location with few exceptions. Of 
the most of those remaining here it can 
be said they have builded well, they have 
])roved good citizens, stamped the impress 
of their characters on the morals, relig- 
ious and' educational interests of the 
settlement, and as a rule have succeeded 
in accumulating a competence. 

Since writing the above list of our 
honored dead, another name has been 
added to the roll of those whose memories 
are dear to us. Daniel Connell, Senior, in 
the 80th year of his age, one of the 
earliest of the old settlers, "a good man 
and just," of whom it had many times 
during the whole course of his long and 
useful life been said, that, "he never had 
an enemy." He saw this settlement when 
there was perhaps no more than twenty- 
five souls in its borders of six townshij)s 
and died when its population can be 
counted by thousands. 

From the earliest period of the settle- 
ment until 1873 the inhabitance labored 
under the disadvantage of being a long 
distance from a maiiet. The first railroad 
that i)enetrated into Iowa was in January 
1H56, from Davenport to Iowa City where 
it remained for many years. Previous to 
this event the people of Northern Tama 
were in the habit of going to Dubiujue to 
do their trading, a journey of 200 miles. 



Were they forced to go that distance now 
it would be considered a hardship. Those 
in the neighborhood of Toledo went to 
Muscatine, a distance of 2.50 miles. When 
the railroad reached Iowa City a distance 
of eighty miles from here, it was consid- 
ered an advantage, when finally in 1800 it 
reached Cedar Kapids, fifty miles from us, 
we considered it near, the distance could 
be made with a load of wheat in four days 
easy, and three when time pressed. Tliese 
long journeys were relieved of their 
monotony by companionship and many is 
the rich story that many of the men 
before me could relate of those trips lo 
Cedar Rapids without the company of the 
ladies. In two years after the road 
reached Ceder Rapids a road was built to 
Waterloo and for many years that was our 
market, this place contributing hundreds 
of thousands of dollars of the material 
wealth of that enterprising city. Our 
j)eople were well pleased when the road 
reached Waterloo, — they could go to 
market in two days, and only travel fifty 
miles. Some five years since a road 
reached La Porte City and many could go 
to market and back in a day. Then at 
last in 1873 a railroad was completed to 
Traer our joy was comi)lete, and many — 
had they been possessed of a little more 
land would have been ready to .share the 
desire of Simeon, of the New Testament, 
hut tlicy are waitiiit/ for the land. 

In the isolation of the settlement, time 
did not pass heavy. During the winter 
the men in the day time would meet in 
the store at Buckingham and lay out roads, 
fill lip the dejiressions in them, bridge the 
sloughs and creeks, in fact, working them 
generally. It, Was easier to do it on the 



-» i,f^ 



^t 



p^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



407 



"1^ 



counter in winter, than on the roads in the 
summer. There was the singing school, 
that never-exhausted resort to while away 
tedium. For a few years we had a lyceum 
productive of much good. 

There was alway.s in this settlement a 
good feeling prevailing toward ministers 
and one of the pleasures looked foi^vard 
to was the donation parties at the min- 
ister's house, fruitful of good feeling 
among all, and pecuniarily beneficial to 
the pastor. The early emigrants to the 
west were mostly young people who must 
at times relax from the stern realities of 
subduing nature and earning a living. 
One of the means employed by our young 
)eople was the social dance and they 
ntered into its enjoyment with a zest. 
The social party was much in vogue by 
the maiTied people, and scores would 
'weekly meet at the various houses during 
the winter. Fourth of July pic-nics also. 
Thus our early settlers enjoyed them- 
selves making the long winters pass 
pleasantly, enjoying themselves better 
then than now. 

I'OSTOFFICES. 

Proliably the first and greatest hardship 
the first settlers in a new country feel, is 
the want of postal facilities. They are so 
anxious to receive a letter from home ; so 
anxious to send one, that they keenly feel 
the loss of the opportunities. The settlers 
here were no exception to this state of 
feeling. The nearest accessible postoffice 
was Vinton, as the travel of that day 
passed through that village, the mail for 
this settlement was left there. The post- 
master at Vinton becoming acquainted 
with everyone, took pains to forward the 
mail matter by some one, and it was left 



at a convenient point. • When the stores 
were opened at West Union and Bucking- 
ham, they became accommodation post- 
offices. The writer at his store, would 
receive mail to be sent east ; every morn- 
ing he would make up the bundle and 
hand it to the first man passing east, who 
mailed it at Vinton or Cedar Rapids. 
Hundreds of letters were thus forwarded 
and he never knew one to be lost. In the 
winter of 1 856-7, it was proposed to 
change the direction of our mail to Toledo 
and hire a carrier, accordingly, a subscrip- 
tion was opened ; West Wilson was hired 
at t.S.OO per trip. Dr. Daniel and D. 
Connell, Jr., being responsible to him. 
Mr. Wilson made twelve trips and the 
endorsers had it all to pay except fifty 
cents. In the meantime, efforts were 
being made to have a mail route establish- 
ed ; Mr. Wood postmaster at Vinton, 
interesting himself, service commenced on 
the route, Vinton to Albion, a town of 
importance then in Marshall county. 
George Young was postmaster at Wood 
postoffice on the west side of Yankee 
Grove ; S. Klingaman at Wolf Creek ; L. 
B. Collins, at Collin's Grove ; W. B. King 
at Union Grove. Mr. Klingaman retained 
the office for about a year, when he made 
way for Dexter Higgins, who removed tlie 
office to West Union, where it remained 
until 1873, when it was removed to Traer; 
the present P. M is Miss Taylor. Between 
Mr. Higgins and Miss Taylor the number 
who had the office were legion. 

An effort to establish an office was suc- 
cessful at Buckingham in 1859, with O. 
Gravatt, Postmaster. A strong political 
influence was brought to bear, to prevent 
any postal service, and it was not until 



Ip^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



»:A 



May, 1860, that an office with mail service 
was finally opened, with D. Connell, Jr., 
postmaster. At first the service was weekly, 
then semi-weekly, then tri-weekly and 
finally a daily service. A money order 
office was established and thus this settle- 
ment was as well provided for as was 
needed. This office was continued in the 
same building, and under the same post- 
master until his resignation in 1874. J. R. 
Holman, was appointed postmaster and 
removed the office to near the center of the 
township, and after a few months it was 
discontinued. During its life it was an 
important institution in the settlement. 

At an early day the Fork's office was 
established with A. McElhiney, postmas- 
ter; that gave way to the Evergreen office, 
.loel Haywood, postmaster, who resigned 
a few days since and removed to Califor- 
nia, after a residence among us of tw'enty 
years. 

An office was established at the west 
side of Crystal, and one at Crystal village, 
with W. Wilson, Esq., as postmaster; the 
one at the west side was discontinued as 
was the Collins Grove office. An office 
was established in the northern pai't of 
Buckingham, called Bovina, with Charles 
Blanchard, as P. M.; discontinued in 187.'?. 
An office named Etta, with Tyler Converse 
as postmaster, was established in Clark 
township about 1870. An office was estab- 
lished in Grant, called Connell, with Alex. 
Mitchell as postmaster, and one in Lincoln 
cvlled Fifteen Mile Grove; and at a later 
day, one called Coldville. At present the 
settlement has all the mail facilities they 
want, nearly all tlirongh the infiuence of 
one man. 



The foundation of schools was slow 
growth. The houses of the settlers were 
far apart, few children and no public 
houses. The first school was opened by 
Miss Rachel Wood, in the summer of 
1854._ The first school-house was erected 
in Buckingham in the spring of 18.56, and 
school was opened that summer with Miss 
Jane Noble as teacher. Tlie house not 
being plastered there was no wint r ses- 
sion. In the summer of 18.57, the teacher 
was Miss Charlotte Hester. I think it 
was in 1857 the corner school-house was 
erected, and in 1?58 the one at West 
Union. After that they multiplied rapid- 
ly, until now there is supposed to be one 
every three miles. In nothing did the 
early settlers take greater interest or spend 
more money, than in support of .schools, 
or as willingly — ail honor to the people of 
this settlement. In intelligent children, 
growing into intelligent men and women, 
these outlays of time and money spent for 
schools is returning and will continue to 
return an hundred fold. 

In 1868, Buckingham was formc<l into 
an Independent District ; in 1870 a new 
school-house was erected and two schools 
for ten months in each year main- 
tained, and is yet continued. The 
season of 1875 being more success- 
ful than any previous one, with John 
Frazee, teacher of the higher department. 
In connection with the Buckingham school 
a school-house, was erected on the west 
side of the district near the residence of 
L. E. Wood, which was destroyed by a 
tornado in 1865; but which has lately 
been rebuilt. ■ 







i "V 



<^l 



'-hu 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



MEETINGS AND CHURCHES. 

As will be noticed, among the very 
earliest settlers were the Connell family — 
1852. They had been in the employ of 
Gov. Wm. A. Buckingham of Norwich, 
Connecticut. To one of them he at an 
early day wrote these words: "Say to 
the people of your place that I shall always 
be deeply interested in the progress among 
them of education, temperance and reli- 
gion, and you will gratify me if you will do 
all in your power for the advancement of 
those interests, and let me know when I 
can assist you." Nobly in after years he 
responded. This family was always 
foremost in the settlement in the interest 
of religion and education, and the former 
early took root here. The first preaching 
was probably by Rev. S. W. Ingham in 
the spring of 1853. Wolf creek cut the 
settlement in two, and services were 
usually held in the morning at the house 
of Ira Taylor, and afternoon or evening at 
the house of the Wood family. The first 
Sabbath school was organized in 1853 at 
the house of Norman L. Osborn near the 
present residence of George Sloss. Mr. 
Story was superintendent. This school 
was re-organized in 1854. 

The early preachers here were Metho- 
dist ; beside Mr. Ingham there were in 
1854 Revs. Powell and Fisher, residing in 
Carroll township, and a clergyman named 
Pettefish ; in 1855 Rev. Brown, and in 
1856. the Rey. S. Dunton. During the 
summer of 1856 T. R. Shiner organized a 
Union Sunday school at the Buckingham 
school house, which was built this spring. 
He raised five dollars and sent it to the 
U. B. Depository at Dayton, Ohio, and 
they sent him fifteen dollars'- worth of 



books. In the spring of 1857 the Union 
Sunday school was re-organized, with 
James A. Stewart as superintendent, aud 
D. Connell librarian. This summer Geo. 
Buckingham sent a library of books 
containing 350 volumes, many of them 
standard works of considerable value. D. 
Connell paid the express charges from 
Norwich, Connecticut, which at that time 
was of importance to him. During this 
season, or a considerable portion of it, the 
school-house was usurped by some carpen- 
ters, and every Sabbath morning Mr. 
Connell and wife, assisted by Mrs. Jane 
Smith, swept and cleaned the house before 
it could be used for meeting and Sunday 
school, and he carried the books back and 
forth every Sabbath. At this time the 
school-house was not plastered, and there 
were no services during the winter of 1857- 
8. In the spring of 1858 the school was 
re-organized by appointing the same offi- 
cers. In the spring of 1859 T. R. Shiner 
was superintendent and J. A. Stewart 
librarian. This union arrangement was 
continued until the Congregational church 
was erected in 1867. 

In June 1856, Rev. O. W. Emerson, at 
the house of C. Hester, organized a 
Congregational Church consisting of six 
members, called the Twelve Mile Con- 
gregational Church. Mr. Emerson was a 
home missionary, and in the spring of 
1857, he visited the church. During his 
absence there was no preaching of that 
order. Some time in 1857, there was a 
meeting of the church going people at 
Buckingham on the subject of engaging 
a minister of some denomination. There 
was represented, Congregationalist, 
Methodist, United Brethren, and Univer- 



;y!=:^ 



ik 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



salist. Tliere was not strength enough in 
either element to pay a man. During 
the summer three Presbyterians ministers 
had been here, Mr. Robinson, of Vinton, 
Ills l)rother, of Steamboat Rock, and Mr. 
.Fones, of Cedar Rapids. Leander Clark 
and Daniel Connell were appointed a 
committee to find a minister, and authorized 
to encourage a good man without regard 
to his denominational proclivities. The 
last of October, Rev. J. R. Upton, a Con- 
gregational minister, came and preached. 
After the services the congregation resolv- 
ed itself into a business meeting, and it 
was agreed to have Mr. Upton preach. 
An arrangement was made whereby he 
was to be the pastor of the Congregational 
church, and he commenced his labors 
December 1, 1857, and continued for two 
years. The following year, the Rev. Mr. 
Emerson, who had settled here in the 
meantime, preached for the church. Mr. 
Emerson then retiring until September, 
186.S, they had no preacher. At that date 
the Rev. Mr. Roberts settled with the 
church, continuing until 1871. It was 
during his pastorate that the " Great 
Awakening " took place. Rev. Mr. Marble 
assisted Mr. Roberts, commencing Decem- 
ber 1, 1868, and continued until about 
February, 18G9. On Janury Ist, for the 
week of prayer. Rev. J. D. Potter, of 
Connecticut, a successful revivalist came; 
his meetings were held for four days with 
marked results, three hundred men and 
women confessed their sins, and the 
permanent strength of the Congregational 
and Methodist churches to-day is attribu- 
table to this great revival. Mr. Roberts 
was succeeded by Rev. Henry Mills, who 
resigned at the end of eight months. 



Rev. J. B. Gilbert was settled in July, 
1872, and preached until September 1, 

1874. In 18G6and 1807, this church built 
a meeting house in Buckingham, which 
was dedicated in June, 1867, sermon by 
Rev. Dr. Magoon, president of Iowa 
College. Gov. Buckingham took great 
interest in this house, contributing rather 
more than one half of the cost, which was 
$4,000. He also donated a valuable pulpit 
bible and a carpet, his wife gave valuable 
additions to the library, and a sister of 
Mrs. Buckingham, Miss Jane Ripley, sent 
a communion service. At this time the 
name of the church was changed to 
Buckingham Congregational church and 
the house called Ripley Chapel. In 
September, 1874, the house was taken " 
down and removed to Traer. In April, 

1875, Rev. C. Bissell was engaged and is 
the present pastor ; the present resident 
membership is 100. The church is now 
called " Buckingham Church " in honor 
of the late Gov. Buckingham, of Con- 
necticut. The meeting house still is 
called Ripley Chapel, in memory of his 
wife. 

The Methodist organization here prop- 
erly begins in 1853 when Rev. S. W. 
Ingham commenced his labors, and meet- 
ings have been continuous since. I have 
failed to obtain statistics. I recall among 
the pastors in charge, men of indomit- 
able energy and zeal, laboring to upbuild 
their churcli, the revered name of Donel- 
son, of deep piety, I knew him well; the 
eloquent Fawcett ; the nervous, impet- 
uous Baker ; the studious Mr. Sea ; the 
sensitive spirit Holbrook, cut out of 
rough material yet done well his Master's 
work. The present pastor is Rev. Moore. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



d!^ 



In 1807-8 they erected a meeting house, 
Gov. Buckingham contributing liberally 
for its erection. In 1874 the house was 
moved to Traer ; the present membership 
is probably not far from 100. 

The United Presbyterians organized in 
1860, with a membership of eighteen. 
Their first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Kerr, 
then Rev. Bull, and next Rev. Trumbull. 
In 1871 they erected a neat house of wor- 
ship costing about $3,000; the present 
membership is 127. During the present 
year there have been two organizations, 
off-shoots from the paient stem, one in 
Traer with twenty members and one in 
Grant with eighteen members. 

In 1857 the United Brethren formed a 
class and maintained preaching for a 
number of years. Rev. Mr. Kerns was 
the pioneer throughout Northren Tama, 
preaching four years at Buckingham. 
For a number of years their principal 
class was in Buckingham, latterly it has 
been in the south part of Perry. The 
present pastor is Rev. Mr. Hicks with a 
membership of thirty. 

The Universalists had occasional 
[jreaching during 1858-9 and regular in 
1860 and 1861, with Dr. Brice as pastor. 
In 1868 and 1869, Revs. Wilson and 
Brinkerhoff preached, but they never had 
any organization. 

In addition to those named the Presby- 
terians are also represented. They have 
a church in Crystal townshij) called 
" Salem Church." It was organized at an 
early day. The Baptists have a church 
at Bovina of some forty members and 
regular preaching. There is, at present, 
preaching every Sabbath in "nearly every 
school district in Northern Tama. 



INDUSTRIES. 

In an early day lumber was brought 
from ii long distance and the need of mills 
was felt. The water of Wolf Creek was 
early thought of as a power to be utilize<l 
In 1854, John Connell, J. P. Wood and 
W. D. Hitchner erected a saw mill ; they 
sold to S. Klingaman who, in 1856, added 
a grist mill. It fell into the hands of W. 
W. Leekins, a famous miller. In 1874 he 
associated with Geo. Sloss and re-erected 
the mill at an expense of $15,000 ; Mr. 
Sloss is at present sole proprietor and has 
a good property. In 1655 Leander Clark 
erected a saw mill on the creek. In 1856, 
a company erected a steam saw mill at 
Buckingham. In mentioning the indus- 
tries of the settlement, the enterprise of 
the Dean family must not be overlooked. 
In 1852 they erected a small mill on 
Twelve Mile Creek, below Jaqua bridge, 
had a dam, wheel and machinery and made 
wooden bowls which they sold at Cedar 
Rapids, Iowa City and Dubuque. Vinton 
at that time consisted of but four log 
cabins, it now has a population of .3000. 

The first school house in the settlement 
was built in Buckingham, in 1856, the 
contractor being Henry Daniel. It was a 
frame building 20x32 feet, 12 foot stud- 
ding. Gov. Buckingham, of Connecticut, 
donated $100 toward it. 

WILD ANIMALS. 

In the early days after settlement, wild 
animals were not uncommon, bears and 
buffalo were here as late as 1853 ; elk and 
deer as late as 1857 ; wolves, wild cats 
and coons until a very recent period. A 
wild cat, or lynx was shot near this village 
last year. 



*7i; 



w 



^i 



Lk 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



TOWNS. 

Like western people in general, our 
early settlers were attempted town builders. 
One party was to have one at the Forks ; 
others, at other points. In 1855, Bucking- 
liaiii and Charlottesville — now West Union 
— were laid out ; Mr. Hester, of the latter 
place, opened a store which was continued 
by various parties until 1874. 

Tiie north half of Buckingham was laid 
(in lands of George Lyman, the south half 
on those of John Connell and brothers, 
j)artly purchased by them from West 
Wilson, Esq., who entered a portion of it. 
In July, 1856, Dr. W. C. Stanberry, of 
Vinton, opened a store in the dwelling 
of W. D. Hitchner, with D. Connell as 
salesman, and in November he removed 
to the village plat. In March, 1857, Dr. 
Stanberry sold to D. Connell, who continu- 
ed there until 1873, when he removed to 
Traer. At Buckingham there were, of late 
years, four stores, two blacksmith, a 
wagon, a shoe, two harness and a tin shop, 
carpenters, painters, two meeting houses, 
two physicians, a large school house, with 
graded school, a daily mail and money 
order postoffice. There was a store in 
Geneseo township in 1857. 

Mr. Aitchison opened a store in Crystal, 
in 18GS, where there was also a blacksmith 
and wagon shop. 

The people of tlie settlement from the 
very earliest day were peculiarly American ; 
whether native or foreign born, they knew 
no country but the United States. The 
Fourth of July was a great day with them, 
always to be observed in a suitable man- 
ner; accordingly, the national anniversary 
of 1853, was duly noticed and celebrated 
with all tlieir enthusiasm and patriotism. 



I have in my possession, kindly loaned me 
for use by J. C. Wood, Esq., the subscription 
paper to raise money to observe the 4th of 
July, 1853. At that time there was nothing 
to be obtained here, not even Hour. This 
money was raised to send a man to Cedar 
Rapids to procure the necessary refresh- 
ments for the celebration. The list em- 
braces twenty names, and the amount sub- 
scribed was §9.75. The list has names on 
it of men who were probably transient 
men of whom no more is known. The 
body of the subscription list, or rather the 
preamble, is in the hand writing of John 
Connell. Joshua C. Wood was the collec- 
tor. The body of the paper is in good 
preservation, but the names signed are 
fast being obliterated. One name cannot 
be distinguished, but it is learned that it is 
Alvah L. Dean, and those of L. E. Wood, 
and Joseph Connell are nearly gone. It has 
not been learned who the speakers were, 
except John Connell; probably there was 
but little public speaking. 

In 1854 there was no celebration, but in 
1855, and every year since, Buckingham has 
always publicly observed the day. Proba- 
bly there is no town in the county that can 
show so patriotic a, record. D. Connell 
has the minutes of the meeting held at 
Buckingham, May 24, 1856, to arrange for 
the Fourth of that year. Wesley A. Dan- 
iels, T. ¥. Clark and T. R. Church, were 
committee on finance; H. F. Gaston, J. P. 
Wood, L. S. Cope, C. (probably Cornelius) 
Gay, and (Tcorge Lyman were the commit- 
tee on arrangements. T. Walter Jackson, 
a young lawyer of Toledo, and the most 
eloquent speaker in Iowa at that time, was 
the orator of the day. There was a ball in 
the evenintt at the Buckingh.am school- 



"^0 w- 



-'-^k 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



house. A remarkable thing in connection 
with these celebrations was the great num- 
ber who attended them, coming from 
twelve miles or more. The meetings were 
generally held in National Grove, but 
sometimes in Traer Park and Four Mile 
Grove. Often prominent men were pro- 
cured from Toledo, Waterloo, Vinton and 
Cedar Rapids, yet home talent was mainly 
relied upon. 

With patriotism thus in their nature, 
embued with political doctrines that found 
expression in the creed of the Republican 
jiarty, intelligent men that were habitual 
readers and deep thinkers, close observers 
of the political movements of the day, 
they were not unprepared for the action 
(if the south when the first gun was fired 
ujion Fort Sumter. It found the citizens 
of Buckingham in full sympathy with the 
government 

PROMINENT (CITIZENS 

The north part of Tama county has 
from the first been noted for the intelli- 
gence and moral worth of its inhabitants, 
and her citizens have frequently been 
selected for important oflices. In 1854 
.lohn Connell was elected Representa- 
tive from this district, which was composed 
111' Tama, Benton, Poweshiek and .Jasper 
counties. He was Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
Colonel of the 28th Iowa Infantry, and 
has for many years been Assessor and 
Collector of Internal Revenue for the 
Fourth District of Iowa. 

Leander Clark was County Judge four 
yars. Representative four years. Major 
ill :24tii Iowa Infantry, and Indian Agent. 

William B. King, of Spring Creek, was 
State Senator for four years. 

.Joseph Dysart was State Senator six 



years, and was Lieutenant-Governor two 
years. 

James Wilson was six years a Repre- 
sentative, two years of which he was 
Speaker of the House, then elected to 
Congress, and is now (1875) serving his 
second term, making ten years of contin- 
uous legislative service in State and Na- 
tional councils. 

G. Jaqua, another old settler, has served 
two terms as Representative. 

CRIMES. 

In spite of our boasted moral worth, of 
religion, of the education we possessed 
and imparted, this settlement has wit- 
nessed the perpetration of as bad crimes 
as ever disgraced a rural population. (The 
details regarding matters which would 
come under this head are treated else- 
where in this volume.) 

EXPENSES IN AN EARLY DAY. 

The following is an extract from the 
book of expenditures of John Connell 
and brother: 

1852. 

.July. To quarter section of land $144 00 

" To expenses to Dubuque 20 00 

" To farming tools in Dubuque. ... 15 00 

Oct. To two horses 1.55 00 

To one wiigon 60 00 

To one set harness, blanket, etc. . 37 0(1 

To groceries, chains, etc 100 00 

To stove, crockery, etc 70 00 

1853. 

March . To 9 hogs from J. Connelly. ... 13 00 

To 2 heifers from J. Connelly. . 14 00 

To corn for horses during winter 35 00 

" To shoeing, medicine, etc 5 00 

April . To groceries 70 00 

May. Bo't of Jos. Young, 80 ac. land. . 100 00 

■ • 30. Bo't of Mr. Hel mj 3 cow s 40- 00 

Jun. 20 Bo'tof Pat. Casey 1 cow 40 00 

" 30 Bo't flour, meat, groceries, etc. at 

Cedar Rapids, 50 00 



t^ 



^t 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Juljb. Breiiking team (should be break- 
ing land) 98 00 

One page has the amount of cash cap- 
ital invested by John, Joseph, and Robert 
Connell in their business in 1856, *i405.00. 
Anotlier page shows their expenditures in 
the saw mill. 

The only entry in the docket of John 
Connell, the first justice, under date of 
June 13, 1854, relates to an estray, as 
follows : Black mare, 3 years old ; 14 
iiarids high, bald face, left hind foot white, 
scar on nose, valued at iSSS.OO, by Joseph 
Connell and J. P. Wood, appraisers. The 
ostray was taken up by John Riley. 

CONCLU.SION. 

Tlius I have endeavored to present to 
you the history of our old settlers, I trust 
as interesting to you as to me. I have 
done my part in gathering the facts. In 
looking back upon the time of 23 years it 
seems not long. The time is within the 
life of every adult, and on first thought it 
would seem that but few incidents of inter- 
est could be found. The days of the 
present and of the immediate past are not 
as the days of the last century. Great 
events are now crowded into a few years. 
Iowa, owing to easy facilities for travel, 
developed faster in twenty-five years than 
the wilds of more eastern states did in 
one hundred years. Measured by the 
past even, who can tell of the advance- 
ment thiit this settlement will see during 
the next generation? Those of us who 
shall stand here twenty years hence will 
witness important changes. The workers 
of tlie past twenty-three years leave no 
unimportant task to the workers of the 
coming time to rival them. May those 
coming after us do as well. 



PIONEER LIFE. 

By Christopher Spire. 
It was hard times with us in those 
days. We had to go to Iowa City to mill, 
which generally took five days and some- 
times we could not buy even a bushel of 
corn meal for love or money. Some of 
the people would take an ear of corn and 
rub it on a grater ; that is take a piece of 
old stove pipe and punch it full of holes 
with a peg and awl from the under side, 
then take an ear of corn and rub it on the 
top side till they have got enough meal to 
make a johnny cake. They would do this 
sooner than go so far to mill. He says 
one day some one told him there was a 
mill some ten or twelve miles south of 
where he lived, so he started with his 
oxen and some corn to find it. He wanted 
some corn meal and pork pretty bad ; 
wheat flour was out of the question with 
most people in those days. 

After wandering about in the snow all 
day, he came to the mill at night, but the 
miller could neither grind his corn, sell 
Iiim any meal or pork nor yet keep him 
over night ; the mill was frozen up and the 
miller just as bad off as anybody else, so 
there was no help but to drive somewhere 
else, and he wandered over the prairie 
till past midnight, before he could find a 
house to stay at till day light ; there he ^ 
told the man of the house that he was 
wanting corn meal and pork, and where he 
came from and where he had been, and 
the man says stay till morning and I will 
tell you where you can buy a fat hog. In 
the morning he tells me where to go for 
the hog ; it was a long ways and I did not 
get there till nearly night, but he found 
the hog, it was a large one, but not very 



■* — ^— 



^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



41Y 



fat and the man was cjuite willing to sell 
it. The hog was in a large pen and the 
man had no way of catching it, nor yet 
any gun to shoot it, but he said he would 
catch it by the leg and then I was to strike 
it on the head with an ax, and he chased 
that hog for a long time, but could not 
catch it ; then I told the man that I would 
catch the hog and he might strike it with 
the ax. • Well I caught the hog by the leg 
but he was too stout for me, but I hung to 
him and he drug me round that yard till 
my hands was bruised pretty bad against 
the frosted ground, and that man could 
not get to strike that hog at all, and I let 
go. It was now night and I had to go 
without the hog back to the place where I 
stayed the night before, and I stayed there 
another night, and in the morning the 
man of the house told me there was a 
small grist mill about nine miles south, 
and he was about sure that I could get my 
corn ground there, as it was a steam mill, 
and may be I could buy some pork. So I 
starts off for that mill and gets there 
early in the day, and the miller told me 
that he could not grind my corn till night 
as he had to run the saw in the day time, 
so I told him that if he was sure it would 
be ground in the morning, I would go and 
get a j)lace to stop at till morning, and he 
says your corn will be ground in the 
morning if you leaves it, so I left the corn 
and I found a good place to stop at over 
night and the man at the house told me 
he would take good care of my oxen, so I 
goes into the house and stays till morning 
and I got a good supper, bed and before I 
got my breakfast, I went to see that my 
oxen was well fed before starting for 
home, which was about thirty miles from 



there, but when I got to the barn, I found 
my oxen was not there, some one had been 
in the night and taken them away. After 
breakfast the man and me hunted a greater 
part of the day after them oxen and finaly 
we finds them at a lean hay stack, penned 
up good, and I throws down the fence 
and takes the oxen and makes for the mill, 
and when I got there I finds my corn was 
not ground. Then I felt like cursing the 
whole State of Iowa, and was willing to 
give any man a dollar that would have 
helped me, but finally the miller agreed to 
give me another man's grist, and then I 
felt better and started for home. I don't 
know whether the miller got another 
cursing after I was gone or not, for I don't 
think I ever saw him since. Well, I got 
within about four miles of home late in 
the night in the midst of a fearful snow 
storm. It was at a house where there 
lived two first-rate young men. They had 
me stay till morning, and I told them 
where I had been and what I was after 
and the trouble I had been into, and the 
men told me not to mind and in the 
morning they would fix me all right. So 
in the morning they sold me two nice fat 
hogs ; one we butchered and put in the 
sled, but we tied the legs of the other and 
put it in the sled, allowing that the live 
hog and myself would keep the dead hog 
warm till I got home, and then I would 
scald and dress it. So I began to feel rich, 
and made for home as fast as I could. 
Well, I got safe home rejoicing, but be- 
fore I could take care of my live hog, and 
get water scalded for the other, it was 
night again ; but I knowed if that hog was 
not dressed that night it would be froze 
like a rock in the morning, and it was so 



r 



HISTORY OF TA:V1A COUNTY. 



cold out of doors that we had to scald that 
hog in the house. So my wife and me 
gets a barrel and sets it on a stoop against 
a dry goods box and puts in the hot water 
and gets the hog on the box, and in he 
goes, and when we went to pull the hog 
out, by some means the barrel slipped up 
straight on its end and we could not get 
ih.at hog out of that barrel, and there was 
no hel]) but to push that barrel over and 



spill the water over the floor ; and then 
we got the hog out of the barrel, but we 
had no more hot water to scald the top 
end of the h-g. So I gets my razor and 
shaves the hair ofF, and I made a good, 
clean job, and next morning wc had 
johnny cake and liver for breakfast, and 
ever since then we have had better luck 
in the ])ork and johnny cako business. 



CHAPTER XII. 



POLITICAL. 



In this chapter it is the design to pre- 
sent all the items of interest connected 
with the ])olitical history of Tama county, 
the ])riiic,i])al issues which occupied the 
attention of tlie people during the various 
cam])aigns since the organization of the 
county, both local and general so far as is 
possible, and following this a complete 
abstract of the votes polled at every elec- 
tion. There is always a fascinating inter- 
est manifested in the political history of a 
Nation, State or country, and especially is 
this true in a free land, where, in the eyes 
of the law, all are upon an equality; 
where it has been shown that even the 
humblest — the rail-splitter or the tow- 
path boy — can attain the highest honor 
that can be bestowed upon an American 
citizen. We delight to see merit re- 
warded ; we are pleased with the onward 
progress of one from the humble walks of 
life, as step l)y step he mounts the ladder 



of fame. Even if wo do not reach the 
highest pinnacle, we flatter ourselves that 
possibly our children may. 

There is an excitement about a ])<pliti- 
cal campaign which all enjoy, and, altli ugh 
to the disgrace of the party using, per. 
sonalities are often indulged in, as a gen- 
eral thing all yield gracefully to the ver- 
dict of the people, and submit themselves 
unto "the powers that be." This is welb 
and speaks well for the American people. 

TUE FIRST POLITICAL CONVENTION. 

As there were a number of important 
offices to till in 1853, it was decided to hold 
, a convention, and nominate candidates. 
Accordingly one was called in July, 18.58. 
No party lines were drawn, and it was a 
"mass meeting" of all who had any inter- 
est in political matters. It was to be held 
in Bruner's mill, a short distance from the 
present site of Toledo ; but when the 
citizens got together they found that the 



'^\~^ 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



419 



mill as yet had no roof on, and the sun 
was beating down in a way which made it 
uncomfortably warm. So the convention 
adjourned under the shade of a tree near 
by, where they proceeded to business. 
There was some controversy regarding 
the norriination of candidates ; some 
claiming that there was no need of it, when 
J. H. Hollen mounted a stump and in a 
short and spirited address said: "There 
is no need of nominating candidates. Let 
those who wish to run announce them- 
selves as candidates and ' let the largest 
pole knock the persimmons.' " But after 
some further discussions it was decided to 
nominate candidates for all the offices 
except County Judge, and this was done. 
John Ross was nominated for Treasurer 
and Recorder, and Miron Blodgett for 
Sheriff. The former was a Whig and the 
latter a Democrat. The convention being 
strictly non-partisan. By common consent 
itwasresolvedthat J. C. Verrailya, a Whig, 
luid J. H. Hollen, a Democrat, should be 
the candidates for County Judge. The 
fight for this office was very warm. Ver- 
milya was successful by a majority of four 
votes. 

The April election in 1S54 was for local 
officers. School Fund Commissioner and 
Drainage Commissioner, the principal atten- 
tion concentrating upon the former . ffice. 
Xoah Myers, an influential man in early 
times and quite a politician, announced 
himself as a candidate for the office. He 
was opposed by J. H. Hollen and a number 
of other persons, however, anda " people's 
convention " was called to nominate an 
opponent. Noah Myers, as soon as he 
heard of the "people's" move, commenced 
work in earnest, and when the convention 



met it was found that a majority of those 
present were for Myers. Quite a hot time 
ensued, in which the anti-Myers men 
declared that it was dishonorable to pack 
conventions. Finally, after considerable 
wrangling, Myers was nominated, his side 
being in the majority. He was elected 
without opposition. Anthony Wilkinson 
was elected Drainage Commissioner. 
Further than this, political matters did not 
enter into the campaign. The "people's 
convention " was held at the house of 
Christian Bruner. 

At the August election, in 1854, a Clerk 
of Courts and Prosecuting Attorney were 
to be elected. The Democrats and Whigs 
both held conventions, on the same day at 
Toledo, the former nominating Franklin 
Davis for County Clerk and Alford Phillips 
for Prosecuting Attorney. The Whigs 
chose as their standard bearers Thomas 
A. Graham for Clerk and James C. 
Marshall for Prosecuting Attorney. In a 
few weeks David D. Appelgate announced 
himself as an indei)endent candidate for 
Clerk of Courts and Mr. Davis, the Demo- 
cratic candidate, withdrew. The election 
was held, and returns declared D. D. 
Appelgate and A. Phillips successful. 
John Connell, a Whig, was elected to the 
legislature from the district of which 
Tama county formed a part. His nomi- 
nation was a neatly operated piece of 
stratagem. The district comprises the 
counties of Poweshiek, Jasper, Benton and 
Tama, each having a larger population 
and vote than Tama county, and it was, of 
course, not the intention of the other 
counties to give the nomination for this 
office to a man from the least important 
county. The convention was held at West 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 






Irving. Each of tlie other counties had 
their man and the Tama county delegates 
were instructed for John Connell. A 
number of ballots were taken, each holding 
to their man, when the Tama county 
delegates divided and made two other 
(Mjuiities feel good towards tliem by giving 
a complimentary vote to their candidates 
— doing it when there was no possibility 
of it nominating. These counties returned 
the favor by giving Connell a compliment- 
ary vote, which chanced to be at a time 
when Tama county went solid for 
Connell, and with their votes it nominated 
him. 

The April election, 1855, was for Com- 
missioner and Register DesMoines River 
Improvement and Register State Land 
office. The Whig ticket was successful in 
this county, as it was in the State, the largest 
majority for any canditate being 73 and, 
the lowest 72. This was the last cam- 
paign in which the Whig party figured in 
the State. The <|uestion as to the adop- 
tion of a prohibitory li(iuor law in the 
State, was also sulimitted to the people, and 
in Tama county it received a majority of 
37. The highest vote polled for any tpies- 
tion in the county was on the li<juor law, 
being 289, a gratifying increase. 

The election in August, 1855, was for 
county officers. A Whig convention was 
held and .1. V. Vermilya nominated for 
Judge; T. .1. Staley, for Treasurer and 
Recorder; William Garner, for Sheriff; 
W. A. Daniels, for Surveyor, and F. Davis 
for Coroner. (Earner and Davis, were 
Democrat"; the rest, Whigs, but not much 
attention was paid to a candidate's political 
views. No Democratic convention was 



held but K. D. Shugart, took the field as 
an independent candidate for Treasurer 
and Recorder; James C. Marshall, as a 
candidate for Surveyor against Dr. Daniels, 
and Geo. W. Free, for Sheriff. The prin- 
cipal contest was for Treasurer and Re- 
corder, and Surveyor. The candidates for 
the former office, were both Whigs, but 
Staley had the inside track by having the 
nomination and having been deputy in 
the office. He was bitterly opposed and 
many stories were circulated to defeat him, 
but without avail. Staley was elected by 
a majority of 67 over Shugart. The fight 
for Surveyor was also pretty warm. Both 
Daniel and Marshall were W^higs; the 
former having the advantage of a nomina- 
tion. The latter was much opposed on 
account of his infidel views. The people 
at that day were very rellgiou.sly inclined, 
and tlje thought of voting for a man who 
had ridiculed their belief, was not to be 
thought of. Shortly before the election, 
J. C. Marshall, delivered a lecture at the 
old court-house upon this subject, so that 
it was fresh In the minds of the voters. 
Marshall ran well, however, only being 
defeated by a majority of 66. John Con- 
nell received 50 complimentary votes for 
Coroner, and remarked afterwards, that he 
would like to be coroner "just long enough 
to sit on the dead Iwilies of those who had 
voted for him." 

At the election held in April, 1856, the 
bridge tax question was to be voted on, 
and a School Fund Commissioner to be 
elected. The bridge tax carried by a 
majority of 76. For Commissioner there 
were three candidates — L. S. Frederick, 
.Teremiah Hardin, and Jonas P. Wood. 



^' 



'IV 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The ligln was purely sectional. Frederick 
was a Whig from Spring Creek; Hardin, 
a Democrat, from Toledo, and Wood, a 
Whig, from Buckingham. There were 
586 votes cast, of which Frederick got 225, 
Hardin 185, and Wood 170; Frederick's 
majority, 40. 

Former issues dividing the political 
parties had disappeared in 1856, and new 
issues were being rapidly formed. The 
Whig party had ceased to exist, and on 
its ruins had been erected two other par- 
ties one having for its central truth oppo- 
sition to the further extension of slavery, 
and the other that American born citizens 
must rule America. These j^arties had, 
of course, absorbed many of the mem- 
1>ers of the old Democratic party. The 
American party not being opposed to 
slavery, or, at least, making no opposition 
to it, either in the States in which it ex- 
isted, or the newly formed territories, 
where it had been made subject to admis- 
sion by the repeal of the Missouri com- 
promise, had become a numerous body in 
the South, with many adherents in the. 
North. The Republican party, basing its 
claims for popular suffrage upon its advo- 
cacy of freedom in the territories, was 
not permitted an existence in the Southern 
States, and of necessity was confined to 
the North. The fir.st State convention by 
the newly organized Republican party was 
held at Iowa City, February 22, and placed 
a ticket in the field for State officers, and 
adopted a platform in accordance with the 
principles of equal rights and firm oppo- 
sition 1o slavery. The Democratic con- 
vention met at the capitol, June 26, nomi- 
nated a ticket and adopted a platform in 
accordance with that adopted by the Na- 



tional Convention .at Cincinnati. The 
nominations of James Buchanan and John 
C. Breckenridge were enthusiastically con- 
firmed. J. C. Fremont was the Republi- 
can candidate for President. 

In Tama county the newly organized 
Republican and Democratic parties each 
had regular tickets in the field to be voted 
on at the August election. There were 
two county offices to be filled — Clerk of 
Court, and Prosecuting Attorney ; the 
Republicans, by nomination, offered 
David D. Appelgate for the former, and 
'J'imothy Brown for the latter office. The 
Democrats nominated James H. IIol- 
len for Clerk, and E. B. Bolens for Prose- 
cuting Attorney. Appelgate was elected 
by a majority of 217. The election of 
Prosecuting Attorney furnished an histori- 
cal item, to get at the bottom of which 
the reader must go back in date to the 
spring of 1856, when Tim Brown was 
boarding at Alford Phillips'. It seems 
that Brown had been boarding with 
Phillips, and, as the story goes, on one oc- 
casion, a Chicago man sent Phillips a num- 
ber of cans of peaches as a present. Mrs. 
Phillips, soon after their arrival, promised 
the boarders they should have them for 
dinner ; but Phillips forbade her opening 
the cans and she dare not disobey, so the 
boarders did without the peaches. Tim 
Brown got rather mad at this way of 
doing, and in talking to several friends in 
town told them he was going to " take up 
a collection to pay Phillips for opening 
the cans and permitting the boarders to 
smell of the peaches, it would be such a 
treat in this western country ; tliought it 
wouldn't cost more than the peaches were 
worth, as they didn't cost Phillips any- 



^- 



» V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



thing." ]>rown went somewhere else to 
board, and war was declared between 
Phillips and him. When Brown was 
nominated by the Republicans for prose- 
cuting attorney, Phillips took exceptions 
and determined to defeat him. At this 
time Nathan C. Wieting was boarding at 
Piiillips' and Phillips insisted that Nathan 
should run. Mr. Wieting finally, in more 
of a joke than anything el e, .said he 
woiild. Upon this Phillips started for the 
country and quietly canvassed the whole 
county against Brown, stating that he had 
turned him from his home on account of 
his morals ; that he swore so fearfully 
he could not stand it ; and capped the 
sheaf by saying that Brown was so accus- 
tomed to swearinff that he kept it up in /*/.< 
slee]) and kept the rest of the household 
awake by the noise he made. When the 
returns came in, the vote stood Wieting, 
240 ; Brown, 209 ; and E. B. Bolens, the 
Democratic nominee, 141. Not much 
attention was paid to county affairs, and 
this was considerable of a surprise, the 
energies of all having been devoted to the 
presidential candidates. The total vote 
at this election was 592. How true this 
yarn is the historian is unable to state. 
It was related by a number of the early 
settlers and is here presented as showing 
how it, is possible for great events to hinge 
upon little things. 

The flection in April, 1,S57, was for 
County Assessor, Sheriff, and Drainage 
Commissioner. There were three tickets 
in the field, Republican, Democratic and 
Independent. The Republicans were suc- 
cessful by majorities ranging from 109 to 
123. The vote was increased to (582 at 
this election. 



The Augu.st election, 185T, was for 
county officers and the constitutional 
amendment. The contest this year 
assumed the appearance partly of the 
north against the south part of the county. 
The affairs of the county, in coming 
from the new and rude state of affairs to 
solid regular work, as would be expected, 
became in rather poor condition ; countj' 
orders were not worth 75 cents on the 
dollar, and no one sought them at 60 cents. 
This was in no way due to the manage- 
ment of affairs, but the expenses of the 
county far exceeded the revenue. There 
was but little valuation to tax, and expen- 
ses in getting the organization in running 
order, were much more heavy than when 
things were running smoothly. Tlie Re- 
publican^ met in convention and nominat- 
ed Leander Clark, of the northern part of 
the county for County Judge ; A. J. 
Wheaton, for Treasurer and Recorder ; 
George Raines, for Sheriff ; and Horace 
Jacobs for Surveyor. The Democrats 
nominated W. C. Salisbury, for Judge ; 
Jeremiah Hardin, for Treasurer and 
Recorder ; Thomas Murray, for Sheriff" 
and Charles Irish, for Surveyor. After 
the Republican convention was held, the 
friends of Judge Vermilj'a announced 
their intention of running him for County 
Judge. Hard work was done, and the 
election day was a warm one. The total 
vote polled was 800. The Republicans 
elected their candidate for County Judge 
by a majority of 101, and. Treasurer and 
Recorder by a majority of 102. The 
Democratic candidates, Thomas Murray 
for Sheriff, and Charles Irish for Surveyor, 
were elected by majorities of 93 and 195. 

An election was held in Octolier, 1S57, 



'vT"<i 



^- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



for (irovernor and Representative in the 
General Assembly. A light vote was 
polled, Ralph P. Lowe, Republican, for 
Governor, receiving 303 votes, against 
Ben M. Samuels, Democrat, 174. T. 
Walter Jackson was elected Representa- 
tive. 

The office of County Superintendent of 
schools wa.s created by the new constitu- 
tion adopted in 1857, and candidates were 
voted for at the April election, 1858. 
Woodhull Helm, Republican, was in the 
field, against Peter McRoberts, Democrat. 
Mr. Helm was elected and thus had the 
honor of being the first County Superin- 
tendent. Hii? majority was 620, out of 
087 votes cast. 

The October election in 1S58 was for 
State officers and Clerk of Court. Nothing 
of special interest transpired, the Repub- 
licans being successful by a majority of 
about 266. The total vote was 78a. 

In April, 1859, the question of donat- 
ing $40,000 to secure the location of the 
State Model Farm and Agricultural Col- 
lege in Tama county, was submitted to the 
people, and carried by a majority of 249 
out of 639 votes polled. This did not 
secure the college, however, it being 
final ly located in Story county. 

In October, 1859, there were both State 
and county officers to be elected, and the 
contest was so .sharp that it will long be 
remembered in Tama county. For county 
officers there was no unusual stir, the Re- 
publicans being successful except for 
Sheriff, and Thomas Murray, the Demo- 
(M-atic candidate, was elected to this 
office over Eli Harmon, Republican, by a 
majority of 197. The principal coiite.st 



was over State Senator. The vote of 
Tama county for Governor stood : S. J. 
Kirkwood, Republican, 000 ; Augustus C. 
Dodge, Democrat, 295. Abram Tompkins, 
Rei)ublican, was elected Representative by 
a majority of 526. 

The country was now becoming deeply 
moved over questions which stirred the 
popular heart as none had ever done be- 
fore. The storm had been gathering ever 
since the repeal of the Missouri Compro- 
mise ; the struggles in Kansas had deeply 
intensified the feelings of the people of 
the North, and .Tohn Brown's attempt upon 
Harper's Ferry had been skilfully managed 
so as to arouse and heat the people of the 
South. That the Territories of the United 
States should forever be consecrated to 
freedom was the solmen determination of a 
large majority of the people of the North, 
and that the boundaries of the institution 
of slavery should not be further enlarged. 
The South, seeking its perpetuation by 
means of enlarged political power, deter- 
mined that it should not be restricted, but 
should have enlarged privileges. The 
questions dividing parties were thus chiefly 
sectional, and pointed directly to war. In 
thi."i state of public mind the Rej)ublican 
party met in National convention at 
Chicago, for the purpose of i)lacing in the 
field candidates for the office of President 
and Vice-President. The names of Seward, 
Lincoln, Chase, Blair and Bates were 
proposed for the chief office. In the con- 
vention it was plain to see who was the 
favorite of the lookers-on. Every mention 
of Lincoln's name was received with cheer 
after cheer. Three ballots were taken, on 
the last Mr. Lincoln received a majority 
of the whole votes, and was made the 



•^ — epv 



Ml 



HISTORY OF TAMA COXJNTY. 



unaniiiious chi)ioe of the convention, 
amidst the most intense enthusiasm. 
Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine, was selected 
as the candidate for Vice-President. 

The Democratic National Convention 
was called to meet at Charleston, South 
Carolina. The friends of Stephen A. 
Douglas were active in urging his claims 
to the nomination for the Presidency, 
many of the delegates from the Northern 
States being instructed to use all honor- 
able means to that end. The claims of 
Douglas were stoutly contested by the 
leaders of the Democracy of the South, 
and it was evident some time before the 
convention assembled that it would be 
difficult to come to an agreement, especially 
as the rule of the Democratic National 
Convetnion required a two-thirds vote to 
nominate. Meeting in the city of Charles- 
ton, April 2.3, 1860, the convention re- 
mained in session ten days, at the expira- 
tion of which time no nominations were 
made, many of the delegates, from the 
Southern States withdrawing. After tak- 
ing Kfty-seven ballots it was found im- 
possible for any candidate to receive a 
two-thirds vote of the entire body, so many 
delegates having withdrawn! Adjourn- 
ment was then had to Baltimore June in. 
At this latter place the convention met 
pursuant to adjournment, but even here no 
agreement could be reached between the 
factions. After six days' meeting Stephen 
A. Douglas was nominated for President 
and Benjamin Fitzpatrick, of Alabama, for 
V^ice-Presicjent. The nomination of Doug- 
las was received with very great enthusi- 
asm. Mr. Fitzpatrick declining, Hcrschcl 
V. Johnson, of Georgia, was substituted. 
Mr. Johnson accepted the nomination. 



That portion of the convention which 
seceded held a convention June 23, and 
nominated John C. Breckinridge of Ken- 
tucky, for President, and Joseph Lane, of 
Oregon, for Vice-Presidenf A "Union" 
convention was also held, at which John 
I Bell, of Tennessee, was nominated for 
President, and Edward Everett, of Mas- 
sachusetts, for Vice-President. 

With four presidential candidates in tlie 
field, the exciting questions growing out 
of the institution of slavery and the 
threats of disunion by a portion of the 
south in the event of the election of 
Lincoln, tended to make the campaign one 
of great interest. " Wide-Awake " clubs 
and organizations of " Hickory Boj's " on 
the part of Republicans and Douglas 
Democrats, res))ectively, tended to increase 
the excitement. Large and enthusiastic 
meetings were held by each party 
in all the leading towns and cities, and 
even in many of the smaller villages. The 
names of the "Rail-Splitter" and the 
" Little Giant " evoked the greatest 
enthusiasm. 

The Republican State Convention met 
in Iowa City May 23, nominated a State 
ticket, and adopted a platform endorsing 
the action of the National Convention at 
Chicago, endorsing its nominations and 
favoring rigid economy in state matters. 
The Democratic convention met at Des 
.VIoines July 12, nominated a State ticket, 
and passed resolutions endorsing Douglas 
and Johnson. The " LTnion ticket " was 
strongly condemned. 

In this county the fight was waged as 
hard as in any county in the State. There 
were but two county officers to be elei'ted 
—Clerk of the District Court and Coroner— 



■^s w~ 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



427 



consequently there was but little to detract 
from the great National questions. 
Abraham Lincoln received 775 vo'es in 
Tama county, and Stephen A. Douglas 
413; majority for Lincoln, 362. D. D. 
Apjtelgate received a majority of 349 over 
C. li. Ward for Clerk of Court. 

The war for the union was in progress 
during the political campaign of 1861, 
and issues growing out of the war were 
rapidly forming. The Republicans were 
first to meet in convention, assembling in 
Des Moines July 31, and nominating a 
candidate for Governor, and other State 
officers, and adopted a platform heartily 
supporting the Government in its asser- 
tion of the right to coerce, denouncing 
the doctrine of secession, maintaining the 
supremacy of the Constitution, and declar- 
ing in the most forcible language that the 
rel>ellion should be put down at any cost. 
The Democratic State Convention passed 
resolutions also unequivocally condemn- 
ing the action of seceding States, but de- 
clared it to be the legitimate result of the 
successful teaching of the "irrepressible 
conflict," and also denying )'/( toto the 
right of the Government to perpetuate 
the Union by force of arms. State sov- 
ereignty was endorsed, and declared the 
opposite doctrine to be fraught with dis- 
astrous consequences. The campaign in 
Tama county afforded but little interest, 
the all-exciting questions of the war fill- 
ing the mind of every voter. A light 
vote was polled. The Democrats had 
three regular nominees for local offices. 
The Republicans were successful by large 
majorities. The total vote was 916. 

The union army had met with several 
reverses during the year 1862, and a gloomy 



feeling pervaded the minds of the people, 
having its effectupon the canvass for State 
officers. The Democrats met in convention 
at Des Mo nes and adopted a platform in 
which they expressed themselves as in 
favor of using all constitutional means for 
the suppression of the rebellion, and 
opposed to any scheme of confiscation 
and emancipation; ■ pposed to a suspension 
of the writ of habeas corpus; declaring the 
superiority of thu white over the black 
race, and opposed to the purchase of slaves. 
The Republicans, in their platform, 
adopted at Des Moines, resolved that it 
was the duty of every man to help 
maintain the Government, condemned the 
course of secession sympathizers, and asked 
all favorable to giving the national admin- 
istration honest support to co-operate with 
them. 

In Tama county the vote was still 
lighter than in 1861. Republicans had a 
full ticket in the field, but the Democrats 
made no nominations. T. K. Armstrong 
was an independent candidate for County 
Judge against T. A. Graham, the Repub- 
lican nominee, and was defeated by a 
majority of 44. Leander Clark, the Rep- 
resentative of the county in the General 
Assembly,had gone into the array, and W. 
F. Johnston was elected to fill the vacancy 
so caused. The total vote was 681. 

In 1863, the Democracy met at Des 
Moines on the 8th of July, and nominated 
a candidate for Governor, and other State 
officers. Questions growing out of the 
war still afforded issues between the 
parties. The writ of habeas corjms had 
Jjeen suspended by the President ; martial 
law had been declared in some of the 
States not in rebellion, and the proclama- 



WU r- 



*f^ 



\9 k. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



tion of emancipation had been issued. 
These measures the Democracy in conven- 
tion and by resohition opposed, while the 
Republican convention, which convened 
June 17th, favored each. In Tama county 
the campaign was devoid of interest. 
There were two tickets in the field, a regular 
Republican, and a People's, and a much 
larger vote was polled than anytime since 
the Presidential election of 1860. Every 
candidate on the Republican ticket was 
elected, receiving a large majority on the 
home vote, which was increased by the 
soldiers in the field, the latter voting 
almost unanimously for that ticket. It is 
but justice to the candidates on the 
])eople's ticket to state that most of them 
were nominated by the convention without 
their knowledge, and it is claimed that 
many of them voted the straight Repub- 
lican ticket. The total vote polled was 
1,199. 

During 186.3 the report was circulated 
that an organization had been effected in 
Tama county of the Knights of the Golden 
Circle, and it was believed by many. This 
order originated in Indiana. It was in 
sympathy with secession, rebellion and 
riot. In Tama county during the election 
it was whispered that the_ organization in 
the county had 700 armed followers. This 
rumor caused the organization of a counter 
society, known as the " Union League," 
among Republicans. Nothing was ever 
done openly by either of the societies, and 
when or how they were ever disbanded is 
not known. It is also claimed by good 
authority that there was nothing in the 
rumor regarding the Knights of the Golden 
Circle, and it undoubtedly was imaginary. 

In 1864 Abraham Lincoln was renomi- 



nated by the Republicans ; associated with 
him on the ticket was Andrew Johnson, 
the Union Governor of Tennessee. The 
Democrats put in nomination Gen. George 
B. McClellan for the Presidency and 
George H. Pendleton, of Ohio, for the 
Vice-Presidency. The Republicans of 
Iowa held a convention at Des Moines, 
July 7, and adopted a platform confirm- 
ing the renoraination of Abraham Lincoln, 
and paying high tributes of praise to the 
loyal soldiers' and soldiers' wives who 
were daily making sacrifices that the 
Union might be saved. The Democratic 
State Convention met at Des Moines July 
16, selected a State ticket, but adopted no 
platform. A peace convention, however, 
was held at Iowa City, August 24, which 
adopted lesolutions denouncing the war 
and its further support, and rejecting the 
equality of the negro with the white man. 
This was the darkest period of the war, 
and although the feeling was intense, yet 
it was not manifested so much in the 
campaign as usual. 

In Tama county there was an increase 
of the vote over 1863, amounting to a total 
of 1261. The congressional contest through 
this county between Josiah B. Grinnell and 
Ira C. Mitchell was very heated. On one 
occasion during the campaign the two 
candidates were engaged in a joint dis- 
cussion in the Methodist church at Toledo. 
During J. B. GrinnelTs speech there was 
some disturbance caused by some one in 
the audience.calling "Boots! Boots! Free 
speech !" etc. "Yes," Mr. Grinnell finally 
replied, "you believe in free whisky, too!" 
But this did not stop it. When Mr. 
Mitchell replied, his speech was full of 
bitterness and sarcasm regarding the Re- 



'^1 



It^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



420 



publicans and the war, which he claimed 
they had caused; asked the mothers if 
they wished to send any more of their sons 
and husbands to be slaughtered on south- 
ern soil. He here paused a moment, when 
the audience were electrified at seeing 
Mrs. Doctor Baldy take the floor. Her 
youngest brother had just a day or two 
before left to join the army, and she had 
stood his talk as long as possible. She 
began with a scathing rebuke, declaring 
him a liar in his statements, and a traitor 
to his flag and country and wound up by 
stating that she was willing that her dear 
ones should go to conquer and subdue the 
rebels and she would risk taking care of 
herself and defending her home from the 
traitors and comrades who remained be- 
hind. When the meeting broke up a 
friend of the lady whispered to her that she 
had better be careful as a lot of secession 
women were waiting at the door to whip 
her. Mrs. Baldy stepped to the door, and 
said loud enough to be heard by all: "If 
any one wants anything of me, let them 
come on, — Til throw them right over the 
meetimi-ho use/" 

Josiah B. Grinnell was elected to Con- 
gress by a good majority. Lincoln's 
majority in Tama county was 48.5. In 
county affairs the Republicans were also 
successful by large majorities. The 
(juestion of levying a tax for the erection 
of a court house was submitted at this 
election, and was defeated by a majority 
of 241. This proposition was opposed by 
many in the southern part of the county 
because they thought they could not afford 
it. The northern part of the county were 
still in hopes of having the county seat 
removed further north, and did not like 



the idea of building a court house in To- 
ledo and thus permanently settling the 
question. The vote on the matter stood 
703 against, and 462 for. 

In October, 1865, the question was 
submitted to the people as to aiding the 
construction of the Iowa Central R. R. 
It carried by a majority of 812. 

The Republicans were first in the field 
in 1865, meeting in convention at Des 
Moines June 14, nominating a ticket and 
adopting a platform. The Union Anti- 
Negro Suffrage party met at the Capital 
August 23 and nominated a ticket, and 
adopted a platform in which they resolved 
the administration of Andrew Johnson ; 
that they were opposed to negro suffrage ; 
that the soldiers of the late war deserved 
well of their countrymen, and that their 
sympathies were with them. The Dem- 
ocrats met in convention the same day, 
but made no nominations, the party sup- 
porting the Soldiers' ticket as it was 
known. 

Not much interest was taken in the 
campaign in Tama county, and a light 
vote was polled, the total being 1295. 
Republicans and Democrats had full 
county tickets in the field, and the former 
were successful by majorities ranging 
from 358 to 843. The fight for Sheriff 
was pushed vigorously by W. T. Holleii, 
the Democratic candidate, and he run 
nearly 100 votes ahead of his ticket. The 
vote for Governor stood William M. Stone, 
Republican, 863 ; Thomas H. ]5enton, Jr., 
Democrat, 479. 

The campaign of 1806 was fought on 
the issue of reconstruction in the southern 
states. The Republicans in convention 
resolved that the people who subdued the 



*^'~^ 



r 



-•--4^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



rebellion and their representatives in 
congress had the right to reorganize the 
states that had been in rebellion. This 
was denied by some of the Republicans, 
and the entire Democratic party. The 
conservative Republicans, or those who 
were opposed to congressional action, met 
in convention and nominated a state ticket. 
'I'hc Democratic convention adopted a 
platform, nominated two candidates, and 
resolved to support the ticket of the 
conservatives. 

In county affairs nothing of interest 
occurred. There were only two offices to 
be tilled, clerk of court and county record- 
er. The Repnblicans nominated for clerk 
David D. Appelgate, and the Democrats 
W. H. Stoddard ; the former was success- 
ful by a majority of 446. For recorder 
the Republicans nominated Jacob Yeiser, 
jr., and the Democrats J. M. Uillman ; 
Yeiser received a majority of 633. 

The general issues dividing the parties 
in October, 1867, were the same as in 
1866. Full jtate and county tickets were 
nominated and put in the field by both 
parties. The Republicans were successful 
by majorities of about 450. For drainage 
commissioner neither party made nomina- 
tions, and W. S. Tiu-bett, who received 16 
scattering votes for the office, was declared 
elected. 

The year 1868 brought with it another 
Presidential campaign. The Republican 
National Convention met in Chicago and 
placed in nomination Ulysses S. Grant, 
the victorious Union general, associating 
with him Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana. 
The Democratic National Convention 
nominated Horatio Seymour and Francis 
P. Blair, Jr., for President and Vice-Presi- 



dent. The financial question began to be 
a leading issue, especially with reference 
to the payment of the bonds in coin or 
greenbacks, the Reitublicans favoring the 
payment in coin, the Democrats opposing. 
The latter also, by resolution, favored the 
abolition of the national banking system, 
and the substitution of United States 
notes for those of national banks. This 
was opposed by the Republicans. Full 
State and county tickets were nominated, 
and in Tama county the vote was one of 
the largest ever polled in the county, being 
2667. There were two county offices to 
be tilled. Clerk and Recorder. The Rejjub- 
licans were successful by majorities of 
1079. The fight was principally upon the 
office of clerk, and location of candidates 
entered into it largely. 

In 1869 a light vote was polled as com- 
pared with that of the previous year. 
The Republicans were sure of success 
while the Democrats acknowledged their 
inability to accomplish anything, save the 
keeping alive their organization. The 
total vote in Tama county was 210l'. 

The Campaigns of 1870 and 1871, were 
devoid of much interest in both general 
and local affairs. The official vote, given 
elsewhere, will show the result. 

The movement known as the I^iberal 
Republican had a large influence, politi- 
cally, in 1872, having virtually dictated 
the Democratic nomination for the Presi- 
dency, and the platform of principles on 
which the campaign against the Republi- 
can party was dictated. The Liberal Re- 
publicans were those connected with the 
Republican i>arty who were opposed to 
any extreme measures in the reconstruc- 
tion of the Sonithern States, and who be- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



_B L?. 



lieved the time had come when past is- 
sues should be forgotten, and new issues 
formed ; that the hand of reconciliation 
sliould be offered the South, and a united 
country, working together to build up the 
waste places of the South. Many of the 
most able men cf the Republican party, 
including Horace Greeley, Charles Sum- 
ner, Lj^man Tru ubull, John M. Palmer 
and others, united in this movement. In 
May a National Convention was held by 
the Liberal Republicans, in Cincinnati, 
which nominated Horace Greeley for 
President and B. Gratz Brown for Vice- 
President. The following is a synopsis 
of the resolutions adopted : 

1. E(juality of all men before the law ; 
equal and exact justice to all, without re- 
gard to race, color or previous condition. 

2. Opposition to the re-opening of all 
ijuestions settled by the 13th, 14th and 
1.5th amendments to the constitution. 

.3. Demand for the immediate and ab- 
solute removal of all disabilities imposed 
on account of the rebellion. 

4. Local self-government ; supremacy 
of the civil over the military, and de- 
mand for the largest individual liberty 
consistent with public order. 

5. Denunciation of the existing system 
of civil service. 

0. Demand for a system of federal 
taxation which should not unnecessarily 
interfere with the industries of the people; 
reference of the tariff to the congressional 
districts. 

7. Demand for civil service reform, 
and for the election of president for a 
single term only. 

8. Maintenance of public credit and 
denunciation of repudiation. 



0. A speedy return to specie jiayment. 

10. Thanks to the citizen soldiers and 
sailors of the republic. 

11. Opposition to further grants to 
railroads. 

■ 12. Cultivation of friendsliip with all 
nations; regarding alike dishonorable, 
either to demand what is not right or to 
submit to what is wrong. 

The Democracy in convention ratified 
the nomination of Greeley and Brown and 
adopted the platform of the Liberal 
Republicans. The Republicans renomi" 
nated President Grant, and associated with 
him on the ticket Henry Wilson, of Massa- 
chusetts, for Vice-President. The dissaffec- 
tion among the Democrats in consequence 
of the nomination of Horace Greeley, a 
life-long political enemy, was so great 
that a third ticket was nominated, at the 
head of which was .Charles O'Connor, the 
distinguished lawyer of New York. The 
Democrats and Liberal Republicans met 
in State convention and nominated a ticket 
composed of two Democrats and three 
Liberal Republicans, and passe 3 a resolu- 
tion endorsing the nomination of Greeley. 
The Liberal ticket in this county did not 
meet with much encouragement, the vote 
given it being only that number usually 
polled by the Democratic nominees. The 
campaign in Tama county was very warm 
on general issues. Total vote, 2,123; 
Republican majority about 1,100. 

The question of Capitol vs. Labor en- 
gaged the attention of the people in ISYS. 
The Republican State Convention met at 
Des Moines June 25, and after nominating 
candidates adopted resolutions declaring 
against inonopolies, and urging that the 



ik 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



several States should carefully restrict the 
powers of the railroad companies and other 
monopolies. Class legislation was also 
demanded. The Democratic party of the 
State made no regular nominations this 
year, but generally supported the Anti- 
Monopoly ticket. A convention was held 
at Des Moines, August 12, nominated can- 
didates, and adopted resolutions declaring 
that the old party organizations were no 
longer useful, denouncing corrujition in 
government affairs, and urging the neces- 
sity of political honesty 

In Tama county, the campaign was an 
exciting one in its results and was a polit- 
ical up-heaval. The Republicans had a 
full county ticket in the field, with A. N. 
Poyneer, for Representative; A. J, Wheat- 
on, for Auditor; T. J. Sweat, Treasurer; 
Knight Dexter, for Sheriff; W. Mowry, 
for Supervisor; A. H. Sterrett, for county 
Superintendent; W. H. Ilolstead, for Sur- 
veyor, and N. Fisher, for Coroner. The 
opposition combined upon an Anti-Monop- 
oly ticket, running for Representative, W. 
G. Malin; Auditor, J. A. Bowdle; Treas- 
urer, Daniel Forker; Sheriff', R. E. Austin; 
Supervisor, S. W. Hutton; Superintendent, 
I. F. Giger; Coroner, G. W. Cowles. There 
was no available candidate for Surveyor, 
so the space was left blank on the ticket, 
leaving the Republican candidate without 
opposition. The canvass was conducted 
as a "still hunt," every one working hard, 
and the principal fight being directed 
toward what was called the "Toledo 
Ticket and Court-House Ring," Every 
township was carefully and thoroughly 
canvassed by the "Anti-Monops." as they 
wore called, and it was announced that if 
Daniel Forker, was elected they would 



pay all deputies. This secured many votes 
from the fact that it promised a reduction 
of taxation. The election came off in due 
time and it was found that every candi- 
date upon the Anti-Monopoly ticket was 
elected except I. F. Giger, for county 
Superintendent; the Republican candidate, 
A. H. Sterrett being successful in this case 
by a majority of 47. The majorities ranged 
from 3.3 to 402, the latter being the major- 
ity by which Daniel Forker was electe<l 
Treasurer over T. .1. Sweat. The total 
vote was polled 2,100. 

In 1874, the issues were the same as in 
the previous year and and the Anti-Mo- 
nopolists made a gallant fight throughout 
the State, but without success. In Tama 
county the campaign was pushed with 
vim, and grew very warm, both the Re- 
publican and Anti-Monopoly parties 
having full county tickets in the fie d. 
The Republicans were successful by a 
majority of about 625. The Anti-oMnop- 
olists had made one mistake in failing to 
fulfill their promise to pay the de])Uties, 
and this contributed largely to their 
defeat. 

A convention was called to meet at Des 
Moines June 24, 1875, to be composed of 
Democrats, Anti-Monopolists and Liberal 
Republicans. A.ssembling a ticket was 
nominated headed by Shepard Lefier for 
Governor, and a platform of principles 
adopted covering the principal ground of 
belief of the three elements represented. 
The Republicans met in conuention and 
nominated S. J. Kirkwood for Governor. 
A temperance convention was also held 
and Rev. John H. Lozier was nominated 
for Governor. The latter received four 
votes in this county. The Republican 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



^ 



Governor's majority in the county was 488 
In county affairs this year signalized a 
great effort on the part of the Republicans 
to regain what they had lost in 1873. 
Tiiey nominated a full ticket, and the 
campaign was conducted aggressively, the 
fact of the Anti-Monopolists failing to 
pay their deputies as promised, being 
constantly held up to the view of the 
l)eople. The Anti-Monopoly party placed 
a full ticket in the field, nominating for 
re-election all those who had been success- 
ful in 1873. For Superintendent of 
Schools L. Leyenberger, was nominated. 
The Republicans were successful with 
their whole ticket excepting for Auditor 
and Sheriff. To these offices J. A. Bowdle 
and R. E. Austin, the Anti-Monopoly 
candidates were elected. 

The election in 1876 was for National, 
State and County officers. Rutherford B. 
Hayes and William A. Wheeler were the 
Republican candidates for President and 
\'ice-President; while Samuel J. Tilden 
and Thomas A. Hendricks received the 
nomination of the Democratic party for 
the same offices. Peter Cooper was the 
nominee of the Independent party, or 
(4reenbackers, for President. The hard 
times which began in 1873 had a percept- 
ible effect upon this campaign. The 
Democratic party, which for some years 
had been acting upon the defensive, when 
not allied with some other political body, 
now assumed the aggressive, and under 
tile banner of "Tilden and Reform,'' 
forced the Republicans in the defensive. 
On the part of the Democrats the cam- 
l)aign was boldly conducted. In this State 
the Greenbackers held two conventions, 
at the first of which they adoi)ted a plat- 



form containing their principal tenets. 
The Republicans adopted as a j)latforni 
substantially the following points: '• Unity 
of the Nation ; 2, economy in the adminis- 
tration of the government ; 3, a currency 
convertable with coin ; 4, all railway and 
other corporations to be subject to the law- 
making power. The Democrats adopted 
but a single resolution approving the plat- 
form of the National Democratic Conven- 
tion and the nomination of Tilden and 
Hendricks. The Independents, or Green- 
backers, also put in nomination a State 
ticket. 

In county affairs there was no special 
interest ittached to the campaign, although 
both parties had regular tickets in the 
field. The Republicans were successful 
by majorities ranging over 1,000. 

In 1877 State tickets were nominated by 
Democrats, Republicans, Greenbackers and 
Prohibitionists. In Tama county the 
Republicans were successful by large 
majorities on all officers except for sheriff', 
to which office the Democratic candidate, 
R. E. Austin, was elected by a majority of 
130. 

In 1878 State tickets were nominated 
by Greenbackers, Democrats and Republi- 
cans. Subsequently a fusion was effected 
by the Democrats and Greenbackers and 
a portion of the nominees of each of 
their State tickets were chosen as the 
choice of both parties. On the State 
ticket, Tama county gave the Republicans 
a majori y of about 547. The Republi- 
can county officers were also elected with- 
out ranch effort. 

The campaign of 1879 was opened May 
12, by the Democracy meeting in conven- 
tion and nominating a State ticket, headed 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



li^ 



by H. II. Trimble for Governor. A 
lengthy platform was adopted. The 
Greenbackers were next in the field, their 
ticket being headed l)y Daniel Campbell 
for Governor. Tlie Republicans met and 
nominated John II. Gear for Governor, 
together with a full State ticket. Lastly, 
the Prohibitionists met and placed in 
nomination George T. Carpenter, of 
Mahaska, for Governor. Mr. Carpenter 
declining, D. R. Dungan, of Eldora, was 
substituted. In Tama county this was a 
warm campaign. The Republicans were 
victors by majorities ranging between 458 
and 1,000. 

The general campaign in 1880 began 
<|uite early, especially among aspirants 
for office, and their friends. The pre- 
liminary canvass for the nomination grew 
(piite warm as both Republicans and 
Democrats wore alike confident that 
they would succeed in the National 
struggle. James A. Garfield received 
the Republican nomination for Presi- 
dent, and associated with him on 
the ticket was Chester A. Arthur for 
Vice-President. Winfield S. Hancock 
was nominated for President by the Dem- 
ocrats, and with him was William H. En- 
glish for Vice-President. James B. Weaver 
and Gen. Chambers for President and 
Vice-President respectively, on the Na- 
tional or Greenback ticket. The canvass 
was ))ushed with vigor, the Democratic 
and Republican ])arties each using their 
utmost endeavors to be successful. The 
National party, under the lead of Weaver, 
also endeavored to increase its votes, Mr. 
Weaver making speeches in more than 
half the States in the Union. The first 
State Convention held in Iowa this year 



was by the Republicans, at DesMoines, 
April 7. The platform adopted consisted 
of three resolutions; the first demanding, 
that candidates be nominated at Chicago 
by the National Republican Convention, 
of National reputation for ability ; second, 
that James G. Blaine be the choice of the 
Republicans of the State, and third, in- 
structing delegates to the National Con- 
vention to vote for Blaine. The Green- 
backers met at DesMoines, May 11, and 
adopted a platform re-asserting their de- 
mands for the abolition of the National 
banks, the reduction of the army, the 
limitation of Chinese immigration, the 
reduction of salaries, and the payment of 
the National debt in greenbacks. The 
Democrats met at DesMoines, September 
2, nominated a ticket, and adopted a plat- 
form endorsing Hancock and English, and 
the National platform adopted at Cincin- 
nati. 

The Greenbackers in this county made 
no nominations this year, and for Presi- 
dent only polled about 193 votes, Garfield 
received 2712 votes in this county, and 
Hancock 1090. The majority of the Re- 
publican.s for county officers was from 
1.329 to 1372. The entire vote polled was 
4004. 

The election in 1881 was for State and 
county officers, and was devoid of much 
interest. The three leading parties had 
State tickets in the field. President Gar- 
field had l)een assassinated by Charles J. 
Guiteau and Vice-President Arthur had 
been installed as the chief executive ; and 
this to some extent affected political 
matters. The Republicans carried Tama 
county by majorities of from 823 to 1,400, 
the latter being R. G. Mclntire's majority 



•^ll 



19 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



435 



for Auditor. On tlie State ticket, Tama 
county had a representative in the person 
of Hon. L. G. Kinne, who was Democratic 
candidate for Governor. He ran far ahead 
of his ticket in Tama county, reducing the 
majority of the Republican candidate 1o 
823 — much lower than that received by 
any other Republican candidate on the 
ticket. 

The campaign of 1882 opened early, as 
it was for the election of State ofMcers, 
Congressmen and General Assembly, 
members who were to elect U. S. Sena- 
tors. Interest concentrated on the gener- 
al issues. Republican, Democratic and 
Greenback State tickets were in the field. 
The Greenbackers polled a very light vote. 
The Democratic campaign was probably 
better managed than has been a campaign 
in the past twenty years of Iowa's history. 
The official vote speaks for itself. 

OKi'ICIAL VOTE. 

Here is presented the official vote of 
every general election since the county 
was Organized. One election was held 
prior to this, but it was for township 
officers while Tama county formed a part 
of Benton county. It is treated in 
another place. The politics of the diflfei-- 
ont candidates is taken from the fact that 
they were at the time running upon the 
ticket indicated. The book from which 
the returns were obtained was resurrected 
from a dust heap, and is very dim and 
poorly written, so that where a name is 
mis-spelled it is due to the uncertainty of 
the record. Particulars regarding the 
officers elected and the peculiar features 
of the various campaigns will be found in 
other chapters. 



ELECTION— MARCH 1858. 

The record states that "the returns were 
made to Benton county, the following 
officers were elected: " Tallman Chase, 
County Judge ; John Huston, Prosecuting 
Attorney ; David D. Appelgate, Clerk of 
Courts ; Norman L. Osborn, Sheriff ; 
David F. Bruner and Anthony Wilkinson, 
were tied for School Fund Commissioner ; 
Wesley A. Daniel County Surveyor. 

This election was for the temporary 
organization of the county. It was made 
permanent by the next election. 

ELECTION, AUGUST, 1853. 
Countu Judge. 

John C. Vermilya, Whig 30 — 4 

.lames H. Hollen, Democrat 32 

J.P.Wood, Whig 4 

Trcasi»7-6r and Recorder. 

John Ross, Whig 46—30 

David F. Bruner, Whig 36 

Sheriff. 

Miron Blodgett, Democrat 40—11 

W. F. Hollen, Democrat 29 

N: L Osborn 1 

Corimer. 

Franklin Davis, Democrat 40 — 32 

Zebedee Rush, Democrat 15 

J. II. Vooihies 10 

Franklin Vorns 4 

W. A. Daniels, Whig 18 

Siirveyitr. 
Wesley A . Daniels, Whig .50 

ELECTION, OCTOBER 3, 18.54. 
Sc}m>l Futul Comminsviner. 

Noah Myers, Whig 51 

Drainage C(immisai(iner. 
Anthony Wilkinson 28 

ELECTION. AUGUST 7, 18.54. 

f lerft of District Cnurt. 

D. D. Appelgate, Whig 100—4.5 

Thomas A. Graham, Whig 55 

Prdsccutirw Attnniey. 

Alford Phillips, Democrat 84 — .36 

James C Mai shall, Wbig 48 



^' 



23 



^p 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ELECTION, OCTOBER 2, 1854. 
DMraininy Slicep atid Uogx from Running at Laryt. 

For the propositioa 90 — 41 

As; linst the proposition 49 

ELECTION, APRIL, 1855 . 
(jDiiimisfviner Des Mmncs River Imi)rovement. 

William McKay, Wiiig HO— 73 

O I). Tisdal, Democrat 37 

RcginUr Des Moincn River Improvement. 

.1. C. Lockwood, Whig 109—73 

William Dewey, Democrat 37 

Reyiatcr of State Land Office. 

Anson Holt, Whig 109—72 

Samuel H. Stark, Republican 37 

For the Prohibitory Liquor Law. 

For it 163— 37 

Against it 126 

ELECTION, AUGUST 0, 1855. 
Count]) Judge. 

.John C. Vermilya, Whig 342—340 

T. A. Graham, Whig 2 

E. Church 2 

Trtanwcr and Rieordtr. 

T. J. Sl.aley. Whig 189—27 

K. D. Shugart, Whig 162 

Sheriff. 

William O.irner, Democrat 226 — 111 

George W. Free, Democrat 115 

Surveyor. 

W A Daniel, Whig 204— GO 

•Tames C . Marshall, Whig 138 

Coroner. 

F. Davis, Democrat 234 — 184 

John Connell, Whig 50 

E. N. Whipple 1 

H. C. Foster 3 

Ifritliic Tax. 

Against the tax 162 — 35 

For the tax 127 

ELECTION, APRIL 7. 18.56. 
.•School Fund Commissioner. 

Lewis S. Frederick. Whig 225—40 

.lerumiah Hardin, Democrat 185 

.lonas P. Wood, Whig 170 

WoodhuU Helm 1 

riridiic Tax. 

For (he tax '. 247-76 

.V^'iiiisl llietax 171 



ELECTION, AUGUST, 1856. 
CUrk of Court. 

David D. Appelgate, riepublican 404—117 

James H. Ilollen, Democrat 187 

James P. Wood 1 

Prosccutinij Attorney. 

Nathan C. Wieting, ReiJUblican 240—31 

Timothy Brown. Republican 209 

E. B. Bolens, Democrat 141 

Alford Phillips 1 

ELECTION, APRIL. 1857. 
County Assessor. 

J. P. Wood, Republican 333— 12{; 

S. R. Somers, Democrat 210 

T. Shafer, Independent 139 

Sheriff. 

H. C. Foster, Republican 362—109 

J. F. Ward, Independent 253 

H. Long, Democrat 59 

Dr<iina{ic t'ominissvmcr. 

Nathan Fisher, Republican 333 — 48 

A Hale, Democrat 185 

ELECTION, AUGUST, 1857. 
County Judye. 

Leander Clark, Republican 476 — 161 

John C. Vermilya, Independent 315 

William C. Salsbury, Democrat 9 

Treasurer and Recorder. 

Andrew J. Whealon, Republican 452 — ".02 

Jeremiah Hardin, Democrat 350 

Leander Clark. Republican 1 

Sheriff. 

Thomas Murray, Independent 447 — 93 

George Raines, Republican 354 

J. Hardin, Democrat 1 

William Tnrbett, Democrat 1 

County Survei/or. 

Charles Irish, Democrat; 497 — 195 

Horace Jacobs, Republic, in 302 

Coroner. 

Clinton Olney, Rei)ublican 393—141 

John C'onnell. Republiciin 251 

S. B. Shiner 1 

ELECTION, OCTOBER 13, 1857. 
(liH^enior. 

Ralph P. Lowe, Republicnn 303—129 

Benjamin Sainii'il-. Dtinncral 174 



vH^s »- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COXJNTY. 



ELECTION. APRIL, 1858. 

I'liinitij Si(iirriiitejidtiit of Sc/ionis. 

Woodhull nelm, Republican. .• 653—620 

Peter McRoberts, Democrat 33 

John Connell 1 

ELECTION, OCTOBER 12, 1858. 
Chrh of Courts. 

David D. Appelgate, Republican 524—266 

Leonard Stoddard, Democrat 258 

John Flathers 1 

ELECTION, APRIL 4, 1859. 

To authorize the County Judge to issue Itonds to 
necure the location of the State Modfi Farm ami 
AuHcuUural Gotte(icin Tama county, to the amiiunt 
of 40,000. 

For issuing the bonds 444 — 249 

Against issuing the bonds 195 

ELECTION, OCTOBER 11, 1859. 

Governor. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood 600—305 

A. C Dodge 295 

County Judge. 

I.eanderClark, Republican 867—860 

W. S. Tuibett, Independent 7 

Treanuixr iind Bccorder. 

A J. Wheaton, Republican 880 

Coutity Superiiitendent of Schools. 

.lohn Ramsdell, Republican 454 — 37 

John McLain, Democrat 417 

C. J Rhodes, Independent 5 

Sheriff. 

Thomas Murray, ludependaut .542 — 197 

Eli Harmon, Republican ,345 

Coroner. 
T. Walter Jackson, Republican...:... 645—637 

Scattering 8 

Drainage C'nmmfosioricr. 

Z. T. Shugart, Republican (i8i_680 

Andre .v Hale, Democrat . 1 

11 . Travis, Democrat 2 

County Surveyor. 

Horace Jacobs, Republican .594 — 296 

C W. Irish, Democrat 296 

lieiircsentaticc ilst Dvitrift. 

Abram Tompkins, Republican 643— .536 

William Garner, Democrat 117 

G. Jaqua, Republican 9 

John Doc 1 



ELECTION NOVEMBER 6, 1860. 

President. 

Abraham Lincoln ... 775 — 362 

Stephen A. Douglas 413 

Clerk of Courts. 

David D. Appelgaie, Republican 773—349 

C. R. Ward. Democrat 423 

Cormier. 

I. J. Wilkins, Republican 744—297 

Isaac Butler, Democrat 447 

ELECTION MAY 20, 1861. 

Senator from the STith District. 

Joseph Dysart, Republican 371—257 

James C. Traer, Democrat 114 

Scattering 3 

ELECTION OCTOBER 8, 1861. 

Riltresrntntirc. 

Leander Clark, Republican 510 — 107 

Phineas Helm, Independent 403 

Scatterinsr 3 

Ctnudy Judge. 

John Allen, Republican 897—893 

W. S. Tuibett, Democrat 5 

Thomas Asher 1 

Treasurer nnp Recorder. 

A. J. Wheaton, Republican 904—903 

JR. Hawkinson 1 

William Garner 1 

T.Wilcox 1 

Sheriff. 

H. A. Williamson. Republican 508—127 

Geo. W. Free, Democrat 381 

Scattering 10 

Superintendent of Schools. 

John Ramsdell, Rei.ublican 533-17! 

S. S. Dillman, Republican 361 

Scattering 3 

Surmyor. 

Horace Jacobs, Republican 879 — 878 

Allen Way 1 

Horace Greeley / 1 

Corotter. 

G. W. Cowles, Republican 893—890 

I. J. Wilkins 3 

E B. Coffin 1 

DraiiLogc Commi.tsunwr. 

Z. T. Shugart, Republican 880—876 

Scattering 4 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-K^ 



ELECTION, OCTOBER 11, 1863. 
Kepreisentattves. 

W. F. Johnston, Republican 605—594 

R.Wyle 2 

John M. Sirgle, Democrat 9 

W. C. Salshiiry, Democrat 8 

W. S. Turbett 3 

(Tfrh of CouH. 
David I). Appelgiite, Republican.... 678-676 

Will iiim Garner, Democrat 2 

Benjamin Hamraitt I 

Ctiutity Judge. 

T. A. Graham, Republican '. . . 464-44 

T. K. Armstrong, Democrat 420 

Ctiriyiier. 

I. J. Wilkins, Republican 602—601 

A E Ron ke 1 

ELECTION, OCTOBER 19, 1863. 
TrrAisurer and Recorder. 

A. J . W'.ieaton, Republican 879—584 

II. T. Baldy, Republican 295 

G. Slianklin 1 

Cininty Judge. 

T. F Bradford, Republican 812—451 

James Shanklin, Republican 361 

Miss Barker 1 

Scattering 2 

Sheriff. 

H. A. Williamson. Republican 757 — 315 

T. Forker, Democrat 442 

(yniitty SupcrintciuJent nf SchfmU. 

T. L. Downs, Republican 788—4.51 

W. P. lorsjth. Republican 337 

Cminly Survrynr. 

Ih.race Jacobs, Republican 811—399 

S. R Somers, Democrat 412 

Cor alter. 
F. Davis, Republican 815—497 

I. J Wilkins, Republican 318 

B. Eldridge 8 

nraiuayc Ctimmis^umer. 

T B. Martin, Republican. 776—762 

J. (' Jacobs, Republican 14 

L. B. Nelson, Republican 7 

A. Tompkins, Republican 1 

ELECTION OCTOBER, 1863— Soldiers' vote. 

Trexiiturer and Recttrder. 
A. J. Wheaton, Republican 128—118 

II. T. Baldy, Independent 10 



County Judge. 

T F. Bradford, Republican 128—118 

James Shanklin, Independent 10 

Sheriff. 

H. A.Williamson, Republican 101 — 73 

T. Forker, Independent 28 

JobnM. Siegle 1 

Surveyor. 

Horace Jacobs 19 — 9 

S. R. Somers 10 

County Suijerintend£7it of SetmoU*. 

T. L. Downs, Republican 125—114 

VV. P. Forsyth, Independent 11 

Homers 1 

Corftner. 

Franklin Davis, Republican 68 — 5.'^ 

Ira J. Wilkins, Independent 10 

Drainage Commissotier . 
T B. Martin 85 

ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1863 
Representative from Digtricl Kl. 

Phineas Helm, Republican 794 — 384 

Capt. A. Stoddard, Democrat 410 

Soldiers' Vote for Rei)re.<<cntative. 

Francis Helm, Republican 110 — 94 

Capt. A. Stoddard, Democrat 16. 

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1864. 
President. 

Abraham Lincoln 873 — 485 

OeorgeB. McClellan 388 

Clerk of Court. 
David D. Appelgate, Republican. . . 1050—1048 

Benjamin Wickham, Democrat 2 

Scattering 3 

C<mnty Judge. 

T. A Graham, Republican 1021—1020 

I Holt 1 

R. R. Crawford :.... 1 

B. Wickham 2 

M. Kellogg 1 

Pat. Dowd 3 

William Turbett 1 

Henry Free 9 

G. Jaqua 3 

Sheriff- 
Knight T>ex\cr, Republican f<87— 382 

Anthony Bricker, Democrat 505 

Scattering , 4 



^' 



HISTORY OF TAMA COXJNTY. 



^1^ 



Cimnty Recorder. 

Jacob Yeiser, Jr., Republican 1046 — 730 

E. R. Fish, Democrat 336 

Scatteriug 4 

QmntUm nf Hait rainitw Sheep and Sici'iir fnmi rtiiii- 
7iing at Large. 

In favor of 1050-955 

Against 95 

Qucstmn <)/ Levyiny <Umrt House Tax. 

Against the tax 703—341 

For the tax 462 

ELECTION, OCTOBER 10, 1865. 

niietlier the eounty nhouli doniite $40,000 (u the Iowa 

Central B. R. to he used iu huihlina thnnmh Toma 

county. 

For the proposition 1013—812 

Against the proposition 201 

Whether Tama county shouhl devote the iiwamp 

Laiuis and proceeds toward aidinij the eonstnietUin 

of the game road. 

For the proposition 105.3—908 

Against the proposition 145 

ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1865. 
Representative 

Leander Clark, Republican 8.55—415 

N. Norris. Democrat 440 

County Judge. 

T. A. Graham, Republican 892-438 

T. K. Armstrong, Democrat.... 464 

Sheriff. 

K. Dexter, Republican 837—3.58 

W. T. Hollen, Democrat 479 

Beuj. Wickham, Democrat 1 

Coroner. 

Nathan Fisher, Republican 891—438 

V. P. Gray, Democrat 458 

County Surveyor. 

Horace Jacobs, Republican 891—843 

C. W. Irish, Democrat 49 

J. B. Talmadge, Republican 3 

M . Hate 1 

County Superintcmlcnt. 

T. L. Downs, Republican 848—790 

John Hillman, Democrat 58 

T. Whitaker 1 

James Hallett 1 

S.Vandyke 1 

John McLane 1 



ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1866. 
Clerk of the District Court. 

David D. Appelgate, Republican 917—446 

Wm . H. Stoddard , Democrat 471 

County Recorder. 

Jacob Yeiser, Jr. , Republican 1048—633 

John M. Hillman, Democrat 415 

ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1867. 
Representative. 

James Wilson, Republican 922 — 473 

James R. Graham, Democrat 449 

Patrick Dowd 6 

County Judyc. 

Thomas Free, Republican 893—495 

Eleazer Mann, Democrat 438 

Jack Wheaton 1 

T. A. Graham 1 

E. Gallion 1 

Sheriff. 

Knight Dexter, Republican 903—438 

H. B Belden, Democrat 465 

Tom Carter 5 

Charles Bailey 1 

H. Carpenter. 1 

Survcym: 

C. W. Hiatt, Republican 936-934 

H. Jacobs -2 

Superiuteiident of Scloioln. 

J. R. Stewart, Republican 924—473 

J. B. Tims, Democrat 451 

T L Downs 2 

Coroner. 

M. Fisher, Republican 930—481 

Pet er McRoberts. Democcrat 449 

Mr. Davis 1 

Draainaye Commisfiioner. 

W. S. Turbeit, Democrat 16 

Mr. Hillman 3 

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1868. 
Clerh of DiMriet Court 

L. B. Blinn, Republican 1873—1079 

J . F. Ward, Democrat 794 

Recorder. 

Jacob Yeiser, Jr., Republican 1864 — 1062 

T. Frank Hill, Democrat 803 

ForGopherTax 442— 171 

Against Gopher Tax 271 

For the Slock Act 88.5— 561 

Against Stock Act 324 



n^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ELECTION, OCTOBER 1869. 

Representative. 

James Wilson, Republican 1190 — 778 

P B . McCullough, Democrat 412 

W. W. Leekins 1 

('inmty Auditor. 

T 8. Free, Republican 119G— 782 

C. II . Kentner, Democrat 414 

T. Forker 1 

Cimnty Treasurer. 

Thos. Shaeffer, Republican 1048—498 

Turner Forker, Democrat ooO 

Shrriff. 

Knight Dexter, Republican 1015 — 44") 

W. T. Hollen, Democrat 570 

A. J. Stewart 1 

N. Dexter 1 

T. W. Hunton 1 

Sitrvejjor. 

C. W. Iliatt, Republican 1170—1175 

II . Jacobs 1 

Superi7iteudfid of Sciioolit. 
J. R. Stewart, Republican 1164—789 

D. S. Glidden, Democrat 375 

J. S. Stewart 1 

Citrnner. 

N, Fisher, Republican 1182—765 

M. B6slwick, Democrat 417 

Drnimigr Cnmmissioncr. 

"E. T. Gallion, Republican 1125—728 

W. S. Turbett, Democrat 397 

L , Merchant 2 

A. N. Lawrence 1 

ELECTION, OCTOBER. 1870. 
Member Board tif Superiyisors. 

Leander Clark, Republican 1G09 

Q. Jaqua, Republican 1662 

A N. Poyneer, Republican 1448 

Turner Forker, Democrat 865 

S. Thompson, Democrat 602 

John W. Fleming, Democrat 610 

H. T. Williard 1 

A. C. Tenney ig 

A. J . Wheaton 2 

Ed . Morse 1 

M. Lewis 1 

Clerk of the District Court. 

L B. Blinn, Republican... 170fr— 1117 

J. G. Strong, Democrat 589 



Recorder. 

John R. McClaskey, Republican 1086—1084 

Robert Irwin, Democrat 602 

N. H. Wiltington 1 

Turner Forker 1 

ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1871. 
Represetdative. 

James Wilson, Republican 1216 — 580 

C. B. Bradshaw, Democrat 636 

Aiidilor. 

Thomas S. Free, Republican 1228— 6.S7 

John W, Fleming, Democrat 581 

A. H. Lawrence 2 

Treasurer. 

Theodore Schacffer, Republican 1266—698 

S. M. Chapman, Democrat 568 

Mr. Shafer 3 

C. B. Barnard 1 

Sheriff. 

KnightDexter, Republican 1013 — 333 

W. T. Hollen, Democrat 680 

H. B. Belden, Independent 147 

Horace Jacobs 1 

E. S. Kentner 1 

Supej-intendent of Scliools. 
Fayette Hurd, Republican 974—267 

D. S. Glidden, Democrat 717 

W. E. Roberts, Independent 129 

H. A. Brown 18 

A. II. Sterrett 1 

Mr. Brown 1 

Mr. Roberts 4 

Coroner. 

M. A. Newcomber, Republican 1247 — 677 

S.Thompson, Democrat .570 

N. Fisher 5 

Lewis Lyon 13 

Sujien'isor. 

John Ramsdell, Republican 986 — 142 

Turner Forker. Democrat 844 

L. Clark! 1 

ELECTION, NOVEMBER. 1872. 
aerh of District Court. 

L. B. Blinn, Republican 2019—130(1 

Q. H. Goodrich, Democrat 710 

John Blanchard 1 

Recorder. 

John R. McClaskey, Republican 1944—1167 

Turner Forker, Democrat 777 

T. A. Graham . ., 2 



-1 — »!^ 



A 



,K 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



441 



Supervisor, 

G. Jaqua, Republican 1804—1007 

John T. G. Cold, Democrat 797 

George Werum .* 1 

ELECTION, OCTOBER 1873. 
Representative. 

W. G. Malin, Anti Monopoly 1150—244 

A. N. Pojneer, Republican 906 

Welcome Mowery 1 

L Merchant 1 

Wm. Malin 1 

Woodron Lane 1 

Auditw. 

A. J. Bowdle, Anti-Monopoly 1055 — 55 

A. J. Wheaton, Republican 1500 

A. E. Wheaton 25 

Thomas S. Free 8 

A.M. Bowdle 1 

A. J. Free 1 

Mr. Bowdle 1 

Treeisurcr. 

Daniel Forker, Anti-Monopoly 1220—402 

T.J. Sweatt, Republican 818 

Theodore Schaefler 3 

Mr. Forker '. 3 

Mr. Sweatt 1 

Sheriff. 

R. E. Austin, Anti-Monopoly 1218—354 

Knight Dexter, Republican 864 

Ciiiinly Supervisor. 

Daniel W. Hutton, Anti-Monopoly 1065—37 

Welcome Mowery, Republican 1028 

Jlr. Mowery 1 

Supcrinttndcnl. 

A. H. Sterrett, Republican 1073—47 

J . F. Giger, Anti-Monopoly 1026 

8. W. Hutton 1 

Surveyor. 

W. II. Ilolstead, Republican 1070 

G. W. Cowles, Anti-Monopoly 1076—63 

N. Fisher, Republican 1013 

O. H.Mills 2 

ELECTION, OCTOBER 1874. 
Secretary of State. 

Josiah T. Young, Republican 1637—697 

David Morgan, Democrat 940 

Auditor of State. 

Buren R. Sherman, Republican 1640—704 

J. M. King, Democrat 936 



Treasurer of Stale. 

William Christy, Republican 1636 — 695 

Henry C. Harges, Democrat 941 

Register State Laiid (jfflee. 

David Secor, Republican 1638 — 699 

Robert H Rodeorneil, Democrat 939 

Aitorney Geticral. 

M . E Cutis, Rt publican 1637—697 

John H. Keathley, Democrat 940 

Lewis Lyon 1 

Clerk of Supreme Court. 

Edward J. Holmes, Republican 1636 — 695 

Geo. W. Ball, Democrat 941 

Reporter Suprems Court. 

John R. Rummells, Republican 1634 — 692 

James M. Weast, Democrat ' 943 

Conoress. 

James Wilson, Republican 1717—927 

James Wilkinson, Democrat 790 

Mr Burnett 2 

John Robbins * 1 

Jane Wilson 1 

John Waller 1 

Wilkinson 1 

Judye of District Court. 

James H. Rothrock, Republican 2564 — 563 

John Blanchard 1 

District Attorney. 

Milo P. Smith, Republican 1569—559 

L G. Kinne, Democrat 1010 

W. Thompson 1 

acrli. 

C.J. Stevens, Republican 1697—820 

Hiram Bissell, Democrat 877 

Recorder. 

J. B. M. Bishop, Republican 1612—656 

A. N. Bates, Anti-Monopoly 956 

J. M. Bishop 2 

J. Bishop 1 

E. L. Dillman 1 

Supervisor. 

J. H. Lauderdale 1590—605 

E. M, Griffith 985 

coroner. 

E. M. Bielby 1631—646 

Dr. James Thompson 985 

ELECTION, OCTOBER 1875. 
Gwenu/r. 

Samuel J. Kirkwood, Republican 1466 — 488 

Shepherd LetHer, Democrat 978 



r 



^:! 



•^ 
-»i> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



John II. Lozier, Temperance 4 

W.H. Tiffany 1 

Lieutmuint Gocenuir. 

Joshua G. MewboUI, Republican 1465— 4.S5 

Emmell B. Woodward, Democrat 980 

G. Jiiqua 1 

Jmlye af Supreme Court. 

Austin Adams, Republican 1466—486 

Wm . J . Knight, Democrat 980 

SSuperintciulent of Public Imtruction. 

Alonzo Abernethy, Republican 1464 — 473 

Asaiah Doane, Democrat 991 

Bcpresentative. 

G. Jaqua, Republican 1310—201 

W. G. Malin, Anti Monopoly 1109 

C.J. Stevens 1 

O. Fleack 1 

G. E. Sharp - 1 

Malin ~ 

Auditor. 

J. A. Bowdle. Auli-Monopoly 1267—111 

J . W . Willett, Republican 1 156 

A. J. Bowdle 1 

Jos. Bowdle 1 

J. Bowdle ■•■• 8 

Mr. Bowdle 6 

J. A. Bowton 1 

Treasurer. 

L. B. Blinn, Republican 1366—283 

Daniel Forker 1083 

R. E. Austin 1 

J. A. Bowdle 1 

Mr. Forker 2 

E. B. Blinn 2 

R. A. Austin 1 

Sheriff. 

R. E. Austin, Anti-Monopoly 1401—362 

E. ."^I. Bielby, Republican 1039 

E. Bielby 1 

R. A. Austin 1 

Mr. Austin '•' 

Surveyor. 

W. H Holstead, Republican 2444-2440 

Miltlin Levis 4 

Lyman Gary 1 

James Gannon 1 

SupeHntendent. 

H. A. Brown, Republican 1372—302 

L. Leyenberger, Anti-Monopoly 1070 

Rtv. Brown 1 



A. H. Brown 1 

Mr. Brown 3 

Leyenberger 1 

Coroner. 

J. C. Kendrick 1377—3.53 

El i Harmon 1024 

T. J. Smith 19 

E. M. Bielby 1 

J. J. McCollister 1 

Supcrcisor. 

'i. F Clark, Republican 1357 

J. V. B. Green, Anti-Monopoly 1099 

ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1876. 

Judiie of Supreme Court. 

Wm. II, Seevers, Republican 2325 -1006 

Waller I. Hayes, Democrat 1319 

Charles Necus 74 

O.R.Jones 9 

Secretarii of State. 

Josiah T. Young, Republican 2342—1022 

John H. Steubenrauch, Democrat. . . .1320 

A. Macredy 81 

Auditor of State . 

Buren R. Sherman, Republican 2342--1023 

Wm. Groneweg, Democrat 1319 

Leonard Brown 81 

Treasurer of State. 

George W. Bemis, Republican 2340 — 1019 

Wesley Jones, Democrat 1321 

George C. Fry 81 

Kciiister of State La/nd Office. 

David Sccor, Republican 2342 -102;i 

N. C. Rideman, Democrat 1319 

Geo.M. Walker. '. 81 

Attorney General. 

John F. McJunkin, Republican 2341---1021 

J. C. Cook, Democrat 1320 

Supcrtntcjuient of Puhlic Imstnietion. 

C. W. Von Coellen. Republican 2340---2267 

J. A. Nash, Democrat 73 

Representative in Congress. 

Rush Clark. Republican 2320-1009 

Nathan Worley, Democrat 1311 

W.H. Rutherford 107 

Judiie of Circuit Court. 

John McKean, Republican 2375—2374 

S. A. Belt, Democrat 1 

A. L. Leavens 1 

A. Waller - 1 



r 






HISTORY OF TAMA COIINTY. 



445 



R. Gibson 1 

S. Stiger 1 

A. Phillips 1 

Judge of Distrk.t Cunrt. 

John Shane, Republican 3646 

Clerk of Circuit anl District Courts. 

C. J. Stevens, Republiciin 2501—2479 

John Frank 1 

S. H. Stevens 3 

T L. Granger 22 

Wm. Black 1 

R. E. Austin 1 

S Stiger 1 

R.Gibson 1 

Eecordcr. 

J. B. M. Bishop, Republican 288.5—1045 

S. B. Yeonians, Democrat 1340 

P. C. Chamberh.nd 2 

Mr. Bishop. .. . 2 

Supervisor. 

H H. Withington, Republican 1986—263 

Andrew McCosh, Democrat . .1724 

E. Stonecupher 2 

ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1877. 

Govei^or. 

John H. Gear, Republican 1426—593 

John P. Irish, Democrat 833 

Daniel P. Slubbs 196 

Blias Jessup 132 

G. W. Alexander 1 

J. L. Jessup 1 

W. II. Eastman 6 

C. M. Jessup 1 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Frank T. Campbell, Republican 1589—770 

W C. James, Democrat 819 

A. Macready 202 

A P. Fidderson 1 

Supreme Judge. 

James G. Day, Republican 1.589—765 

H. E, J. Boardman, Democrat 824 

John Porter, Greenback 202 

Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

C. W. VonCoellen, Republican 1591—909 

J. G. Cullison, Democrat 682 

S. T. Ballard, Greenback 169 

G. W. Cullison 61 

P. Gensen 1 

G. G. Cullison 81 



State Senator. 

Robert M. Haines, Republican 1436-707 

L. H. Edwards, Democrat 729 

W. G. Maliu, Greenback 445 

G. W.Malin 2 

John Green 1 

Scattering 4 

/Joprcse7ita(iiie. 

G. Jaqua, Republican 1525-498 

S. S. Mann, Greenback 1027 

A. N. Bales 1 

J. T. Ames 1 

W.G. Malin 2 

John G. Safely 1 

Scattering 8 

Sheriff. 

R. E. Austin, Democrat 1347—130 

Thomas Murray, Republican 1217 

Mr. Austin 1 

Hugh Snodgrass 1 

F. J. M. Wonser 1 

Scattering 1 

Treasurer. 

L. B. Blinn, Republican 2595—2593 

J. W. Hockett, Democrat 1 

Geo. W. Blair 2 

W. A. Sharp 1 

Lyman Cany 2 

Awlitor. 

R. G. Mclntire, Republican 1305 

John Skrable, Democrat 1334 

R. M. Mclntirp ) All counted 

R. J. Mclntire [ for 

R. G. Mclntire ) Mclntire. 

Superintendent. 

II. A.Brown, Republican 1581—570 

D. K. Thomas, Democrat 1011 

Mr. Thomas 1 

Mr. Kenny 1 

Surveyor. 

W. II. Holstead, Republican 2588—2587 

Thomas McKennar 1 

Coroner. 

J. C. Kendrick, Republican 1472 — 526 

S Thompson 946 

J. S. Kendrick 98 

S. J. Ilaller 1 

Scattering 4 

Supervisor. 

Roger M. Tcnney, Rppublican 1317—227 

Robert Irwin, Democrat 1090 



r 



24 



'F 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Roger N. Tcnney 43 

R. Tenney 7 

U. E. Tenney 23 

Leiinder Clark 1 

ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1878. 

Si-crcfiiry o/ State. 

John A. T. Hull, Republican 1760—540 

E. M. Farnsworth, Democrat 1330 

Awlitor of State. 

Bureu R. Sherman, Republican 1770 — 1H2 

6. V. Swearineen. Democrat 634 

J. Eiboeck, Greenback 572 

Treasurer uf State. 

George W. Bemis, Republican 1754 — 536 

M. L. Devin, Democrat 1218 

J Eiboeck 1 

Hmistcr of State Land Offlce. 

James K. Powers, Republican 1701—547 

M Farringlon, Democrat 1214 

Attorney General. 

John F. McJunkin, Republican 1758 — 1114 

C. H. Jackson, Democrat 644 

John Gibbon, Greenback 574 

J. H. Rothrock 1 

Jwlue of Supreme Court. 

James II. Rothrock, Republican 1815—649 

J. C Knapp, Democrat 1166 

Clerh of Supreme Court. 

Edward J. Holmes, Republican 1758—539 

Alexander Runyon, Democrat 1219 

Reporter of Supreme Court. 
John S. Runuells, Republican. ..... .1753 — 1104 

G. W. Rutherford, Democrat 649 

John B EllioU 571 

Represeutative in Congress. 

Rush Clark, Republican 17.54—595 

George Carter, Deiimcral 11.59 

Timothy Brown G() 

District Judfic. 

John Shane, Republican 2260—1575 

John Miller, Democrat 685 

Scattering 5 

DMriet Attorney. 

Milo P. Smith, Rc-publican 2323—1070 

A. R. Sterrett, Democrat 053 

J. Dysart 1 

Clerk of DMriet and Circuit Courts. 

C. J Stevens, Re|iublicau 1834—1284 

JaiiK-s McCiuiiK, I)L'nio(!rat .530 



J. W. Shaler .540 

J. C. Stevens 66 

Mr. Evans 5 

Recorder. 

J. B. M. Bishoi., Republican 1841—1267 

A. Bywaters 562 

W. B.Gillespie 574 

Supervisors. 

Joseph Dysart, Republican 1743 — 1115 

A. E, Stewart 628 

O. Gravatt 600 

Jonah Howe 1 

Shall the number of Supervi.'ittrs he increafted to Five. 

Against 1091—671 

For 420 

ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1879. 

Gorcrnor. 

JohnH. Gear, Republican 2278—1412 

H. H Trimble, Democrat 866 

Daniel Campbell, Greenback 475 

D. R. DuDgan 51 

Scattering 2 

Lieutenant Governor. 

Frank T. C.impbell, liipublican 2324—1460 

J. A. O. Yeoman. Democrat 867 

M. H. Moore, Grtenback 472 

H. H. Withington 1 

Judiie of the Supreme Court. 

Joseph M. Beck. Republican 2335—1404 

Reuben Noble, Democrat 871 

M H Jones, Greenback 471 

M. H. Moore 1 

Superintcnilent of Public Insti-uction. 
Carl W. Von Cocllen, Republican. . .2298— 1429 

Erwin Baker, Democrat 869 

J. A. Nash, Greenback 508 

M H.Jones 1 

H. Black 1 

Rcprr Kcntative in Congress. 
'Wm. G. Thompson, Republican... .23.5f<— 1051 

Wm. Thompson 1 

Mr. Thompson 1 

W. H. Calhoun, Democrat 1277 

Representative in General Aggembly. 

Geo. R. Si ruble, Rei)ublican 2304—1032 

W. G. Malin, Gmenback . . 1272 

Scattering 9 

AutHUir. 
R G Melm ire. Republican 2369—1007 



■•■Jp 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



447 



M. Bunker, Democrat 13(13 

U E. Austin 1 

Treasurer. 

h. B. Blinn. Republican 3603-3597 

Scattering 6 

Sherijf. 

J. C. Fitzgerald, Republican 2052-458 

R. E. Austin, Democrat 1594 

Mr. Austin 10 

Robert Austin 1 

Rob. Austin 1 

R.Austin 1 

John Fitzgerald 3 

Jlr. Fitzgerald 2 

County Superintendent. 

A. II. Sterrett, Republican 2059—479 

W. H. Black, Democrat 1580 

Mr. Sterrett. 4 

A. Sterrett 1 

W. Black 5 

Mr. Black 5 

Wm. Black 4 

Scattering 3 

Cnunty Surveyor. 

W. H. Holstead, Republican '4341-3331 

Scattering 10 

Coroner. 

.1. C. Kendrick, Republican 3294—924 

15. Thompson, Democrat 1370 

Scattering 4 

Superviaors. 

II. II. Wilhington, Republican 2123—805 

H. Withiugtou 168 

VV. O. Pond, Democrat 1318 

Scattering 4 

ELKCTION, NOVEMBER, 1880. 

Pre>(idcnt. 

James A. Garfield, Republican ■2712—612 

Winfiekl S. Hancock, Democrat 1090 

James B. Weaver, Greenback 193 

Srrn.tani "f State. 

John A. T. Hull 2713-1617 

A. B. Keilh 1096 

George M Walker 193 

Auditor of State. 

William V. Luc xs 3713-1617 

C. J. Barker 1096 

G V. Svveareugen 193 



TriMSurcr of Stote. 

Edwin H. Conger 2714-1619 

Marti n Blinn 1095 

Matthew Fan ington 193 

Kniistcr of Stotc Land (IfDrr. 

James K. Powers, Republican 2713-1617 

D Dougherty, Democrat 1096 

Thomas Hooker, Greenback 193 

Attorney General. 
Smith McPherson, Republican 2713-1617 

C. A. Clark, Democrat 1096 

W. A. Spurrier, Greenback 193 

Reprei<entative in Conurrsn. 

Wm. G. Thomiison. Republican 2711-1626 

R. E. Austin, Democrat 1085 

A. F. Palmer, Greenback 194 

Cireuit Judge. 

Christian Hedges, Republican 2717-2707 

W. C. Salsbury, Democrat 10 

G. W. Ealy 1 

Proposition to nmeml tlie Conntilutinn. 

For 1653-1242 

Against 411 

Shall there be a ComicndVm to revise the Coiistitution 

For 1733-1093 

Against 630 

Clerk of the DiHnet and Cireuit Courlx. 

S. C. Leland, Republican 3538-1372 

J. S. Hopkins, Democrat 1156 

John Hopkins, Greenback 183 

Scattering , 5 

County Recorder. 

T. E. Warren, Reoublican 2633-1332 

L. F. Ilanimitt, Democrat 1300 

L. Hammitt 3 

Mr. Hammitt.' 1 

Scattering 2 . 

Supervisors. 

A. Z, Rawson, Republican 2635-1339 

Wm. Cory, Democrat 1296 

Silas Sears 25 

V. Hurt 1 

ELECTION, OCTOBBH, 1881. 
Govet^nor. 

Uuren R. Sherman, Republican 1393—833 

L. G. Kinne, Democrat 570 

D. M. Clark, Greenback 176 

Wm. Johnston 1 

LirAitenant-Gtwernor. 
Orlando H. Manning. Republicau 14.39—951 



<^ :^^= 
n"^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-l^ 



James M. WalkL-r, Democrat 488 

G. M. Walker 33 

James M. Holland 178 

John M. Kent 1 

JudgK of Suiyremc Court. 

Ausliii Ailams, Republican 1442 — 982 

II. F. Ileiulersbott, Democrat 460 

W. W. Williamson, Greenback 234 

Jacob W. Rogers 1 

SupcHntenilent Publk hmtntctUm. 

John W Akers, Republican 1496-103() 

Walter II. Butler, Democrat 460 

jMrs. AM. Swain, Greenback 174 

S. N. Fellows 1 

J. Hammond 1 

Andrew Jackson 1 

Semi tor. 

A. N. Poyneer, Republican 1442 — 991 

Joel Stewart, Democrat 454 

W. B.King, Greenback 222 

Scattering 7 

Representative . 

G. R. Siruble, Republican 1377—874 

Andrew Jackson, Democrat 503 

James McClung, Greenback 221 

Scattering 4 

County Auditor. 

R. G. Mclntire, Republican 1589-1400 

Wm. Flint, Democrat ". 189 

Arthur Sewall 9 

Scattering 4 

County Trea.^wer. 

Lyman Gary, Republican 1502-1048 

Turner Forker, Democrat 454 

M. Mudgett, Greenback 167 

L. B. Bliun 1 

Scattering 4 

Sheriff. 

J. C. Fitzgerald, Republican 1475-1001 

H. L Wilson, Democrat 474 

R. P. Fitzgerald, Greenback , .. . 181 

( 'ounty Superintenilcnt. 

J P. Hendricks, Republican 1270—937 

Mrs. E, M Bull, Democrat 382 

T. E. M.mn, Greenback 204 

Wm. Black 12 

A. II. Sterrett 7 

Sciitering 10 



County Surveyor. 
W. H. Ilolstead, Republican 1565-1068 

B. F, Sloreland, Democrat 497 

Scattering 13 

Coroner. 

C. H. Myers, Republican 1436—939 

Dr. S, Thompson, Democrat 497 

Dr. B. Bull, Greenback 182 

Scattering 2 

Supervisor. 

B. Smith, Republican 146.5 — 975 

O. Gravatt, Democrat 490 

Hiram Winders, Greenback 174 

Scattering 2 

SPECIAL ELECTION, JUNE, 1882. 
For the adoption of the Prohibitory 

Amendment 2344 — 767 

Against 1477 

ELKCTION, NOVEMBER, 1883. 

Seeretary of State. 

John A. T. Hull, Republican 3033—663 

T. O. Walker, Democrat 1370 

W. J. Gaston, Greenback 216 

Aiutitt^' of State. 

John L. Brown, Republican 2033—663 

Wmi Thompson, Democrat 1371 

G. A. Wyant, Greenback 270 

Treasurer of State. 

Edwin H . Conger, Republican 2033-666 

John Foley, Democrat 1367 

3eorge Derr, Greenback 216 

N. Johnston 1 

Attorney General. 

Smith McPherson, Republican 2033—003 

J. II. Bremerman, Democrat 1371 

J. II. Rice, Greenback 216 

Jiulge of Sttpreme Court. 

William H. Seevers, Republican 2033—662 

Charles E. Bronson, Democrat 1371 

M. H. Jones, Greenback 215 

Clerk of the Supreme Court. 

Gilberts. Pray. Republican 2032-661 

H. F. Bonarden, Democrat 1371 

E. N. Clark, Greenback 216 

Scattering 1 

Reporter of Supreme Court. 

Ezra C. Kbersole, Re|uiblican 2049—695 

L. A. Palmer, Democrat 13.54 



-^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



it 



J. H. Williamson, Greenback 215 

Scattering 3 

Representative in Congress. 

James Wilson, Republican 1978—561 

Ben T. Frederick, Democrat 1417 

David Plainer, Greenback 194 

Judge of Disti-ict Court. 

James D. Giffiu, Republican 3032—663 

Geo. W. Bill, Democrat 1370 

H. B. Fraser, Greenback 316 

District Attorney. 

Milton Remley 2033—447 

J. H. Preston 1585 

Clerk of DMrict and Circuit Courtii. 

S. C Leland, Republican 3070—814 

James Fowler, Democrat 1356 



D. F. Mahone, Greenback 226 

Scattering 3 

County Recorder. 

T. E. Warren, Republican 2001—756 

Gust. Reichman, Democrat 1305 

G. T. Ward, Greenback 238 

Coroner. 

J. C. Keudiick, Reiniblican 3013-3010 

Scattering 3 

Supervisor. 

Joseph Dysart, Republican 3045 — 775 

Silas Sears, Democrat 1270 

W. G. Malin, Greenback 371 

SIuill (ftc nunilier of Supervisors lie incre(V<ed to Five. 

For 913—311 

Against 703 



CHAPTER XUI. 



NATIONAL, STATE ANJ) COUNTY REPRESENTATION. 



While unworthy men, at times, may 
force themselves into office, it cannot but 
be acknowledged that the great body of 
office-holders of the country are truly rep- 
resentative men — men of positive force 
and character. They are of the number 
that build up and strengthen a town, a 
county, or a State. In this chapter, as far 
as possible, is given sketches of all who 
have served Tama county in the Nation, 
State or county. Some of the sketches are 
iraperfectj but it is not the fault of the his- 
torian that they are not more complete. 
Some of the parties have passed away, 
leaving no record from which a sketch 
could be obtained, while others have left 
the county, and their present places of resi- 
dence are unknown. 



CONGRESSIONAL. 

Tama county became a part of the 
Second Congressional District, on its or- 
ganization, and was represented in the 33d 
Congress from 1853 to 1855 by John P. 
Cook, of Davenport. Mr. Cook was a 
native of the State of New York, and in 
1836 came west to Davenport. He was 
elected a member of Congress as a Whig, 
and held the views of that party until its 
dissolution. On the breaking up of the 
Whig party he affiliated with the Demo- 
cratic party, the principles of which ho 
labored earnestly to sustain and promul- 
gate, even to the end of his days. His life 
has been one of great energy and industry^ 
He was by natural instinct a true Western 
man — a wide awake, thoroughly active 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



pioneer, who never saw tlie time wben he 
could lay aside the business harness, and, 
to all appearances, never wanted to. As a 
lawyer he had few superiors; was always 
ready, fluent, and an able advocate, and 
with these qualities were combined energy, 
tact and industry; and for years past, and 
up to the day of his demise, no law firm 
in the northwest has stood in better repute 
than that broken by his death. Mr. Cook 
died at Davenport April IT, 1872. 

James Thorington, of Davenport, was 
the next Representative in Congress from 
the Second District. He was not a man 
of extraordinary ability, but was a good 
politician and wire-puller. He is now a 
consul in one of the South American States. 
He was a Rej)ublican. 

Timothy Davis, of Elkader, Clayton 
county, next served the District from 1857 
to 1859, or in the 35th Congress. 

William Vandever, of Dubuque, was 
elected a member of the 36th Congress, 
and re-elected to the 37th. William Van- 
dever is a native of Maryland. In 1839 
he came west, locating in Rock Island, 
whore he remained until 1821, when he 
moved to Dubuquo. In 1855 he formed a 
partnership with Ben W. Samuels, of 
Dubuque, in the practice of law. In 1858 
he was elected a member of the 36th 
Congress. He made a useful member of 
that body. While serving his second 
terra, he abandoned his seat in Congress, 
returned home and raised the 9th Iowa 
infantry, of which he was made Colonel. 
In 1862 he was promoted a Brigadier- 
General, and at the close of the war 
was brevetted Major-General. Since the 
close of the war he has had several impor- 
tant public positions. He still lives in 



Dubuque. By the census of 1862 Iowa 
was entitled to six Representatives in 
Congress, and on the State being re-dis- 
tricted Tama county became a part of the 
Fourth District. The first Representative 
of this district was Josiah B. Grinnell, 
who was elected in the fall of 1862, and 
served through the 38th Congress. .In 
1864 he was re-elected a member of the 
39th Congress. 

J. B. Grinnell's paternal ancestors were 
Huguenots, who, after the revocation of 
edict of Nantes, escaped from France to 
Wales, and thence emigrated to Rhode 
Island in 1710; his grandfather settling in 
the wilderness of Vermont. Josiah was 
born in New Haven, Vermont, in 1822, 
and was left an orphan a" the age of ten 
years. Under the roof of his guardian he 
fitted himself to teach school at the age of 
sixteen, and then prepared for and entered 
the Oneida College, New York, from 
which he graduated, subsequently receiv- 
ing at Middlebury College, Vermont, the 
honorary degree of A. M. He then grad- 
uated in theology at Auburn, N. Y., was 
ordained to the ministry in the Congrega- 
tional Church, and commenced preaching 
at Union Village, N. Y., where he 
remained three years. He then filled the 
pulpit for four years in Washington and 
New York cities, and in 1854: determined 
upon moving west and establishing a 
colony. In May, 1854, by appointment, 
he met a numV)er who wished to join him 
in the enterprise at Iowa City, and a site 
was selected, where the present city of 
Grinnell is located. Mr. Grinnell did 
much toward the building up of that 
place and it was named in honor of him ; 
he gaye a large amount toward the found- 



TTa 



r 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ing of the University, and in many otlier 
ways has been very public spirited. In 
Congress, Mr. Grinnell was an advocate 
of a protective tariff. He was a strong 
partisan, and upon one occasion, lie had a 
bitter controversy upon the floor of the 
House with General Rousseau, of Ken- 
tucky, and was attacked by him with a 
nane in consequence ; for which Rousseau 
was censured at the bar of the House, and 
before his death asked and received par- 
don of his injured colleague. Mr. Grinnell 
still makes his home in the town bearing 
his name. 

William Loughridge, of Oskaloosa, was 
the next Representative in Congress from 
the 4th District. He was elected in the 
fall of 1866, as a member of the 40th Con- 
gress, was re-elected in 1868, and served 
through the 40th and 41st Congress. He 
still lives in Oskaloosa, and is a fine law- 
yer. He was from Ohio. 

Madison M. Waldon, of Centreville, 
succeeded Loughridge as Representative, 
li.aving been elected in the fall of 1870, for 
the 42d Congress and served one term. It 
was during this term that the famous 
•'salary grab," that has been used so much 
for political purposes, was made. Mr. Wal- 
don received his "grab" from the Govern- 
ment, and divided it among the various 
counties in his district, by donating it to 
their school funds. Tama county received 
her share, and the Board of Supervisors 
passed a resolution to the effect that 
"believing the partaker in unjust gains is 
as bad as the principal, we herewith 
instruct the Auditor (o return said dona- 
lion, amounting to 1236.65, preferring to 
trust in Providence and our own efforts 
for the education of our children rather 



than to dishonest gains however obtained." 

This it seems did not suit the public, 
and the Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion of Iowa was appealed to, and from 
him it went to the Attorney Genera!, whose 
interpretation of the law was as follows: 

"It is immaterial whether the Board of 
Supervisors of your county are, or are not 
satisfied with the action of Mr. Waldon, 
in donating a portion of the "back-pay 
steal" to the Temporary School Fund. 
After the donation has been made, and the 
money donated has become a part and 
parcel of the common fund, there is no 
legal way of disposing of it, except to 
appropriate it to the purposes which the 
law directs. Any other disposition is ille- 
gal, no matter by wliom made or directed, 
and renders the persons making such ille- 
gal disposition individually resjionsible 
for the money." 

In 1870 it was found the population of 
the State had increased to a number en- 
titling it to nine representatives in Con- 
gress, and in the re-districting, Tama 
county became a part of the Fifth District, 
which embraced the counties of Tama, 
Johnson, Iowa, Poweshiek, Marshall, Ben- 
ton and Linn. In the tall of 1872, James 
Wilson of Tama county, was elected to 
first represent this district. Two years 
later he was re-elected and ably served 
through the 43rd and 44th Congress. He 
is generally known as "Tama Jim Wilson," 
to distinguish him from U. S. Senator 
Wilson. 

Rush Clark, of Iowa City, was the suc- 
cessor of James Wilson, being elected in 
the fall of 1876. In 1878 he was re-elected, 
and served until he died, in Washington 
while on duty. Rush Clark was a native 



rf^ 



- — ^ ^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of Pennsylvania, born in 1834. He was 
educated at Jefferson College, and gradu- 
ated when eighteen years of age. In the 
spring ot 1853 he removed to Iowa, and 
was admitted to the bar at Iowa City, 
where he lived until his death. He was 
at one time Speaker of the Lower House 
of the General Assembly of Iowa, and has 
several times represented his county in 
that body. He was a self made man in 
every respect. As a public speaker, he 
was eloquent, earnest and convincing ; as 
an official, courteous, kind and obliging ; 
he was known as a man of sterling integ- 
rity, decided character and untiring energy. 

In the fall of 1879, William G. Thomp- 
son, of Marion, Linn county, was elected 
to fill the vacancy, and in 1880 was re- 
elected a member of the 47th Congress. 
He was born in Butler county, Pennsyl- 
vania, January I7th, 1830, and is of High- 
land Scotch descent. In 1853, he was 
admitted to the bar, and in November, the 
month following his examination, he 
started for Iowa, and located in Marion, 
where he still lives. He opened an office 
without delay, and had a good practice 
almost from the start. In 1855, and 1856, 
lie was in the State Senate, the youngest 
member ever in that body. He was for 
eight years prosecuting attorney of this 
district. He still lives in Marion, engaged 
in the practice of his profession, and is 
considered as being among the most able 
orators in Central Iowa. 

In the fall of 1862, after a heated can- 
vass, the Republican and Democratic can- 
ilidates ran so nearly equal that it resulted 
in a contest between them for the seat, 
which, as yet, has not been settled. The 
candidates were James Wilson, of Tama 



county, on the Republican ticket, and 
Benjamin Frederick, of Marshalltown, on 
the Democratic. 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. 

Joseph Dysart, of Tama county, was 
elected Lieutenant-Governor of Iowa in 
the fall of 1873, on the same ticket with 
Gov. C. C. Carpenter. He performed the 
duties of the high office in a most efficient 
manner; as presiding officer of the Senate, 
he left a record of which he may well feel 
proud ; his dignified and courteous bear- 
ing, his parliamentary knowledge and abil- 
ity, and the thorough impartiality of his 
rulings, will long be remembered by those 
with whom he was associated. He has 
since been prominently urged by his host 
of friends as a candidate for Governor. 

July 8th,1820, was Joseph Dysart's birth- 
day. The greater part of the first twenty 
years of his life was passed on his father's 
farm, situated on an elevated plateau, 
known as "Eden Hill," north of Juniata 
river, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. 
The uppermost of his boyhood aspirations, 
was to obtain a thorough education. To 
aid him to attain the coveted end, in the 
fall of 1831, his parents engaged a super- 
annuated teacher, a graduate of Dublin 
LTniversity, in Ireland, named James Mar- 
tin, to act as tutor to their family; with 
this learned gentleman, he studied Latin 
and the English branches required, as ante- 
cedent to a college course, 'till the spring 
of 1834. The free-school system was inau- 
gurated in the Keystone State that j'ear. 
Its advantages were embraced for five 
years thereafter. Glowing descriptions of 
the fertility of the soil of the Territory of 
Iowa, and the salubriety of its climate, 
were found iii the newspapers of that day. 



^fv 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-l$* 



The western fever took hold of him, as it 
dill most of the young men of the east, 
who indulged visions of the bright future. 
Provided with means sufficient to purchase 
a section of government land, in October 
of 1839, he started for wLat was then 
styled the far west. The land sales opened 
on the 15th of November.' Shortly after 
that date, he reached Burlington, where 
thousands of speculators and land-seekers 
for homes had congregated. The first 
settlers, denominated "squatters," appre- 
hensive their claims would be bouglit from 
under them by greedy land sharks, had 
petitioned President Van Hurcn to post- 
pone the sales three years, to enable them 
to make money to pay for their selected 
homesteads. An order came agreeable to 
their wishes. Thus, he was disappointed 
in securing the desired basis for a large 
farm, near Mt. Pleasant, in Henry county. 
In company with a Mr. Thomas Isett, then 
a land agent, subseijuently a wealthy bank- 
er, he wentacross the county to Muscatine. 
It was then an insignificant plain. The ap- 
proach of winter warned him to enter upon 
ills home-bound journey. Twelve miles 
above that embryo city, he passed the 
.Mississippi in a skiff, slung his valise over 
his shoulders and set out to traverse the 
great slates of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, 
on foot. The day before Christmas, he 
reached his destination, having averaged 
nearly 40 miles per day. This long pedes- 
trian trip, gave him an insight into the 
condition of the west, that could have been 
acquired in no other way. He saw it as it 
was, and not as silly tourists or interested 
land owners had represented it. The incon- 
veniences and palpable hardships, the 
inhabitants then encountered, convinced 



him that years had to elapse before it could 
be the scene of many of the comforts of 
life. He therefore, concluded to strive 
to get the mental training, so ardently 
longed for, while growing up to manhood. 
Midway of the summer of 1840, he pro- 
posed to his father to take as his share of 
his estate, funds enough to bear his ex- 
penses through a course in Dickinson 
College, at Cai'Hsle, in his native State. 
On the 15th of September, he entered the 
preparatory school, and graduated on the 
10th of July 1845. On a merit roll, extend- 
ing over the four years in the College 
proper, he was accorded the speaking of 
the valedictory of his class, numbering 
43, when Freshmen, and 22, when they 
received their diplomas. He never missed 
a recitation, or failed in any duty assigned. 
On the recommendation of the Faculty, 
he was chosen principal of the Hillsboro 
Male Academy, on the eastern shore of 
Maryland. Malarial fever, followed by 
the tertian ague, disgusted him with that 
otherwise delightful locality. At that 
era, in the Gulf States, high wages were 
paid to teachers competent enough to pre- 
pare the sons of the rich for the higher 
Institutions of learning. Attracted by such 
inducements and impelled by a desire to 
see that sunny region, in January 1847, he 
went to Mississippi. Through the influ- 
ence of Bishop R. Payne of the M. E. 
South, to whom he had letters, he procured 
a situation to instruct the children of 
half a score of wealthy planters, in Monroe 
county, of that State, at a good salary. 
Nearly all these large slave-holders moved 
the next winter, to Aberdeen, the county 
seat. They persuaded the teacher that 
succeeded in pleasing, to go with them and 



-7^=^ 



r 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



establish an independent classical school 
in that city of over 5,000 inhabitants. In 
.latuiary, 1S.51, he was elected Principal of 
the Aberdeen Male Academy, which posi- 
tion he tilled, to the satisfaction of the 
])atrons and Trustees, until the middle of 
May, 185.3, when he resigned to go with 
his family to Lee county, Illinois, where 
SI line years previous, he had purchased a 
half section of prairie. During the balance 
of that year, and the two succeeding, he 
devoted his energies exclusively to farm- 
ing. The extension of the Chicago N. W. 
R. R. to the Father of Waters, made land 
in the Rock river valley quite valuable. 
With the intention of practicing law, 
which he had studied, while teaching, and 
had been admitted to the bar, in Missis- 
sippi, he sold his farm, and in April, 1856, 
moved to Vinton, Benton county, Iowa. 
The slavery agitation then began to be in- 
tense. The Republican party the year 
before had gained control of this State 
under Gov. Grimes. The subject of this 
sketch had seen slavery in all its deformi- 
ties, and so ingrained in his mind was the 
hatred of it, that he welcomed the oppor- 
tunity to engage in the contest, which he 
felt would terminate only with its extin- 
guishment. To help show up its enormi- 
ties, he bought a half interest in the Vinton 
Eagle. During 1856, and part of 1857, he 
edited its political columns. At the Repub- 
lican county convention, in August of that 
year, he was nominated unanimously for 
County Judge. Ilis opponent, Hon. Samuel, 
was the incumbent. De^spite of the pat- 
ronage he wielded, and the fact that the 
usual Democratic majority exceeded 300, 
Douglas had barely fifty of a margin. The 
]>resent school law of this State was adopt- 



ed in the winter of 1858. Mr. Dysart was 
chosen at the special election, in April, 
County Superintendent, without opposition. 
At the end of two years, he declined a re- 
election, as the duties were incompatible 
with his law business. Hon. Thomas 
Drummond, State Senator, from IJenton 
and Tama counties, in March 1801, resign- 
ed to accept a Lieutenancy in the Regular 
army A special election was ordered in 
April to fill his unexpired term. The 
Republicans nominated Mr. Dysart for his 
successor. He was elected, and took his 
seat at the extra session of the Legislature 
in May, convened to arm the State. He 
was in Des Moines all the long session of 
1862, and the extra one, called in Septem- 
ber to accept the Agricultural College land 
grant, and appropriate money to eijuip ten 
mpre regiments of Iowa soldiers to help 
crush the rebellion. Litigation almost 
ceased during the war. Lawyers had to 
turn their attention to other matters. A 
good portion of the summer of 1862, he 
spent working on his Tama county farm, 
which he commenced to improve in 1858, 
expecting some day to settle thereon, per- 
manently. He and family concluded to move 
thither in June, 1863, and have resided 
there ever since. That fall, his neighbors 
decided he must represent them on the 
Board of Supervisors. He served six years 
in succession on the Board of 21 members. 
In 1876, he was put on the Board of three 
members, and served four years more. He 
is now on another three years term. At 
the October election of 1869, he was 
chosen State Senator for Poweshiek and 
Tama counties for four years. In 1873, 
on a ticket with Gov. Carpenter, he was 
elected Lieul-Govcrnor of low.n. He pre- 



Tla p" 



» "V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



sided over the Senate of the ]5th General 
Assembly in 1874, an^ in January 1876, 
returned to Des Moines to organize that 
of the 16th, and pass the gavel to his 
successor, Lieut. -Gov. Newbold. 

(tov. Dysart was married in Pickens 
county, Alabama, in October, 1849, to Miss 
Esther E. Wayne,born in Georgetown, South 
Carolina. They have four children alive — 
Wayne J., Paul Ivan, Estella V. and May 
Alberta Dysart. The last named is the 
youngest and now in her fifteenth year. 

ATTORNEY-GESERAI,. 

Isaac L. Allen, of Tama county, was 
elected to this office November 8, 1864. 
His term commenced January 2, 1865, and 
he resigned one year later. Prior to this 
he had been District Attorney for this 
district for a h.ng time. He was a native 
of Vermont, locating at Toledo, Tama 
county, in an early day, and engaging in 
the practice of his profession. For a 
number of years he was in partnership 
with Hon. George R. Struble, the present 
Speaker of the House. Shortly after his 
resignation as Attorney-General he went 
to Marion, and finally, his mind having 
become affected, was placed in the insane 
asylum, where he died. He was a man of 
great ability, a sharp, shrewd lawyer, a 
powerful s]>eaker and a true friend. 

SUPREME COURT REPORTER. 

At the general election in the fall of 
1882, Hon. E. C. Ebersole, of Toledo, 
was elected Reporter of the Supreme 
Court of Iowa. Mr. Ebersole is a member 
of the law firm of Ebersole & Willett, 
Toledo and Tama City, and is among the 
leading attorneys of the county. (See bar 
chapter.) 



COLLECTOR OF INTERNAL REVENUE. 

Col. John Connell, who was Revenue 
Collector for the Fourth District for many 
years, is a resident of Toledo and is among 
the earliest settlers of Tama county. 
John Connell is a native of Paisley, Scot- 
land, born on the 16th of Marct, 1823. 
His father was a manufacturer of shawls 
and like goods, and in 1831, the whole 
family removed to America, the father 
engaging in the manufacture of carpets in 
Norwich, Connecticut. A few years later 
Mr. Connell, Sr., commenced work for 
Gov. Buckingham, of Connecticut, and 
continued in his employ uutil 1852, when 
the family removed to Iowa and located 
in Tama county. John located upon a 
quarter section of land in Buckingham 
township. He was here a prominent factor 
in the organization of the county, and was 
instrumental in having the township 
named Buckingham in honor of the Gov- 
ernor of that name, who came to Iowa to 
visit the family. In 1854, John was elected 
lo the Iowa Legislature by the Whigs, but 
on reporting at Iowa City, found that 
l)arty defunct, and from that day he has 
acted with the Republicans. He remained 
upon his farm in Buckingham township 
until he had spent what money he had, 
and then, in 1855, he removed to Toledo. 
Before leaving Wolf Creek, however, in 
company with Jonas P. Wood and William 
1). Hitchner, he erected one of the first 
saw mills in Tama county ; but to him it 
did not prove a financial success. Upon 
his arrival at Toledo, with John Zehrung, 
he followed mercantile pursuits for about 
one year ; was interested in the erection 
of a grist mill, and finally, went into the 



-7^^ 



•F 



HISTORY OF TAMA COXJNTY. 



real cstutu husiiK'ss, wliiuli he followed 
until tlie breaking out of tlie war, when 
he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel 
of the 28th Infantry on September 1 C, 
180:2 ; and on the Uth of the following 
]\Iarcii was promoted to full Colonelcy of 
ills regiment, Colonel W. E. Miller having 
resigned before reaching the field. Col. 
Connell ])articipated with his regiment in 
all their principal engagements, as will be 
seen by reading the history of it in 
the war chapter. In the engagement at 
Sabine Cross Roads, Col. Connell was 
wounded, losing his left arm; while he was 
falling back with his regiment they came 
to a battery blocked up in the road, and 
stoj)|)ing, they tried to extricate it, but the 
enemy pressed them so closely that nearly 
all the men retired, leaving the Colonel 
still at work. He did not observe his men 
wlieu they left, but looking up an instant 
after, saw them retiring and prepaaed to 
follow. Before starting, he turned round, 
and stooping, looked through the brush to 
see how near the enemy had approached. 
That instant a shot struck him. As he 
stooped his left hand was resting on his 
hip, which threw his elbow up. The ball 
struck him above the elbow and passed 
down through the joint, fracturing it 
severely. He then tried to run, but be- 
came 80 faint he was obliged to rest, when 
the enemy coming up captured him. He 
was retained a prisoner until the following 
.lune, when he was paroled and sent within 
iiiir lines. He never went back to service 
willi his regiment, but met them at Carrol- 
ton, Louisana, and his reception is thus 
recorded: "The .Colonel stepped from 
the car with an armless sleeve hanging 
from Ids left shoulder, wnich but too plain. 



ly suggested the past. He was introduced 
to the regiment by Major Meyer, and was 
received by the regiment with an expres- 
sion of that unmistakable affection and 
enthusiasm with which soldiers always 
regard a true man." 

After this unfortunate loss of an arm. 
Col. Connell went to Washington and was 
engaged on Court Martial duty from 
November, 1&64, until March, 1865, wheu 
he resigned and returned to his f.araily in 
Toledo. He declined a number of other 
government appointments offered him, and 
in NoTcmber, 1865, accepted that of As- 
sessor of Internal Revenue, which he held 
until May, 1873, when that office was abol- 
ished by law, and he was then retained as 
Collector of the Fourth Revenue District, 
which position he filled until May, 1883. 
The district embraced seventeen counties 
in the southern part of the State, and the 
headquarters of Collector were at Burling- 
ton. 

Col. Connell was married in 185C to 
Sarah C. Graham. In personal appear- 
ance, the Colonel is fine looking. He has 
a large, good form, sandy hair and florid 
complexion. His countenance wears a 
frank, intelligent and unassuming expres- 
sion, and his manners are gentlemanly and 
always courteous. 

RAILROAD COMMISSIONER. 

Hon. James Wilson, of Tama county, 
held the position of Railroad Commission- 
er of Iowa for a number of years. He is 
a native of Scotland, but came to America 
svhen young, and at an early day settled 
in Tama county. He still lives upon a 
farm a short distance from Traer. He has 
served the Fifth Congressional District 
two terms as Rejnx'sentative in Congress, 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



J£u 



and was nominated for a third. He is a 
ready and tiiient speaker, and a sound and 
lionorable man of whom the county may 
well be proud. 

GOVERNMEXT CLERKSHIP. 

T. J. Staley who is mentioned frequently 
in this volume, was for a long time a clerk 
in the Treasury Department of Wash- 
ington. 

SPEAItER OF TIIE HOUSE. 

Tama county has furnished two Speakers 
of the Lower House of the General Assem- 
bly of Iowa. Hon. James Wilson, of 
Traer, occupied the Speaker's chair from 
IsTl to 1873. 

Hon. George R. Struble, of Toledo, 
occupied the Speaker's chair during the 
years 1882 and 188.3. 

MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMIiLY. 

The Fourth General Assembly convened 
at Iowa City, December 6, 1852, and ad- 
journed January 24, 1853. At this time 
Tama county though unorganized, with 
Linn and Benton counties constituted one 
district and was represented in the Senate 
by Isaac M. Preston, and in the House 
by A. F. Stedman and John McArthur. 

The Fifth General Assembly convened 
at Iowa City, on December 4, 1854, and 
adjourn d January 26, 1855 ; also con- 
vened in extra session July 2, 1866, and 
adjourned July 16, 1856. Isaac M. Pres- 
ton was still Senator. The Representa- 
tive was Hon. .John Connell, of Bucking- 
ham township, he being the first Assem- 
blyman that Tama county ever furnished. 
He still lives in the county and is noticed at 
length under the head of " Revenue Col- 
lector." At this time' the Senatorial Dis- 
trict embraced the counties of Tama, Linn 



and Benton ; and the Representative Dis- 
trict the counties of Tama, Poweshiek, 
Jasper and Benton ; the latter being num- 
bered 23. 

The Sixth General Assembly convened 
at Iowa City December 1, 1856 and ad- 
journed January 29, 1857. At this time 
Tama county wa- in Senatorial District 
No. 26, comprised of the counties of 
Tama, Poweshiek, .lasper and Marshall, 
represented by .Josiah B. Grinnell, of 
Poweshiek ; a sketch of Mr. Grinnell 
appears in connection with the Congres- 
sional article. The Representative Dis- 
trict comprised Tama, Benton and Mar- 
shall counties and was represented by 
Delos Arnold. Arnold still lives in Mar- 
shalltown, and was the State Senator from 
that district, in 1883. 

The Seventh General Assembly con- 
vened at Pes Moines January 11, 1858, 
and adjourned March 23, 1858. At this 
time Tama county, with Poweshiek, 
Jasper and Marshall was represented in 
the Senate by Josiah B. Grinnell. Tama 
and Marshall were together as the 18th 
Representative District, and were Repre- 
sented by T. Walter Jackson, of Toledo. 
Mr. .Jackson was a lawyer practicing in 
Tama county, and is noted in the Bar 
Chapter. He was recognized as the most 
able speaker in the House. 

The Eighth General Assembly convened 
at Des Moines January 8, 1860, and ad- 
journed April 3, 1860 ; al.so convened in 
extra session May 15, 1861, and ad- 
journed May 29, 1861. Tama and 
Benton counties made up the 35th Sena- 
torial District and were represented by 
Thomas Drummond, of Vinton, who had 
been elected in 1859 for the full term of 






fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



four years. He was au editor and lawyer, 
and made a good representative. He re- 
signed in March 1861, went to the war as 
Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth Iowa 
Cavalry, and was killed. In the Lower 
House, Tama county was well represented 
by Abram Tompkins, who is still a resi- 
dent of Otter Creek township. A sketch 
of Mr. Tompkins is appended : 

Abram Tompkins is a native of the 
State of New York, born on the 23rd day 
of September, 1811. His parents, Cor- 
nelius and Catharine (Brown) Tompkins, 
were also natives of the same State. 
Abram being the son of a poor man he 
received but a limited education. When 
only twelve years of age he left the paren- 
tal roof and hired to some of the neigh- 
bors, and although he received but small 
wages, he supplied his necessary wants, 
and saved a portion of his earnings. In 
1831, he went to Michigan and enlisted 
in the Black Hawk war as aprivate. After 
being discharged from service, on the 20th 
day of November, 1833, he was united in 
marriage with Mary A. Eaton. He con- 
tinued to reside in Michigan until 1853, 
when considering the opportunities in the 
west, he concluded to take up his journey 
toward tlie setting sun. He therefore 
started out in search of a location, and in 
the month of Augustmade selection where 
lie now resides, and soon afterwards 
brought his family to the new home. Mr. 
Tompkins h s always been considered one 
of the most prominent and influential men 
of his township, always taking an inter, 
est in any public enterprise. In politics 
he was first a Whig and since the organi- 
zation of the Republican party ho has 



been one of its number. He has often 
held local offices. Mr. Tompkins is a man 
who makes friends, always pleasant and 
agreeable in his intercourse with all, 
being a loving husband, a kind father, a 
faithful friend and a good neighbor, he 
has the respect of all who know him. He 
has brought up a family of ten children, 
nine of whom are now living, viz: C. M. 
B. F., Catliarine J., now Mrs. Morris 
Hennessay; Sophronia M.,now Mrs.Lathrop 
Meeker; Almira E., now Mrs. Samuel 
Meeker; N. Matilda, now Mrs. W.'P. Soth; 
A.E.Sumner, and Zelpha I., now Mrs. 
E. W. Richards. 

The Ninth General Assembly convened 
at Des Moines January 13, 1862. It also 
convened in extra session September 3, 
1862, and adjourned September 11, 1862. 
Tama was now in the 35th Senatorial Dis- 
trict with Benton county, and was repre- 
sented by Hon. Joseph Dysart of Tama 
county, who has since been Lieutenant 
Governor. Tama county constituted the 
38th Representative District, and was rep- 
resented by Hon. Leander Clark. 

The Tenth General Assembly convened 
at Des Moines January 11, 1864. Tama 
and Benton counties were still together as 
a Senatorial District, and were represented 
by William B. King. Tama county at 
this time comprised the 39th Representa- 
tive District and was represented in the 
House by Phineas Helm. 

William U. King, who was State Senator 
at this time, still lives in Gladbrook. lie 
is a native of Genesee county. New York, 
born May 12, 1812. His parents were 
Stephen and Hannah (Brown) King, the 
former being a^ weaver by trade, and son 



^« 



V"" 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of David King, of Dutchess county, New 
York. Will iam's parents moved to Cayuga 
county, in that State, where they engaged 
in farming, thence to Genesee county, and 
from there to Erie county, where the 
mother died. In 1855, W. B. and family, 
with his his father, came to Tama county 
and settled in Spring Creek township. 
There were nine children in the family — 
Maria, wife of Briggs Alden ; Harriet, 
wife of Joshua Mitchell ; Sallie, now 
Mrs. Helam Taber ; Mary, second wife of 
E. Blakeley ; Hannah, now Mrs. Gordon ; 
Charlotte, deceased, first wife of E. Blake- 
ley ; Kosanna, Orpheus, William B. 
and Samuel T. The subject of this sketch 
received his education in the common 
schools of Orangeville, New York, and 
was afterward principally engaged in 
tilling the soil in summer and lumbering 
in the winter. In 1855, Mr. King came 
to this county, as stated, locating on section 
0-2, of Spring Creek township, where he 
has had 320 acres and now owns a fine 
farm. Mr. King was a member of the 
Board of Supervisors during the war, and 
iH 1864 was elected State Senator from 
his distiict. He has always taken an 
active part in politics, casting his first 
vote for President for Andrew Jackson, 
and voting with the Democratic party 
until the campaign of 1856, when he 
joined the Republican party, voting for 
John C. Fremont. He now affiliates with 
the National Greenback party. In 1839, 
.Mr. King was married to Louisa Kna])p, 
a daughter of Daniel Knapp, of Genesee 
county. New York. They have had four 
children — Alanson T., Angeletta, wife of 
Frank Mechuiu ; Sarah, now Mrs. James 
Robie ; and John W. S. 



The Eleventh General Assembly 
convened at Dcs Moines, January 8, 
1866, and adjourned April 3, 1866. The 
39th Senatorial District was then com- 
posed of Tama and Benton, and was still 
represented by William B. King, of Tama. 
Leander Clark represented the county in 
the Lower House. 

The Twelfth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines in January, 1868. 
James Wilson represented Tarna county 
in the House. 

The Thirteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines in January, 1870. 
James Wilson still represented this county 
in the House. Joseph Dysart represented 
this and Poweshiek county in the Senate. 

The Fourteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at Des Moines in January, 1872. 
James Wilson, who again represented 
this county, was elected Speaker of the 
House. Joseph Dysart was still Senator. 

The Fifteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at DesMoines in January, 1874. 
At this time W. G. Malin was represent- 
ing Tama county in the House, and Di-. 
Conaway of Poweshiek, in the Senate. 

William G. Malin is still a resident of 
Columbia township. He is a native of 
Belmont county, Ohio, where he was born 
March 7, 1833. His parents were Minshall 
and Julia A. (Barton) Malin, both natives 
of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Wil- 
liam's early life was spent on his father's 
farm, and his education was received in 
the district schools of that county. August 
30, 1861, he enlisted in company E, 15th 
Ohio infantry, serving as a non-commis- 
sioned officer. He participated in the 
battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, and 
battle of Stone River; and during the 



~7\' 






-iiji 



±i^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



latter engagement, was wounded so 
severely in the hip by a fragment of a 
shell, that he was compelled to remain in 
a hospital five months before being again 
fit for duty. Subsequently he participated 
in the battle of Liberty Gap; and Septem- 
ber 20, 1863, the battle of Chickamauga, 
where he was wounded and taken pris- 
oner. He spent five months in the prison 
at Richmond, seven months at Anderson- 
ville and a month each at Savannah and 
Miller. He was then paroled, afterwards 
exchanged and January 12, 1805, honora- 
bly discharged from service. In 
the fall of that year he came west 
to Tama county, Iowa, and for a 
number of years was engaged in 
teaching during the winter months and 
farming in Columbia township the balance 
of the year. During the term of 1874, he 
represented his district in the Legislature, 
having been elected on the Anti-monopoly 
ticket. He has held several of the local 
offices of trust. On the .30th day of Janu- 
ary, 1868, he was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Anna E. Hutchison, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and a daughter of William T. 
Hutchison, who was born in Jefferson 
county, Ohio. Four children have been 
born to Mr. and Mr». Malin, three of whom 
are living: William H., George N. and 
Lizzie E. The family are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church. 

The Sixteenth General Assembly coi>- 
vened at DesMoines in January, 18'76. 
Ur. Conaway, of Poweshiek, was Senator 
fi-om Tama and Poweshiek counties. G. 
Ja(iua, of Traer, represented Tama county 
in the House. 

The Seventeenth General Assembly con- 



vened in January, 1878, at DesMoines. 
Tama with Poweshiek was represented in 
the Senate by Robert M. Haines, a lawyer 
of Grin n ell. G. Jaqua, of Traer, was 
again serving Tama in the House. He is 
noticed at length in the Press Chapter. 

The Eighteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at DesMoines in January, 1880. 
Robert M. Haines representing Tama and 
Poweshiek counties in the General Assem- 
bly, and George R. Struble served Tama 
county in the House. 

Tha Nineteenth General Assembly con- 
vened at DesMoines on the second jNIon- 
day in January, 1882. At this time Tama 
county was in the 45th Senatorial District, 
associated with Poweshiek, and was repre- 
sented by Hon. A. N. Poyneer. Tama 
constituted the 4oth Representative Dis- 
trict and was represented by George R. 
Struble, who was elected Speaker of tlie 
House. He made one of the best presid- 
ing ofiicers the General Assembly has 
ever had. 

Hon. A. N Poyneer, was elected Sena- 
tor to represent Tama and Poweshiek 
counties in 1881. He is a native of Salis- 
bury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, was 
born on the 29th day of July, 1831. His 
father, David R. Poyneer, was a native of 
Columbia county. New York, and served 
as a soldier in the war of 1812. He sub 
sequently resided at Salisbury, Connecti- 
cut, until about 1800, and in 1862 he came 
to Iowa to spend his remaining days with 
his son, the subject of this sketch. His 
death occurred in January, 1881, he having 
reached the advanced age of ninety-two 
years. Polly (Moore) Poyneer, the 
mother of A. N. Poyneer, was a 
native of Salisbury, Connecticut, where 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



463 



shu resided until 1&60; then came « est and 
after 1862 lived with her son. Her death 
took place in ISTS. She reared three chil- 
dren, Edward M., Hannah S., now Mrs. 
Dr. Clinton Helm, of Rockford, Illinois; 
and Alfred N., who is the subject of this 
sketch. Alfred was reared on a farm, 
was given advantages so that he ac- 
quired a good common school education, 
then taught school for a few years, after 
which he acted as traveling salesman and 
collector for an eastern manufacturing 
house until 1861, when he came to Iowa, 
and at once settled on section 5 of High- 
land township, where he had previously 
purchased nearly 400 acres. He made 
this his home until the spring of ISII, 
since which time he has lived in the vil- 
lage of Montour. Mr. Poyneer now owns 
800 acres of land and is exten.sively en- 
gaged in stock farming. In politics he 
was reared a Democrat and adhered to 
that faith uutil the breaking out of the re- 
bellion, since which time he has been an 
active worker in the Republican i-anks. 
He has held various local offices and for 
many years was a member of the County 
Board of Supervisors. During this time 
he formed a large acquaintance and as he 
was an efficient officer he was held in the 
highest esteem throughout the county. He 
makes an active worker in the General 
Assembly and is making a record honor- 
able to himself and satisfactory to his con- 
stituents. Mr. Poyneer has been twice 
married. In August, 1859, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Lucy J. Todd, 
daughter of Alfred and Mary A. Todd, of 
St. Joseph cmmty, Michigan. She died 
in February, 1878, leaving two daughters, 
Gertrude A. and Lucy May. In June, 



1880, he married Miss Lizzie Frantz, 
daughter of Joshua and Matilda Frantz, 
of Highland township, Tama county. Mr. 
Poyneer is a gentleman with unblemished 
character, who is courteous to all. He is 
a good financier and an excellent manager 
in public as well as private affairs. He 
takes a great interest in educational mat- 
ters and in fact anything tending to better 
the welfare of man. His home, situated 
in the south part of the village of Mon- 
tour, is surrounded with all conveniences. 

COUNTY JUDGE. 

This was the principal office of the 
county in early days. The Judge had 
charge of many matters which are now 
attended to by the Auditor, the Circuit 
Court, Clerk of Court and Board of Super- 
visors. At the time the county was tem- 
porarily organized, while preparing for 
permanent organization, an election was 
held and the first Judge of Tama county 
was elected in the person of Dr. Tall- 
man Chase. This election was held in 
March, 18.53 Tallman Chase was a native 
of Ohio and came to Tama county in 1853, 
settling with his large family upon a 
farm in the northwestern part of Toledo 
township. He was a fairly educated man, 
and was by profession a physician, having 
practiced in his native State, and com- 
menced it soon after his arrival in Tama 
county. He was a follower of the teach- 
ings of the old Whig party, yet did not 
take much interest in political matters, 
and even after being elected to the office 
of County Judge did not qualify. He was 
quite an old man at the time and only re- 
mained in the county three or four years 
when he returned to Ohio, where he has 
since died. 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



In August, 1853, at the election which 
permanently organized the county, John 
C. Vermilya was elected County Judge 
and was the first to qualify and serve in 
that capacity. In 1855 he was re-elected 
and served until January, 1858. His 
house was used as a court house, until one 
was prepared, and travelers coming 
through would always stop there; but he 
never charged them anything. A per- 
sonal sketch of him is appended: 

Judge John C. Vermilya, is a native of 
the Empire State and was born in Dela- 
ware county on the 11th day of Septem- 
ber, 1803. His parents were Ed- 
ward and Johanna (Wright) Vermilya, 
natives of New York. Shortly after his 
birth the family removed to Duchess 
county, New York, and in 1818 to Wash- 
ington county, Indiana, settling at Salem, 
the county seat of that county. About 
six months after their settlement the father 
and mother died, leaving John C. to pro- 
vide for himself. During the early part 
of this century the common schools did 
not afford the advantages for learning that 
they now possess, and as the subject of 
our sketch was unable to attend any other 
schools than those, his education was 
necessarily quite limited. At the age of 
sixteen he began learning the hatter's 
trade, which occupation he followed until 
1834, when he turned his attention to 
agriculture. Although his early life was 
spent in villages, he nevertheless had a 
short experience in farming. Upon one 
occasion while visiting his grandfather, 
John was induced to help the old gentle- 
man hoe corn; while at work the dinner- 
horn sounded and they started on a race 
for the house. Although the grandfather 



was eighty-six years of age, he put young 
Vermilya to the blush, by reaching the 
house first. In 1849, in company with 
Rezin A. Redman, Mr. Vermilya made a 
trip to 'lama county, Iowa, and located 
land in Tama township. Shortly after, he 
returned to Indiana, where he remained 
until 1852, at which time he again came 
to this county, settled on his farm, and im- 
mediately began the erection of a log 
stable, which, when completed, his family 
lived in for a couple of months. During 
the first season here, he raised twenty- 
eight acres of sod corn and turnips. 
In politics Mr. Vermilya was originally a 
Whig and joined the Republican parly 
upon its organization. Since 1858, al. 
though taking a deep interest in political 
affairs, he has cared to figure but slightly 
in politics himself. During his official 
career, he did much towards building up 
and organizing the county, and for 
his time and labor received but small 
recompense. In 1878, the Judge built a 
fine residence east of Tama City, at a 
cost of §8,000, which is one of the sub- 
stantial farm residences of Tama county. 
He is one of those men whom to know is 
to esteem; he has a lai'ge and admiring 
circle of friends in Tama county; and of 
his kindness and benevolence all sjieak in 
tile highest terms of praise. Many of 
the early settlers will ever cherish in their 
hearts a warm place for him, who so 
kindly aided them in their pioneer life. 
He has long been a member of the 
Masonic fraternity. His first marriage 
was in 1823, with Miss Catharine .Murplij-, 
of Jackson county, Indiana. She 
died and_ Mr. Vermilya subsei|uenily 
married Miss Mary Ann Carter, wiio bore 



$]a 



»|V 



jjf 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



him four children, two of whom are living. 
One is the wife of J. G. Strong, of Britt, 
Iowa, and the other, the wife of A. L. 
Brooks, of Tama county. His second wife 
died in 1870. During ISIl he was 
joined in wedlock with his present wife, 
who was Miss Mary Ann Carpenter, a 
native of Devonshire, England. 

At the August election, in 1857, Leander 
Clark was elected County Judge, to succeed 
John C. Vermilya. After serving his 
term of two years, he was re-elected, and 
tilled the otMce until he resigned, and was 
succeeded by John Allen in 18U1. Judge 
Clark made an able, careful and efficient 
oflicer, and has been one of the most promi- 
nent factors in aiding the development 
and progress of Tama county. The follow- 
ing is a brief sketch of his life : 

Colonel Leander Clark was born in 
Wakeman, Huron county, Ohio, on the 
17th of July, 182.3. His parents. Dr. Har- 
mon M. Clark and Laura (Downs) Clark, 
emigrated to Wakeman in 1818, coming 
with teams fr m Connecticut. They were 
the fourth family who settled in Wake- 
man township, the whole country at that 
time being an unbroken wilderness. Dr. 
Clark practiced medicine in Huron county 
for over forty years, and while practicing 
liis profession, owned a farm and here his 
family were reared, Leand r being the 
second in a family of three boys and one 
girl. Leander attended the common 
schools, doing what work he could on the 
farm until about twenty, and completed 
his education in the preparatory depart- 
ment of Oberlin College. He remained 
with his parents until twenty-three years 
of age, went to Port Washington, Wis- 
consin, in 1846, spending nearly three 



years there in surveying, and in a drug 
store owned by his elder brother, Dr. P. 
H. Clark, besides occupying the position 
of Deputy Sheriff for a time. In 1849, he 
started across the plains with the great 
rush of gold seekers. His party started 
early in April with ox teams, and did not 
arrive in Sacramento City until late in 
November. They drove their oxen through 
as far as Salt Lake City, and there traded 
them for horses, with which the journey 
was completed. The trip was very hard, 
and they were at times almost destitute, 
living much of the way on game, and when 
they could find no game, were compelled 
to fast. Indeed, so desperate had their 
condition become, that many a poor fellow 
would have been left in the mountains to 
perish, had it not been for the timely aid 
sent out by the government to assist them 
over the Sierras. While in California, Mr. 
Clark was engaged in mining, and packing 
and trading with varied success, his busi- 
ness being conducted in the vicinity of 
Shasta City and Yreka, and between those 
places. In a few years he accumulated 
between three and four thousand dollars, 
and in July, 1852, returned to the States 
by way of Isthmus of Panama. He then 
traveled aijd prospected for sixteen or 
eighteen months, and in the spring of 1854, 
entered land in Geneseo and Buckingham 
townships, Tama county, Iowa, building a 
saw mill in the latter township, four miles 
from the village of Traer, although the 
greater portion of his land was in Geneseo 
In 1855, Mr. Clark was elected Justice of 
the Peace of Buckingham township, and 
was re-elected in April, 1857. This same 
year he was elected County Judge of Tama 
county, and resigning his township oftiee 



't 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



lie removeil to Toledo, the county seat, to 
enter upon the duties of the higher offiee. 
After holding tlie office of County Judge, 
hy re-election, nearly four years, he resign- 
ed and returned to the farm. In 1861, he 
was elected to the Lower House of the 
General Assembly, and served in the regu- 
lar session in the early part of 1862. In 
the following August, he resigned, and 
enlisted as a private in the 24th Iowa 
Infantry, and was soon after elected 
Ca])tain of company E, which rendez- 
voused at Muscatine. While the regiment 
was at that place, Mr. Clark attended the 
extra session of the Legislature, heartily 
endorsing and supporting every war 
measure of that body. In October, the 
regiment went into the field, and Capt. 
Clark accompanied it for nearly three 
years, i)articipating in all its engagements 
but one or two. In September, 1864, he 
w:is jironioted, and, as Major, continued 
with Ills regiment until January, 1865, 
when he was made Lieutenant-Colonel. 
At the battle of Champion Hill, Missis- 
sippi, May 16, 1863, he was wounded in the 
face by a small ball, which has never been 
extracted. He was also slightly wounded 
at the battle of Winchester, Virginia ; it 
proved nothing serious however. He was 
mustered out of service with his regiment 
in August, 1865, at the close of the war. 
Persons who served under Col. Clark in 
the gallant 24th, give him iredit for being 
a brave officer, never absent from duty, 
and never ijuailing in the thickest of the 
tight. Returning to Tama county in the 
Autumn of 1865, Mr. Clark was again 
elected to the Lower House of the General 
Assembly, serving one term. He was 
chairman of the committee on claims, and 



"did inij)ortant work on other committees, 
faithfully performing all the duties laid 
upon him, and remembering always his 
duty to his constituents. On the 1st of 
July, 1866, he was appointed Indian Agent 
of the Sac and Fox Indians, serving in this 
capacity until relieved by Lieut. Frank D. 
Garretty, U. S. A., July 10, 1869. He was 
again appointed to this position, October 
5, 1870, and held the same until Septeml)er, 
18T2, when Rev. A. A. Howbert was 
appointed to take his place. Mr. Clark is 
the President of the Toledo Savings l>ank, 
having been re-elected to that position at 
every annual election since the organiza- 
tion of that institution. The Bank is organ- 
ized under the State laws, and is becoming 
very popular. Aside from his interest in 
the bank, and other property in the city, 
he owns large tracts of land in Tama, 
Franklin, Buena Vista and O'Brien 
counties, owning a consideiable part of 
the town plat of Sioux Rapids, in the third 
named county. He was also one of the 
original proprietors of the towns of Glad- 
brook and Garwin, of Tama county. Mr. 
Clark has been quite successful in his land 
and other operations, and is one of the 
largest land owners in the county. He has 
one of the finest residences in Toledo, 
centrally located on an acre and a quarter 
lot, which has an abundance of shade and 
fruit trees, and other arboreal adornments. 
In politics. Col. Clark was originally a 
Whig, but has been a Republican since 
the formation of that party. He is a 
member of the A. F. and A. M. Frater- 
nity, of Toledo Blue Lodge. In religious 
sentiments he inclines towards Congrega- 
tionalism. He is ■ generous hearted, kind 
to the poor, obliging to all classes, cordial 



^r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



hL. 



and gentlemanly, and a liberal entertainer. 
His wife was Miss Maria A. Baker, of 
Toledo, their union dating February 14, 
1807. Colonel Clark has seen his share of 
pioneer life, has "roughed it" in Wisconsin 
and Iowa, at an early day ; "roughed it" 
over the Bison's home and in California ; 
"roughed it" nearly three years in the 
"tented field" in the defense of his country; 
yet he has always taken good care of him- 
self, and is to-day one of the best preserved 
men in Tama county. 

As stated, John Allen was appointed to 
fill the unexpired term, and was elected in 
the fall of 1861. Allen was a native of 
Vermont, and came west in 1855, settling 
near the Redman Four Corners with his 
family, and engaged at farming. About 
1800, he removed to the county seat and 
followed merchandizing, and made his 
home there until he left the county in 
June, 186:3. He was a man of very fair 
education ; was naturally smart, quick 
witted and intelligent, and made a genial 
and popular officer. He came of a good 
family, and from 1864 to 1865 his brother, 
Isaac L. Allen, was Attorney-General of 
this State. John Allen is now living in 
Medina, N. Y., having left Tama county 
in June, 1862, before his term of office had 
expired. 

In June, 1862, T. F. Bradford was ap- 
pointed by the Board of Supervisors, to fill 
the vacancy, occasioned by the removal 
and resignation of Allen. He served until 
the ensuing general election. He was a 
lawyer by profession, and is noticed at 
length in the chapter upon the bar. 

At the general election in October, 1862, 
T. A. Graham was elected County Judge, 
and served for one year. 



In October, 186.'!, T. F. Bradford was 
elected to the office of County Judge. He 
only served a few months, when he re- 
signed, and went to Tennessee to enlist in 
the army. 

T. A. Gr.aham was appointed the succes- 
sor of Judge J5radford, in 1864, was 
elected to the office and served until Jan- 
uary, 1868. The following short sketch 
of his life he wrote at the request of his 
wife : 

" I was born in the town of Kortright, 
in the State of New York, on the, 13th 
day of January, 1819, of Scotch parent- 
age ; raised on a farm. My father was a 
farmer of small means. In the spring of 
1831, myparents moved to West Meredith, 
same county, and resided there three 
years, thence to the town of Erie, New 
York, where I followed the family in the 
fall of 1834. In the winter of 1834-35 I 
commenced teaching in the public school, 
and followed it for a livelihood in winter 
for six or seven winters. In 1840, I 
learned the carpenter trade, and followed 
carpentering almost exclusively in sum- 
mer, until the fall of 1844, when I moved 
west, to Aurora, 111. I stayed in or near 
Aurora about eight months, and then pur- 
chased a piece of government land about 
four miles from Plainfield, 111. I lived on 
this farm three years, when I sold it, and 
bought a grocery in Plainfield, and was 
postmaster under General Taylor's admin- 
istration for a few months. The business 
not agreeing with my health, I sold out, 
and resumed the carpenter trade, until I 
moved to Iowa, in September, 1853. Soon 
after coming to Toledo I was much sought 
after as a carpenter. I assisted in build- 
ing the first frame house in Tama county, 



T 



468 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and lived in it one winter. I built a log 
cabin on Salt Creek, about a mile north of 
Irving, which is .still .standing. In 1854, 
I built the court house in Toledo, which is 
still standing, and used as a dwelling and 
a meat market. We then hauled all our 
tinishing lumber and shingles a distance 
of 10.5 miles. At that time, our nearest 
cxiiress office was Muscatine, and our 
nearest postoffice at Marengo, thirty-five 
miles distant. At Toledo I opened a real 
estate agency in 18.54, and continued in 
that business until 1867. I omitted to 
state in tlie proper place, that I was mar- 
ried in March, 1844, to Katharine D. Neish, 
of Erie, N. Y., and lived with her until 
March 4, 1863, when she departed this 
life. On the 28th day of January, 1864, 
I was married to Lucy Ellen Farrar, who 
is still living. In May, 1861, I was ap- 
l)<)inted postmaster under Abraham Lin- 
coln, and held the office about nine years, 
when I resigned. In 1864, 1 was appointed 
County Judge, by the Board of Supervisors, 
to fill a vacancy, and afterwards twice 
elected to the same office, having held the 
position about six years. 

Judge Graham died at his residence in 
Toledo, December 13, 1882. The Toledo 
(Jhroiiich thus speaks of him : 

Some two years previous, and up to the 
time of his death, he was actively engaged 
in the Land Loan Agency. Having come 
to Toledo at an early day, he assisted 
greatly in laying the foundation of Tama 
county, in whose interests he labored 
untiringly. He was recognized through- 
out the county as one of its most promi- 
nent and useful citizens. Being a man of 
such large public spirit, universal esteem 
kept e(iual pace with notable popularity. 



His hos])itality, his generosity, his kind- 
ness of heart, were characteristics which 
marked him as a man. His door was 
always open. Ilis table always free to 
those especially who might have occasion 
to apply to him for assistance in any way 
— which kindness is best appreciated by 
strangers in a strange land ; by those who 
battle with privation and hardship in the 
first settlement of a new country and inci- 
dental to frontier life. He was generous 
to the extreme. His hand was ever ready 
to assist in any worthy enterprise, and 
where money was often needed, while tlie 
poor have often been the benificiaries of 
his unlimited benevolence, in many cases 
ignorant of the giver, and left only to 
thank the Father of Love. The testi- 
mony of many is, "He has been kind to 
me. " He possessed the peculiar faculty 
for making a j)lace in his heart for every 
one, and all could go to him and feel that 
in him they could find a friend. There 
was no want of sympathy for any who 
might be in trouble or bereaved. The 
little children in the community know 
well what it was to receive his notice and 
attention. 

Another trait in his character, was his 
forgiving spirit. No matter how severe 
the injury directed to him, it was passed 
over or forgotten, and not one thought of 
malice remained, nor a cherished ill 
toward any body. He was a consistent 
christian, ever faithful in his religious 
duties ; always at the prayer meetings, 
whenever health would permit. One 
significant fact in connection with his death 
is, that just as the church bells were to 
announce the hour for the usual weekly 
evening prayer-meeting, his spirit took its 



'C a" 



^c_^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



flight to the church on High, there to 
worship a visible Savior, and join in an 
everlasting song of praise around the 
throne. 

In October, lS6i, Maj. Thomas S. Free 
was elected County Judge, and served 
until the office was abolished by law in 
1869. At this time the office of 

COUNTY AUDITOR 

was created, and the County Judge was 
made ex-officio Auditor. Thus Thomas S. 
Free was the first. Auditor of Tama 
county. In October, 1869, he was elected 
to the office, was re-elected in 1871, and 
served until January, 18'i'4. Thomas S. 
Free was born in Ohio, where he resided 
with his parents until the spring of 1853, 
when his father and family came west and 
settled near Toledo, in Tama county. At 
this time Thomas was a lad of but thirteen 
summers, and coming t ■ a new country 
where schools were few and far between, 
his opportunity for education was some- 
what limited. By hard work, however, he 
managed to keep himself at school, and 
in 1860, entered the Iowa State Univer- 
sity. While attending school, the Presi- 
dent issued his call for 100,000 men to go 
to the front. Mr. Free was among the first 
to respond to this call, and immediately 
left school, came home to Toledo, and in 
August, 1861, enlisted in Company C, 
10th Iowa, as a private, and was immedi- 
ately off for war. While in service, not 
many young men were promoted to posi- 
tions of honor as was Free. He was first 
ajipointed Sergeant Major of the 10th 
Iowa, afterwards, in order, to First 
Lieutenant, Adjutant and Major of the 
49th U. S. C. I., served on staff duty as 
Judge Advocate of the District of Miss- 



issippi, afterwards assigned to duty by 
order of the Secretary of War, as Assist- 
ant Inspector General of the State of 
Mississipi^i. Discharged March 22, 1866, 
after being in the service of the United 
States over fiye years, engaging ,in all the 
battles with the 10th Iowa, up to the battle 
of Champion Hills, beside numerous 
others. Then Mr. Free returned home, 
and as stated was elected to office. After 
the expiration of his term, he engaged in 
the practice of law, which he continued 
for some time. In 1881, he removed 
to Sioux Falls, D. T., where he still 
remains. The last few years of his i-esi- 
dence in Tama county, he acted as U. S. 
Indian Agent for the Sac and Fox Indians. 

In October, 1873, J. A. Bowdle was elect- 
ed to succeed Mr. Free. In 1 875, he was re- 
elected, and served until January, 1878. 
Bowdle came here from Illinois about 
1855, and settled upon a farm in Crystal 
township, where he engaged in farming. 
Upon being elected he moved into Toledo. 
He was a man of fair education and a 
good deal of integrity and abijity. Socially 
he was rather peculiar, appearing gruff to 
those not acquainted, but after the 
acquaintance was formed he was very 
genial and pleasant. In appearance Bowdle 
was tall and slim, and while walking, bent 
his head to one side. He was a single 
man ; some of his relatives still live in 
the county, he having removed to Ne- 
braska. 

In 1877, R. G. Mclntire was elected 
County Auditor. In 1879, and 1881, he 
was re-elected. He is a thorough, careful 
and correct official, and is giving excellent 
satisfaction. By profession he is a law- 
yer, and is noted in the Bar eliaj)ter. 



IV 



Ml 



±i^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



TKEASUREK AND RECOEDER. 

When Tama county was organized, these 
two offi(;es were merged together, and the 
business of both was transacted by one 
official. According to the records there 
was no Treasurer and Recorder elected at 
tlie March election in 1853, for the tem- 
jxirary organization of the county. In 
•July, 1853, David F. Bruner, was ap- 
pointed by the county court, to till the 
office until the ensuing election in August. 
He was therefore the first Treasurer and 
Recorder of Tama county. 

D. F. Bruner, one of the pioneens of 
Tama county, was born in Seneca county, 
Ohio, August 28, 1825. He is a son of 
Christian Bruner, who emigrated with his 
parents from Pennsylvania to Fairfield 
county, Ohio, when he was six years old. 
His mother was Rebecca Foust, a native 
of Ohio. Her parents settled in Fairfield 
county before the location of the State 
cai)ital. Mr. and Mrs. C. Bruner were 
the parents of six children, four of whom 
lived to be adults — David F., Jacob, Mary 
A., Margaret, Samuel and Rebecca, 
now deceased. Mrs. Bruner died in De- 
cember, 1832. Mr. Bruner was again 
married to Sophia Lance, widow of John 
Lance. They have had five children, four 
of whom are living — Sophia, Benjamin F., 
Adam and Solomon. In the fall of 1851, 
Christian Bruner emigrated to Iowa, 
and spending his first winter in Johnson 
county, the following spring came to 
Tama county, locating on section 33, of 
Howard township, where he built the first 
saw mill in the county. Here he remained 
until his death, which occurred September 
13, 1858. D. F. Bruner, the subject of 
this sketch, was married in Sandusky 



county, Ohio, February 3, 1850, to Miss 
Catherine Hill, a daughter of George Hill, 
of Maryland, and Margaret Youst, of New 
Jersey. Mr. Bruner came to this State 
and located in Tama county with his 
father. Mr. and Mrs. Bruner have been 
blessed with a family of seven children — 
Benjamin F., Anna E., teacher in the 
Toledo schools; Emily E., wife of A. M. 
Mooro, attorney at law, Toledo ; Laura J., 
Orpha K., Edgar D. and Harry L. M. In 
politics, Mr. Bruner is a Republi- 
can. He was appointed the first County 
Treasurer of Tama county previous to the 
organization of the same, and, as he says, 
carried the office in his hat. He also had the 
office of Assessor and had to travel over 
what is now embraced in nine townships. 
He was Justice of the Peace of Toledo 
township, and at different times has held 
all the other township offices. He is at 
present a trustee of the township. He 
has been engaged in the nursery business 
for twenty-one years, and has the largest 
orchard in the county. 

In August, 1853, John Ross was elected 
artd duly qualified. He was a native of 
Ohio, from which State he came in 1852, 
and with his family, settled ii Toledo. 
He remained in the township i;ntil 1875, 
\rhen he removed to Howard .ownship, 
where he died. A number of his sons are 
still residents of Tama county. Mr. Ross 
was a genial and popular officer, and a 
man of unimpeachable integrity. 

T. J. Staley was the successor of John 
Ross. He was elected in August, 1855. 
Staley came to Tama county, from Ohio, 
with his parents, at an early day, and 
settled in Otter Creek township. About 
1863, the family removed to Missouri, he 



*^- 





'yyi^i^ 



^^__»^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



remaining here for some years thereafter, 
until he received an appointment as clerk 
in one of the government departments at 
Washington. Subsequently, he followed 
the family to Missouri. 

Andrew J. Wheaton was elected Treas- 
urer and Recorder in the fall of 1857 ; re- 
elected in 1859, 186 1, and 1863, serving eight 
consecutive years. Andrew J. Wheaton 
came to Tama county in 1855, locating on 
section 2, township 8.3, range 15, now 
Toledo township, where he entered 261 
acres of land. Mr. Wheaton was born in 
Fleming, Cayuga county, N. Y., Septem- 
ber 9, 1829. His parents were Andrew 
and Content ( Davis ) Wheaton, the former 
a native of Connecticut ; the latter of 
Massachusetts. His father was a farmer 
in Cayuga county, where the subject of 
tiiis sketch was reared, receiving his early 
education in the district schools. The 
father died in 1836 ; the mother in Febru- 
ary, 1839, and the family, consisting of 
three sons and one daughter, remained on 
the old homestead. Andrew J. lived 
there until eighteen years of age, then 
attended Auburn Academy at Auburn, N. 
v., and Red Creek Academy in Wayne 
county. After he was twenty, he taught 
during the winter terms and attended 
school in the summer until he was twenty- 
two ; then followed the profession of 
teaching in Cayuga county, until 1855, at 
which time he came to Tama county. In 
1876, Mr. Wheaton sold a portion of his 
land to the Board of County Supervisors, 
to be used as a Poor Farm, and the 
balance to a brother and sister. He then 
purchased seventy-three acres of land on 
section •J3, adjoining the town of Toledo, 



where he now lives. Aside from this, he 
owns eighty acres of timber land about 
one and a half miles west of Toledo. 
On the 18th of March, Mr. Wheaton was 
joined in marriage with Miss Rebecca P. 
Carpenter, daughter of Isaac and Ann 
( Parkin ) Carpenter, both natives of Eng- 
land. Her father died in Missouri, in 
1839 ; her mother at Auburn, N. Y., in 
the fall of 1856. Mrs. Wheaton was born 
January 1, 1836. They have had three 
children, one daughter of whom is living, 
Mary Gertrude, born February 2, 1860. 
Andrew Garrow, a twin to Mary G., was 
killed by the cars at Kellogg, on the J 0th 
of January, 1880, while he and some 
fellow students were on their return to the 
college at Grinnell. Rebecca Grace, died 
November 26, 1876, lacking but seven 
days of being eleven years of age. In 
politics, Mr. Wheaton is a Republican ; 
has held the office of township Assessor 
and Trustee, and for eight years and five 
months was Treasurer of Tama county as 
stated. He is a tnember of Toledo Lodge 
Xo. 118, A. F. & A. M., being the present 
Secretary of that Lodge. He was also 
Worshipful Master of the Lodge for a 
number of years. Mi-s. Wheaton is a 
member of the Congregational Church of 
Toledo. 

In the winter of 1863-4, an act was 
passed by the General Assembly, dividing 
the two offices, and providing for the 
election of an officer to attend to the 
duties of each separately. 

COUXTY RECORDER. 

In November, 1864, Jacob Yeiser, Jr., 
was elected, and was the first Recorder of 
Tama county. In 1866, he was re-elected 
and again in 1868, serving si.v years in all, 



27 



>^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-* >> 



and making a correct, reliable and satis- 
factory official. The following sketch of 
him was published in the papers at the 
time of his death : 

"Jacob Yeiser, deceased, was born in 
Sandusky county, Ohio, November 23, 
IS41. He came to Toledo, Tama county, 
with his parents, in about 1861, which was 
his home, until his death, which occurred 
on the 14th day of December, 1877. When 
16 years of age, he gave his heart to the 
Savior, at Pleasant Valley, Johnston 
county, this State, under the labors of 
Kev. Mr. Stryker, by whom he was 
received into the M. E. church, in which 
he remained a faithful, useful and honored 
member. On the 7th of September, 
1801, he entered the volunteer service of 
the United States as a member of 
Company F., 1 0th Iowa Infantry. In the 
battle of Mission Ridge, he received the 
wound, which resulted in the loss of his 
limb, and in consequence of which he was 
discharged, November 23, 1864. Early in 
life, Mr. Yeiser gave evidence that he 
possessed in a great degree many of the 
finer and better traits of our human 
nature, and these excellences he retained 
in I is malurer years, and they won for 
him the respect of all who knew him. He 
was a man of strong convictions, of strict 
business, social and Christian integrity ; 
as a citizen he was always amongst the 
foremost in his efforts to do for the inter- 
ests of our town and county. No worthy 
public enteq)rise failed for want of his 
help ; he was always liberal, and generous 
to a fault. As a Christian, he was ever 
ready with his means, his influence, his 
counsels and his prayers to do all that lay 



in his power to help on every effort put 
forth in behalf of the church and for the 
glory of God. All through his long and 
protracted illness, at times painful, almost 
beyond endurance, he maintained his 
courage, his faith and his hope in God. 
He fought a good fight ; he finished his 
course ; he kept his faith, and God took 
him." 

John R. McClaskey, of Toledo, succeed- 
ed Mr. Yeiser as Recorder. He was first 
elected in October, 1870, and being 
re-elected in 1872, served until January, 
1875. He is a native of Indiana, born 
near Darlington, Montgomery county, 
December 15, 1842. His parents, David 
and Mary (Xeely) McClaskey, are 
now living on an improved farm in 
Cedar county, this State, to which 
they moved in the fall of 1851. In Novem- 
ber, 1861, the subject of this sketch enlist- 
ed in Co. A, 1:5th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. 
From Camp McClellan he went South, 
participating in the battles of Pittsburg 
Landing, where he had his collar bone 
broken by a piece of shell ; seige of 
Corinth, luka, second battle of Corinth, 
and was with Sherman and Grant through 
the seige of Vicksburg. At this time 
the whole regiment veteranized, and went 
home on a furlough of thirty days ; then 
returned to the seat of war, landing at 
Clifton, Tennessee ; marched across the 
country and joined Sherman's army at 
Big Shanty. Early in the morning of the 
6th of July, 1864, while on the skirmi.sh 
line crossing the bridge over Nickeryack 
Creek, near Sandtown Ferry, Mr. McClas- 
key was severely wounded in the left 
thigh by a minnie ball. He was at once 
taken to the field hos])ital, where his limb 



7|<s~ — r 



-. ^^' 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



4i5 



was amputated by Dr. Thomas, who had 
charge of the division hospital. From 
there he was taken to Rome, Georgia, 
where he lay suffering intensely until the 
latter part of October ; thence he was 
removed to Chattanooga, Nashville, and 
finally to Evansville, Indiana. Here he 
remained until in March, 1865, when his 
father came and took him to his home in 
Cedar county, Iowa. He remained at 
home about sixty days, then reported at 
the hospital at Camp McClellan and was 
discharged in November, 1865 In 1866, 
Mr. McClaskey came to Tama county, and 
has since made Toledo his home. He was 
married in March, 1866, at Marengo, Iowa 
county, this State, to Margaret M. McClel- 
land, a daughter of Thomas and Ruth 
(IJall) McClelland, natives of Ohio. She 
was born March 18, 1847, in Linn county, 
in this State. They were blessed with 
five children, two of whom are living ; 
John W. and Frankie; Harry, Willie and 
Jule are deceased. Mr. McClaskey was 
called to mourn the loss of his life partner 
on the loth of November, 1880. In politics 
Mr. McClaskey is a Republican. He is at 
present Justice of the Peace and is serving 
on his third term. In 1866, he engaged in 
the drug trade at Blairstown, Iowa, but 
sold out, after running the business about 
nine months. In 1875, Mr. McClaskey 
opened an abstract office in Toledo, and 
sold the same year to P. G. Wieting. 
Mr. McClaskey cast his first presidential 
vote in 1864, for Mr. Lincoln, at Chatta- 
noora, while he was in the hospital, the 
ballot box being brought to his bedside. 
Mr. McClaskey is a man who has been 
tried by the people, and found worthy of 
their respect and confidence. He is well 



read, a man of fine appearance, sociable 
and kind-hearted, and in his business 
relations, has proven himself a man of 
strictest integrity. 

In the fall of 1874, J. 13. M. Bishop, of 
Crystal township, was elected Recorder, 
was re-elected in 1876 and 1878, serving 
until January, 1881. 

John B. M. Bishop, son of Jonathan S. 
and Mary (McGalian) Bishop, was born in 
Logan county, Ohio, June 23, 1845, and 
was in his tenth year when his parents 
came to Iowa. He received the rudiments 
of his education at the district school, and 
subsequently attended the high school at 
'I'oledo. In March, 1864, he enlisted in 
Company F., 28th Iowa Volunteers, went 
South, and joined his regiment at ^lansfield, 
Louisiana. He participated in several 
minor engagements during the Red River 
campaign, and September 19, 1864, was 
wounded at the battle of Winchester. He 
entered the hospital in that town, but after 
some weeks was transferred to Baltimore, 
and thence to Turner's Lane Hospital, 
of Philadelphia, from which he was 
discharged, in May, 1865. He then 
returned home, and in the fall of that year 
entered Iowa College, at Grinnell, where 
he graduated in June, )871. He is at 
l)resent a member of the Board of Trustees 
of Crystal township. He was married, in 
October, 1877, to Alice E., dau^jhler of 
James Loughridge, of Huntsville, Arkan- 
sas. Three children have been born to 
tliem — George L., Edith and Agnes. 

In the fall of 1880, T. E. Warren was 
elected Recorder, and two years later, was 
re-elected. He is a native of Iowa, born 
in Mahaska county, March 27,1851. He 
is a son of Elbert D. and Mary A. (West- 



^i- 



IIISTUKY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Ih^ 



lake) Wairi-ii. When T. E. was less than 
a }'i ar old, his father died, and a few years 
later, his mother followed, and he was 
I)r<)iight up by his grand-parents on his 
mother's side who gave him good educa- 
tional privileges. When eighteen years 
of age, he learned the drug business in 
Oskaloosa, and afterwards came to Tama 
City, where he was employed by H Solo- 
mon, remaining with him some four years. 
Ill the fall of 1880, he was elected as 
County Recorder of Tama county, being 
re-elected "to the same office in the fall of 
18S2. Mr. WaiTen is a good business 
man, a rapid penman and a complete 
master of the official business entrusted to 
him. He was married in April, 1872, to 
.Miss Frances E. Goddard, a daughter of 
(ieorge S. and Mary Goddard, natives of 
New York State, born in 1850. Three 
children bless this union— Minnie E., 
.Maud M., and Lillie E. Mr. Warren is a 
member of the Legion of Honor and 
Knights of Pythias, and in politics is a 
warm supjiorter of the Republican party. 

COUNTY TKEASUEER. 

After the separation of the offices of 
Tvi'asurer and Recorder, A. J. Wheaton 
served for one year in the capacity of 
Treasurer. 

Ill the fall of 186.5, James II. Struble 
was elected Treasurer, and two years 
later was re-elected, serving untilJanuary, 
1870. He came to Tama county, from 
]\Iorrow county, Ohio, in 1861, and a few 
year.s later became deputy, under A, J. 
Wheaton, wiere he remained until elected. 
In 1867, he was married to Miss Annette 
Woodward. Shortly after the expiration 
of his term of office, he removed to Le 



Mars, Iowa. He made a careful, correct 
and industrious official. 

In 1869, Theodore Shaeffer was elected 
County Treasurer, and two years later, he 
was re-elected, -serving four years, to the 
satisfaction of all. 

Daniel Turner succeeded Mr. Schaeffer, 
and served one term, from January, 1874. 
He was a farmer ; a quiet, sociable and 
honest man. About 1879, he left the 
county. He was elected on the "Anti- 
Monopoly " ticket. 

By the October election in 1875, L. B. 
Blinn became Treasurer; he was re-elected 
in 1877, and 1879, a testimonial of his 
efficiency in that capacity 

Lyman Cary was elected County Treas- 
urer in the fall of 1881, to succeed L. 1!. 
Blinn, and made a most efficient officer. 
He was born in Androscoggin county, 
Maine, on the 18th of July, 1847, being a 
son of Horace and Lurana (Bradford) 
Cary. His father was a carpenter and 
joiner by trade, but in connection with 
this business, he was engaged in farming. 
Lyman was reared on a farm, receiving 
an academic education at Auburn Academy 
Maine. On the 13th of April, .1868, he 
left his native State, and emigrated to 
Illinois, where he was employed on the 
construction corps of the Indiana, Bloom- 
ington & Western railroad. In 1869, he 
came to Tama county, purchased a farm 
in Columbia township, and turned his 
attention to farming. In 1870, he was 
married to Lavina, daughter of Jackson 
Rines and Lavina Rines, of Morrow 
county, Ohio, born in 1846. Three chil- 
dren bless this union — Zoe, Jessie and 
Myrtle. Mr. Cary is a member of the 



^ 



;iv" 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



47V 



Masonic Lodge of Tama City, and also of 
the Knights of Pythias of Toledo, Iowa. 
Mr. Gary is making an excellent Treasurer; 
he is courteous and gentlemanly to all. 
carefu and correct, and is always found 
attending to business. 

CLERKS OF COUETS. 

The first Clei'k of Court, of Tama county, 
was David D. Appelgate. He was first 
elected at the election temporarily organ- 
izing the county, in March 1853. He .was 
re-elected in the years 1854, 1856, 1858, 
1860, 1862, 1864 and 1866. This made a 
continuous terra of from March 1853, until 
January 1869 — nearly sixteen years in one 
capacity. This is much longer than any 
other man has ever served Tama county. 
Mr. Appelgate made a faithful, honest 
and efficient officer. He still makes the 
county .seat his home, where he practices 
law. 

L. H. Blinn succeeded Mr. Appelgate as 
Clerk. He was first elected in the fall of 
1868, was re-elected in 1870, and 1872, and 
served from .January 1869, until January 
1875. In the fall of the year last named, 
he was elected County Treasurer. 

Chauncy J. Stevens, of Montour, was 
elected Clerk of Courts, in the fall of 1874, 
reelected in 1876, and 1878, and served 
until January, 1881. Chauncy J. Stevens 
came to the county in June, 1855, and 
located at Indiantown. In the spring of 
1856, he taught the first school in that 
place, after which, he again returned to 
the employ of Phineas Helm, whom he 
had served before teaching the school In 
1859, he was married to Miss Mary Dingee, 
daughter of Allen Dingee. Mr. Stevens 
then engaged in farming, and continued 



at this calling until 1 804, when he located 
at Montour and established the first lumber 
yard at that place. From this time his 
business began to be complicated; he 
turned his attention to anything he thought 
he could make pay. He was station agent 
for several years, also served as Justice of 
the Peace, during which time he attended 
largely to collections. He also dealt in 
agricultural implements, and farm produce. 
In August, 1873, he purchased an interest 
in the Montour Exchange Uank, and in 
1875, became sole proprietor. 'He contin- 
ued to conduct this business until 188:1, 
when he sold to Matthews & Young. Al 
this time, he was largely interested in real 
estate, was Vice President of the Amazon 
Mining and Smelting Company, of Boulder, 
Montana, and largely interested in other 
branches of business. Mr. Stevens' wife 
died in August, 1 873, leaving two children, 
Ada and Ray. In September, 1875, ho 
married Miss Mary Graham, daughter of 
Judge T. A. Graham, and this union has 
been blessed with one daughter, Lucy. 
Mr. Stevens is a Republican in politics, a 
Royal Arch Mason and a member of the 
Con^iegational church. He is plain and 
unassuming in manners, courteous to all 
and is held in the highest esteem by all 
who know him. 

S. C. Leland succeeded C. J. Stevens as 
Clerk of Courts. He was elected in the fall 
of 1880, and re-elected in the fall of 1882. 
He is a lawyer by profession, thoroughly 
educated, a gentleman in every sense of 
the word, and is discharging his duties in 
a most able and satisfactory manner. 

SHEKIFF. 

Norman L. Osborn was the fii'st elected 



F^c-^ 



-» h- 



— *— — »• 



478 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



to the office, whiuh took place at the 
Marcli election, in 1853, although he never 
qualified. Not much is remembered of 
Osborn, except that he settled in the 
county in 18.52, and took a place where 
Traer now is, in Perry township. He had 
a family and was an intelligent man. He 
It'ft many years ago, going to Missouri. 

In August, 1853, Miron Blodgett was 
elected Sheriff, and was the first to <}ualify 
and serve in that capacity. Blodgett 
came from Jackson county, Indiana, in 
1851, and settled with his family, near 
Montour, where he engaged at farming. 
Although a man of ordinary ability, he 
was a good hearted and square man ; 
genial and social, he was well liked by 
the pioneers. Polititally, he was a Whig, 
although political matters did not enter 
into the campaigns in early days, to any 
great extent. He remained in the county 
for about ten years, when he removed to 
Lucas county, and after a few years, went 
to Dakota. 

In August, 1855, William Garner was 
elected Sheriff of Tama county. Garner 
came to the county in 1854, and settled in 
Toledo, where he engaged in the grocery 
business; he was a tailor by trade, and 
also ran a farm in connection with his 
mercantile pursuits. He came here from 
Indiana, bringing his family with him. 
lie was a Democrat, politically, and was 
the first of that creed elected to office in 
the county. In 1864, he removed to Louisa 
county, this State. He was a genial, pleas- 
ant man, was honest and thought every 
one else was. His good heartedness was 
just what spoiled him as a business man. 
He ran a store directly where the Toledo 
Hotel now is. He would sometimes go 



to see some one on the street, and tell 
Tom, Dick or Harry to run the shop till 
he came back, and be gone sometimes an 
hour. Any .one wanting anything, he 
would say, " Help yourself and put the 
money in the drawer." The belief that 
because he was honest everyone else was, 
did not prove substantial, or profitable, in 
his case. Early in 1857, he resigned the 
office to which he was elected. 

H. C. Foster succeeded Garner as 
Sheriff ; was elected, and served the bal- 
ance of the term. He is a native of Ken- 
tucky, born in 1825. He was broughf up 
on a farm, having limited educational ad- 
vantages, and at an early age moved with 
his father to Montgomery county, Indiana. 
In 1849 he came west and settled in Linn 
county, Iowa, and engaged at carpenter 
work. In May, 1853, he came to Tama 
county, took land and returned to Linn 
county. In .Tune, 1853, he came to Tama 
county to stay, and has made this his home 
ever since. In 1856 he was married to 
Mary J. Olney. Mr. Foster in 1883 was 
living in Toledo, and was janitor of the 
court house. 

In August, 1S57, Thomas Murray was 
elected Sheriff ; in 1859, was re-elected, 
and served until January, 1862, with honor 
to himself and satisfaction to all. He is a 
native of Jefferson county, New York, 
where he was born February 7, 1829. He 
is the youngest son of P. and Mary 
(Martin) Murray, who were natives of 
Ireland. Thom.as' father died when he 
was so young that he has no recollection 
of him. Ilis life, until 14 years of age, 
was spent near his home with friends. 
His educational advantages were very 
limited, but by a never-tiring zeal, he has 



•?[« r- 



^f 



4* — *- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



stored his mind with a fair classical and a 
good business education. At 20 years 
of age, he began learning the trade of 
harness making, in St. Lawrence county, 
Xew York, and after completing it, in 
1S52, he went to California for the purpose 
of seeking his fortune in the gold fields of 
that State. He remained there nearly 
three yeai's, engaged in mining, a d met 
with a fair degree of success. In the fall 
of 1854, he returned to his native State, 
and in the spring of the following year, 
removed to Tama county, Iowa, locating 
at Toledo, where he immediately opened 
a harness shop, which was the first one in 
the county. Mr. Murray then engaged in 
general merchandise at Toledo, remaining 
there until April of 1865, then removed to 
Tama City (then known as luka). He 
followed the same business here until 
1882, with the exception of one year. In 
1879, he was appointed Postmaster of the 
town, which office he continued to fill 
until April 1, 1883. He was the second 
Postmaster of luka also, and after holding 
it a year resigned the position. He was 
one of tiie founders of the Hydraulic 
Water Power Company, being Treasurer 
and Director during its building and 
completion, and held a Directorship for 
six years. He was elected one of the first 
officers of Tama City. He belonged to the 
Democratic party until the firing upon of 
Fort Sumter, since which time he has 
been a staunch Republican. Mr. Murray 
is deeply endowed with the spirit of 
progress, and has always been among the 
Foremost ranks, in the building up of 
Tama county. He is an upright, honest 
and genial gentleman, and generous 
almost to a fault ; he wields a great 



'^' 



influence in the county, both in business 
and political circles, and is one who is 
universally respected by all who know 
liim. On the first day of January, 1855, 
he was united in marriage with Miss 
Charlotte Williams, a native of New York 
State. Four children bless this union — 
Arthur W., Walter C, Florence and May. 
It should have been mentioned that he 
was also the third Postmaster in Toled', 
and held the oflice for about a year and a 
half, when he resigned. 

H. A. Williamson succeeded Mr. Murray 
as Sherifl:', being elected in October, 1861, 
and re-elected in 1863. He served until 
1864, when he died from injuries received 
from being thrown from a buggy. Mr. 
Williamson came to Tama county at an 
early day, from Ohio, with his family. 
He was a good oflicer, and a genial, 
pleasant and honest man. His widow, in 
1883, was living in Toledo. 

In November, 1864, Knight Dexter was 
elected Sherifl: of Tama county. In 1865, 
1867, 1869 and 1871, he was re-elected, 
and served until January, 1874, making a 
faithful and satisfactory oflicial. 

In 1873, R. E. Austin was elected to 
succeed Mr. Dexter. He was twice re- 
elected, and served until .lanuary, 1880. 

J. C. Fitzgerald was elected Sheriff of 
Tama county in 1879, and re-elected in 
1881 , and makes a careful and thorough 
oflicer. He was born in Du Page county, 
Illinois, March 23, 1847. His parents, 
Peter H. and Mary (Barry) Fitzgerald, 
were natives of Ireland, and emigrated 
to America when they were under age. 
Peter Fitzgerald located at Half Moon, 
Cattaraugus county, New York, where he 
remained engaged in farming until 1836. 



-f^ 



1. 



11^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



He then removed to Du Page county, 
Illinois, entered 160 acres of land, and 
engaged in farming, until 1853, then sold, 
and ■ removed to Whiteside county, his 
present home. Mrs. Fitzgerald died on 
the 4th of March, 1857. There were 
eleven children in the family, seven boys, 
six of wh m are living, and four girls — 
M. B., contractor and builder in White- 
side county, Illinois ; W. H., now living 
in Kansas, engaged in farming ; .Tames 
M., a resident of Marshalltown ; Thomas, 
a bridge contractor of Iowa ; R. P., lately 
admitted to the bar of Tama county, Iowa ; 
.J. C, subject of this sketch ; Julia A., 
wife of W. H. Harrison, of Whiteside 
county, Illinois ; Ellen, wife of C. H 
Galbreath, of Crawford county, Iowa ; 
Mary, wife of David Bryson, of O'Brien 
county, Iowa ; and Frances, wile of John 
D. Moore, of the same county. J. C. 
Fitzgerald was reared on a farm, receiving 
a liberal education. In his sixteenth year, 
he enlisted in the 140th Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, his brothers, R. P., and J. M., 
being members of the same regiment. 
After leaving the service, Mr. Fitzgerald 
came to Tama county, locating in Carlton 
township, where he purchased 240 acres of 
land, and engaged in farming, until he 
was elected Sheriff of Tama county. 
This election occurred in the fall of 1879, 
and .Mr. Fitzgerald has held the office 
since that time, being re-elected in 1881 by 
liiOO majority, this being about the largest 
majority cast for any office. In July, 1 870, 
he was married to Miss Elva E. Burrows, 
a daughter of James Burrows, of Kendall 
county, Illinois. By this union there are 
three daughters — Leonora E., Mary M., 
and Bessie. In politics, Mr. Fitzgerald is 



a Republican, having cast his vote with 
that i)arty since reaching his majority. 

COUNTY SUKVETOB. 

In early days this was the most lucrative 
of any of the county offices, and it was 
often difficult to find a man among pioneers 
who was thoroughly competent to discharge 
the duties devolving upon the office. Dr. 
Wesley A. Daniel was first to fill the 
office for Tama county. He was elected 
in March, 1853 — the first election held in 
the county. In August following, he was 
re-elected for the regular term of two 
years, and was again re-elected in 1855, 
serving until January, 1858. He discharged 
the duties of the office most efficiently. In 
1883 he was still a resident of lucking- 
ham township. 

In August, 1857, Charles W. Irish was 
elected successor to Mr. Daniel. He 
came to Tama county from Iowa City, an<l 
settled upon a piece of timber land near 
Toledo, with his family, a short time 
prior to his election. He was a pleasant, 
gentlemanly fellow, and was well educated 
in his profession. He remained in the 
county until about 1870, when he returned 
to his old home in Iowa City. 

Horace Jacobs was the next Surveyor. 
He was elected in October, 1859, re-elected 
in 1861, 1863, and 1865, serving eight 
years in all. He remained in Toledo 
until a short time after the expiration of 
his term of office, when he removed to a 
farm in Otter Creek township. A few 
years ago his wife died, and lie went to 
some point west of here. Jacobs was a 
slow and easy going individual, honest 
and frank, and a good surveyor. 

In October, 1867, C. W. Hyatt was 
elected ; he was re-elected in 1869. 



-51 'y 






i -^.MJ^. 



jit 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'-■ 



W. II. Ilolste.ad was elected in 187.3, 
was re-eleetetl in ISV.d, 1877, 1S70, and 
1S81. 

William II. Ilolstead was born in 
Oneida county, New York, on the I'ith of 
Augu.st, 1840. Ui.s parents were John B. 
Ilolstead, a native of New Y rk, and 
Emma Ann Bloss, of Connecticut. His 
father died in March, 1871 ; his mother is 
now living in Oneida county, N. Y. Mr. 
Ilolstead was reared in his native county, 
receiving his education in the common 
schools, then attended the Oneida Confer- 
once Seminary, and was for two years a 
student at Poughkeepsie Business College. 
Ajiril 19, 1861, he enlisted at Utica, in 
Company C, 26th, N. Y. Vol. Inf'ty, and 
joining the army of the Potomac, partici- 
pated in the first and second battles of 
Bull Run, the battle of Chantilla, Rappa- 
hannock, South Mountain, and Fredericks- 
burg, where he was wounded in the face 
by a rifle ball. He was discharged in 
May, 1863, and returned to his home in 
New York, attending the Seminary and 
Business College, as stated above. In 
1865, he opened an insurance office, and 
general store eight miles from Jersey 
City ; this, however, proved a failure, and 
in 1866, he came to Iowa, locating in 
Tama county, on section 11, of Spring 
Creek township. He remained at work on 
liis farm until 1871, at which time he was 
elected County Surveyor, which office he 
has since held, being the present incum- 
bent. In March, 187.3, Mr. Holstead 
moved to Toledo, where he now resides. 
He was married, May 9, 1865, to Miss 
Carrie E. Home, daughter of Lynch and 
EIniira (Mallery) Ilorne, both of whom 
now reside at Gladbrook, Iowa. Mr. and 



Mrs. Holstead have had four children born 
to them, three of whom are living : 
Gazelle, born, April 29, 1866; Grace, born, 
June 24, 1877; and John, born January 
24, 1880. Howard, born October 29, 1871, 
died, February 27, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. 
Holstead are members of the Regular 
Baptist Church of Toledo. Mrs. Holstead 
was educated at the Troy Conference 
Academy, Poultney, N. Y., and made a 
special study of painting, becoming quite 
skilled in the use of the brush. Mr. Hol- 
stead, in politics, has always adhered to 
the Rejniblican party. 

COUNTY COEONEE. 

Franklin Davis was the first Coroner of 
Tama county. He was first elected in 
August, 1853, and re-elected two years 
later.' He was born in Harrison county. 
West Virginia, May 2, 1817. lie is a son 
of Phineas and Rheudamah (Randolph) 
Davis, who were natives of the same State, 
and were both born in a block-house, 
which was built to serve as a refuge from 
the Indians. His parents had five sons 
and four daughters, ail but two sons of 
whom are now living. His mother died, 
and his father married Miss Eliza Ma.\on, 
by whom there were four children, all now 
living in Ohio. The subject of this sketch 
was the oldest son, and was reared on a 
farm, receiving but a limited education in 
a log school house. The first school he 
attended was in a log cabin, which could 
boast of no better floor than the solid 
earth. The seats were made of slabs, wih 
holes bored in each end, and pins driven 
in for legs. He remembered well one 
mode of punishment — the victim was 
required to hang his coat on a stake, which 
was driven into the floor, and was then 



^ 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



made to whip it until the teacher told him 
to cease. In the fall of 1831, Mr. Davis 
left Virginia and went with his parents to 
Champaign county, Ohio. He was mar- 
ried, April 6, 1837, to Miss Maranda Brit- 
ton, a daughter of Nathan Britton, of 
Pennsylvania. By this union there were 
four children, two of whom are now living, 
Sarah J. and Charles B. In the fall of 
1845, he emigrated to Iowa, locating in 
Linn county, where he purchased land and 
remained eight years. In May, 1853, he 
came to Tama county and located on the 
place where he now lives. Throughout 
his career, Mr. Davis has maintained a 
high character, and, wherever known, is 
honored and respected. Mr. and Mrs. Davis 
are members of the Regular Baptist church, 
of which they have been warm supporters 
for many years. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican, having affiliated with that party since 
its organization. 

Clinton Olney succeeded Mr. Davis as 
Coroner, being elected in August, 1 857, 
and serving two years. He was a native 
of New York State, born in July, 1805. 
He came to Tama county with his family 
from Michigan, in June, 1855, and located 
in Toledo, where he was engaged at 
teaming, filling mail contracts and various 
occupations. He remained in Toledo 
until the time of his death, which occurred 
in April, 1880. He was quiet and rather 
retired in disposition, and was a man of 
strict integrity. Ilis son is now Deputy 
Auditor. 

In October, 1859, T. W. Jackson was 
elected Coroner. He was a lawyer, living 
at Toledo, and is noticed at length in the 
chapter upon the Bar of the county. It 
seems he did not (jualify as Coroner. 



I. J. Wilkius was elected to till the 
vacancy, in November, 18G0. Mr. Wilkins 
was a Free Will Baptist preacher, and a 
genial, talkative gentleman. He still 
resides in Toledo, well advanced in yearsr 

G. W. Cowlea was elected Coroner to 
succeed Mr. Wilkins, at the general 
election in 18G1. He still lives in Tama 
City. 

I. J. Wilkins was again elected in the 
fall of 1862. 

Franklin Davis, who is mentioned as 
being the first Coroner, was again elected 
in October, i 863, ten years after his first 
election to the office. 

In October, 1865, Nathan Fisher was 
elected Coroner, and being re-elected in 
1867 and 1869, served for six years. 
Nathan Fisher is now Justice of the Peace, 
at Toledo. He was born in Clinton 
county, Ohio, September 4, 1815. His 
parents were James and Margaret 
(Hockett) Fisher, the former a native of 
Kent county, Delaware ; the latter of 
Guilford County, North Carolina. The 
father died in 1873, the mother in 1877. 
There were four children in the family, 
two boys and two girls, three of whomare 
now living — Rebecca, Nathan and Daniel. 
Jane died in 1835. Nathan was reared in 
Ohio until he was twenty, then moved with 
his parents to Indiana, locating in Hamil- 
ton county, twenty miles north of Indian- 
apolis. He was here engaged in farming 
for twenty years. July 30, 1835, Mr. 
Fisher was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah G. Powell, daughter of Emery and 
Annie (Roton) Powell, natives of Dela- 
ware. In 1853, he moved to Tama county, 
locating in Carroll township, on section 
28, where he entered 320 acres, and 



•^1 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'L 



engaged in farming until 1858. That 
year he came to Toledo, where he has 
since lived. When he came to Toledo, 
he first engaged in the manufacture of 
brick. In 1862, he was elected Justice of 
the Peace ot Toledo township, which 
otHce he has held ever since, with the 
exception of one year. In 1857-58, he 
held the office of Drainage Commissioner, 
giving bonds to the amount of $10,000; 
but he states that, during the two years, 
he did not do five cents' worth of business. 
He has also been Township Trustee, and 
a member of the City Council of Toledo. 
Mr. Fisher is a staunch Republican, and 
has been since the organization of that 
party. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have had a 
family of seven children — James E., now 
living in Kellogg, Jasper county, Iowa ; 
Melissa J„ wife of J. R. Haworth, of 
Iowa Falls ; Martha A., Harriet, died in 
1842; Mary, wife of Andrew Wise, died 
February 6, 188.3, in Norton county, 
Kansas ; Caroline M., wife of John K. 
Lux ; and Margaret E., wife of C S. 
Bailey, of Buffalo county, Nebraska. 

M. A. Newcomb succeeded Fisher, by 
the election in IS'Zl. In 1883, he was still 
a resident of Tama county, living in Tama 
township. 

G. W. Cowles came next, but either did 
not qualify or resigned before the expira- 
tion of his term of oflice. 

In the fall of 187-t, E. M. Bielby was 
elected Coroner. 

.J. C. Kendrick was elected in 1875; was 
re-elected in 1877 and 1879, and served 
for six years. 

In 1881, Dr. H. C. Myers was chosen 
to the office, but did not qualify. 

At the general election, in the fall of 



1882, J. C. Kendrick was elected Coroner 
of the county. He was born in Columbia 
county, Ohio, August 22, 18.33. His 
parents were David and Jane (Henderson) 
Kendrick. The former was a native of 
New Hampshire, and the latter of Ireland. 
When of sufficient years, J. C. learned the 
trade of a mason, which occupation he 
afterward followed the greater share of 
the time while in the State of Ohio. In 
April, 1865, he removed to Tama county, 
Iowa, locating on a farm two miles south- 
east of Toledo. Upon coming to this 
county, Mr. Kendrick brought with him, 
a thousand sheep, and for three years was 
engaged in sheep raising. At the end of 
that time, however, he found the business 
an unprofitable one, and therefore disposed 
of them. He has held the office of Con- 
stable six years, and is now serving his 
fourth term as Coroner of the county. In 
politics, is a Republican. He was married, 
in August, 1858, choosing for a wife Miss 
Elizabeth Case, a native of Portage, Ohio. 
They have one child living — Owen B., 
born June 22, 1859. Mr. Kendrick is a 
member of Hiram of Tyre Lodge, A. F. & 
A. M., of Tama city. 

SCHOOL FUND OOSIMISSIONER. 

The first to fill this office was Noah 
Myers. The particulars regarding the 
various School Fund Commissioners, and 
also 

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS, 

Will be found in connection with the 
chapter upon educational matters. 

COUNTY ASSESSOR. 

Shortly after Tama county was oi-gan- 
ized, an act was passed by the General 
Assembly, abolishing the office of Town- 



^?T« r' 



HISTORY OF TAMA COITNTY. 



K. 



ship Assessor thi-'jughout the St.ate, and 
creating the one above named. The 
object was to have one man assess the 
whole county. In April, 18.57, J. P. Wood 
was elected County Assessor, and was the 
first, last and only one elected, as the work 
was found to be too much for one man to 
attend to, and this office was abolished, 
and the work of assessing reverted to the 
old township system, which is still in 
force. 

PROSECUTING ATTOKNEY. 

In early days, each county had what was 
termed a County Prosecuting Attorney, to 
prosecute State cases, before the courts 
silting in the various counties. The first 
Prosecuting Attorney, of Tama county, was 
.John Huston, who was elected in March, 
1 853. 

Alford Phillips succeeded Huston, being 
elected in August, 1854. He is still a resi- 
dent of the county seat, and is one of the 
wealthiest men in the county. 

In August, 1850, Nathan D. Wieting 
was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and 
served until the office was abolished by 
law, and that of District Attorney created 
in its stead. Sketches of som.e of the 
gentlemen who have held this office will 
be found in connection with the Bar 
Chapter. 

DR.VISAGE COMMISSIONEE. 

The first Drainage Commissioner, for 
Tama county, was Anthony Wilkinson, 
one of the very first settlers in tiie county. 
He was elected in April, 1854. 

The ne.\t was Nathan Fisher, who was 
elected in April, 1857. He has held 
various offices in the county, and is noticed 
elsewhere in this volume. 

In 1859, Z. T. Shugart was elected 



'^' 



Drainage Commissioner, and was re-elected 
in 1861. 

T. B. Martin succeeded Shugart, being 
elected in October, 1863. 

W. S. Turbett, who was elected in 1867, 
is the next Drainage Commissioner shown 
by the records to have been elected. He 
is one of the early settlers of the county, — 
was born in Cumberland county, Pennsyl- 
vania, November 19, 1820. His parents 
were Thomas and Nancy (Wallace) 
Turbett. The subject of this sketch was 
educated in the common schools and in 
Dickerson College. When seventeen 
years of age be commenced teaching 
school and at nineteen he embarked in the 
mercantile business. March -3, 1854, he 
married Sarah Nidigh, a daughter of 
Daniel Nidigh, of Perry county, Pennsyl- 
vania. Six children have been born to 
them : Henry C, Daniel W., Thomas J., 
William F., Ella and James. In 1855, Mr. 
Turbett went to Crawford county, Ohio, 
where he spent one year clerking in a 
store. In 1856, he removed to Davenport, 
Iowa, and in May, 1856, came to Toledo, 
where he engaged in the butcher business, 
being the first that Toledo can boast of. 
This business he followed for several 
years, when he opened a general store, in 
which he continued until 1876. Mr. 
Turbett has been identified with the county 
for many years, and has lived to see many 
changes take place in Toledo and vicinity. 
Mr. Turbett, in politics, is a staunch Demo- 
crat, having cast his vote with that party 
ever since he reached his majority. 

In October, 1869, E. T. Gallion was 
the choice of the people for this office, and 
was the last person to fill it. The office 
has been aboli'Shed by law. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



:\^ 



CHAPTER XIV 



INSURANCE, ENDOWMENT AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS. 



In this connection, are presented, his- 
tories of the most important organizations 
of Tama county. Where it was possible 
to obtain information, a synopsis of the 
object and mode of operation, of the 
several organizations, are given. 

OLD settlers' society OF TAMA COUNTY. 

This society was organized by the pio- 
neers of the county in 1872. The first 
meeting was held on the 17th day of Octo- 
ber, at the court house, in Toledo. Rezin 
A. Redman was chosen Chairman, and 
Thomas A. Graham, Secretary. Speeches 
were made by many of the old settlers, 
advocating the organization upon a sound 
and permanent basis, as a means of keep- 
ing alive and further cementing old 
friendships, and renewing among the par- 
ticipants old ties and associations. Such 
business as presented itself was transacted, 
and the meeting adjourned to meet 
October 24. At this meeting the organi- 
zation was made complete, constitution 
and by-laws adopted, and the time fixed 
for holding annual meetings upon the 
second Wednesday of October. The 
constitution provided that any person who 
had been in Tama county for fifteen years, 
could become a member of the society by 
signing a record kept for the purpose by 
the Secretary. The first oflicers were as 
follows: President, Anthonv Wilkiiison 



Secretary, David D. Appelgate ; Treas- 
urer, Franklin Davis. 

Thomas S. Free, I). F. Hruner, W. II. 
Stivers and John T. Ames were appointed 
a committee to compile a history of the 
early settlers of the county. 

This organization continued in force for 
several years, when it was drop]»ed. 

THE RE-ORGANIZED SOCIETY. 

In the spring of 1883 the society was 
re-organized. The following ofticers were 
elected : 

President — John Ramsdell, of Tama 
City. 

Vice-President — A. J. VVheaton, of 
Toledo. 

Secretary — George L. Bailey, of Toledo. 

Treasurer — Leander Clark, of Toledo. 

At this meeting it was decided to have 
a grand re-union in the summer of 1883, 
to talk over old times, and to renew 
and strengthen the ties of friendship 
formed in days of pioneer life. 

At this time the Union Publishing 
Company, of Springfield, 111., were engag- 
ed in the preparation of the " History of 
Tama County, " and to ensure its correct- 
ness, committees were appointed to revise, 
correct and approve the different depart- 
ments of the work. 

The following were the gentlemen 
appointed to examine the general history; 






5'Tv> 



488 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Hon. George R. ■ Struble, of Toledo, 
Hon. Leander Clark, of Toledo ; J. H. 
HoUen, of Tama City; W. C. Salsbury, of 
Le Grand; J. C. Vermilya, of Tama City; 
D. F. Bruner, of Toledo; Daniel Connell, 
(if Gladbrook. 

To this list, were added as a reserve 
committee : 

Ex-Gov. Joseph Dysart, of Dysart ; 
James A. Willey, of Salt Creek ; Samuel 
Giger, of Howard. 

The following Vice-Presidents for Ihe 
various townships were aj)pointed : 

Highl.and — J. B. Merritt. 

Columbia — Leonard Stoddard. 

Richland — James F. Cram. 

Salt Creek — Anthony Wilkinson. 

Indian Village — C. J. Stevens. 

Tama— W. T. Hollen. 

Toledo — Franklin Davis. 

Otter Creek — Abram Toftpkins. 

York — Charles Mason. 

Carlton — John Peterson. 

Howard— D. K. Gallagher. 

Carroll — George M. Fee. 

Oneida — J. W. Barton. 

Spring Creek — W. B. King. 

Crystal — J. S. Townsend. 

Clark — Joseph Dysart. 

Lincoln— J. F. G. Cold. 

Grant — Robert Whannell. 

Buckingham — J. V. B. Green. 

Geneseo — T. R. Mcllliinney. 

I>,>rry— T. F. (Hark. 

The certificates of the general commit- 
tee, and of the committees appointed by 
the various Vice-Presidents, are given 
elsewhere in this volume. 

KARMKKS' MUTUAL AID COMPANY OF TAMA 
COUNTY. 

During the winter of 1872-.3,the project 



of organizing a Tama county insurance 
company was quite extensively discussed 
among the farmers of Tama county, and 
on the 11th of March, ISV-S, a meeting was 
held at the White Pigeon school house, in 
Carlton township, at which an organiza- 
tion was effected. The name adopted was 
the Farmers' Mutual Aid Company. At 
this time, it embraced only the townships 
of Spring Creek, Crystal, Howard and 
Carlton, but later, this was extended so as 
to embrace the whole county. Risks were 
carried on all farm property, household 
furniture, stock, barns, grain and hay ; but 
the towns and cities were not included. 
As the name implies, it was to be strictly 
for the benefit of farmers, as against fire 
and lightning. 

At this meeting, L. F. Hammitt, was 
elected President ; D. H. Patterson, Secre- 
tary ; and Samuel Giger, Treasurer. At 
first the business of the company did not 
fully come up to the expectations of the 
founders ; but it soon improved and was 
very successful. In December, 1878, the 
Company was carrying risks to the amount 
of S;l,0-32,141 ; and during tlie year 1878, 
paid losses to the amount of !?! 1,810. .55, 
making total running expenses for the 
year §1,092.51. 

The presiding officers have been L. F. 
Hammitt, Franklin Davis, Mr. Townsend, 
and John McClain. The present officers 
are as follows : President, John McClain; 
Secretary, David McCormick ; Treasurer, 
J. Q. Clark, of Toledo. The company is 
now prospering finely, and the enterprise 
has, in every way, proved an entire 
success, the policies being held by farmers 
all over the county. 

The comj)any is at present, carrying 



'^7^=^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



489 



risks to the amount of $640,800. The 
total losses paid since organization amount 
to about $14,264. The Association prom- 
ises to become one of the substantial insti- 
tutions of the county. 

IOWA MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATION. 

This is a Tama county enterprise, hav- 
ing been organized by some of the promi- 
nent citizens of Toledo, on the 8th day of 
April, 1882, with headcjuarters at Toledo. 
The first officers elected were: President, 
N. H. Wilder; First Vice-President, H. 
S. Thompson; Second Vice-President, W. 
II. Harrison; Treasurer, P. J. Wieting; 
Secretary, W. H. Harrison, Jr.; Counsel- 
lor, W. J. Ham; Actuary, N. C. Wie'ing; 
Medical Director, E. R. Smith, M. D. 
The enterprise met with marked favor 
and success, and within a year from its 
organization had nine hundred members. 
The mutual plan was adopted, making all 
equally interested, and giving the right to 
eVery certificate holder of casting as many 
votes at the annual elections as were ex- 
pressed in his certificate. The association 
issues endowment certificates, which 
mature in from six to eighteen years, ac- 
cording to the age of the applicant at the 
time of issuance. Certificates are issued 
for one, two and three thousand dollars, 
not to exceed the latter. The rates of 
membership fee of Division A are $8 
upon the first thousand, and $4 upon 
each additional thousand. The annual 
dues are $4 for the first, and $2 on 
each subsequent thousand. Assessments 
will not increase with tlie age of a mem- 
ber. 

The funds to meet certificates matured 
by death, and those matured during life, 
after exhausting the reserved fund set 



apart for that year, are raised by assess- 
ment upon the members of each Division. 

The beneficiaries of those certificates 
which mature by death within five years 
of the date of the same will receive fifty 
per cent, of the amount expressed therein; 
the net remainder being set apart in "The 
Reserve Benefit Fund," which .must be 
invested, according to the articles of in- 
corporation, in United States bonds or 
bonds of the State of Iowa or other 
equally safe securities. This reserve will 
accumulate until 1892, when the associa- 
tion will begin to use the same to pay cer- 
tificates matured during life. One-tenth 
of the same will be set apart at the be- 
ginning of each year for that purpose, 
and no assessment can be made until the 
amount set apart has been exhausted. 

Those who die any time after the close 
of the fifth year will receive the full 
amount of their certificates. The net 
cash result of an assessment when this 
division has less than 1,200 members shall 
be a payment in full of a certificate that 
matures during that time, provided there 
shall not be paid more than the amount 
due at the time as named in the certifi- 
cate. 

Division B is entirely separate and in- 
dependent of Division A, and members 
of this will not be assessed for claims in 
Division A. It offers to persons between 
sixty-five and seventy-five years of age, 
all the benefits of endowment insurance. 

Those who die within three years from 
date of certificate will receive the amount 
of an assessment, not to exceed one-half 
the amount of their, certificate. The 
remainder, not to exceed one-half the 
amount of certificate, goes into the reserve 



;t^ 



- — ^ (^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



t'uinl iif this division, and the balance, if 
any, carried to the assessment fund. 

Tiiose who die after three years will 
receive the full amount of an assessment, 
not to exceed the amount of their certifi- 
cate. The reserve beneiit fund of this 
division will be invested in the same class 
of securities as the reserve fund in Division 
A, and be used exclusively in the payment 
of life-matured certificates in this division. 

Under this plan the member remaining 
until his certificate matures is doubly 
assured of its payment, while the assess- 
ments are thus lessened, and the associa- 
tion is rendered perfectly sound, and the 
•certificate holder safe. 

The articles of incorporation provide 
that the reserves and accrued intei-est shall 
be used only to pay matured certificates. 
Hence they cannot be used for expenses, 
salaries, or any other purpose. 

Life matured certificates will be paid 
within ninety days of proof of identity 
and surrender of certificate. 

Those maturing by death will be paid 
within ninety days of satisfactory proof 
of death of member. 

The present officers of the Iowa Mutual 
Benefit Association are as follows: 

N. II. Wilder, (President Toledo City 
Bank,) President; H. S. Thompson, 
(lumber merchant,) Vice-President; P. G. 
Wieting, (Cashier Toledo City Bank,) 
Treasurer; W. H. Harrison, Jr., (wholesale 
bookseller,) Secretary ; E. R. Smith, M. 
D., Medical Director. 

General Agents: — W. W. Laccy, E. 
15uck, W. C. Smith, James W. Ballanl. 

MUTUAL ENDOWMENT ASSOCIATION, OF 
TOLEDO. 

This association was incorporated by M. 



S. Drury, William H. Harrison, J. L. 
Drury, W. F. Johnston, and E. C. Eber- 
sole, on April 20, 188.3, at Toledo, under 
the code of 187:^. The officers elected 
were: President, E. B. Ebersole ; Treas- 
urer, W. F. Johnston ; Secretary, J. L. 
Drury ; Actuary, W. II. Harrison ; Vice- 
President, M. S. Drury. 

The articles of incorporation declared 
as follows : 

" The object of this association was to 
afford benefits to its members, or their 
beneficiaries, in such manner, and u])on 
the terms and conditions specified. 

The principal place of business shall be 
at Toledo, in Tama county, Iowa. 

The private property of the officers, 
trustees, and members shall be exempt 
from the debts of the corporation. 

The affairs of this association shall be 
managed by a board of five trustees, 
wh ch shall consist of M. S. Drury, Wm, 
H. Harrison, Sr., J. L. Drury, W. F. 
Johnston, and E. C Ebersole, and their 
successors, and in case of a vacancy occur- 
ring by the death, resignation, or refusal 
to act, or removal from office for any 
cause, of any of said trustees, those who 
remain shall fill such vacancy by apjioint- 
ment. 

A majority of all the trustees shall 
constitute a quorum at any meeting. 

The Board of Trustees shall have power 
to elect a President, Secretary, Treasurer, 
and such other officers and agents as they 
may deem necessary to carry on the busi- 
ness of the association, from their own 
number, or otherwise, and to fix their 
terms of office and compenation. 

Any person between fifteen and sixty- 






H'v 



'\^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



401 



five years of age may become a member 
upon the conditions herein named. 

The Board of Tru.stees may enact .such 
by-Kiws, not inconsistent with these arti- 
cles, as they may deem expedient for the 
proper transaction of the business of the 
corporation. 

Any person of proper age, may become 
a member by paying to the association a 
membership fee, as follows : On a certifi- 
cate of $1000, si.\ dollars ; of ^2000, eight 
dollars ; of $3000, ten dollars ; of $4000, 
twelve dollars ; of $5000, fourteen dol- 
lars. 

For the purpo-e of paying the running 
expenses of the association, ea -h member, 
in addition to the membership fee, shall 
be required to pay at such time as the 
Board of Trustees shall fix, by by-law 
and annual due, as follows : On $1000, 
four dollars ; on $2000, six dollars ; on 
$3000, eight dollars ; on $4000, ten dollars; 
on $5000, twelve dollars. 

The association shall issue to its mem- 
bers endowment certificates for $1000, 
$2000, $3000, $4000 and $5000, not to 
exceed $5000 to any one member, by 
which the association shall agree to pay to 
the holders thereof, at the time stated in 
the certificates, the sums therein named. 

If any member die before his certificate 
matures his beneficiary, or assignee, if any 
such appears on the books of association, 
and if not, his heirs shall be entitled to 
receive, and the association shall pay 
upon his certificate, the actual amount 
paid therein to the association, including 
membership fee, all assessments and 
annual dues, and the amount paid shall be 
in full .satisfaction of said certificate, and 



of all claims to be m.ade upon the same 
against the association. . 

The money to pay the amounts due on 
certificates of deceased members, that is 
those dying before their certificates 
mature, shall be raised by assessment 
upon those remaining, the assessments to 
be graded according to the age of the 
member at the time of joining, on each 
one thousand dollars of benefit. 

The assessments shall not increase with 
the age of members, but shall remain the 
same as at the time of joining. 

The association shall keep a separate 
account with each of the following funds: 
1. The Membership Fund; 2. The Ex-, 
pense Fund ; 3. The Surplus Fund ; 4. 
The Death Fund ; 5. The Endowment 
Fund ; 6. The Maturity Fund. 

The Membership Fund shall consist of 
membership fees and shall be used to pay 
agents for securing members for the asso- 
ciation. The surplus, if any, may at the 
end of any fiscal year be carried to the Ex- 
pense Fund, if the trustees shall deem it 
expedient. 

The annual dues shall be charged to the 
Expense Fund. This fund shall be used 
to defray the expenses incidectto the man- 
agement of the affairs of the association, 
including the reasonable salaries of its 
trustees, officers and agents, except solic- 
iting agents, who must be paid wholly out 
of the Membership Fund. Any excess re- 
maining of the Expense Fund, at the end of 
any fiscal year, may, at the discretion of the 
trustees, be carried to the Surplus Fund. 

The Surplus Fund shall consist of such 
funds as may be transferred to it from the 
Expense Fund. This fund or any portion 
of it may at the discretion of the trustees 



ip* 



492 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



f 



be transferred at tlie end of any fiscal year 
up to January 1, A. D. 1889, to the En- 
dowment Fund, after that to the Matu- 
rity Fund. But the trustees may, if they 
see proper, allow the Surplus Fund to 
accumulate, for the purpose of procuring a 
proper site and erecting suitable buildings 
for the use of the association. 

The Death Fund shall consist of the 
proceeds of assessments made on the death 
(if members, and shall be used first to pay 
the amount due upon the certificate of the 
member on account of whose death the 
assessment was made. The surplus of 
each assessment shall be carried to the 
Endowment Fund up to January 1, A. D. 
1889, after that to the Maturity Fund. 

The Endowment Fund shall consist of 
such moneys as may be transferred to it 
from the Surplus and Death Funds and 
the interest accumulating thereon up to 
January 1, A. D. 1889. This fund must 
always be kept invested in interest-bearing 
liond.s of the United States, or the State 
of Iowa, or in first mortgages on real 
estate. The interest arising from the 
Endowment Fund, after January 1, A. D. 
1889, shall be carried to the Maturity 
Fund. 

The Maturity Fund shall consist of inter- 
est on the Endowment Fund as provided 
in the last section, and of such moneys as 
may be transferred to it from the Surplus 
or Death Funds. This fund shall be used 
to ])ay only matured certificates, and if at 
any time, there is not sufficient money in 
this fund to pay the certificates which 
have matured, the deficiency shall be met 
bv an assessment of the members which 
shall be apportioned among the members 



in the same ratio as the assessments made 
upon the death of a member. 

It shall be the duty of the trustees to 
keep all the funds of the association 
invested so far as practicable, either in 
interest bearing U. S. or Iowa bonds, or 
in first mortgages on real estate, and the 
books and records of the association shall 
always be open to the inspection of 
members. 

In case of the death of any member, 
such proof must be presented within six 
months from the date of death, as the 
trustees shall fix in the by-laws. 

Within thirty days after the proof of 
death of any member has been presented 
to the association, the Secretary shall notify 
all remaining members to forward within 
thirty days their /wo rata assessments. 
Should any member fail to forward his 
assessments by the time limited in such 
notice, he shall forfeit all his rights as a 
member, with all sums he has paid. I'he 
placing in the postoftice at Toledo, Iowa, 
of a notice of any assessment properly 
stamped and directed to the member, at 
his address, as it aj)pears upon the books 
of the association, shall be deemed suffi- 
cient notice. 

The same rule was to apply to a case of 
failure to pay dues, any person forfeiting 
his membership may be reinstated upon 
such terms as the board of trustees may 
fix. 

The trustees may reduce, but not raise 
the death assessments or annual dues. 

All matured certificates and amounts 
due on certificates of deceased members, 
shall be paid within ninety days after 
proof. 

Certificates ~ may bo assigned with the 



' Tls F~ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



consent of tlie association. 

The indebtedness of the association shall 
not exceed 110,000, except on endowment 
cevtiiicates. 

This association may be dissolved and 
its affairs wound up at any time when four- 
fifths of the trustees are of the opinion 
that it would be of advantage to the 
members, or upon the written petition of 
two-thirds of the members, and all the 



money and {)roperty belonging to the asso- 
ciation, shall, after paying expenses, be 
distributed proportionately among the 
members in good standing. 

It was also declared that the articles of 
incorporation could be amended by a three- 
fifths vote of all the trustees present at 
any regular meeting, provided the amend- 
ed right would not impair the vested rights 
of -any member of the association. 



CHAPTER XV 



THE WAR FOR THE UNION. 






The institution of slavery was always a 
source of trouble between the free and 
slave-holding States. The latter were 
always troubled with the thought that the 
former would encroach upon their rights, 
:in<l nothing could be done to shake this 
belief. Compromise measures from time 
to time were adopted to settle the vexed 
<|uestion of slavery, but the fears of the 
slaveholders were only allayed for a 
short time. Threats of secession were 
often made by the slave-holding States, 
but as soon as measures of a conciliatory 
character w. re passed, no attempt was 
made to carry their threats into execution. 
Finally came the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise and the adoption of a measure 
known as the Kansas-Nebraska bill. This 
bill opened certain territory to slavery 
wliich, under the former act, was forever 
to be free. About the time of the passage 



of this act, the Whig party was in a state 
of dissolution, and the great body of that 
party, together with certain Democrats 
who were opposed to the Kansas-Nebraska 
bill, united, thus forming a new party to 
which was given the name of Republican, 
having for its object the prevention of the 
further extension of slavery. The people 
of the South imagined they saw in this 
new party not only an organized effort to 
prevent the extension of slavery, but one 
that would eventually be used to destroy 
slavery in those States in which it already 
existed. 

In 1860 four Presidential tickets were in 
the field. Abraharu Lincoln was the 
candidate of the Republicans, Stephen A. 
Douglas of the National Democrat, John 
C. Breckenridge of the Pro-Slavery inter- 
ests, and John Bell of the Union. The 
Union party was composed principally of 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



k. 



those who had previously affiliated with 
the American or Know-Nothing party. 
Early in the campaign there were threats 
of secession and disunion in case of the 
election of Abraham Lincoln, but the 
people were so accustomed to Southern 
bravado that little heed was given to the 
bluster. 

On the 20th of December, 1860, South 
Carolina, by a convention of delegates, 
declared "That the Union now existing 
between South Carolina and the other 
States of North America is dissolved, and 
that the State of South Carolina has re- 
sumed her position among the Nations of 
the earth as a free sovereign and inde- 
pendent State, with full power to levy war 
and conclude peace, contract alliances, 
establish commerce, and do all other acts 
and things which independent States may 
of right do." 

On the 24th Gov. Pickens issued a pro- 
clamation declaring that "South Carolina 
is, and has a right to be, a free and inde- 
pendent State, and as such has a right to 
levy war, conclude peace, and do all acts 
whatever that rightfully appertain to a 
free and independent State." 

On the 20th Major Anderson evacuated 
P(jrt Moultrie and occupied Fort Sumter. 
Two days previously he wrote President 
Buchanan's Secretary of War, John B. 
Floyd, as follows: 

"When I inform you that my garrison 
consists of only si.Kty effective men, and 
that we are in very indifferent works, the 
walls of which are only fourteen feet high; 
.and that we have within one hundred and 
sixty yards of our walls, sand hills which 
command our works and which afford 
admirable sites for batteries and the finest 



coverts for sharp-shooters; and that be- 
sides this there are numerous house's, 
some of them within pistol shot, and you 
will at once see that if attacked in force, 
headed by any one but a simpleton, there 
is scarcely a possibility of our being able 
to hold out long enough for our friends to 
come to our succor." 

Ilis appeals for re-inforcements were 
seconded by General Scott, but unheeded 
by President Buchanan, and entirely 
ignored by John B. Floyd, Secretary of 
War. 

On the 28th South Carolina troops occu- 
pied Fort Moultrie and Castle Pinckney, 
and hoisted the palmetto flag on the 
ramparts. On the 29th John B. Floyd 
resigned his place in Buchanan's cabinet, 
ch.arging that the President in refusing 
to remove Major Anderson from Charles- 
ton Harbor, designed to plunge the country 
into civil war, and added: "I cannot con- 
sent to be the agent of such a calamity." 
On the same day the South Carolina com- 
missioners presented their official creden- 
tials at Washington, which, on the next 
day, were declined. 

On the second day of January, 1861, 
Georgia declared for secession, and Geor- 
gia troops took i)ossession of the United 
States Arsenal in Augusta, and Forts 
Pulaski and Jackson. 

Gov. Ellis, of North Carolina, seized the 
forts at Beaufort and Wilmington and the 
arsenal at Fayettville. On the evening 
of the 4th, the Alabama and Mississippi 
delegations in Congress telegraphed the 
conventions of their respective States to 
secede, telling them there was no prospect 
of a satisfactory adjustment. On the Ttli, 
the conventions of Alabama, Missi8si))j)i 



•Tp^ 



W 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



495 



and Tennessee met in secession conclave. 
On the 9tb, Secretary Thompson resigned 
his seat in the cabinet on the ground that, 
contrary to promises, troops had been 
sent to Major Anderson. On the 9th, the 
"Star of the West," carrying supplies and 
re-inforcements to Major Anderson, was 
fired into from Morris Island, and turned 
homeward, leaving Fort Sumter and its 
gallant little band to the mercy of the 
rebels. On the same day, the ordinance 
of secession passed the Mississippi Con- 
vention Florida adopted an ordinance 
of secession on the 10th, and Alabama on 
the nth. The same day (the 11th) 
Thompson, Secretary of the Treasury, 
resigned, and the rebels seized the 
arsenal at Baton Rouge, and Forts 
Jackson and St. Philip, at the mouth 
of the Mississippi River, and Fort Pike at 
the Lake Pontchartrain entrance. Pensa- 
cola navy yard and Fort Barrancas were 
surrendered to rebel troops by Colonel 
Armstrong on the 13th. Lieutenant Slem- 
mer, who had drawn his command from 
Fort McRae to Fort Pickens, defied Arm- 
strong's orders, and announced his inten- 
tion to "hold the fort" at all hazards. 
The Georgia Convention adopted an ordi- 
nance of secession on the 19th. On the 
20th, Lieutenant Slemmer was besieged 
by a thousand " allied troops " at Fort 
Pickens. Louisiana adopted an ordinance 
of secession on the 25th. On the 1st of 
February, the rebels seized the United 
States mint and custom house at New 
Orleans. The Peace Convention assem- 
bled at Washington on the 4th, but 
adjourned without doing anything to quiet 
the disturbed elements. On the 9th, a 
]>rovisional constitution was adopted at 



Montgomery, Alabama, it being the Con- 
stitution of the United States " re-con- 
structed " to suit their purpose. Jefferson 
Davis, of Mississippi, was chosen Presi- 
dent, and Alexander H. Stevens, of 
Georgia, Vice-President of the " Confed- 
erate States of North America. " Jeffer- 
son Davis was inaugurated on the 18th, 
and on the 25th, it was learned that Gen- 
eral Twiggs, commanding the Department 
of Texas, had basely betrayed his trust, 
and that he had surrendered all the mili- 
tary posts, munitions and arms to the 
authorities of Texas. 

Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated March 4, 
1861, in front of the capitol, the inaugura- 
tion ceremonies being witnessed by a vast 
concourse of people. Before taking the 
oath, Mr. Lincoln pronounced in a clear, 
ringing voice, his inaugural address, to 
hear which there was an almost painful 
solicitude, to read which the whole Ameri- 
can people and civilized world awaited 
with irrepressible anxiety. With that 
address, and the administration of the 
oath of office, the people were assured. 
All doubt, if any had previously existed, 
was removed. In the hands of Abraham 
Lincoln, the people's President, and him- 
self of the people, the government was 
safe. 

Traitors were still busy, plotting and 
planning. Troops were mustering in all 
the seceded States. On Friday, A])ril 12, 
the surrender of Fort Sumter, with its 
garrison of sixty effective men, was de- 
manded and bravely refused by the gallant 
Major Anderson. Fire was at once opened 
on the helpless garrison by the rebel 
forces, numbered by thousands. Resist- 
ance was useless, and at last the National 



^ •- 



^^ 



496 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COIINTY. 



colors were liauled down, and Ijy traitor 
hands were trailed in the dust. On Sun- 
day morning, the 14th, the news of the 
surrender was received in all the principal 
cities of the Union. That was all, but 
that was enough. A day later, when the 
news was confirmed and spread through 
the country, the patriotic people of the 
North were rousted from their dreams of 
the future — from undertakings half com- 
pleted — and made to realize that behind 
that mob there was a dark, deep, and well 
organized purpose to destroy the govern- 
ment, rend the Union in twain, and out of 
its ruin* erect a slave oligarchy, wherein 
no one would dare question their rights to 
hold in bondage the sons and daughters of 
men whose skins were black. Their 
dreams of the future — their plans for the 
establishment of an independent confed- 
eracy — were doomed from their inception 
to sad and bittef disappointment. Every- 
where north of Mason and Dixon's line, 
the voice of Providence was heard : 

" Draw forth your million blades as one ; 
Complete the battle now begun ; 
God fights with ye, and overhead 
Flouts the dear banner of your dead. 
They, and the glories of the past, 
The future, dawning dim and vast, 
And all the holiest hopes of man, 
.\re beaming triumphant in your van. " 

" Slow to resolve, be swift to do ! 
Teach ye tlie False, how fights the True ! 
IIow buckled Perfidy shall feel, 
In her black heart the Patriot's steel : 
How sure the bolt that Justice wings ; 
How weak the arm a traitor brings ; 
How mighty they who steadfast stand. 
For Freedom's flag and Freedom's land. " 

On Monday, Ajiril 1.5tli, President Lin- 



coln issued the following proclamation : 

" Whereas, The laws of the United Slates 
have for some time past, and are now, opposed, 
and the execution thereof obstructed, in the 
States of South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Mis- 
sissippi Louisiana and Texas, by combinations 
too powerful to be suppressed by the oidiuarv 
course of judicial proceedings, or by the powers 
vested in the marshals ; now therefore, I, Abra- 
ham Lincoln, President of the United States, liy 
virtue of the power in me vested by the Consti- 
tution and the laws, have thought to call forth, 
and hereby do call forth, the militia of the 
several States of the Union, to the number of 
7.5,000, in order to suppress said combinations, 
and to cause the laws to be duly executed. 

The details for this subject will be immedi- 
ately communicated to the State authorities 
through the War Department. 1 appeal to all 
loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and to aid this 
effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and 
existence of our National Union, and the per- 
petuity of popular government, and to repress 
wrongs already long endured. I deem it proper 
to say that the first services assigned to the 
forces hereby called forth will probably be to 
repossess the forts, places and property which 
have been seized from the L^nion ; and in every 
event the utmost care will be observed, consist- 
ently with the object aforesaid, to avoid any 
devastation, any destruction of, or interference 
with property, or any disturbance of peaceful 
citizens in any part of the country ; and I here- 
by command the persons composing the combi- 
nations aforesaid, to disperse and retire peacea- 
bly to their res])ective abodes, within twenty 
da3's from this date. 

Deeming that the present condition of public 
affairs presents an extr.aordinaiy occasion, I do 
hereby, in virtue of the power in me vested by 
the Constitution, convene both Houses of Con- 
gress. The Senators and Representatives are, 
therefore summoned to assemble at their respec- 
tive chambers at 12 o'clock, noon, on Thursday, 
the fourth day of July next, then and there to 
consider and determine such measures as in 
their wisdom the public safety and Interest may 
seem to demand." 



•?T« 



-.t^ 



:L^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



497 



In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my 
hand and caused the seal of the United States 
to be affixed. 

Done at the city of Washington, the fifteenth 
day of April, in the year of our Lord one thou- 
sand eight hundred ivnd sixty-one, and of the 
independence of the United States the eighty- 
fifth. 

Bv the President, 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 

W. H. Seward, Secretary of Stale " 

The last word of this proclamation had 
scarcely been taken from the electric wire 
before the call was filled. Men and money 
were counted out by hundreds and thou- 
sands. The people who lored their whole 
country could not give enough. Patriot- 
ism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated 
through every heart. The farm, the work- 
shop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the 
bench, the college, the school house — every 
calling offered its best men, their lives and 
fortunes, in defense of the Government's 
honor and unity. Party lines were for a 
time ignored. Bitter words, spoken in 
moments of political heat, were forgotten 
and forgiven, affd,' joining hands in a 
common cause, they repeated the oath of 
America's soldier statesman : "-Sy the 
Great Eternal, the Union must and shall 
he preserved! " 

Seventy-five thousand men were not 
enough to subdue the Rebellion. Nor were 
ten times that number. The war went on, 
and call followed call, until it seemed as 
if there were not men enough in all the 
free States to crush out the Rebellion. But 
to every call for either men or money 
there was a willing and ready response. 
The gauntlet thrown down by the traitors 
of the South was accepted ; not, however, 
in the spirit which insolence meets inso- 
lence, but with a firm, determined spirit 



of patriotism and love of country. The 
duty of the President was plain under the 
Constitution and laws, and, above and 
beyond all, the people, from whom all 
political power is derived, demanded the 
suppression of the Rebel ion, and stood 
ready to sustain the authority of their 
representative and executive officers to the 
utmost extremity. 

Tama county was behind no county in 
the State iii the exhibition of sublime 
patriotism. The news did not reach the 
people of the county in time to be 
numbered in the first call of the President 
for 75,000 men, but in the second, and 
every succeeding call, it responded with 
its noblest and best men, some of whom 
went forth never to return. The record 
of the county, at home or in the field, is a 
noble one. By referring to the chapter 
containing the action of the Board of 
Supervisors, it will be seen what was done 
in an official way. In an unofficial way 
the people took hold of the work, aided 
enlistments, and furnished a large amount 
of sanitary supplies. 

The first company raised in the county 
was Company C, Tenth Infantry. It was 
organized in Toledo, about the 12th of 
August, 1861, in answer to the President's 
call for 300,000 men. The officers elected 
were : A. Stoddard, Captain; T. B. Martin, 
First Lieutenant; T. W. Jackson, Second 
Lieutenant. As the company left Toledo, 
for the place of rendezvous, hundreds of 
people were present and many were the 
tears shed and the hearty "God bless you," 
over the departure of the loved ones. 

Shortly after this company had left, the 
companies under Judge Leander Clark, 



rfT 









♦ 


^ 


« ^ 


^ f 


-i^ 




• 


408 HISTORY OF 


rAMA COUNTY. 






and W. H. Stivers, as Captains, were 


A. D. Eaton, Riley Wescott, 






organized. Judge Clark went through 


W. L. H. Jack, David Sullivan, 






tlie war and was promoted to Lieutenant- 


John 0. Matthews. 






Coh)nel. W. H. Stivers only remained in 


This regiment was organized with 






the service for a short time, when he 


William H. Worthington, of Keokuk, as 






resigned and was succeeded as Captain by 


colonel, and was mustered into the service 






George Pemberton, of Scott county. 


of the United States, at Burlington, July 






About the same time. Company F., Twenty- 


1 5, 1 8G 1 . It was engaged at New Madrid, 






eighth Infantry, was organized, with John 


siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, Cham- 






A. Staley as Captain. 


pion's Hill, siege of Vicksburg and Chicka- 






In addition to these, there were a large 


mauga, doing brave service. 






number of enlistments of men in different 


EIGHTH INFANTRY. 






companies raised in adjoining counties. 


COMPANY D. 






and for old companies whose ranks had been 


Privates: 






thinned by disease and war. Tama county 


Henry D. Thompson. John S. Hopkins. 






was represented in nineteen regiments . 


COMPANY G. 






and fifty companies. There were forty- 


Corporal: 






two killed in battle, ninety-one wounded 


S. A. Dobson. 






and eighty-three died from various natural 


Privates: 






causes. 


E. P. Allen, John Lewis, 






In this connection has been compiled 


W. E. Appelgate. J. D. Fuller. 






from the Adjutant General's report, the 


The Eighth was mustered into the 






name of every soldier from Tama county. 


United States service September 12, IKCl, 






If any are omitted it is not intentional, for 


at Davenport, Iowa, with Frederick Steel, 






great care has been exercised in the com- 


of the regular army, as colonel. It was 






pilation, and none have more veneration 


engaged at Shi lob, Corinth, Vicksburg, 






for the brave soldier than the author of 


Jackson and Si)aiii8h Fort. 






this volume. So far as it could be done 


NINTH INFANTRY. 






mistakes in spelling names have been cor- 








COMPANY G. 






rected. The following is the record : 


Corporal : 
James H. Sipe. 






SECOND INFANTRY. 






COMPANY I. 


Privates: 






Private : 


G. B. Sharp. Joseph Vincent, 






J. G. Bowen. 


Samuel Sharp. 








This regiment was organized with 






FIFTH INFANTRY. 


William Vandever, of Dubuque, as Col- 






COMPANY D. 


onel, and was engaged in the battles of 






Corporal: 


Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas 






L. D. F. Lewis. 


Post, Vicksburg, Ringgold, Dallas and 




J 


Privates: 


Lookout Mountain, was also in Sherman's 


^ 




M. Carter, F. E. Strong, 


march to the sea. 




■^JL.. 






.. ^ fc 




• r* 




r 


• 




^^,^^:^^^^tC-^.><L . 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



rfrrzfL 



TENTH IjSTFANTRY 

COMPANY B. 

Privates: 
W H. Hufl', J. W. Porter. 

COJirANY c 

Captain: 

Albert Stoddard. 

First Lietitenants: 

T.B.Martin, Wm. 11. Stoddard, 

G. H. Conant. 

Second Lieutenants: 
T. W. Jackson, G. W. Conant, 

W. II. Stoddard. 



U. II. C'ociUit, 
.John M. Stebbiuj; 
K. De.\ter, 



bergeant: 

L. B. Nelson, 
Dorson Chase, 
J. W. Jones. 



Corporals: 
Frank W. Crosby, A. DaviS; 

J. B. Hancox, 
Wm. J. Carson, 
Joseph Kellogg, 
Angello Myers, 
J. H. Richardson, 
J. H. Smith, 



C L. Palmer. 



C. L. Bailey, 
E. B. Bailey, 
Thos. Clem, 
J. W. B. Cole, 
G. W. Guilford, 
P. Piggius, 
C. Mahulm, 
William Appelgate, 
Charles Bailey, 
O. Baldy, 
Freeman Bixby, 
Thomas Brannan, 
Charles Bunce, 
E. B. Bailey, 
Joseph Budka, 



J. R. Lux, 
N. P. Gray, 
N. P. Stephenson, 
E. A. Jeffreys, 
Thos. S. Branuan, 

B. J. Howard. 
Musicians: 

C. W. Woodward, 
Wagoner ; 

William Watts. 
Privates: 

S. D. Newton, 
M. Rhoads, 
John Sawyer, 
E. M. Stevens, 
U. P. Stevens, 
S. Walker, 
J. W. Appelgate, 
Thomas F. Fee, 
G. W. Guilford, 
Andrew Goodwin, 
George N. Gray, 
T. Griffin, 
A. B. Harman, 
S. Haworth, 
J. P. Henry, 



W. H. Byron, 
Dorson Chase, 
Eli Clark, 
Thomas Clem, 
J,W. B.Cole, 
James Connor, 
R. D. Crosby, 
Benjamin Dunbar, 
James Fairbank, 
A. J. Filloon, 
George McCall, 
Jasper Fisher, 
N. N . Myers, 
George Newport, 
S. D. Newton, 
F. Omwake, 
C. W. Peck, 
H. R. Pugh, 
Philip Ramsey, 
Wesley Randall, 
William W. Reed, 
Jacob Reiney, 
M. Rhoads, 
J. H. Richardson, 
A. M. Roberts, 
J. C. Rouse, 
C. Ronband, 
John Sawyer, 
J. H. Smith, 
James Smith, 
Wesley Camp, 
H. R. Free, 
N. B. Myers, 



C. L. Bailey, 
George Buchanan 
David Clement, 
J. H. Fee, 

D. B. Mason, 
B. S. Myers, 
D. N. Reedy, 



C.J. Herrick, 
Peter Higgins, 
John Hillmon, 

B. F. Howard, 
W. T. Hiatt, 
E. A. Jeffreys, 
A. II. Kellogg. 
James H. Loriuier, 
Thomas Laughlin, 
Jacob Lux, 
Henry Levin, 
Cyrus Maholm, 
E. A. Southard, 

E. M. Stevens, 
R. N. Stevens, 
William H. Stoddard, 

F. Tice, 
A. Tice, 

S. W. Tompkins, 
James Turner, 
N. Van Horn, 
George Van Riper, 
Samuel Walker, 
James Walton, 
W. W. Yarman, 
James Young, 
Joseph Kellogg, 
James Newport, 
Charles D. Bailey, 
D. B Mason, 
Van Buren Rugg, 

C. T. Davis, 
Luke Camp, 

E. Evans. 

COMPANY D. 

Corporal : 
H. L. Bigg. 
Wagoner : 
P. Daily. 
Privates : 

C. T. Davis, 

P. D. Daily. 

Francis Fee, 

J. L. Croskrey, 

G. N. Cooper, 

Henry Cooper, 

C. Arnold, 



k 



•^ 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



V B. Rugg, 
J. W;ilmut, 
G. W Buchanan, 



W. J. Newport, 
J. F. Bartlett, 
J. N. Paxton. 



J. N. PaxtOD, 



D. H. Anderson, 
S. Slirceves, 



COifPANT F. 

Privates : 

Jacob Teiser, 
J. C. Kellogg. 

COMTANT H. 

Privates ; 

II. P. Strain, 
W. Strain, 
B. T. Beller. 



COMPANY K. 

Adjutant : 

T, Walter Jackson. 

Quartermaster S. : 

Frank W. Crosky. 

Privates : 

J.W Paxton, P. Herrington, 

J. N. Paxton. 

TENTH INFANTRY. 

The Tenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, 
recruited under the President's proclama- 
tion of July 2.3, 1861, were enlisted from 
quite a large number of counties, but 
chiefly resided in Polk, Warren, Boone, 
Tama, Washington, Poweshiek, Green, 
Jasper and Madison. The regiment was 
organized at " Camp Fremont, " near Iowa 
City, whither the most of the companies 
proceeded in the latter paH of August; 
and where eight of them were mustered 
into service by Captain Alexander Cham- 
bers, United States Army, on the 6th and 
7th of September. One company was not 
mustered till the -iSth, and the last till the 
13th of October. When thus completely 
organized, the regiment had upon its rolls 
an aggregate of nine hundred and thirteen 
men . 

Having remained only a short time in 
rendezvous after organization, the regi- 



ment moved by rail and steamer to St. 
Louis, where it was supplied with arms, 
clothing, and equipage, upon the receipt 
of which it at once proceeded down the 
river to Cape Girardeau. In the early 
part of November, they had their first 
campaigning in the field. The notorious 
Jeff Thompson was about this time creating 
a considerable sensation, and with his band 
of " butternuts, " as they were called, 
was doing no little damage and causing 
much annoyance to Union citizens in 
southeastern Missouri. He had his head- 
quarters at Bloomfield, distant nearly 
forty miles, in a southwestern direction, 
from Cape Girardeau. The Tenth Iowa 
was ordered to march on Bloomfield, and 
disperse Thompson's band. The com- 
mand marched rapidly thither, but the 
bird had flown. The regiment captured 
a large quantity of property which the 
marauder had acquired on his plundering 
expeditions, but found no armed opposition. 
It accordingly countermarched to Cape 
Girardeau. 

On the 13th of December the regiment 
moved down to Bird's Point, and there 
went into winter quarters. On the 8th of 
January, Colonel Perczel received orders 
to march with his command, by night, to 
Charleston, twelve miles distant from 
Bird's Point, and surprise and capture a 
body of rebels understood to be posted 
there. Colonel Perczel immediately ]>ro- 
ceeded to the execution of these orders, 
and as soon as it was dark had his regi- 
ment on tiie march. The night was exces- 
sively stormy, and dark as Tartarus. The 
rain fell down in torrents, and the road, 
passing through swamps, was at this time 
perfectly luH-rible Nevertheless, the 



'•^1 




■^T>**» -i^^X-^/."- 



Ja. 



'k. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



commaml groped its way along as best it 
could, the men being in that peculiar kind 
of spirits, which, we frequently observe, 
seems to be the effect of commotion 
among the elements. While they were 
thus feeling their way, and as they were 
passing through a dense forest, they were 
suddenly fired upon by the enemy in 
ambush. In the darkness, the command 
was thrown into momentary confusioni 
or rather, it was momentarily paralyzed 
by the suddenness of the attack. Officers 
and men, however, immediately recovered 
their presence of mind, and fought as 
well as it was possible for them to do at 
that time and at that place. They could 
only know the enemy's position by the 
flashes of his guns, into which they fired, 
and no doubt inflicted loss upon the men 
behind the flashes, who, at any rate, were 
entirely dispersed. The regiment marched 
on to Charleston and beyond, and returned 
next day to Bird's Point, having lost eight 
killed and sixteen wounded in this its 
first rencontre with the enemy. 

The next campaign in which the 10th 
participated was that against New Madrid. 
The regiment was the first to enter the 
place. They found that the rebels had 
left their suppers untouched, their candles 
burning in their tents. They could not 
have fled more precipitately had they 
been warned of a coming shower of ashes, 
such as overtook Sodom and Gomorrah. 
They left all their artillery, field batteries 
and siege guns amounting to thirty-three 
pieces, immense quantities of amunition, 
tents for an army of ten thousand men, 
horses, mules, wagons — all had been left 
to fall into our possession, and make the 
victory most complete and wonderful. 



After this great victory of General 
Pope, the regiment, together with the 
whole army, immediately commenced the 
campaign of Island No. Ten, which in 
due time was taken. 

After the battle of Corinth, the regiment 
had a period of rest in camp near that 
place, which continued about one month, 
at the end of which time it joined In the 
movement under General Grant into cen- 
tral Mississippi, whereby it was intended 
to attack Vicksburg in rear, but which 
design was thwarted and the campaign 
rendered futile by Van Dorn's success in 
cutting General Grant's communications 
and destroying his principal depot of sup- 
plies, at Holly Springs. Having on this 
expedition marched as far as Oxford, the 
regiment there turned about face, and 
marched to Memphis. At that city and 
near by the regiment remained in camp 
and winter quarters till the campaign of 
the following spring. 

The regiment found at Champion Hills 
the bloodiest ordeal through which it was 
ever called to pass, suffering a loss, in 
killed, wounded, and missing, of nearly 
fifty per cent, of those engaged. The regi- 
ment, with the brigade, rushed into the 
fight when the rebels had succeeded in 
forcing back Hovey and in throwing him 
into temporary confusion where a rout 
must have entailed a terrible disaster upon 
our arms, and succeeded by as desperate 
fighting as was ever witnessed in holding 
the enemy in check until Crocker threw in 
other troops, who animated by his intrepid 
spirit, and sustained by his splendid 
nerve, snatched glorious victory out of the 
defeat which seemed so imminent. Here 
the tide of the battle turned and swept the 



1'-^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



rebel army from tlie field. But Boomer's 
brigade was immolated. The losses in the 
Tenth regiment were fearful. Captain 
Poag, Lieutenant Brown, and Lieutenant 
Terry were killed on the field, Captains 
Lusby, Hosbon, Kuhn, and Head and Lieu- 
tenants Meekins and Gregory were wound- 
ed, whilst the scene of their conflict was 
strewn with the dead and wounded. 

The campaigns of 1863 for this regiment 
closed with the victory of Chattanooga. It 
joined in the pursuit of the rebels, but soon 
after the battle marched into Alabama, 
and went into winter quarters at Hunts- 
ville. During the months of January and 
February, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted 
and became a veteran organization, and 
entered the service as such on the first of 
February. Notwithstanding the regiment 
had been so greatly reduced by its active 
campaigns, nearly three hundred re-entered 
the service. When it had re-enlisted, the 
exigencies of the service forbade its taking, 
at the time, that furlough to which, by 
general rule, it would have been entitled, 
and it was sent home on veteran furlough 
in the midst of the summer. The regiment 
went to Iowa in June, and having enjoyed 
a month there in which they were most 
handsomely treated by the people, officers 
and men returned to their field of duty in 
the latter part of July, Colonel Henderson 
bringing with him a splendid sword, the 
gift of his friends in Warren county. 

In the campaign of the Carolinas, the 
regiment distinguished itself at the passage 
of the Salkahatchie river, crossing the 
stream, which was waist deep, iu front of 
the enemy po.sted behind consideral)le 



earthworks, and with the Fifty-sixth Illi- 
nois charging and driving the rebels like 
scared sheep before them. It was with 
the column which brought Columbia into 
our possession, and warmly engaged, at 
Co.x's Bridge, on the Neuse river, North 
Carolina, in one of the skirmishes prelim- 
inary to the Battle of Bentonville, and 
which was the last engagement with the 
enemy in which the Tenth took part. This 
affair of Cox's Bridge occurred on the 19th 
day of March, 1865, a few days more than 
three years from the triumphal march of 
the regiment, at the head of Pope's Army 
of the Mississippi into New Madrid, on the 
bank of the Father of Waters. 

From Bentonville the regiment moved 
to Goldsboro, thence to Raleigh, where 
Johnston soon capitulated, and thence to 
Washington city, where it participated in 
the famous review. From Washington it 
moved to Louisville, where the men sup- 
posed they would be mustered out of 
service. In this they were mistaken. The 
fighting days of the regiment were over, 
but not its journeyings. Having remained 
at Louisville a few weeks, it was ordered 
to Little Rock, Arkansas, whither it pro- 
ceeded without visible discontent, but 
certainly, one should suppose, not without 
mental execrations upon the heads of the 
authorities promulgating the order. Nor 
did events show that there was the 
least necessity for it. No speck of war 
appeared in that dark quarter of the 
national horizon, and the next order the 
regiment received was an order for muster 
out. In obedience to which, it was mus- 
tered out at Little Rock, on the 15th of 
August, then numbering but little more 
than three hundred men. 



^. 



TV 



li. 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 505 


ELEVENTH INFANTRY. 


FOURTEENTH INFANTRY. [ 


COMPANY B. 




COMPANY A. 


Musician: 




Sergeants : 


B. C. Stevens. 


J. Luke, 


L. B. Iliutinan. 
Corporal : 


TWELFTH INFANTRY 


J. 


W. McRoberts. 


COMPANY D. 




Privates : 


Corporal: 


C. F. Alexander 


N. C. Ingham, 


8. J. Crowhurst. 


J. C. Barrett, 


J W. Kresson, 




H S. Cuningham. J. M. Lefler, 1 


COMPANY E. 








E. Gallion. 


W. Leach, 


Privates: 


P. E. Greenlief, 


J. Mills, 


S. J. Crowliurst, M. Copeland, 


George Helm, 


J. Morton, 


('. B. Hayward, W. C. Shaftr, 


J. Manerth, 


W. Spear, 


H. H. Crowhurst. 


D. Rosenberger, 


C Vimpany, 


Tlie Twelfth was recruited soon after 


W. Roger.a, 


P. B. Willey, 




A. Reins, 


J. H. Wilkins, 


tlie disaster at Bull Run, and was organ- 


G. W. Shiner, 


George Yarman. 


ized with J. J. Wood, of Maquoketa, as 




COMPANY o. 


Colonel. It was mustered into service in 




(Captains : 


October and November, 1861, and was 


W. 11. Stivers, 


George Pemberlon. 


engaged at Shiloh, Fort Donelson, siege 


F 


rst Lieutenant : 


of Vicksburg, Tupelo, Mississippi, White 


William Gallagher. 


River, Nashville and Spanish Fort. 


Second Lieutenant : 






S. F. Eccles. 


THIRTEENTH INFANTRY 




Sergeants : 


COMPANY G. 


J A. Shanklin, 


S. F. Eccles, 




G A. Walrnth, 


E. Q. Oldroid. 


First Lieutenant : 






G. B. Sharp. 




Corporals : 


Peter Wilson, 


B. F. Thomas. 


Privates : 


John Maholm. 


William Breeze, 


R. Billiugham, E. Kern, 


G. A. Pope, 


John Gaston. 


James Millagc, J.R.Thomas, 






AVard B. Sherman, W. S. Towusend. 




Musician : 


W G Bates, Wm Wade, 




James Fox . 


J. Brick. 




Privates : 




J. H Luke, 


J, Mills, 


Tliis regiment was mustered into the 


J. Branuan, 


M. Grubbs, 


service of the United States November 1, 


L Bowen, 


John Gaston, 


1861, withN. M. Crocker, of Des Moines, 


J Burright, 


William L. Gort, 


as Colonel. The regiment was in the 


C. Burright, 


J. Hunnicutt, 


battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Kenesaw 


S. Clark, 


- George Ileimlick, 




M. Clark, 


G. Hiatt, 


Mountain, siege of Vicksburg, campaign 


R. F. Clark, 


A. Kellogg, 


against Atlanta, Sherman's march to the 


E. Dykeman, 


J. H. Luke, 


.sea, and through the Carolinas, home. 


JR. Edwards, 


Henry Looinis, 



rr 



jj*- 



.1^ 



506 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Charles Edwards, 
R. Fitch, 
J. R. Fetter, 
J. E. McKune, 
J. B. Overturf. 
L. Powell, 
J. A. Pope. 
David Zehrung, 



J. Miles, 
David Miles, 
J. R. Myers, 
E. Stokes, 
D. Soulhwick, 
J. B. Wineman, 
H. n. Williams, 
D. S. Young, 



E. S. Young. 

The 14th Infantry, Colonel William T. 
Shaw, was organized in the fall of 1801, 
being enrolled under the President's pro- 
clamation of October 3d of that year. 
Before the regiment was organized, three 
companies recruited tlierefor, and which 
were designated as Companies A, B, and 
C therein, were sent to the Western fron- 
tier on special service, and remained ever 
afterwards detached from the regiment. 
Though these companies continued, pro 
foriiw, to continue a part of the 14th 
regiment for a considertible period, they 
were never under the command of the 
commanding officer of the regiment, and 
never did, e.\cept by the merest technical- 
ity, make a part of it. 

As a matter of fact, therefore, as con- 
tradistinguished from a mere matter of 
record, or of law, the 14th Iowa during 
the first year of its service, consisted of 
but seven companies, from D to K inclus- 
ive. These companies were enlisted in 
different parts of the State, but Henry 
county contributed much more largely than 
any other to the number of the regiment. 
DesMoines, Lee, Van Buren, Jasper, Tama, 
Jones, Linn, Dubuque, Johnson, also con- 
tributed largely, and (juite a number of 
other counties were not ungenerously rep- 
resented in the command. The regimen- 
tal rendezvous was at Camp McClellan 



near Davenport, where the regiment was 
organized, November 6, 1861, with the fol- 
lowing officers, field, staff and line : 
William T. Shaw, Colonel; Edward W. 
Lucas, Lieutenant-Colonel; Hiram Leon- 
ard, IVIajor; Noah N. Tyner, Adjutant; 
C. C. Buell, Quartermaster; George M. 
Staples, Surgeon; S. N. Pierce, Assistant; 
Company D, Captain R. D. Emerson; 
Lieutenants R. J. Harrison, William M. 
Gordon; Company E, Captain Joseph O. 
Shannon; Lieutenants John W. Horine, 
Neal Murray; Company F, Captain Joseph 
H. Newbold ; Lieutenants William H. 
Shuey, Cyrus Bitner; Company G, Captain 
William H. Stivers; Lieutenants George 
Pemberton, William Gallighar; Company 
H, Captain Edgar A. Warner; Lieuten- 
ants William H. Calkins, Leroy A. Crane; 
Company I, Captain Warren C. Jones; 
Lieutenants John M. Moorehead, George 
II. Logan; Company K, Captain William 
J. Campbell; Lieutenants William IL 
Kirkwood, Cliarles P. King. At this 
time, not cotinting those who formed the 
companies which never served with the 
main body, there were more than si.K hun- 
dred, officers and enlisted men, in the ser- 
vice. 

The first active service was at Fort 
Donelson. On the first day of the battle 
it was in position in the left wing. General 
Percifer F. Smith, commanding. In the 
battle which followed, the regiment was 
conspicuous for its gallantry, fighting with 
that immortal brigade, under command of 
Colonel J. G. Lauraan, which first forced 
its way into the rebel works, and won the 
brightest laurels among all the bright 
wreaths which were here won by the army 
under Grant. The regiment in this, its 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



:l^ 



first battle, lost three killed and twenty- 
one wounded. 

It remained at Fort Donelson about 
three weeks after the capitulation. It 
thefa embarked on steamers, and moving 
down the Cumberland and up the Tennes- 
see, disembarked at Pittsburg Landing on 
the 18th of March. In the battle of 
Shiloh, the Fourteenth formed part of that 
self-constituted Forlorn ilope which, 
fighting the live-long day against fearful 
odds, and staying the rebel advance, by 
its own heroic immolation saved the army 
and made the victory of the 1th of April 
possible. Just as the sun was setting Col- 
onel Shaw, seeing further fighting useless, 
surrendered his command prisoners of 
war. The losses up to this time in killed 
and wounded had been heavy, but the sac- 
rifice of these and of the principal com- 
mand in captivity, practically closed the 
career of the Fourteenth for inany months. 

The officers and men surrendered were 
held as prisoners of war at the South until 
late in the following fall, when, moving 
by Richmond, Virginia, and Annapolis, 
Maryland, they went to Benton Barracks, 
Missouri, being released on parole, and 
were declared exchanged on the 19th of 
November. Here, then, the command re- 
mained for re-organization during the fol- 
lowing winter. 

On the 10th of April, the re-organized 
command left St. Louis on steamer, and 
in due time making the port of Cairo, there 
disembarked and went into camp. 

From Cairo the command moved to Co- 
lumbus, Kentucky, in the latter part of 
June. And theie it remained on garrison 
duty for s( ven long months. 

On the 24th of January, 18G4, the regi- 



ment embarked on steamers and proceed- 
ed to Vicksburg. Here it was assigned to 
the Second Brigade, Third Division, Si.x- 
teenth. Army Corps. Colonel Shaw was 
in command of the brigade, and from this 
time until he left the service, nine months 
afterwards, had command either of the 
brigade, or of a Division. His brigade, 
by its endurance of fatigue, and its firm- 
ness in battle, acquired the sobriquet of 
" The Iron Brigade, " and its commander 
that of "Grim Fighting Old Shaw." 
Lieutenant-Colonel Newbold in command, 
the regiment, very soon after its arrival at 
Vicksburg, took up line of march east- 
ward with the army under Major-General 
Sherman, which made the famous Merid- 
ian raid. This laborious, singular cam- 
paign of one month's duration hardly did 
more than give the Fourteenth a good 
appetite. It enjoyed the marching and 
the bivouacking, and laughed at blistered 
feet, thinking them decidedly preferable 
to unblistered feet in a garrison. 

The regiment next formed a part of the 
Red River expedition, under Banks. Its 
record in that expedition is indeed 
commendable ; its loss was very great. It 
was mustered out of Service November 
16,1864. 



SIXTEENTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY I. 

Private : 
H. Sipe. 



EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY. 

COAfPANY K. 

Private : 
B. F. Smith. 



t 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



l\±^ 



TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY 

COMl'AKY D. 

Private : 
E. A. Burnham. 

COMPANY E. 

Captain : 

Leander Clark. 

First Lieutenant : 

S. S. Dillman. 

Sergeants : 

M. Mefford. 



Jaiiuw Rukes, 



J. S. Edmonds, 
T. N. Perkins. 



6. Alexander, 
E. Bailey, 
W. W. Beatty, 
J. W. Conant, 
J. W. Coe, 
S. Dykeman, 
A.J. Drew, 
W. Dobson, 
E. S Edwards, 
R. Pilloon, 

A. H Feeler, 
W. Gower, 
George Hillmou, 
George Ilemslead, 
Wm. J Knight, 
D. W. Laughlin, 
J. A. Lamm, 
G. W. Louthan, 
N. B. Loomis, 
D. O. Gardner, 
M. Harris, 

B. C. Hayes, 
A B. Knight, 
A. T. King, 
W. S. King, 
G. Lamm, 
H. Merrill, 



Corporals : 

E. S. Edwards, 
Geo. W. Stoddard, 
J H. Lewis. 
Privates : 

M. Mink, 
John Mubeah, 
L. Mitchell, 

0. N. Mason, 
S. W. McGee, 
C. F. McGee, 
JohnMisner, 
J. Pass, 

Henry Phillips, 
S. R. Rush ton, 
J. M. Snow, 

E. O. Thomas, 

1. Voorhies, 

F. Vernier, 
W. T. Wilber, 
E. Brewer, 
W. L. Conant, 
I. Donald, 
E. H. Finch. 

G. Parcher, 
A. J. Roberts, 
Phillips Rhoads, 
Allen Mason, 
A. A. Swart hout, 
E. S. Beckley, 
E. Granger, 
James Youug. 



TWENTY-FOURTH INFANTRY. 

Soon after the receipt of the President'; 



Proclamation of Jnly 2, 1862, calling for 
.300,000 volunteers, Governor Kirkwood 
issued a commission to Eber C. Byam, of 
Linn county, authorizing him to raise a 
regiment to be called "The Iowa Temper- 
ance Regiment," Circular.s were accord- 
ingly distributed by Byam through Linn 
and the adjoining counties. In a very 
short time more than double the requisite 
number of companies were organized and 
ready to march to the appointed rendez- 
vous. They were composed of men of 
temperance principles and temperance 
habits — that is to say, of men who touch 
not, taste not, handle not spirituous or 
malt liquor, wine or cider. This was the 
intention. Out of the companies reported 
as ready to join the regiment choice was 
made as follows : Company E, from Tama 
county, with Leander Clark as Captain ; 
three from Linn county, F, G and II, un- 
der Captains Dimmitt, Vinson and Car- 
bee ; two from Cedar county, B and C, 
under Captains Rathburn and Johnson ; 
two from Jackson county, A and I, under 
Captains Henderson and Martin : one 
from Johnson county under Captain Cas- 
beer ; and Company K, from Jones, with 
Captain Williams. E. C. Byam was du- 
ly commissioned Colonel ; John Q. Wilds, 
Lieutenant-Colonel ; and Ed. Wright, 
Major. 

The rendezvous of the companies was at 
Camp Strong, near the city of Muscatine, 
where the Thirty-fifth was also rendez- 
vousing at the same time. After medical 
inspection of the Twenty-fourth some of 
the companies were more than full. Those 
making the excess were transferred to the 
Thirty-fifth. On the 18th of September 
the regiment was mustered into the ser- 



"IV^ 



^ 



'W 







■■{tSi^v. 



/^ ^H/l/lAAyD . /f^S-^l^l^-C^^:^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



vice of the United States and was hence- 
forward officially known as the Twenty- 
fourth Iowa Infantry though it was long 
called by the public and by newspaper 
correspondents ihe "Temperance Regi- 
ment." The command remained at Camp 
Strong more than a month after mustei'-in, 
having a great deal of fun, drill parade 
and bad water, and a good deal of measles 
in camp. Marching orders came on Oc- 
tober 19, and on the ne.vt day the regi- 
ment embarked for St. Louis. On reach- 
ing that city, orders were received com- 
manding the regiment to proceed forth- 
with to Helena. It reached that place on 
the 28th, disembarked and went into camp 
on the bank of the Mississippi river, near 
town. At this time the regiment num- 
bered, in officers and men, nine hundred 
and fifty, all apparently in good health. 
In a short time, however, on account of 
exposure during the late voyage, the steam- 
er having been much crowded, and of the 
unhealthy locality, more than a hundred 
were on the sick list. 

During the winter the regiment re- 
mained at Helena, except during three or 
four short periods in which it marched 
with certain expeditions, one or two of 
which had a military purpose in view, the 
others having no purpose whatever that 
has yet been discovered. As has been 
said, "this was a time when so many offi- 
cers had expedition on the brain." On 
the 17th of November, Brigadier General 
A. P. Hovey took some transports and 
made an expedition. He took his com- 
mand to the mouth of the White River 
and then back again without having dis- 
embarked or seen an enemy. The Twenty- 
fourth was with him. The regiment on 



the Twenty-eighth marched, under the 
same General, in the direction of Cold- 
water, Mississippi. The command now 
had its first experience in marching, and 
found no difficulty in keeping up with the 
veteran troops. Arrived at Coldwater, the 
brigade in which was our regiment halted, 
while another with a small force of cav- 
alry advanced to Oakland, some twenty 
miles further. On the afternoon of De- 
cember 1st, artillery firing was heard in 
the direction of Oakland, the first sound 
of actual battle that had yet reached the 
ears of the Twenty-fourth. The brigade 
at Coldwater was at once formed and soon 
moved to the front on the double quick. 
Having thus marched several miles they 
heard of the retreat of the enemy, and 
then about faced and returned to 
Coldwater. They reached Helena again 
on the 7th of December. On the morning 
of January 11, 1863, the regiment em- 
barked with the troops who endured so 
much suffering during General Gorman's 
White River Expedition. 

When the regiment reached Helena on 
its return, the old encampment had to be 
abandoned on account of the rising water. 
Helena was inundated and a new camp 
was made on the first range of hills in the 
rear of the town, and about one mile dis- 
tant. During this rainy winter the troops 
stationed there were unspeakably miser- 
able. It was the darkest period of the 
war for them all. The troops who were 
well enough to sit up, all satin their cheer- 
less quarters, ruminating on their own un- 
happiness, barely noting the drum beat for 
the dead, lieating evermore. General 
Fisk, commanding brigade, accomplished 
what mortal could accomplish toward 



31 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



driving off the clouds of despondency 
settling over the army. The expedition 
under General Washburn, which left 
Helena February 15, to open the Yazoo 
Pass to navigation, aroused the army from 
its lethargy. Of this expedition, General 
Fisk's Brigade formed a part. From its 
return till the commencement of the cam- 
paign against Vicksburg, the Twenty- 
fourth had daily drill and almost daily 
dress parade. 

When the army was re-organized for the 
active operations of spring, the Twenty- 
fourth was attached to the Thirteenth 
corps. It was known to all that the taking 
of Vicksburg was to be the object of the 
campaign, and all looked forward to the 
hour of departure with joy. Nevertheless, 
wlien the troops moved their hearts were 
tilled with deep and solemn feelings. Not 
one but had a brother or favorite comrade 
sleeping the last sleep on the bluffs above, 
or in the vale by the river's bank below. 
The Twenty-fourth had, probably, suffered 
neither less nor more than the other regi- 
ments. During the first three months of 
the year fifty of its members were buried 
near Helena. More were sent to the hos- 
pitals of Memphis, Cairo and St. Louis. 
When the fleet was ready to sail on April 
11, the regiment could muster but little 
more than six hundred, rank and file. 

The world knows how active was the 
grand campaign actually begun by the 
disembarking of the army at Milliken's 
Bend on the 14th of April, till after the 
assault on the 22d of May, and how hard 
were the duties of the investing army till 
the campaign was crowned with complete 
success on the 4th of July. The march, 
in Louisiana, from the point of debarking 



to a jjlace named Perkins' Landing, was 
made difficult and laborious by reason of 
the high waters. Bridges had to be built, 
corduroy roads made for the passage of 
trains. Here the army embarked on 
transports and barges, and proceeded on 
its way down the river to a point about 
four miles above Grand Gulf, and whicli 
is well named Hard Times, it having the 
appearance of being able to maintain a 
very poor family in a very poor way 
during a favorable season. Here the 
army, without disembarking, witnessed 
the cannonading between the gun-bt)ats 
and the rebel batteries at Grand Gulf. 
The batteries could not all be silenced. 
The army, then disembarked, marched 
across to the levee below Grand Gulf, 
where the transports reached them, having 
run the batteries successfully. The Battle 
of Port Gibson, or Thompson's Hill, as it 
is sometimes called, and with more geo- 
graphical accuracy, was fought and won 
very soon after the Thirteenth Corps laud- 
ed at Bruinsburg. In this engagement, 
the Twenty-fourth was almost all the time 
supporting artillery. Its loss was slight 
— six wounded, one mortally. 

From this time until the battle of 
Champion Hills, our regiment did much 
marching, skirmishing, and foraging, but 
was not engaged at Raymond or at Jack- 
son. On the 2d of May, the column 
marched into the beautiful town of Port 
Gibson, and bivouacked in the streets. 
The beauty and fashion of this place had 
made great preparations for a grand bali 
in honor of the victory over our fleet at 
Grand Gulf. The Battle of Port Gibson 
had altogether changed the programme. 
Many of our troops partook of the viands 



'^« ^ 



-"I Ti "V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



4^ 



wliicli liail been prepared for guests of 
another sort. Here the column halted 
three days. The country roundabout Port 
Gibson is one of the richest cotton-grow- 
ing regions of Mississippi. The white 
inhabitants were wealthy, cultivated after 
the Southern fashion, and aristocratic 
according to Southern notions. The war 
had not hitherto been carried into their 
door-yards. Their dwellings were magnifi- 
cent mansions. They had fine carriages 
and blooded horses. Many of them had 
blooded negroes, too, for coachmen . They 
fared sumptuously every day. Thus were 
they living till our troops landed, when 
the most of the wealthy planters suddenly 
decamped Our foraging parties met with 
all the embarrassment of riches. They 
would return, loaded down with supplies 
— beef, bason, pork, poultry, vegetables. 
One might see gorgeous fami'y carriages 
coming into Port Gibson from all direc- 
tions, filled with geese, ducks, and chick- 
ens, or coming from the mills, laden with 
great bags of meal. Yet no man's prop- 
erty was destroyed, or even taken for the 
use of the army, without there being first 
obtained evidence of his disloyalty to the 
Union, which evidence very often consist- 
ed of the fact that he had run away from 
the Union army. No houses were burned, 
no cotton was destroyed. The Union 
troops simply did what the planters had 
done before them. They fared sumptuous- 
ly every day. Having remained here long 
enough to get together a large quantity of 
supplies, the column moved on the 6th to 
Rocky Springs. On the next day, it 
moved to Big Sandy Creek, and was there 
reviewed by General Grant. On the 10th 



it moved still farther northward, halting 
near Cayuga. Here the grand army first 
came together, and marched forward in an 
unbroken line of several miles extent, 
making a grand sight. McClernand's 
Corps was on the left. On the morning of 
the 12th, his advance Division being that 
of General Hovey, to which the Twenty- 
fourth belonged, moved to Fourteen Mile 
Creek, in the direction of Edwards' Depot. 
Here he had a sharp skirmish with the 
enemy, and deployed his men in line of 
battle. The main rebel army from Vicks- 
burg, twenty-five thousand strong, as re. 
ported, was drawn up two or three miles 
in advance. Meantime, while Hovey was 
here amusing the enemy, McPherson 
whipped the rebel force at Raymond. 
Hovey then withdrew, and taking a new 
road just made by the pioneers, passed 
through Raymond on the day after the bat- 
tle, and reached Clinton on the 14th. On the 
next morning the Thirteenth Corps turned 
about, and marching westward, reached 
Bolton Depot in the evening. 

In the battle of Champion Hills, fought 
on the 16th, and which was the most severe 
engagement of the campaign except the 
assault of Vicksburg itself, Hovey's. Divis- 
ion bore the brunt of the contest for 
hours, fighting with a valor and obstinacy 
which conferred eternal honor upon the 
troops. The Twenty-fourth Iowa was 
second to no regiment in splendid fighting 
on this bloody field. Not an officer or a 
man engaged but did his duty meritori- 
ously, yea, with special gallantry. At one 
time in the fight the regiment advanced, 
unsupported, to charge a battery of five 
guns whose grape and canister were 



^' 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



^ 



rapidly thinning the Union ranks. The 
Twenty-fourth rushed to the charge with 
the greatest enthusiasm, trampled • down 
the gunners, and by'their own momentum 
the men pressed far beyond the battery, 
driving the infantry supports away in wild 
confusion. Ijut they were in turn attack- 
ed by overwhelming numbers, and com- 
pelled to give way. It was in this daring 
charge that Major Wright was severely 
wounded. Here were slain Captain Silas 
D. Johnson and William Carbee, and 
Lieutenant Chauncey Lawrence-^gallant 
officers as ever lived or died in the cause 
of American nationality and of man. The 
loss of the regiment was severe. Forty, 
three officers and men were slain, forty 
more were borne with mortal wounds from 
the field to the grave, nearly thirty were 
maimed for life, and the whole loss, killed, 
wounded and captured, out of the four 
hundred and seventeen who entered the 
fight, was one hundred and ninety-five. 
Such was the great sacrifice of the Tem- 
perance Regiment on the glorious field of 
Champion Hills. 

The regiment, with the Division to 
which it belonged, did not join in the 
rapid pursuit of the enemy which followed 
this great victory, and did not take part, 
consetiuently, in the battle of Black River 
Bridge, the next day, where the Twenty- 
first and Twenty-third Iowa regiments 
won the first honor.s and suffered the sad- 
dest losses. It joined the beleaguering 
army soon, however, and bore its full 
share in the siege of the rebel stronghold. 
When Vicksburg surrendered, there were 
few regiments in all the army which had 
accomplished more, or suffered more, in 



bringing about the great victory than the 
Twenty-fourth. 

But it was not yet to have rest, for at 
once joining General Sherman's expedi- 
tionary army, it took part in the campaign 
of Jackson — a campaign of great labors 
and of great results, but without a general 
battle. Johnston having been driven far 
to the eastward, and central Mississippi 
laid waste, the army under Sherman re- 
turned to the vicinity of Vicksburg, and 
most of the troops which had been instru- 
mental in the reduction of that place 
were granted rest. But the Thirteenth 
Corps, now commanded by General Ord, 
was transferred to the Department of the 
Gulf, having had only about a fortnight's 
repose after the Jackson campaign. 

The history of the Twenty-fourth in 
tills department until it joined the army 
on the Red River Expedition is devoid of 
memorable events. It took part, in the 
fall and early winter of 1S63, in one or 
two expeditions, but though the troops 
marched much, labored much, and some- 
times met the enemy in small force, their 
marches, labors, and skirmishes, were 
barren of results. 

The first of the year 1864 found the 
regiment encamped at Algiers, weather 
very wet, the mud and water rendering 
the camp almost impassible to man or 
beast. Recollections of Helena came 
back forcibly to the men's minds, but the 
14th of January, quarters were obtained 
in warehouses. The 21st, the command 
moved, and the next day encamped near 
the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain, 
by Madisonville. This was the most 
pleasant camp ,the regiment ever had, 



^^« ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'.hL. 



after leaving Camp Strong, near Musca- 
tine. It was evacuated on the evening 
of February 26th. The regiment was 
reviewed by General McClernand at 
Algiers on the 3d of March, and received 
the special commendations of that officer. 

From Algiers the Twenty-fourth moved 
by rail to Berwick Bay, and thence on 
the 13th joined the Red River Expedition 
under General Banks. The 1st of April, 
the command reached Natchitoches, after 
a march of nearly three hundred miles 
from Berwick Bay. Here it remained in 
camp till the morning of the 5th, when 
the army resumed the march for Shreve- 
port. Encamped near Pleasant Hill on 
the 7th. On the next day was fought the 
battle of Sabine Cross Roads. It was the 
intention of General Banks, when his 
forces moved from Grand Ecore on the 
morning of the 6th, that the advance 
should reach Sringfield landing on the 
10th, and there effect a junction with 
Admiral Porter preparatory to the final 
combined movement against Shreveport. 
Ilis army moved in unique fashion. The 
cavalry had the advance. It was followed 
by prodigious trains, enough, one might 
suppose, to have formed the implements 
of the army of Xerxes. The Thirteenth 
Corps came next after this prodigious 
train, but marching in disjointed manner, 
one division far in advance of the other. 
The Nineteenth Corps was several miles 
in the rear. Now when it is considered 
that the roads in this part of Louisiana 
are narrow and bad, that the country is 
covered with a dense pine timber, render- 
ing military operations on a large scale 
impracticable, except in a few localities, 



and cavalry absolutely useless, it might 
seem that common prudence should have 
dictated the most careful compression of 
the line of march, the utmost caution 
against surprise, the gl-eatest care in the 
selection of a position on which to deliver 
battle, and constant vigilance in keeping 
the troops in hand. On the contrary, the 
enemy h.aving hitherto offered the merest 
show of resistance to our advance, it is 
not too much to say that General Banks 
had his army all the while in air. Thus 
his troops were moving recklessly, blind- 
fold, as it were, when on the afternoon of 
the 8th, at Sabine Cross Roads, near 
Mansfield, the mounted advance came 
uj)on the enemy in force, and, fighting on 
foot, was soon defeated. The line over- 
lapped ours on both flanks. Embarrassed 
by their horses, astonished at the unex- 
pected fury of an enemy whose heels only 
they expected to see, the cavalry melted 
away, and speedily became a rout of 
shrieking men on frightened horses. The 
Thirteenth Corps was hurried into action, 
Division at a time, but though each fought 
gallantly to stem the tide of defeat, each 
was compelled to give way. The troops 
fell back in confusion. The enemy pur- 
sued, and, flushed with victory, fell upon 
the Nineteenth Corps, in the very act of 
deploying into line of battle, but nit-t 
with the first check of the day. But he 
was not repulsed, and the whole army was 
soon in retreat, having lost two thousand, 
killed, wounded, and prisoners, several 
batteries of artillery, and large quantities 
of property. 

Only half the Twenty-fourth regiment 
took part in this engagement, five of the 
companies being on guard duty with 



•e!l«- 



jdt 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. , 



tlio train in the rear. To get into 
the fight, the command was marched 
several miles on the double-quick and 
then pushed into battle with the Division, 
after the other Division of the corps 
had been thoroughly defeated. The 
regiment fought for more than an hour, 
and then gave way with the Division. 
Major Wright commanding, says his 
officers and men behaved handsomely, 
staTiding firmly at their posts until ordered 
to retreat. The regiment lost thirty four, 
wounded and captured. Captain Wilbur 
C. Dimmitt, a brave officer and an accom- 
plished gentleman, was severely wounded. 
He fell into the hands of the enemy, and 
not long afterwards died. 

CTcneral Ransom, an intrepid command- 
er, beloved by his troops as General 
McPherson was by his, was wounded at 
Sabine Cross Roads. The detachment of 
the Thirteenth Corps — Third and Fourth 
Divisions — which he commanded on this 
expedition took charge of the train after 
the battle, moving in guard thereof to 
Grand Ecore. In the retreat from Grand 
Ecore, the Twenty-fourth frequently met 
the enemy in skirmish, and lost several 
men wounded. After the army reached 
Morganza, on the 22d of May, the regiment 
joined in a reconnoissance to the Atcha- 
falaya, during which Capt. B. G. Paul was 
slain and a number of men wounded. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Wilds had joined the 
regiment at Alexandria, after a considera- 
ble absence in Iowa on recruiting service. 

About the middle of June, the command 
left Morganza, and having encamped at 
Greenville, near New Orleans, a few days, 
and at Kennerville a few days more, 
liastened to Thibodeaux in the latter part 



of the month to repel an enemy who 
turned out to be imaginary. Having stayed 
here a few days, the regiment returned to 
Algiers, whence on the 22d of July, it 
commenced the voyage by river, gulf and 
ocean, to Alexandria, in Virginia, arriving 
on the evening of the 30th. Passed through 
Washington the next day, and moved 
right on by cars to Monocacy, Maryland. 
Soon afterwards, it moved to Harper's 
Ferry, and joined the forces under Gene- 
ral Sheridan, to take part in that officer's 
campaign of the Shenandoah Valley. 

The first great engagement of the cam- 
paign was the battle of Winchester. In 
this long and severe contest, the Twentj*- 
fourth fought with prominent gallantry, 
and lost many of its officers and men. 
Captain Joseph R. Gould and Lieutenant 
Sylvester S. Dillman were slain while 
leading their men in the hottest of the 
fight ; Adjutant Daniel W. Camp, Lieuten- 
ants W. W. Edgington - and Royal S. 
Williams were wounded. The entire loss 
of the regiment was seventy-four killed, 
wounded and captured, there being only 
three captured. Leaving the killed to be 
buried and the wounded cared for by 
the proper details of men, the regiment 
pushed on up the valley with the army. 

Imniediatelj' after the battle of Win- 
chester, Early withdrew to Fisher's Hill, 
a strong position just beyond Strasburg, 
and commanding the town. Here he made 
a stand, his right resting on the base of 
Massanutten Mountain, his left on the 
Little North Mountain, his line thus 
extending across the Strasburg Valley. 
Notwithstanding the strength of the rebel 
position. General Sheridan determined to 
deliver battle". His army was in position 



^1 
T 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



•l> 



early on Thursday morning, tlie 22d, 
Crook's Eighth Corps, the Army of West- 
ern Virginia on the right, the Sixth Corjis 
in the centre, the Nineteenth Corps on the 
left. There was considerable manoMivering 
until afternoon. Emory demonstrated on 
the left, Ricketts' Division of the Sixth 
Corps advanced directly in front, and 
Averill's Cavalry drove in the enemy's 
pickets. Under cover of these demonstra- 
tions. Crook moved out to the extreme 
right, and by an arduous march gained the 
enemy's left and rear, and, charging with 
splendid impetuosity, drove him from his 
intrenchments in utter confusion. Wright 
and Emory at the same time moved against 
the enemy, who fled in disorder and rout 
before the dashing attacks of the whole 
Union army. It was a short fight and a 
magnificent victory. Nearly 1200 prison- 
ers of war, sixteen cannon, and immense 
spoils besides fell into our hands. The 
loss of the rebels was also great in killed 
and wounded, whilst that of the Unionists 
did not probably exceed 500, all told. The 
enemy's fire was wild. He was thrown 
into panic by the suddenness with which 
Sheridan dashed against him with his 
V hole force. And hence the troops, look- 
ing at their small losses, not thinking that 
they won the battle by their legs and their 
enthusiasm, did not regard it as so great a 
victory as that of Winchester, which pre- 
ceded it, or that of Cedar Creek, which 
followed it. In sober truth, there were but 
few so great victories during the war, 
gained with such little cost of life and 
blood. 

In this engagement, the Twenty-fourth 
took active part, but as it lost only 
five wounded, it was a matter of 



doubt for some time whether its ope- 
rations should be reported! So apt are 
even the most skillful and gallant oflicers 
to associate great victories with great 
losses, instead of results. The regiment 
moved from its position in the line to the 
extreme left, passing with almost mirac- 
ulous safety, through a shower of shells. 
It went into position, in support of a 
Maine battery, and there remained under 
fire, but covered much by the nature of 
the ground, till Sheridan's signal ordered 
the charge along the whole line, when it 
dashed forward with yells that made the 
welkin ring. 

The quick, decisive battle over, the regi- 
ment at once took up the pursuit and 
marching the livelong night close to the 
enemy's rear, reached Woodstock early on 
the morning of the 23d. During this 
march Captain McKinlev was severely, and 
several men were slightly, wounded by the 
enemy's fire. Pursuing as far as Harrison- 
burg the regiment went into camp. 

Countermarching with the army it took 
position on the line of the Cedar Creek, 
which was soon well fortified on the left 
and centre. Early, having been heavily 
re-enforced, turned this position on the 
morning of the 19th of October, and 
came near ruining our army by a similar 
plan to that of Sheridan against him on 
the field of Winchester. Sheridan was at 
the time at Winchester, on his return 
from Washington. His wild ride to the 
field of battle, and his saving the day, 
can never be forgotten, for they have been 
made immortal by the genius of T. 
Buchanan Read, whose thrilling poem on 
this subject is the most soul-stirring lyric 



"P 



518 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of the war. Tn this the last and crowning 
victory of the campaign, the Twenty- 
fourth bore a brilliant part, losing here 
its commanding officer, mortally wounded, 
and many others in death and wounds. 
Nearly a hundred of its officers and 
men were placed hors-de-combat on this 
bloody field, on which no regiment in all 
the Union array fought more heroically, 
or more steadfastly than the Iowa Twenty- 
fourth. The same may be safely said, too, 
of its conduct at Winchester and Fisher's 
Hill. During the campaign its losses 
were nearly two hundred, officers and 
men. 

With the battle of Cedar Creek, the 
campaign of the Shenandoah Valley was 
brought to an end. Our regiment did not 
afterwards meet the enemy. It performed 
heavy escort duty for a time, marching 
and countermarcliingbetween Cedar Creek 
and Martinsburg, and in the latter part of 
November went into cold, airy encamp- 
ment on the Opequan. The men con- 
structed huts, however, and got to be 
quite cozy, but near the close of the month 
the command was ordered to Winchester, 
where it remained on post duty till or- 
dered south in the early part of January, 
1865. At this time the officers of the reg- 
iment were : Lieutenant-Colonel, com- 
manding, Ed. Wright ; Major, Leander 
Clark; Adjutant, William H. Smouae ; 
Surgeon, Doctor Henry M. Lyons, with S. 
S. Cook, J. M. Lanning, assistants ; Quar- 
termaster, A. B. Eshelman. 

The 0th of January, 1865, the Twenty- 
fourth bade farewell to the Shenandoah 
Valley. Moving by cars to Baltimore, the 
regiment was there quartered in stables ! 



— an insult which could have been no- 
where else offered to troops who had 
proudly borne the colors of the Union at 
Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Vlcksburg, 
Jackson, Sabine Cross Roads, Winchester, 
Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. Thence 
the regiment moved by steamship to Sa- 
vannali, Georgia, where it had quiet for 
.some two months. It then moved to More- 
head City, North Carolina, in which State 
it performed heavy duties for some time, 
helping on the transportation between 
Goldsboro and Raleigh. After the capit- 
ulation of Johnston it returned to Savan- 
nah, and thence made the same movement 
to Augusta and back. It was mustered oat 
of service at Savannah, and from there 
moved to Iowa, and was finally disbanded 
in the early part of August. 

The Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, some- 
times called our "Temperance," some- 
times our " Methodist" regiment, was 
among the most distinguished of our com- 
mands. Colonel Byam, a clergyman of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, was com- 
pelled to leave the service by reason of ill 
health in the summer of 1863. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Wilds, who succeeded in the com- 
mand, took faithful, conscientious charge 
of his troops, till he gave up his life in tlie 
cause of his country. Wright, the last 
commanding officer, was one of our most 
successful soldiers as he had been one of 
our most noted men in the walks of civil 
life. All the officers, and the men gener- 
ally, were remarkable for their bravery, 
their powers of endurance, their moral 
rectitude. Not the stern soldiery which, 
under tlie inspiration of Hampden and the 
leadership of Cromwell, overturned the 



^fv 



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k. 




^ « 




•^ 




'■r-^ 


' 


HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY 


519 


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monarchy of England, ever fought more 




Sergeants : 






bravely, or suffered more patiently, than 
the Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteers. It is 
impossible that men should have ever gone 


G. G Edmond, 
J. S. Ferguson, 


J. Casey, 
H. A. Weaver, 
Louis Lopee. 






into war out of a higher sense of duty than 
did those of this command ; and it is to 
the praise of morality, of temperance, of 
Christianity, that throughout a long career 
of as gallant service as was ever performed, 


J W. Iliatt 
J W. Fielding, 
W. Nixon, 
J. H. Davis, 


Corporals : 

P. H. Mason, 
John Myers, 
B. F. Hubbart, 
D. W. Emerson, 
J. S. Bishop. 






they were as brave as they were virtuous. 
No troops left the service with a cleaner 
record than did these Methodist volun- 


S. J M. Bear, 


Musicians: 

J. Spindler, 
Wagoner : 
J. B. Daily. 

Privates ; 






teers when, the war ended, they laid aside 








the sword of the Lord and of Gideon. 










S. W. Arbuthnot 


J Chess, 






TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

COjrPANY D. 

Privates : 


E. W. Bunce, 

A. L. Babb, 
W. Beal, 

B. F. Brannan, 


John Chess, 
J. Crawford, 
C. C. Collins, 
P. Cass, 






N. Ilufr, J. B Vanaukcu, 


John Blair, 


S. G. Clark, 








N. By waters, 


0. G. Clark, 






TWENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY, 


J. S. Brants, 
J. Behonneck, 


L. D. Campbell, 
F. M. Connor, 






Colonel ; 
JohnConnell. 


B. F. Davis, 

D. W. Emerson, 


W. Hanna, 
J. Hart, 






COMPANY B. 


E. J.Eldridge, 


John Hate, 






Captain : 


J. Fouts, 


H. Hate, 






B. W. Wilson. 

Corporals : 

G M. Brothers. B. Wilkins. 

Wagoner ; 

G. Criltendon. 


D. Frun, 
J. L. Fitzgerald, 
J. Freeman, 
G. C. Freeman, 
J. W. Flathers, 
J. Freedle, 


A. Jack, 
LA. Kirk, 
■ A. Kosta, 
S. W. Myers, 
R. Metz, 
H. M. Miller, 






Privates : 


T. S. Finch, 


G. A. Moss, 






N. Devore, E. D. Howard, 


D. E. Finch, 


C. L. McNair, 






A. Feller, G.T.James, 


A. S. Godfrey. 


D. Nance, 






H M. Howard, G. R. Walton. 


William Grubb, 


J. B. Nicodemus, 






COMTANY P. 

Captain : 

John A. Staley. 

First Lieutenant : 

T. Schaeffer. 


J. C. Hopkins, 
J. Hillman, 


P. P. Nungesser, 
J. B. Reed, 






S. Holacker, CM. Reed, 
J. D. Hutchinson, W. T. Richardson, 
S. W. Ilammitt, B. W. Russell, 
J. E. Brockenfield, John Wilson, 


k 


J 


Second Lieutenant : ' 


C. W. Sipes, 


J. Wood, 




J. Myers. 


I. Spindler, 


J. Baiu, 




<_*, 






^7l 


• r- 32 






•r 


■^" 1 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



F. Schaeffer, 
D. Shelton, 

F. Sheldon, 
J. H. Scott, 
T. Southern, 
J. A. Snap. 
Wm. Taylor, 
W. W. Vandorn 
D. Way, 

G. Williams, 

II J. Williams, 
W. Ileyer, 
N. Miller, 
C. J. Moyer, 
H. T. Miller, 
SB. Overmirc, 



E. M. Beilby. 
E. S. Beckley, 
G. W. Black, 
J. B. M. Bishop, 
S. Bruner, 
W. C. Crawford, 
J. A. Davis, 
H. D. Fuller, 
E. Granger, 
A. II. Ilisey, 
J. M. Ilammitt, 
A. J. Plumer, 
H. A, Read, 
J. Reedy, 
J. Youn^, 
G. P. Crawford, 
A. D. Olney. 

COMPANY I. ; 

Private : 
, P. N. Barker. 



TWENTY-EIGHTH INFANTRY. 

The Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry, com- 
posed of Company A, Captain W. G. Gas- 
ton, Benton county; Company B, of Iowa 
and Tama counties, Captain B. W. Wilson; 
Company C, Captain J. W. Carr, Powe- 
shiek county; Company D, Captain S. P. 
Vannatta, Benton; Company E, Captain 
David Stewart, Johnson county; Company 
F, Captain John A. Staley, Tama; Com- 
pany G, Captain Thomas Dillin, Iowa 
county; Company II, Captain Aaron Wil- 
son, Poweshiek; Company I, Captain John 
B. Kerr, Iowa county; Company K, Cap- 
tain John Meyer, Jasper, was organized 
during the autumn of 1862. William E. 
Miller, of Iowa City, was Colonel, but he 
did not remain long enough to see actual 
army life, resigning to be succeeded by 
Lieutenant-Colonel John Council, who was 
in command of the regiment from the 
time it went to the field of action. H. B. 
Lynch, of Millersburg, was Major. James 



E. Pritchard, of Iowa City, was chosen 
Adjutant, Thomas Hughes, Quartermaster, 
and the irrepressible Doctor John W. H. 
Vest, of Montezuma, Surgeon. The Rev- 
erend J. T. Smimons, of Marengo, a good 
man and an abolitionist, was appointed 
Chaplain. The rendezvous of the regi- 
ment was at Iowa City, where it had some 
weeks of drill and discipline. On the 10th 
of October, then numbering, rank and tile, 
nine hundred and fifty-six men, it passed 
from the control of the State to the control 
of the general government, being mustered 
into the service by Captain H. B. llender- 
shott, of the regular army. 

The command remained at Iowa City 
till November 2, when it received orders 
to move to the theatre of war. Reaching 
Davenport, it there remained a week, 
awaiting transportation. The stay was 
neither long nor agreeable. Mumps and 
measles had their usual effect upon the 
faces and temper of the men. However, 
transportation soon came, and on the 20th, 
the regiment found itself at Helena, Ar- 
kans.is, and immediately went into its first 
encampment of tents. In just a week, a 
detachment numbering three hundred men, 
under Major Lynch, joined the command 
of General Ilovey, and marched toward 
Oakland, Mississippi, to aid General Grant, 
then attempting to take Vicksburg in rear 
by Holly Springs, Grenada and Jackson. 
The detachment was out some twelve 
days, marching rapidly all the time, 
through tempestuous weather, and being 
heavily laden with' ammunition, rations, 
etc. William M. Hall, a private of Com- 
pany C, was killed by guerrillas — the only 
casualty which occurred during tliis toil- 
some, most disagreeable march. The 



■•^7 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



S^ 



weather at Helena, meantime, was no bet- 
ter. The camp was little better than a 
swamp, more suited to alligators than to 
men. A less watery locality was chosen 
about the middle of December, but not 
until disease in complicated forms had 
taken hold of the men, making the en- 
campment a hospital. It was intended 
that the regiment should take part in the 
movement against Vicksburg under Gen- 
oral Sherman, ordered with the practical 
wisdom which has always characterized 
that theoretical wai-rior, by Major-General 
Ilalleck, but in addition to the ailments 
by which the command had hitherto been 
afflicted, smallpox now broke out in camp, 
and kept it in the mud of Helena. Shortly 
after the commencement of the year 1863, 
however, this fearful disease abated, and 
the physical condition of the command 
rapidly improved. On the 1 Ith of January, 
it embarked on steamer, and formed a part 
of General Gorman's expedition, which 
proceeded up White River as far as Du- 
vall's Bluff. Whilst the fleet was going 
from the mouth of this river to Clarenden, 
the weather was excessively and painfully 
stormy. First, it rained for many hours 
in succession ; then there came a blinding, 
driving storm of snow, which covered the 
ground to the depth of a foot ; then the 
wind chopped round to the northwest, and 
blew great guns. The cold was piercing. 
The decks of the boats were covered with 
ice, and crowded with troops. The cold 
came so suddenly after the rain and snow 
that the clothing of the men was covered 
with ice, the nor'wester, with an edge as 
sharp as a razor, cutting away bodily heat 
as fast as it was generated. The army was 
benumlied, nearly frozen. It suffered like 



the French army in Russia. General Gor- 
man appeared to know very little of what 
he was about Part of the troops were 
ordered to disembark at St. Charles. The 
boats had hardly been unloaded when they 
were ordered to re-embark. In this labor 
they spent many weary hours, over shoe- 
top in water, and in a storm from which 
wild beasts would have sought shelter. 
The fruits of this horrible expedition were 
two abandoned siege guns, the capture of 
a squad of prisoners, and the burning of 
an unfinished depot. Even the cotton got 
away. Many men died of sheer exposure 
during-the expedition, many more after- 
wards died from the effects of it. Our 
regiment returned to Helena on the 22d, 
reaching the former camp Ions after dark, 
and instead of tents, finding nothing but 
black night, cold, and mud. The canvass 
had somehow been spirited away, but the 
men sank into bivouac with more sane/ 
froicl than they could have mustered be- 
fore their experience on White River — an 
experience to which they cannot recur, to 
this day, without shivering. 

Rude winter quarters were now built by 
the men, in which they endured a gloomy, 
sickly existence, rather than lived. All 
imaginable forms of fever prevailed, the 
ravages of which the medical staff, though 
doing all that was within the power of 
man, were unable to stay. Daily, from 
the quarters of every regiment at Helena, 
muffled drums were beating funeral 
marches to the grave. The winds seem to 
moan solemn requiems through the huts, in 
almost all which lay the sick, attended by 
comrades sick at heart. There were many 
scenes which, if drawn by the pencil of 
Maver, would call forth the grief of man 






=7|V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Ha 



and the tears of woman. Misfortune at- 
tended our arras ; the troops were unpaid ; 
their l)odies were covered with rags, and 
their feet not covered at all ; they wrote 
complaining letters home, and received in- 
dignant responses. What with poor tents 
at first, what with the White River expe- 
dition, what with disease and death after- 
wards, what with the general want of 
comforts, it is not surprising that the 
troops who passed this winter at Helena 
never yet speak of that town without angry 
curses. 

On the 14lh of February General Wash- 
hunie left Helena with a considerable 
army for the purpose of removing obstruc- 
tions from the Yazoo Pass, prepartory to 
the movement soon afterwards made by 
this meandering route upon Fort Pember- 
ton. Great trees had been felled into and 
across the Pass. These were removed by 
the troops dragging them from the Pass 
with cables. By incredible labor a nav- 
igable channel was secured. In this hard 
work the Twenty-eighth participated, the 
men making of themselves amphibious an- 
imals for a week. Soon after their return 
to camp, Colonel Miller resigned, and was 
succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Connell. 
Captain B. W. Wilson was soon commis- 
sioned Lieutenant-Colonel. 

On the 1 1th of April, the Twenty-eighth, 
forming, with the Twenty-fourth Iowa, 
Forty-seventh Indiana, Fifty-sixth Ohio, 
and two batteries of artillery, the Second 
Brigade, Colonel Slack, Forty-seventh 
Indiana, commanding, of the Twelfth 
Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, started 
on the campaign which in a little less than 
three months resulted in the capitulation 
of Vicksburg. In this laborious an J glori- 



ous campaign our regiment participated, 
cheerfully performing its share of the 
labors, and acquiring its share of the 
honors, in a brigade, and division, and 
corps, which lagged behind none either in 
hard work or hard lighting. The command 
was first under tire at the battle of Port 
Gibson, May 1. Colonel Connell, in his 
official report, says, "With regard to the 
conduct of the officers and men during the 
action, I can truly speak in terms of high- 
est commendation. Although they had 
marched all the day and night previous to 
the engagement, carrying three days' 
rations and (me hundred rounds of cartridge 
to the man, and never been under fire be- 
fore, they fought with that fearless spirit 
and determination which has always char- 
acterized the American soldier." The loss 
of the regiment was one killed and sixteen 
wounded. From this time till the battle 
of Champion Hill.s, on the 16th, the Thir- 
teenth Corps was constantly marching, 
manoeuvering, or skirmishing with the 
enemy, deceiving him, holding him in 
check, and in every possible way rendering 
aid to Sherman and McPherson moving 
on Jackson, in all which movements the 
Twenty-eighth, of course, joined. In the 
battle which took place on the 16th, for 
some hours with varying success, but at 
last resulting in a signal victory, the officers 
and men of the regiment fought like vet- 
erans. Hovey says, "Of the Twenty-fourth 
and Twenty-eighth Iowa, in what language 
shall I speaki Scarcely more than six 
months in the service, and yet no troops 
ever showed more bravery, or fought with 
more valor. Of them and their command- 
ers, the State of Iowa may well be proud.'" 
The truth may pardon the tautology. It is 



^^=^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



l]^ 



certain that in this fierce contest, all the 
Union troops fought with courage and 
tenacity, and that the troops of Iowa were 
among those most highly distinguished. 
The Twenty-eighth here lost one hundred, 
in killed, wounded, and missing — twenty- 
two killed, sixty-five wounded, and thirteen 
missing. Four companies came out of the 
fight without a commissioned officer. The 
regiment remained at Edwards' Station 
till the 20th, when it moved to the Big 
Black river, remaining there in guard of 
the bridge until the 2-tth, when it marched 
for Vicksburg. On the 25th it took posi- 
tion near the centre of the left wing of the 
investing army, where it remained, in the 
performance of the heavy duties of the 
siege till the capitulation. Here several 
were killed, and many wounded. Much 
sickness prevailed, and a number died. 

On the very day of the capitulation the 
regiment received orders to march with 
three days' rations. On the morning of 
July 5th, it'moved toward Jackson, march- 
ing that day to the Rig Black river. Death, 
wounds and sickness had so reduced the 
command that only two hundred and fifty 
men were able to join in the march. Major 
Lynch had resigned on account of ill 
health, and had been succeeded by Cap- 
tain John Meyer, a gallant and intelligent 
officer. Reduced in numbers, but not 
damaged in spirit, the command marched 
on Jackson, skirmishing once or twice 
with the enemy, till it reached its position 
in front of the works defending the capital. 
The array remained here laying irregular 
siege to Jackson, till the rebels evacuated 
the city, and our troops took possession of 
tlieir works. On the morning of the 25th, 
our regiment took up its line of march for 



Vicksburg, and by a rapid, severe move- 
ment in broiling hot weather reached that 
place on the evening of the 2lth. 

The regiment was soon afterward trans- 
ferred to tlie Department of the fTulf. It 
remained in Vicksburg two or three days, 
and then moved by steamer to Natchez. 
Here and near by it re i;ained a few days, 
and again embarking, passed down to 
Carrollton, a place a short distance from 
New Orleans. Here it -went into camp 
in a pleasant location, and remained 
nearly a month, the men gained healtli 
and strength, and much needed clothing. 

The 1.3th of September, the Twenty- 
eightn joined a considerable force under 
General Franklin, and moved into Western 
Louisiana, on an expedition which lasted 
until near the close of the year. After 
sundry halts the army encamped near 
Opelousas, and without having accom- 
plished any beneficial results, visible to 
the naked eye, began a retrogade move- 
ment about the 1st of November. Tlie 
countermarch had scarcely begun, when 
the enemy commenced to harass our lines, 
so that there was considerable skirmisli- 
ing. The LTnionists turned on their pur- 
suers once or twice, making considerable 
marches westward, but the whole expedi- 
tion may be dismissed with the remark 
that it was of no value to our arms. 
Colonel Connell's regiment, returning lo 
New Orleans under orders to embark for 
Texas, arrived at Algiers on the evening 
of Christmas day. 

Awaiting transportation, the troops of 
the Twenty-eighth had a fine opportunity 
to make themselves miserable in the mud. 
Transportation not being forthcoming, tlio 
order fpr their movement to Texas was 



*:5p=^ 



'^ 



.1^ 



624 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



countermanded about the middle of Janu- 
ary, 1864. They moved across Lake Pout- 
chartrain, and went into encampment not 
far from its northern shore at Madison- 
villc. Here several weeks of pleasant 
weather, in bright contrast to that which 
they had encountered in the Bayou Teche 
country, were heartily enjoyed, whilst the 
labors oil fortifications rather gave whole- 
some exercise than disliked drudgery to 
the troops. The command remained at 
Madisonville till the latter part of Feb- 
ruary, during which period it was con- 
siderably strengthened by recruits and a 
number of men returning to duty from 
the hospital. "We began to feel," says 
Chaplain Simmons, "that we were a regi- 
ment again." 

Colonel Connell arrived in New Or- 
leans with his command on the 1st of 
March, and, crossing the Mississippi, went 
into encampment at Algiers. A few days 
thereafter he moved by train to Brashier, 
and crossing the bay of that name, en- 
camped on its western shore, to await the 
arrival of the other troops who were to 
march by the same route on the Red 
River expedition. The regiment now 
numbered five hundred and fifty men on 
duty, was in the finest spirits, and under 
the best discipline. Anticipating a suc- 
cessful campaign, the troops cheerfully 
left their encampments on the 12th, and 
marched up Bayou Teche. Passing through 
a beautiful country, by Franklin, Opelou- 
sas and Washington, the column reached 
Alexandria on the Red River, where it 
was joined by General A. J. Smith, with 
detachments of the Sixteenth and Seven- 
teenth Corps, and Admirable David D. 
Porter, with a considerable fleet. ■ 



The difficulties of navigation delayed 
the fleet, caused a halt of the forces under 
General Banks at Alexandria. Nor is it 
any more than simple justice to General 
Banks to state that much of the disaster 
of the campaign was attributable to Ad- 
miral Porter, who, nevertheless, was con- 
stantly fulminating reports — the most 
magnificent lies of which history hath 
any record — but had to depend, after all, 
for the safety of his fleet, upon the energy 
and genius of a backwoodsman. Certain 
drunken generals did the rest of the busi- 
ness of bringing the expedition to its sad 
results. But this is to anticipate. The 
latter part of March the army left Alex- 
andria. The Division to which the Twenty- 
eighth was attached marched to Natchi- 
toches, a distance of eighty-five miles, in 
less than four days. Here Quartermaster 
Thomas Hughes, an old printer, began the 
publication of a "live" daily journal from 
an office confiscated by our troops. It 
was continued several days with great 
success. 

When General Banks' advance was 
attacked by the enemy in the vicinity of 
Mansfield, our regiment was many miles 
in the rear. It i)ressed on with other 
troops of the Thirteenth Corps to the 
front, and took part in the battle of Sabine 
Cross Roads, losing in that engagement 
about eighty officers and men, killed, 
wounded and missing. Colonel Connell 
was himself severely wounded, and caj)- 
tured by the enemy, and, Lieutenant- 
Colonel Wilson and Major Meyer being 
absent on recruiting service, the command 
of the regiment devolved upon Captain 
Thomas Dillin. It was in this action a^so 
that Quartermaster Hughes was cajitured. 



^^ 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'^ 



Adjutant J. G. Strong, Lieutenants H. 
Weaver and O. F. Dorrence were among 
the wounded. The battle was a repulse, 
turned into defeat by poor generalship on 
the Union side. The troops fell back 
toward Pleasant Hill, leaving their dead 
and many of their wounded in the hands 
of the enemy. A retreat of a few miles 
brought them to the Nineteenth Corps 
which checked the rebels, and, with the 
help of the troops retreating, ought to 
have gained a decisive victory. 

General A. J. Smith re-enforcing Banks 
with a part of his command, the Battle of 
Pleasant Hill was fought the next day, 
wherein the brigade of Colonel Shaw, 
Fourteenth Iowa, and that of Colonel Hill 
of the Thirty-fifth were conspicuous, the 
non-veterans of the Twelfth, the Four- 
teenth, the Twenty-seventh, the Thirty- 
second, and the Thirty-fifth regiments 
from our State .suffering much more 
heavily than any other equal number of 
troops engaged. But in thi.s bloody battle, 
made a victory by the valor of the troops, 
in spite of inebriated and incompetent 
generals, neither the Twenty-fourth nor 
the Twenty-eighth Iowa took part. They 
were marching toward Grand Ecore in 
guard of trains. General Banks having 
really put his army in retreat, as though 
he had accepted Sabine Cross Roads 
as an irretreivable disaster. Our dead 
and wounded were, therefore, left upon 
a field which they and their comrades 
had fairly won, and from which the 
enemy retreated in disorder to and be- 
yond the field of Mansfield. The 
victorious Unionists, in sullen obedience 
to orders, retreated to Grand Ecore. 

Here the army halted and fortified. 



awaiting the fleet which was in trouble 
above. Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson now 
rejoined his regiment, bringing a number 
of recruits. We need not dwell upon the 
details of the regiment's further connec- 
tion with this expedition. Marching by 
Alexandria, where the army again halted 
to get Porter out of difiiculties by himself 
insurmountable — he, of course, being en- 
gaged in the long-hand reporting busi- 
ness — and by Marksville, it reached Mor- 
ganzaon the 22d of May, after a retreat of 
many hardships and exposures, in the face 
of a harasing enemy. Through all the 
campaign the regiment maintained its 
discipline and its unconquerable spirit. 
It passed from the command of Banks to 
that of Canby, reduced indeed in strength 
by the losses it had sustained by the recent 
expedition, but animated by the same 
manly courage which had carried it proud- 
ly through the victories of Thonipson'.s 
and of Champion's Hills. The greatest 
praise of the western troops who made the 
Red River campaign is, that under other 
generals, on no more equal fields, they 
always fought well, and were always vic- 
torious. 

The Twenty-eighth made a march to 
the Atchtafalaya, in search of the enemy, 
and after four days returned to Morganza, 
whence it embarked for Carrollton, arriv- 
ing about the middle of June. Colonel 
Connell soon rejoined the regiment, and 
was greeted by his command with the 
most enthusiastic welcome. There were 
many wet eyes among his hardy troops, as 
he stepped from the cars, an armless sleeve 
hanging by his side. The command moved 
to Kennerville, but was soon ordered west- 
ward with forces moving thither against 



IV 



^:! 



4 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Dick Taylor, as was stated. The regiment 
went by cars to Thibodeaux, and encamped. 
Here the troops had au old-fashioned cele- 
bration of the 4th of July. Wi:hout having 
seen the enemy they returned to Algiers 
two days afterwards. 

The 22d of July, the Twenty-eighth em- 
barked on the good ship "Arago," and 
after a discouraging delay caused by the 
vessel running aground, bade farewell 
to Louisiana on the 23d, and on the 
2d of August, landed at Alexandria, 
Virginia, after a voyage of great hard- 
ship on account of the extremely hot 
weather and the crowded condition of 
the ship. Moving by ferry to Wash- 
ington, the regiment halted one night 
not far from the National Capitol, 
and next day, marching by Georgetown, 
went into beautiful encampment near the 
village of Tennallytown. The Twenty- 
eighth had been preceded in its arrival at 
Washington by the Twenty-fourth and 
Twenty-second, these three regiments 
being all the Iowa troops which ever passed 
through the national metropolis till Gen- 
eral Sherman's troops passed through 
in review after the military power of the 
rebellion had been crushed. It is but to 
(piote from the journals of the city, to say 
that the Iowa regiments which marched 
down Pennsylvania Avenue in the summer 
of l^<64, attracted marked attention and 
received the unmixed admiration of the 
immense crowds of citizens who saw their 
manly appearance and soldierly bearing. 

'Jlie regiment remained near Tenally- 
luwn about a fortnight, when it joined in 
the march of those troops who went thence 
to join the army under General Sheridan, 
about to commence the brilliant offensive 



campaign of the Shenandoah Valley. Not 
dwelling upon the movements which pre- 
ceded the battleof Winchester, or Opequan 
as it is officially known, it will suffice here 
to state that in this engagement the Twenty- 
eighth fought in the thickest of the con- 
flict, and lost nearly ninety of it'^ officers 
and men, killed and wounded. Captain 
John D. Palmer was slain on the field, 
Captain Scott Houseworth mortally wound- 
ed. Adjutant J. G. Strong was twice 
wounded, but did not leave the field. 
Captains J. B. Wilson and J. W. Carr, and 
Lieutenants Charles E. Haverly, D. S. 
Dean, J. C. Summers and M. O'Hair were 
more or less severely wounded. " Too 
much cannot be said," .says Lieutenant- 
Colonel Wilson, " in praise of officers and 
men. Not an officer flinched, not a man 
gave way." 

The victory gained, the regiment joined 
in the pursuit immediately after the battle, 
and slept that night in bivouac beyond 
Winchester. It was a cold night, but 
thinking of their comrades lying stark and 
stiff on the field of battle, the men thought 
not of their own discomforts. General 
Sheridan pressed on after the retreating 
foe, and on the 2-2d gained the victory of 
Fi.sher's Hill. In this battle the Twenty- 
eighth was again prominently engaged, 
and captured six of the enemy's guns in 
battery, a large quantity of ammunition 
and many prisoners, but lost only four 
men wounded. 

After this battle there was comparative 
quiet in the Shenandoah Valley till just a 
month had elapsed after the battle of 
Winchester. There were, indeed, recon- 
noissances, and on the 9th of October 
General Custer, With his cavalry division, 



tp 



■k 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



527 



gained a line victory by one of his dashing 
exploits, in which he drove a superior 
force of troopers many miles up the valley 
and captured all his artillery and many 
prisoners ; but both armies rested, and 
the rebels brought up re-inforcements, for 
the period mentioned. The Union army 
was posted in a strong position, strength- 
ened by works along the hills of Cedar 
( 'reek, which empties into the north 
branch of the Shenandoah, about two 
miles below Strasburg. Cavalry guarded 
the north branch down to its mouth, 
opposite Front Royal. The line extended 
in a northerly course from left to right, 
' Crook's Eighth Corps on the left, Emory's 
Nineteenth in the centre, and Wright's 
Sixth on the right, the whole being some 
five miles in length. Custer and Merritt, 
commanding cavalry divisions, were in 
reserve at the time of the battle we are 
about to desci'ibe, nearly in the rear of 
the right. Powell's cavalry was extended 
ill i)icket from Crook's left down to Front 
Royal. Our line, then across the entire 
valley, ran thus : — Custer, Merritt, Wright, 
Emory, Crook, Powell, General Sheridan 
being absent on important business at 
Washington. Wright was in command of 
tlie army, Ricketts, of the Sixth Corps. 
The 17th of October, Custer, on the right, 
liad a severe skirmish, and repulsed the 
enemy. The next day a reconnoissance 
was made from the left toward Strasburg 
and Fisher's Hill, but no signs of the 
enemy's approach were discovered. 
Dispatches were captured, however, which 
made it certain that Early had been re-in- 
forced for the express purpose of 
"smashing up Sheridan." 

Early, with a force of about twenty-five 



thousand men, consisting chiefly of the 
divisions of Kershaw, Ramseur, Gordon, 
Pegram and Wharton, which had been 
arranged unperceived behind Fisher's 
Hill, moved forward to attack, about 
midnight of Tuesday the 18th. In the 
foggy, chilly morning, Kershaw marched 
past Crook's left, and took position directly 
in his rear. Meanwhile the rest of Early's 
command had marched to Cedar Creek 
with equal silence and celerity, and like 
the flanking column, without alarming 
our pickets or officers of the day. His 
positions being gained close upon our 
picket lines, the enemy rushed to the 
attack just before day-break. Advancing 
in columns of regiments, he fairly trampled 
down Crook's pickets and dashed into 
his intrenchments, capturing many prison- 
ers and a number of guns before the 
Unionists had returned a shot. Crook's 
whole corps was soon routed, the left flank 
of the army turned, and Powell's cavalry 
cut ofl:'. The Nineteenth Corps was not so 
completely sui'prised, but its left gave way 
before the impetuous attack, and it was 
scarcely broad daylight before the enemy 
occupied the intrenchments, both of the 
Eighth and Nineteenth Corps, and had 
compelled our whole army to retreat ; for 
the Sixth Corps, fighting at right angles 
with its original line, was essentially 
covering the retreat of the other forces. 
The rebels, with their own artillery, with 
twenty-four of our own guns turned on 
us, and with terrible musketry fire, contin- 
ued to inflict fearful casualty upon our 
forces. The Sixth Corps checked the impet- 
uous rush of the enemy, but did not stoj) 
his advance. Ricketts' services were most 
gallant and valuable, and by covering the 






33 



528 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



retreat as he did he enabled the officers to 
rally the troops, who had become disor- 
dered early in the day. Nevertheless, the 
exultant enemy continued to press on, 
with the seeming inflexible determination 
(if carrying out his original object to the 
k'tter by actually smashing up Sheridan. 
It was not long after nine o'clock when 
the enemy gained Middletown, having 
driven our army five miles from its 
intrenchments on Cedar Creek. 

Shortly afterwards the tide of battle 
turned. Wright had not despaired of the 
(lay, but the arrival of Sheridan, who had 
come from Winchester as fast as horse 
could carry him, dispelled the gloom which 
was settling upon the army. He rode on 
his foaming charger along the ranks, and 
was received everywhere with cheers. He 
j^aid his troops must sleep that night in 
their tents on Cedar Creek. The army 
became hopeful, then enthusiastic. The 
very vigor of the enemy's attack and 
pursuit had fatigued him, and there was a 
lull in the battle. The Union army, 
meantime, was disposed near Newtown, 
llic Sixth Corps in the centre, Emory on 
the right. Crook on the left. 

About one o'clock the enemy again 
attacked with renewed vigor. But, after 
a long and desperate struggle, he was 
repulsed. Sheridan then charged in turn. 
A tremendous tire of artillery and musketry 
greeted our troops. Their lines were 
broken, and they fell back in momentary 
disorder. They were quickly re-formed, 
and the whole army again pressed forward 
in a splendid charge, resistless as the 
rising tide. Despite stout resistance, 
Middletown was carried and the enemy 
driven in retreat before our victorious 



legions. He left guns, clothing, haversacks, 
and other debris of a routed army, behind 
him. He did not stop till he had gained 
the line of the Cedar Creek, and from 
this he was quickly driven through 
Strasburg to Fisher's Hill. Our twenty- 
four captured guns were retaken, and as 
many more of the enemy's fell into our 
hands. The cavalry vigorously pursued 
the enemy, and some of the infantry went 
to Strasburg, but the main army went into 
camp at nightfall on Cedar Creek, the de- 
feat of the morning having been turned 
into a victory, decisive of the campaign. 
The rebels kept up their retreat through 
Woodstock to Mount Jackson, where they 
halted and intrenched themselves. 

By this great victory immense materiel 
of W4r fell into our hands, but it is proba- 
ble the losses in slain and wounded were 
greater on the side of the Unionists than 
on that of the rebels. We lost about 1,300 
prisoners, whilst the rebels lost about 
1,500. Our killed and wounded numbered 
more than 5,000. But it was one of the 
most inspiriting victories of the war, and 
most justly placed General Philip Sheri- 
dan among the great captains of the age. 
It was the magnetic power of his personal 
influence which turned a great defeat into 
a great victory, and made Cedar Creek 
forever memorable as the Marengo of the 
Rebellion. 

In this engagement there were two reg- 
iments besides the Twenty-eighth from 
Iowa, the Twenty-second, Colonel Harvey 
Graham, and the Twenty-fourth, Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel .1. Q. Wilds. These were 
prominent in the action and lost many of- 
ficers and men hors-de-combut. Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Wilds on this field received 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the wound from which he soon after- 
wards died. It is a melancholy fact, that 
not long after his death, his wife and 
children died of disease, so that his name 
can only live in the grateful recollection 
of his countrymen, who can never forget 
his long career of usefulness and gallant- 
ry. Major Ed. Wright was also wounded 
on this field, as were Captains A. R. 
Knott, E. H. Pound, A. M. Loomis, and 
Lieutenant C. H. Kurtz. The total loss of 
the Twenty-fourth was more than ninety, 
officers and enlisted men. The Twenty- 
second fought in the same Division with 
the Twenty-eighth, and with its accus- 
tomed gallantry. It lost during the battle 
between seventy and eighty officers and 
men, killed, wounded and missing. 'I'here 
were no officers slain, but Captain Alfred 
B. Cree, Captain (-Jeorge W. Clark, and 
Lieutenant Nicholas C. Messenger were 
severely wounded. Captain Lafayette F. 
Mullins, Ca]>tain Charles Hartley, and 
Lieutenant Edward J. Dudley were wound- 
ed, and Lieutenant Robert W. Davis was 
captured by the enemy. 

The Twenty-eighth, fighting in the 
Fourth Brigade of Grover's Division, was 
engaged early and late in this severe con- 
test. When the Eighth Corps gave way 
at the very commencement of the battle, 
Grover's Division, on the left of the Nine- 
teenth Corps, changed front to the left, 
and the reg ment went into action at once. 
By the failure of a Maine regiment to con- 
nect on its right it was left in an exposed 
position, but it held it manfuUy till driven 
back by overwhelming numbers. Riglit 
here the command lost nearly fifty men 
killed and wounded. Falling back about 
half a mile, the regiment was rallied, and 



again offered a stout resistance to the ene- 
my. Here Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson 
was severely wotxnded and borne from the 
field, and Captain Reimenschneider slain. 
The command devolved upon Major John 
Meyer, who led the regiment through the 
rest of the battle with great skill and 
courage, and who declares in his official 
report that no officers or soldiers ever 
fought better or more bravely than those 
of his command on the field of Cedai- 
Creek. As they had been among the last 
to retire, so they were among the first to 
press forward in the charge, and in the 
pursuit, when the tide of battle had been 
turned in favor of the Unionists. Th(^ 
loss of the regiment during the day's con- 
test was nearly one hundred, killed, 
wounded and prisoners. 

The regiment joined in the pursuit of 
the enemy, returning to camp two days 
after the battle, to find its former snug 
quarters in a somewhat ruinous condition. 
The 27th it marched to Martinsburg in 
guard of a train ; returned to Cedar Creek; 
and again to Martinsburg early in Novem- 
ber. It moved still again to the front on 
the 10th, skirmishing with the enemy for 
several days. About the middle of the 
month, quiet being restored, the regiment 
went into winter quarters of its own con- 
struction, but remained in them only till 
the latter part of December, when it movcil 
to Stephen's Depot, above Harper's Kerry, 
and in a terrible storm again built quarters 
on the supposition that the command wns 
permanently located for the rest of the 
winter. The regiment was about this 
time transferred to the brigade of Brevet 
Brigadier-General Mollineaux, to which 
the Twenty-second had for many months 



s> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



been attached. The history of the two 
regiments was thereafter essentially the 
same, and both closed their fighting career 
in the valley of the Shenandoah. The 
conclusion of the history of the Twenty- 
eighth may therefore be briefly set forth- 

In January, 1865, it moved by sea to 
Savannah, Georgia, and for several weeks 
formed part of the garrison of that repos- 
sessed city. The middle of March, the 
command moved to Newbern, North Caro- 
lina, to re-enforce General Scholield. Here 
the regiment was assigned to the Tenth 
Corps. It remained under General Scho- 
field's command until the surrender of 
General Joe Johnston, when Lieutenant 
Colonel Wilson was ordered back to 
Savannah. Thence he moved with his 
command to Augusta, but returning again 
to Savannah, in the latter part of June; 
the Twenty-eighth was there mustered out 
of the service on the last day of July, 
then numbering about five hundred. 

From Savannah the regiment proceeded 
to Davenport, Iowa, where it was received 
by a large concourse of citizens, and 
where it was finally disbanded in the 
month of August. It had been engaged 
in a dozen battles, and many skirmishes 
during its term of service ;• had traveled 
well nigh the entire circuit of the confeder- 
acy ; had always done its duty faithfully, 
bravely, conscientiously. Its officers and 
men were remarkable for their independ- 
ent spirit and their modesty. They did 
not blow the trumpet ot their own fame ; 
but on every battle-field, on every march, 
on every campaign, they quitted them- 
selves like men, so it can truthfully be said 
that, among all the volunteer regiments 
which composed the grand array that 



vanquished the rebellion and restored the 
Union, not one did its duty better than 
the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry. 



FORTY SEVENTH INFANTRY. 

COMPANY G . 

Privates. 
Johu Linsday J- Williams. 

W. D. Williams. 

COMPANY K. 

First Lieutenant: 
C. L. Bailey. 
First]Sergeant: 
J D. Jackson. 
Corporals: 
Denton Camery, O. IT. Cobb. 

Privates: 
John Aldrich L. AUman . 

J. B. M.Bear, W McLawry, 

F. M. Bricker, H. W. Nungesser. 
H. A. Bunco, L. Park, 

J. F. Cobb, W Rittenhouse, 

R. M. Coffin, O. H. Stewart. 

J. C. Flalhcrs, C. Soloman, 

W. F Ilillmon, C. E. Sullivan, 

G. M. Hall, L. L. Stoddard, 
G. R. Hershey J. S. Vancurcn, 
S. E. Hall, F. A. Vancuren, 
R. Lotzenkizer, A. Zehrung 

This regiment was mustered into the 
service of the United States at Davenport, 
June I, 1804, with James P. Sanford ol' 
Oskaloosa, as Colonel. The regiment was 
stationed at that sickly place of Helena, 
Arkansas, where many succumbed to dis- 
ease. Of 884 officers and men, one was 
killed, forty-six died, and one was trans- 
ferred. 



FIRST CAVALRY. 

COMPANY H. 

Privates: 
West McDowell, J. P. Ross, 

Peter Quinn, John Wilson. 



oK ' 



^-S,]e ^ 




. 


4> 


A 




-p*^ 


1 


HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 531 


< 




This regiment was mustered into United 


SIXTH CAVALRY. 






States service in the spring of 18G1, veter- 




COMPANY A . 






anized in 18C4, and did noble service. 




Private : 
T. C. Williamson. 

COMPANY P. 












SECOND CAVALRY. 




Sergeants : 






COMPANY B. 


A. A. Myers, 


B. B. LaDow, 






Bugler: 




J. Smith. 






W. F. Eskbiiugli. 




Corporals : 








D. Ro.senberger, J. 0. Beadle. 






Farrier: 




Teamster : 






T. J. Cady. 




C. Roberts. 






Privates: 




Priv;ites : 






Wm. P Burley. Wm. Daxlon 


W. Q. Armstrong, J. Cunningham, 






COMPANY H. 


W. H. Alden, 


E, Davis, 






Privates: 


M. D. Belts, 


T. Everett. 






W. 11. A"nderson, J. A. Auderson, 


F. Ashbaugh. 


N. McKune, 






A. Heath, J. Long. , 


A. Fedding, 


J. Muddle, 






E Pearson, James Rogers. 


G. Fo.\, 
J. Galaspie, 


L. Palacheck, 
E. A. Richards, 






This regiment was organized with W. 


S. Hallett, 


S. Strong, 






L. Elliott, of the regular army as Colonel, 


T. Hubell, 


B. F. Sanborn, 






and was mustered in at Davenport, Sep- 


W. Hubell, 


J. Shaler, 






tember 1, 1861. It participated in the 
siege of Corinth, Boonville, Rienzi, luka. 


J. Keuhn, 
J. Kerns, 


J . Sullivan, 
J. GhamprDn, 
L D. Knight 






Corinth, Coflfeeville, Palo Alto, Birming- 












COMPANY n 






ham, Jackson, Grenada, Collierville, Mos- 




Corporal : 
J. Hunter. 






cow, Pontotoc, Tupelo, Old Town, Oxford 








and Nashville. It was mustered out at 




Saddler : 






Selma, Alabama, September 19, 1865. 




R. Stevens 

Wagoner : 

C. S. Sanborn. 
















Private : 






FOURTH CAVALRY. 




J. Middleton, 






COMPANY K. 




COMl'ANY I. 






Privates: 


A. N. Dodd, 


J. A. Twogood, 






A Simdf, J, J. Folland 


8. A. Lewis, 
W. A. Morgan 


0. A. Terpenniui, 
H. Terpenning, 
S. Pecii. 












FIFTH CAVALRY. 
















COMPANY I. 


NINTH CAVALRY. | 






Privates: 




COMP-iLNY . 




1 


John Mathews, B. 11. Martin. 




Privates : 


i 




J. G. Martin. 


E. F. Morse, 


R. Robertson, 




. V - 








b ^ 


V < 

J ■ 




■• a 


V*" 



532 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Thomas Murphy, G. Watts, 

J. Ray. 

COMPANY K. 

Private : 
J. H. Brush. 

Tliis regiment was the last three years 
regiment recruited in Iowa. It was organ- 
ized and mustered into the service of the 
United States at Davenport, November .30, 
18()3, with M. M. Trumbull, of Clarksville, 
as Colonel. The regiment performed 
lieavy scouting, guard and garrison duties 
in Arkansas, and was mustered out at Lit- 
tle Hock, Arkansas, February 28, 18CC. 



LIGHT ARTILLERY 

Eighth Corporal : 

Charles Andress. 

Privates : 

S. J. Cliii|)niiin, G. A. Worley 



HONORED DEAD. 

The following comprises a list of the 
brave men from Tama county, who laid 
down their lives in defense of the Union. 
Words are feeble in the expression of the 
gratitude due to these gallant unfortunate 
comrades ; weak in the expression of the 
lionor with which their names are held in 
remembrance by those whom they died to 
benefit. May their names be handed 
down from generation to generation ; may 
their children, and children's children, 
speak of them and recount their deeds 
with reverence, inspired by the remem- 
l)rance and admiration of their noble sac- 
rifice. May their suffering, their death 
and their rude burial upon the hot and 
dusty battle-fields of the South, all tend to 
strengthen the land they died for, and 



make patriotism's watchword, " 'Tis sweet 
and lionorable to die for one's country." 

Lieutenant S. S. Dillman, was killed Sep- 
tember 19, 1804. 

Lieutenant G. H. Conant. killed at Mission 
Ridge. 

Lieutenant Simon F. Eccles, prisoner at Shi- 
loh, died at Madrid, Ga., August 26. 1862 

Lieutenant Myers, died August 14, 1863, at 
Helena, Ark. 

Appelgate, J. W., died April 24, 1863, at Mem- 
phis, Tenn., of smallpox. 

Alexander, C. F., died July 10, 1864. at Shi 
loh. Tenn. , of wounds. 

Armstrong, W. G., killed September 3. 1863, 
in battle at White Stone Hills, D. T. 

Bixby, Truman, died at Mound City, 111., No 
vember27, 1861. 

Budka, Joseph, killed in battle at Champion 
Hills. Miss.. May 1, 1863. 

Bryon, William H., died at Clark Creek, 
Miss.. July 20, 1862. 

Bowen,L., died of measles at Benton Bar- 
racks, December 22, 1861 . 

Beatty, William W., died at Keokuk, Iowa, 
of disease, November 13, 1862. 

Bishop, J. S. died of disease at Penna Land 
ing. La., September 8, 1863. 

Beckley. E. S., missed at Winchester, Seii- 
tember 19, 1864. 

Bigg, H. L , died May 16, 1863. at Champion 
Hills, Miss. 

Brick, J., died July 21, 1864. 

Bunce. II A , died at Helena, Ark , Aul'usI 
7, 1864. 

Betts, M. D . died in Dakota, Sept 8, 1S02, 
of wounds. 

Bricker, G. W., died Aug. 1, 1864, al St 
Louis. 

Barlletl, J. F., died July 0, 1862. 

Clark, Eli, died al Farmington, Miss., May 3i», 
1862, of disease. 

Camp, Luke, died Aug. 27, 1863, al Vicksburg, 
Miss. 

Clark, R. F., died May 1.5, 1862, at Mobile, 
Alabama. 

Crowhurst, II. H , died at Memphis, Tenn., 
I August 3, 1864. ~ 



^r 



4^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Davis, Chas. T., died at Toledo, Iowa, on 
May 13, 1863. 

Dykeman, E., died July 19, 18U1, at Colum- 
bus, Ky. 

Dykeman, S., died July 8, 1863, at St. Louis, 
Missouri. 

Dew, A. J., died May 13, 1863, at St. Louis, 
Missouri. 

Devore, N., died August 37, 1863, at Corinth, 
Iowa. 

Edmonds, J. S., died Sept. 22, 1863. 

Emerson, D. W., died March 19, 1863, at 
Ileleua, Ark. 

Filloon, A. J., was wounded in May 1864, at 
Vicksbnrg, and died July 35, 1863, at Milliken's, 
Beud, La., of typhoid fever. 

Fielding, J. W., died Oct. 34, 1863, at New 
Orleans, La. 

Freeman J., died May 11, 1863, on James' 
plantation. 

Finch, T. S., died February 6, 1863, at St. 
Louis. 

Fee, Francis, killed May 16, 1863, at Champion 
Hills, Miss., in battle. 

Gray, Geo. M., died at Cape Giardean, Nov. 
3, 1861. 

Gallagher, William, missed at Shiloh, April 6, 
1863. 

Godfrey, A. S., died August 13, 1863. 

Grubb, Wm., missed at Winchester, Va., 
Sept. 19, 1864. 

Herrick, C. J., killed May 16, 1863, at Cham- 
pion Hills, in battle. 

Hillmon, George, wounded May 16, 1863, at 
bailie of Champion Hills, and died May 31, 1863. 

Harris, M., died June 30, 1864, on Hospital 
boat on the Mississippi river. 

Hiatt, J. W., wounded May 16, 1863, at Cham- 
pion Hills, and died there on June 7, 1863. 

Hopkins, J. C. , died Jan. 29, 1863, on steamer 
Emma, near Cairo. 

Hammitt, S. W. , killed at the battle of Cham, 
piou Hills, May 16, 18G3. 

Hite, John, died April 18, 1865, at Savannah 
Ga. 

Hall, S. E,, died at Helena, Ark., July 1, 
1864. 



Howard, H. M., died April 3, 1868, atllelena, 
Ark. 

Howard, E. D., died Jan. 15, 1863, at Vicks- 
burg. Miss. 

Hancock, J. B., killed in battle of Champion 
Hills, May 10, 1863. 

James, G. T., wounded May 16, 1863, at Cham- 
pion Hills, and died Aug. 18, 1863, at Corinth, 
Iowa. 

Knight, William J., died June 18, 1863, near 
Vicksburg, Miss. 

Laughlin, Thomas, captured Dec 13, 1863, on 
the Cairo v.t Fulton K. li., and died Jan. 33, 
1863, a prisoner of war. 

Lux, Jacob, died March 37, 1863, near Madrid, 
Mo., of typhoid fever. 

Lamm, J., died in hospital at New Orleans, 
May, 11, 1864. 

Myers, M. M., died May 18, 1864, at Madison, 
Xnd., of disease. 

Miles, David, died May 37, 1863, at Montgom- 
ery, Ala., while a prisoner of war. 

McKune, J. E., died August 9, 1863, at Macon, 
Ga., while a prisoner of war. 

Mink, M., wounded October 19, 1864, at Cedar 
Creek, Va., severely in the left thigh, died De- 
cember 7, 1864, at Winchester, Va., of wounds. 

McGee, C. F., died at Muscatine, October 28, 
1863. 

Myers, John, tied August 14, 1863, at Helena, 
Ark., of disease. 

Miller, H. M., wounded May 16, 1863, at 
Champion Hills, and died June 7, 1863, of 
wounds. 

Millage, James, died at Corinth, July 26, 1862. 

Mitchell, L., died September 1, 1863, at Jef- 
ferson Barracks, Mo. 

Newport, Geo., died December 3, 1863, at 
Mound City Hospital, 111. 

Newport, James, died at Mound City, 111, 

McNair, C. L., died January 33, 1863, at 
Helena, Ark. 

Nance, D., died June 30, 1863, at St. Louis, 

Nicodemus, died August 30, 1864, at Wash- 
ington, D. C. 

Peck, C. W, killed in battle at Champion 
Hills, Miss, May 16, 1803. 



\ ' 


a ^ 


^.t 


"^^^ - 




a ■ 


( 


534 HISTORY OF TAMA COITNTY. 


' 




Pugh, H. R., died of disease at Bird's Point, 


Sipes, C. W., missed September 19, 1864, at 






.January 13, 1802. 


Wiachester 






Pope, J. A., died at Mound City, July 11, 


Shelton, D , killed in battle at Champion 






18G'2, of fover. 


Hills, May 16, 1863. 






Perkins, T. N. died April 21, 1863, at Helena, 


Sheldon, F., died at Philadelphia, November 






Ark., of disease. 


14, 1864. 






Pdrcher. G., died September 28, 1864. at 
Centriilia, 111 . 

Paxton, William, killed in skirmish at Monte- 
rey, April 29, 1862. 

Ramsey, Philip, killed in battle at Champion 


Southern, T., killed in battle at Champion 
Hills, May 16, 1863. 

Snap, J. A., killed in battle at Champion 
Hills, May 16, 1863. 

Sullivan, David, killed in battle at luka. Sej)- 
tember 19, 1862. 






Hills, May 16, 1863. 


Strain, H. P., died at Birds' Point, February 






Randall, Wesley, wounded October 4, 1863, 


7, 1862. 






at Corinth Miss , and died November 8 1863. 


Stevens, B. C, musician, died, June 30, 1862. 






Rouse, J. C, killed in battle at Champion 


Strong, S., died, June 8, 1805, at Crow Creek, 






Hills, May 16, 1863. 


D. T. 






Ronbad, C, died N(,vcmber 16, 1863, at David 


Tompkins, S. W., died at St. Louis, May 24, 






Mills, Miss., of accidental shot. 


1862. 






Rug, Van Buren, died at Clear Creek, Miss., 


Townsend, William S., killed in action, April 






.luly 14, 1862. 


9. 1804. 






Reed, J B., died April 10, 1863, at Helena, 


Tolland, J. J., died at West Plains, Missouri, 






Ark. 


in 1862. 






Russell, B. W., killed in battle at Champion 


Van Horn, N., killed in battle at Champion 






Hills, Miss., May 16, 1863. 


Hills, May 16, 1863. 






Reedy, D. N , died at Bird's Point, Decem- 


Vincent, Joseph, killed in battle at Pea 






ber 24, 1862. 


Ridge, March 7, 1862. 






Stebbing, JohuM., killed October 4, 1862, at 


Vaucuren, J. S., died at Helena, Arkansas, 






Curiuth, Miss. 


August 23, 1864. 






Smith, James, died at St. Louis, Mo., Sep- 


Vaucuren, F. A., died at same place, August 






tember 6, 1861. 


12, 1804. 






Shanklin, J. A., missed at Shiloh. 


Williams, G., killed in battle at Champion 






Stoddard, Qeoi-ge W., killed in battle at 


Hills, May 16, 1863. 






Champion Hills, Miss., May 16, 1863. 


Wadi, AVilliam, died, April 1, 1864. 






Svfarthout, A. A., died before reaching his 


Young, J., died, October 20, 1864, at Martins- 






■ company. 


burg, Va. 




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. W 


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u »■ 


i r 








' 



jjf* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XVI 



EDUCATIONAL. 



The State of Iowa has just cause to be 
jiroud of her public school system. Ac- 
cording to the census of 1880, there was 
loss illiteracy in Iowa than in any State in 
the Union It is of interest to note the 
causes that produced such a result. The 
first settlers of Iowa were strongly in 
favor of universal education, and were 
determined to give every child within her 
limits the privileges at least of a common 
school education. Governor Robert Lucas, 
in his message to the first Legislative As- 
sembly of Iowa Territory, which con- 
vened at Burlington, November 12, 1838, 
says, in reference to schools: 

" The 12th section of the act of Con- 
gress establishing our Territory, declares, 
'that the citizens of Iowa shall enjoy all 
the rights, privileges and immunities here- 
tofore granted and secured to the Territory 
of Wisconsin and its inhabitants. ' This 
extends to us all the rights, privileges and 
immunities specified in the ordinance of 
Congress of the 13th of July, 1787. 

" The 3d article of this ordinance de- 
clares, ' that religion, morality and knowl- 
edge being necessary to good government 
and the happiness of mankind, schools 
and all the means of education shall be 
forever encouraged.' 

" Congress to carry out this declaration, 
has granted one section of land in each 
township to the inhabitants of such town- 



ship for the purpose of schools therein. 

"There is no object to which I wish to 
call your attention more emphatically than 
the subject of establishing, at the com- 
mencement of our political existence, a well 
digested system of common schools. " 

This assembly addressed itself early to 
the task of providing for a system of 
common schools, and enacted a law pro- 
viding for the formation of districts, the 
establishing of schools, and authorized 
the voters of each district, when lawfully 
assembled, to levy and collect the neces- 
sary taxes, " either in cash or good, mer- 
chantable property, at cash price, upon the 
inhabitants of their respective districts, 
not exceeding one-half per centum, nor 
amounting to more than $10 on any one 
person, to do all and everything necessary 
to the establishment and support of schools 
within the same. " 

The second LegislativeAssembly enacted 
January 16, 1840, a much more compre- 
hensive law to establish a system of com- 
mon schools — a law containing many ex- 
cellent features. Its provisions were, 
however, in advance of the existing pub- 
lic sentiment on the subject of education, 
making ample provision as it did for free 
public schools. Even the people of Iowa 
were scarcely ready for such a law. 

In the U. S. census of 1840, very few 
schools, either private or public, were re- 



34 



rfv* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ported. One academy in Scott county 
with twenty-five scholars, and in the State 
sixty-tliree primary and common schools 
with 1,500 scholars, being the whole 
number reported. 

The first section of the act of 1839 for 
the establishment of common schools 
provided, that " there shall be established 
a common school, or schools, in each of 
the counties of this Territory, which shall 
be open and free for every class of white 
citizens between the ages of five and 
twenty-one years ; " the second section, 
providing that "the county board shall, 
from time to time, form such districts in 
their respective counties, whenever a peti- 
tion may be presented for that purpose by 
a majority of the voters resident within 
.such contemplated district." These dis- 
tricts were governed by a board of three 
trustees, whose duties were to examine 
and employ teachers, superintend the 
schools, and collect and disburse the taxes 
voted by the electors for school purposes. 

Among the earlier enactments of the 
Territorial Legislature were those requir- 
ing that each district maintain at least 
three months' school every year, and that 
the expenses for the same be raised by 
taxes levied upon the property of said dis- 
trict. Among the later enactments was 
that providing for a county school tax to 
be levied to pay teachers, and that what- 
ever additional sum might be required for 
this purpose should be assessed upon the 
parents sending, in proportion to the 
length of time sent. The rate-bill system 
was thus adopted near the close of the 
Territorial period. 

When Iowa was admitted into the fnion 
as a State, December 28, 1846, with a pop- 



ulation of 100,000, and a reported school 
population of 20,000, about 400 districts 
had been organized. From this time the 
number of districts rapidly increased, 
reaching 1,000 in )849, and 1,200 in 1850. 
In 1857 the number of organized school 
districts had increased to 3,265. The 
Hon. Maturin L, Fisher, who then so ably 
tilled the office of Superintendent of Pub- 
lic Instruction, in his report, dated No- 
vember, 1857, urged the revision of the 
school law, and of the reduction in the 
number of school districts. 

The Seventh General Assembly again 
took up the subject of the revision of the 
school laws, and on the 1 2th day of March, 
1858, passed "An act for the Public 
Instruction of the State of Iowa, " the 
first section of which provided that " each 
civil township in the several counties of 
this State, is hereby declared a school 
district for all the purposes of this act, 
the boundaries of said township being the 
boundaries of said school district, and 
every township hereafter laid out and 
organized, a school district ; and each dis- 
trict, as at present organized, shall become 
a sub-district for the purpose hereinafter 
provided : Provided, that each incorpor- 
ated city or town, including the territory 
annexed thereto for school purposes, and 
which contain not less than one thousand 
inhabitants, shall be, and is hereby created 
a school district. " This law took effect 
March 20, 1858, and reduced the number 
of districts from about three thousand 
five hundred, to less than nine hundred. 

In December, 1858, a law was enacted 
providing that any city or incorporated 
town, including the territory annexed 
thereto for school purposes, may consti- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



537 



tute a school district, by vote of the 
majority of electors residing in the territory 
of such contemplated district. In 1860, 
the provisions of this act were extended 
to unincorporated towns and villages con- 
taining not less than three hundred inhabi- 
tants. 

By an act passed April 3, 1866, this 
privilege was further extended to any city 
or sub-district containing not less than 
two hundred inhabitants, and containing 
territory contiguous thereto. It soon 
became evident that by this amendment a 
> serious innovation would be made in the 
district townshij) system, by the formation 
of independent districts in the more 
thickly settled and wealthier portions of 
the townships. The amendment was re" 
pealed early in the session of the follow- 
ing General Assembly. 

The township .system met the approval 
of every State Superintendent. The sub- 
district system was opposed strenuously 
l)y Hon. A. S. Kissell, who desired each 
township a school district to be governed 
by a board of directors elected at the 
annual district township meeting for the 
term of three years. In his report dated 
.January 1, 1872, he says : 

" In this system every township becomes 
a school district, and all sub-district 
boundaries are abandoned ; and if this 
plan were carried into effect in this State, 
it would allow no other school divisions 
than those of the independent and town- 
ship districts. The most experienced 
educators of the country have advocated 
this system. Among these are such men 
as Horace Mann, U. S. Commissioner 
Barnard, Ex-Governor Boutwell, Dr. New- 
ton Bateman, of Illinois, Dr. Gregory, 



late Superintendent of Michigan, and the 
County and State Superintendents of one 
third of the States of the Union. The 
arguments advanced by many of these 
experienced school men are unanswerable. 
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have 
tested the system practically for several 
years ; it is pronounced by these States a 
success; and this successful experiment of 
three or four years should have greater 
weight with us in this young and growing 
commonwealth than any theoretical argu- 
ments that could be advanced. " 

Notwithstanding the efforts and array 
of argument, and the conviction on the 
part of those who had made a special study 
of this subject, the General Assembly 
which convened .January 8, 1872, enacted 
a law providing for the formation of inde- 
pendent districts, from the sub-districts of 
a district township. This law has ever 
been a plague to County Superintendents, 
and several efforts have been made to ef- 
fect its repeal, but without avail. 

Every Governor that Iowa has had has 
given his warmest approval of the common 
school system. Governor James W. Grimes 
in his inaugural message, December 9, 
18.54, displays broad statesmanship, ad- 
vanced and liberal views and eminently 
sound philosophy in the following lan- 
guage: 

"Government is established for the pro- 
tection of the governed. liut that pro- 
tection does not consist merely in the en- 
forcement of laws against injury to the 
person and property. Men do not make a 
voluntary abnegation of their natural 
rights, simply that those rights may be 
protected by the body politic. It reaches 
more vital interests than those of property. 









HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Its greatest object is to elevate ami enno- 
ble the citizen. It would fall far short of 
its design if it did not disseminate intelli- 
gence, and build up the moral energies of 
the [)eoi)le. It is organized to establish 
justice, promote the public welfare and 
gecure the blessings of liberty. It is de- 
signed to foster the instincts of truth, jus- 
tice and philanthropy that are implanted 
in our very natures, and from which all 
constitutions and laws derive their valid- 
ity and value. It should afford moral as 
well as physical protection by educating 
the rising generation ; by encouraging in- 
dustry and sobriety ; by steadfastly ad- 
hering to the right ; and by being ever 
true to the instincts of freedom and hu- 
manity. 

"To accomplish these high aims of gov- 
ern mert, the tirst requisite is ample pro- 
vision for the education of the youth of 
the State. The common school fund of 
tiie State should be scrupulously preserved, 
and a more efficient system of common 
schools than we now have should be 
adopted. The State should see to it that 
the elements of education, like the ele- 
ments of universal nature, are abore, 
around and beneath all. 

"It is agreed that the safety and perpetu- 
ity of our republican institutions depend 
upon the diffusion of intelligence among 
the masses of the people. The statistics 
of the penitentiaries and alms-houses 
throughout the country abundantly show 
tiiat education is the best preventative of 
pauperism and crime. They show, also, 
that the prevention of those evils is much 
less expensive than the punishment of the 
one and the relief of the other. Edaca- 
tion, too, is the great equalizer of human , 



conditions. It places the poor on an equal- 
ity with the rich. It subjects the apj)e- 
tites and passions of the rich to the re- 
straints of reason and conscience, and thus 
prepares each for a career of usefulness 
and honor. Every consideration, there- 
fore, of duty and policy impels us to sus- 
tain the common schools of the State in 
the highest possible efficiency." 

EDUCATIONAL GEOWTU OF TAMA COUNTY. 

In 1860 there were in the county forty- 
live school-houses, $20 worth of apparatus; 
2,202 persons of school age; 2,150 pupils 
enrolled in the schools; average attend- 
ance of 1,323, and 104 teachers employed. 
The average salary per week was ^5.70 
for males, and ^3.54 for females; the 
value of school-houses was 117,001, and 
the total amount paid teachers during the 
year was $0,331.44. 

In 1805 there were 70 school-houses; 
$122.80 worth of apparatus; 3,024 
persons of school age; 2,289 scholars 
enrolled in the schools; an average 
attendance of 1,272, and 145 teachers 
employed. The average salary per week 
for male teachers was $6.10, and for 
females $4.09. The value of school-houses 
was $25,097; the total amount paid teachers 
during the year was $9,243.77. 

Here are presented a few items from 
the Superintendent's report of 1871, for 
the purpose of showing by comparison the 
growth of the county in educational 
matters : 

Number of sub-distiicls iu the county in 
1871 140 

Number of persons between the ages of five 
and twenty one 5, 761 

Of which are males 2. 941 

Of which are females 2, 820 



'^.— ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



"IL^ 



Number of pupils eni'oUed 4, 639 

Number of pupils in attendance 3, 127 

Total number of teachers in the county. . 238 

Of whicb are males.' 83 

Of which are females 151 

Length of school in days:— 

Summer term 7, 990 

Winter term 9,272 

Average compensation of male teachers 

per week $10.13 

Females 6 85 

Average cost of tuition per week for each 

pupil, (summer) 33 

Same in winter 33 

Total number of school-houses in the 

county 131 

Brick 3 

Stone 3 

Frame 132 

Log '. 3 

Total value of school-houses in the county$84,160 
Number of volumes indistMctlibraries. . 19 

Value of apparatus 903.70 

The number of schools visited by the 

County Superintendent his year 118 

Number of visits made this year 207 

As to the examination of teachers, the 

total uumber examined in 1871 was: — 

Males 74 

Females 98 

Nu.nber received premium certificates. . . 5 

Nil nber received first grade certificates. . 43 

Number received lower grade 96 

Total number certificates issued. . . 143 

Number applicauts rejected 29 

J. R. Stewai't, in the same report, from 
which the above items were taken, under 
the head of "General Kemark.s," reviews 
Tama county's educational intere-ts as 
follows : 

"In my report for 1869-70, I mentioned 
that a noticeable advancement had al- 
ready been made in taste regarding the 
construction of school-houses. Many of 
our districts imitate the best samples of 
school architecture they can find, and 



build to a degree of perfection and con- 
venience, quite lip to their ability. Eight 
new houses have been built since that 
report, and four, then in progress of con- 
struction, have been completed. 

"The complaints I then made in regar<l 
to irregular attendance, may still be made, 
but with less severity than then. In many 
of our schools the teachers have adojjted 
a system of regular weekly reports to 
parents under the heads of punctuality, 
standing, deportment, absence, and grades 
upon recitation. In all such cases the 
per cent, of punctuality has improved 
wonderfully. Nine different boards of 
directors have arranged the course of 
study for their schools and appointed their 
visiting committee, which has both sys- 
tematized their work, and given the schools 
a sense of responsibility to, and oversight, 
by some authorized body. The practice 
among boards generally, however, is to 
" let the machine run itself, " to hold the 
regular meetings required by law, fix the 
salaries of teachers, adjust the boundaries 
of districts when the necessity arises, and 
having done this, stand aside and let their 
opportunity and the interests of the school 
depart, hand in hand, ' down the back 
entry of time. ' 

'' Edticational Work. — The Institutes of 
the county have been well attend< d, and 
given valuable aid to our schools. The 
teachers deserve much praise for the in- 
terest they have taken in them. Few 
teachers have been absent from them. An 
effort was made to keep up township as- 
sociations by the teachers during last 
winter. The effort was only partially 
successful. It will be renewed again the 
coming winter. Small reference libraries 



fV* 






540 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



have heen put into a number of our schools 
during the year, and I think the need of 
them is now felt by all the teachers, and 
by most boards. Something has been 
done to fill tip the lack of maps, charts, 
globes, etc., but furnishing peddlers have 
done much to disgust honest buyers, and 
so hindered many schools from being sup- 
plied. 

" My statistical report will show visita- 
tions, examinations, etc., and the general 
expenses of the schools to the county. 
The cost of our schools is much more 
than it should be, considering their, effi- 
ciency. They are slowly gaining ground, 
and will soon give ample return for all 
their cost. 

"I am compelled to close this report, at 
this late date, with one township not yet 
heard from. That township failed last 
year and the showing it makes, is mainly 
from my own estimates. " 

From the report of the Superintendent 
for 1880, we learn that Tama county had 
the following : 

Number of district townships 12 

Number of independent districts 76 

Number of sub-districts 9.5 

Number of ungraded schools 167 

Number of rooms in graded .schools. ... 26 

Number of teachers employed 336 

Male teachers 11,5 

Female teachers 221 

Average compensation to male teachers |31.19 
Average compensation to female teach- 
ers 25 . 54 

Number of children between the ages of 

five and twentj'-one years 7220 

Of which are male 3749 

Of which are female 3471 

Enrollment in public schools 5853 

Total average attendance 3422 

Average cost of tuition per month per 

pupil 11.65 



No. en- 


No. in 


rolled. 


twp. 


160 


161 


259 


314 


219 


184 


259 


268 


208 


218 


178 


230 


184 


247 


194 


194 


306 


272 


127 


195 


86 


43 



Number of school houses in the county 172 

Of which are frame 163 

Of which are brick 6 

Of which are stone '. 3 

Total value of school houses $133,399 

Total value of apparatus $1,854 

Number of volumes in libraries .59 

For the year 1882, the following table 
gives the number of scholars in each dis- 
trict township, how many are enrolled and 
how many arc in average attendance : 

Average 
attendance. 

Buckingham 108 

Carroll 122, 

Clark 86 

Crystal 133 

Grant , . 99 

Highland 113 

Indian Village , 151 

Lincoln 107 

Oneida 133 

Perry 105 

Tama (outside city) 27 

York 205 

The independent city districts arranged 

to cover the same facts stand as follows : 

Buckingham 19 

Dysart 104 

Gladbrook 124 

Montour 109 

Toledo City 346 

TraerCity 170 

Tama City 312 

In 1882, Superintendent J. P. Hendricks 
published a pamphlet of instructions to 
teachers entitled, " Course of study for 
the ungraded schools of Tama county." 
The object in view in presenting this 
course of study to the teachers and direc- 
tors of the country schools of the county, 
was to establish, if possible, uniform classi- 
fication and to introduce the principles ob- 
served in the best graded schools. It was 
not expected that the methods of operation 
would be, or ever could be, followed as 
fully, and with the same exactness, as in a 
well graded school of several departments. 
Still the steps Of progress can be dcsig- 



65 


69 


1.50 


203 


168 


208 


136 


221 


823 


472 


272 


318 


392 


504 



¥ 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-k 



^' 



nated and followed. The studies are so 
arranged as to be adapted to the natural 
development of the faculties of the mind. 
The course also provides for a number of 
terms of study, and as an incentive for 
faithful work, presents a definite end to 
be attained. That is, the pupil takes up 
each branch of study and pursues it until 
a sufficient knowledge of it is acquired to 
allow him to advance to a higher grade, 
and finally, to graduate in the course of 
study. In short, the plan makes graded 
schools of every educational institution in 
the county. 

Another important improvement has 
just been adopted by Prof. Hendricks in 
what is termed "School Record." It is a 
blank which is given each teacher to be 
filled just before the end of the term, 
which will show to the successor just how 
far each scholar has advanced in studies, 
and obviates that necessity of spending 
time in reviews, determining where to 
place scholars, as in former days. It is 
really a report of classification and progress 
and is very beneficial as it enables the 
teacher to at once know the condition of 
the school. 

Tama county has two hundred and fifty 
persons authorized to teach in the public 
schools, and among this number are found 
some of the most successful teachers in the 
State. Many have had the advantage of 
training in professional schools. Thirty- 
six of the teachers completed the course 
of study in the County Institute, in 1882, 
and over one hundred entered the second 
year of the course. For scholarship, natu- 
ral ability and successful experience, the 
teachers of Tama county rank with the 
best in Iowa. Of the two hundred and 



fifty teachers, two hundred and five are 
now actively engaged in teaching; have 
a total enrollment of about 5,6*75 pupils, 
and an average attendance of nearly ;i,'200. 
There are but two grades of certificates in 
the county. First grade requiring an aver- 
age of ninety per cent and an experience 
of three terms teaching, and the second 
grade requiring an average standing of 
eighty per cent. All teachers pass a rigid 
examination in the branches required by 
law to be taught in the schools. In these 
examinations it is aimed to find out not 
only what the applicant knows of the 
branches of study, but also, how well he 
can impart his knowledge to others. Atten- 
tion is given to the scholarship as it is an 
axiom that a person can not tell others 
what he does not know himself. The 
schools are succeeding nicely and the 
attempt to secure uniformity of text books 
is meeting with much encouragement. 
About one hundred and twenty-five of the 
schools are now working under the graded 
system, and the County Superintendent 
urges the teachers to do practical work. 
This they are doing, as a rule, the useful 
and necessary being attended to first. 

SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONER. 

When Tama county was organized in 
1853, educational matters in Iowa were 
managed in a primitive way. The School 
Fund Commissioner was the only educa- 
tional officer, and as the name implies, had 
especial control of the school funds, and, 
in fact, his authority extended no farther. 
There were no public examinations of 
teachers as in later days, as the directors 
themselves examined the teachers they 
wished to employ, and if not satisfactory, 
the applicants were rejected. 



-^yfi 



^i^ 



542 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



When the county was temporarily 
organized by the election held in March, 
1853, there were two candidates for the 
office of School Fund Commissioner, D. 
F. Bruner and Anthony Wilkinson, both 
of whom are still residents of Tama 
county. The result was, that both parties 
received an equal number of votes, so 
neither was elected. This made a vacancy 
in the office, and in July, Noah Myers was 
a])]>ointed to fill it. Noah Myer.s came 
from Washington county, Indiana, and in 
1852, with his family, settled in Toledo 
township. In 1857, he removed with his 
family to Missouri, where, when- last heard 
from, he still lived. Mr. Myers was natu- 
rally bright and smart ; quick spoken, 
genial and pleasant. A peculiarity of his 
external appearance was that in walking, 
he always carried his head to one side. 
He figured in the Whig and Know-Nothing 
parties. 

In April, 1856, Lewis S. Frederick was 
elected to the office of School Fund Com- 
missioner, and was the last person elected 
to the office. Frederick came to Tama 
county with his family in 1853, and settled 
in S})ring Creek township, where he en- 
gaged in farming. He was a very pleasant 
man, and to all appearances, was in com- 
fortable circumstances ; but during his 
official career in Tama county, he suc- 
ceeded in appropriating a large amount of 
the school funds. He had been handling j 
a good deal of money, and had collected 
considerable that had been due the county 
on mortgages. Suspicions were aroused 
that he intended to make some move of 
this kind, and that he had been using 
public money for private purposes. He 
was therefore arrested and placed in 



charge of the village Constable. During 
the evening of the day upon which he was 
arrested, he pulled off his boots and asked 
the Constable to allow him to step to the 
door. The request was granted, and no 
sooner did Fredericks reach the rear of 
the house, than he made a run for liberty, 
and evading most diligent and careful 
search, succeeded in making his escape. 
This was late in the fall of 1857, after the 
ground was frozen. The amount he suc- 
ceeded in obtaining is variously estimated 
at between five and ten thousand dollars, 
although a portion of the sum was replaced 
by the bondsmen, a bill being passed 
through the General Assembly peimitting 
the county to accept the proportionate 
amount of the bond from the various sign- 
ers. Frederick's family soon after left the 
county, and it is supposed, joined him. 
In all the years that have passed since that 
time, he has never been heard from except 
indirectly. 

Jeremiah Harden was then appointed to 
fill the vacancy in the office of School 
Fund Commissioner, and served until the 
office was abolished by law. Harden was 
a native of Michigan, from which State he 
came in 1854, and settled in Toledo with 
his family. He was a carpenter, and did 
not allow the duties of the office to inter- 
fere very much with working at his trade. 
He remained here until 1859, when he left 
for parts unknown. 

During the winter of 1857-8 the office 
of School Fund Commissioner was abol- 
ished by an act of the General Assembly. 
The duties of that office, as regards the 
maifagement of the school funds, devolved 
upon the County Judge, and subsequently, 
when the Board of Supervisors was cre- 



^F\s r- 



i^ 








u^. ^yuy^--^zzi.^/r 



A=^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ated, these duties passed into their hands, 
and still remain there. The duties of the 
Commissioner, so far as schools and edu- 
cational matters in general are concerned, 
passed into the hands of the 

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, 

which office was at that time created. His 
duties then were the same as at the pres- 
ent day, except that now he has charge of 
the Normal Institute Fund, which at that 
time did not exist. 

The first Superintendent of S'chools was 
Woodhull Helm, who was elected in April, 
18.58. Helm was a native of New York, 
and came to Tama county in 18.3.5, settling 
with his large family in Indian Village 
township, where he engaged in farming. 
When elected, he did not move to the 
county seat as there was but little to do. 
lie was a pleasant, affable gentleman, and 
a man of integrity and worth. He was a 
medium sized man, heavily built, and was 
badly crippled by the rheumatism. He 
remained in the county until after the war, 
and then, being interested in some mining 
enterprises in the South, he went to North 
Carolina. He afterwards moved to Col- 
orado, where he died some years ago. A 
number of his relatives still remain in 
Tama county. 

In October, 1859, John Ramsdell was 
elected County Superintendent, and two 
years later was re-elected, serving four 
years. He is now an enterprising citizen 
of Tama City, and has since been Mayor 
of that place. He was born in Salem, 
Massachusetts, January 1, 1810. He is a 
son of William Ramsdell of that place, 
who was an old sea captain, having spent 
many years on the ocean. John remained 



in his native town until sixteen years of 
age, and then followed a sailor's life for 
eight years. At the expiration of that time 
he engaged in the leather trade at Milford, 
New Hampshire, in which business he 
continued to engage until 1853, when he 
removed to Tama county, Iowa, where he 
purchased a farm upon which he lived 
until 1879, and then settled in the town of 
Tama City. Mr. Ramsdell helped to organ- 
ize this township, and was one of the first 
triistees. In politics he was formerly an 
Abolitionist and Whig, but is now identi- 
fied with the Republii an party. Since his 
settlement here he has taken an active 
part in the business interests of the town; 
at the present time holding the office of 
Director and Trustee of the Water Power; 
also the Presidency of the Paper Company, 
and is a Director of the First National 
Bank of Tama City. During the year of 
18.31 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Theresa T. Moore, a native of Milford, 
New Hampshire, and a daughter of 
Humphrey Moore, D.D., a Congregational 
minister. They have nine children living 
—John M., Charles E., Theodore G., 
Frank H., Henry E., Maria T., Edward E., 
and Fred B. Mrs. Ramsdell died in 1864, 
and Mr. Ramsdell was again married in 
1865 to Sarah Dascomb, a daughter of 
Colonel Luther Dascomb, of Milton, New 
Hampshire. They have one daughter — 
Mary R. 

T. L. Downs succeeded Mr. Ramsdell 
to the superintendency, being elected in 
October, 1863, and re-elected in October, 
1865. Downs came to Tama county from 
Illinois in 1858, and settled with his 
family in Carlton township, near where 
Garwin has since been platted. He was 



35 



t 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Ji 



a school teacher by profession and fol- 
lowed teaching most of the time until 
elected to office. He was a well educated 
man, pleasant and genial, and gave good 
.satisfaction as an official. In personal ap- 
pearance he was tall and slightly built; 
was an energetic fellow, and of rather a 
nervous temperament. He died about the 
time his term expired. His widow lives 
in Montour. 

His successor was J. R. Stewart, who 
qualified in January, IH(5S, and being re- 
elected in 1869 served until January, 1872. 
Mr. Stewart was a native of Pennsylvania 
;nul came here from Chicago, where he 
had been teaching school. Upon his ar- 
rival here he followed the same profession, 
becoming principal of the Toledo schools. 
Upon being elected. he opened an office at 
ilio county seat, and attended to the duties 
in a most efficient and satisfactory man- 
ner. He was a thoroughly educated and 
wellread man; gentlemanly and courteous, 
affable and pleasant, and made many 
friends. He had the "knack" of suiting 
himself to the company he was in and often 
in the evening he would go with the young 
people, and have as good a time as any of 
them did. Shortly after serving his term 
of office he went back to Illinois, and is 
now upon the -editorial staff of the Illinois 
folate Journal, in Springfield, Illinois. 

Rev. Fayette Hurd was the ne.xt Super- 
intendent of Schools of Tama county, 
commencing duties in January, 1872. He 
was a Congregational minister preaching 
in Montour at the time of his election. 
Soon after his term expired he left the 
county. He was a well educated man, 
having graduated from some one of the 



eastern colleges, and was well fitted for 
the place to which he was elected. 

In October 1873, A. H. Sterrett was 
elected to the office and served for two 
years. Sterrett was a native of either 
New York or Pennsylvania, and settled in 
Tama county about the time of the war, 
engaging as a teacher in Toledo. He was 
fairly educated, well read, pleasant and 
affable and made many friends. In per- 
sonal appearance he was rather prepossess- 
ing, with dark eyes and hair, and of medium 
size. As a teacher, it is said he was too 
severe in his puni.shments, consequently 
was not much beloved by his scholars. As 
Superintendent of Schools, he gave good 
satisfaction. He is now a traveling agent 
of a harvester company, and lives in Grin- 
nell, Iowa. 

II. A. Brown was his successor, as 
County Superintendent, being elected in 
the fall of 187.5, and re-elected two years 
later. He was a Baptist preacher and 
came to Toledo from Des Moines to fill 
the pulpit of that denomination, several 
years prior to his election. He was a 
thoroughly educated man, pleasant, genial, 
a great talker, and a "preacher of long 
sermons." He made a good Superintendent, 
educational matter being closely attended 
to while he was in office. Soon after the 
expiration of his term he went to Belle 
Plaine, where he was principal of the 
graded schools. From there he went to 
Des Moines. 

Succeeding Mr. Brown, A. II. Sterrett 
was again elected and served until Janu- 
ary 1882. 

In the fall of 1881 Joiin P. Hendricks, 
the present County Superintendent of 



rrr 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Schools was elected, and is making one of 
the best officials the county has had. He 
is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, born 
near Bremen, October 21, 1858. His 
parents, John and Nancy (Huffoi-d) 
Hendricks, were also natives of Ohio. 
.John was reared on his father's farm until 
fourteen, then went to the Iowa Agricul- 
tural College at Ames, Story county, 
remaining two years. He then engaged 
in teaching school one year in Highland 
township, two years in Carlton, and from 
there went to Tama City, where he was 
Assistant Principal of the High School 
for three years. Mr. Hendricks then went 
to Montour, and while teaching his first 
term there received the nomination for 
County Superintendent, being elected to 
that position October 11, 1881. He finished 
his fall term of school, and qualified for 
the above office January 2, 1882. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican, and is a warm 
supporter of prohibition. Mr. Hendricks 
was elected President of the County 
Superintendents' Association, of Iowa, 
December 29, 1882, at the meeting held in 
Cedar Falls. He is a young man of much 
al)ility, and is filling his position with 
entire satisfaction to all. He is thorough 
in his work, and the educational status of 
Tama county is becoming in excellent 
condition under his efficient management. 

NORMAL INSTITUTE. 

By an act passed by the General Assem- 
bly of Iowa, in 1873, the County Superin- 
tendents were required to commence, and 
each year to hold a Teachers' or Normal 
Institute at some convenient point in each 
county, for the drill of those who were, or 
who intended to become teachers. The 
object of this was to furnish teachers an 



opportunity to review and enlarge their 
knowledge of the branches to be taught, 
to acquaint themselves with important 
methods of teaching, to awaken an 
increased desire for self-improvement in 
knowledge, skill and power to control 
others, and to give them more confidence 
and ability in managing the affairs of the 
school. For the purpose of defraying the 
expenses incident to such gatherings, tlu' 
Institute Fund was created, to which the 
State annually pays five thousand dollars, 
the balance being made up by the one 
dollar examination fees paid to the County 
Superintendent, and the membership fee ol' 
one dollar charged each member wlm 
attends the Institute. This fund is under 
the exclusive control of the County 
Superintendent. There is no law compell- 
ing teachers to attend these institutes; bul 
each applicant for a certificate is required 
to show good cause for not having 
attended. The matter is also greatly 
assisted by the County Superintendent, 
who makes all certificates expire on the 
first day of August, no matter at wh.Tl 
time they were issued; thus leaving no 
excuse for a teacher's absence. 

The first Institute was held at Toledo 
in 187+, beginning October 12, and closing 
November 6, by A. H. Sterrett, County 
Superintendent, and ex-officio manager ol 
the Institute. The exercises were oonductcil 
in the Court-House, and there were onr 
hundred and sixty-eight persons in attend- 
ance. As this was the first ever held in 
the county, all were anxious for its 
success, and all participated in the exer- 
cises with earnestness, making the time 
spent very profitable, not only to the 
teachers, but to all who attended. 



A=^ 



'k. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The last Normal Institute in Tama 
county was held at the Court-House in 
Toledo in August, 1882, and was a great 
success. There were two hundred and 
thi ty-seven names enrolled. It was more 
largely attended than any ever held 
in the county, and in fact, excelled by few 
counties in the State. The work of the 
Institute was careful and thorough in 
character — no mere surface work — but 
solid, earnest, honest labor. 

The instructors and lecturers at this 
Institute were as follows: 

.1. P. Hendricks, County Superintendent 
ani\ Conductor. 

Prof. W. H. BrinkerhofiP, Princij.al 
elect of Toledo Schools, Physiology and 
Physical CTeography. 

Miss Etta Musser, Assistant Principal, 
Toledo Schools, Geography. 

Prof. J. R. Caldwell, Principal Dysart 
Schools, History and Civil Government. 

Prof. F. B. Gault, Superintendent Mason 
City Schools, Didactics and School Law. 

Prof. S. M. Cart, Principal Tama City 
Schools, Language, Composition and Cal- 
isthenics. 

Miss Mary D. Carr, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 
Arithmetic, Reading and Model School 
Work. 

Pres. W. M. Beardshear, President 
of Western College, Geology and Bot- 
any. 

Prof. S. N. Fellows, State University, 
School Government. 

LECTURERS. 

Hon. S. P. Leland, Chicago, 111. 
Hon. J. W. Akers, Superintendent 
Public Institute, Des Moines, Iowa. 



Prof. W. M. Beardshear, President 
Western College, Toledo, Iowa. 

Miss Ella A. Hamilton, Des Moines, 
Iowa. 

Prof. S. N. Fellows, Iowa State Univer- 
sity, Iowa City, Iowa. 

During the ceremonies Miss Ida F. 
Peck came forward and in an appropriate 
address presented a fine copy of Shakes- 
peare and Bancroft's complete History, to 
County Superintendent John P. Hen- 
dricks, in token of the appreciation of 
his work by the teachers of Tama county. 

One of the county papers in speaking of 
this Institute says: "At the last session 
of the County In.stitute there were 2.37 
teachers in regular attendance. Thirty- 
six of these completed a three j^ears' 
course of study prepared for the County 
Institute. Besides the branches of study 
required by law, the graduating class 
passed an examination in the elements of 
Geology, Botany, Physical Geography 
and the principles and practice of teaching. 
An average of ninety-two per cent, in all 
branches, and a successful experience of 
three or more terms in teaching, and a 
previous training in three or more Insti- 
tutes were among the requirements." It is 
an honor to the county and the teacher to 
have a class of this number at the head of 
the Institute alumni. " 

The graduates from the Normal Insti- 
tute in 1882 were as follows: 



Eva Aldrich, 
AnuaR. Brauer, 
Agnes Brown, 
Orphu K. Brunei-, 
Laura J. Bruner, 
Heua A. Cody, 
W. D. Crittenden, 



W. W. Hunter, 
Mary E. Hehn, 
Alinetla B. Hiatt, 
Jesse Johnson, 
Julia M. Kennedy, 
W. D. Livingston, 
Fannie B. McClung, 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Mary S. Childs, 
IdaE. Dutton, 
Elmer E. Dexter, 
Mrs-. W. J. Dean, 
Geo. S. Dick, 
Dora Dobson, 
Lizzie Dob80n, 
Luella Qravatt, 
Mrs. R. E. Fallion, 
Hannah J. Hilclmer, 
Zina 



Matilda Nauerth , 
Eva Olney, 
Ida F. Peck, 
Mary E. Potter. 
Ida Redfield, 
Mary E. Raines, 
Emma Spencer. 
Lottie Schoolcraft, 
E J. H. Sanborn, 
Lizzie B. Wilson, 
Young. 



TAMA COUNTY TEACHER S ASSOCIATION. 

A convention of Tama county teachers 
met in the Toledo High School room on 
January 17, 1874, pursuant to the call of 
the County Superintendent A. H. Sterrett, 
and at this time this society was organ- 
ized. 

A constitution was adopted declaring 
that the name should be as above, that the 
aim of the association should be the im- 
provement of its members in the science 
of teaching, the diffusing; of information 
upon the system of common school educa- 
tion among the people; and advancing the 
general interests of education in this 
county. 

It was also stated that not less than 
three meetings of the association held 
annually, and that any person may be- 
come a member by signing this constitu- 
tion and thus agreeing to perform all 
duties imposed on him. 

The first officers were as follows: Presi- 
dent, A. H. Sterrett, County Superintend- 
ent; Senior Vice President, C. M. Earn- 
hardt, of Chelsea ; Secretary, Miss Ettie 
M. Musser; Treasurer, Mrs. E. L. Dillman. 
The following persons were elected Vice 
Presidents for the various townships: 

Geneseo. . . . E. W C'leveliiml 

Buckingham T. .J. Knoll 



Grant J. M. Wynn 

Spring Creek Wesley Home 

Crystal A. W. Wheatly 

Perry M. S. Seainans 

Clark E. M. Bonuey 

Oneida , Jas. G. Hagerman 

Carroll D B Mason 

Howard C. C. Granger 

Carlton Rev. W. H. Allen 

Indian Village J. S. McKee 

Toledo J. J. Andrew 

Tama A. E. Carbart 

Otter Creek M. W. Staley 

York L. P. Winterstein 

Salt Creek C. M. Barnhardt 

Richland J. B. Chapman 

Columbia B. C. Cory 

Highland Joseph C. Fisher 

Of these Vice Presidents, A. H. Sterrett 
County Superintendent at the time the 
organization was effected, says : 

" It is expected that the person elected 
Vice President will call the teachers 
of his township together for the pur- 
pose of organizing an association, and he 
may or may not, be elected permanent 
chairman by the teachers of his township. 
A meeting should be held once every two 
weeks. 

The association is still in existence, and 
is having a good influence over the teach- 
ers. It is now divided into two branches, 
North and South Tama associations. 

The present officers for the South Tama 
Teachers' Association are as follows: 

President, J. P. Hendricks; Secretary, 
Miss Emma Dexter; Vice Presidents, 
Prof. W. H. Brinkerhoff, of Toledo; Miss 
Mary E. Helm, of Chelsea; Prof. S.S. 
Dobson, of Garwin; Prof. W. J. Dean, of 
Gladbrook; Prof. S. M. Cart, of Tama 
city. 

All the teachers in the southern part of 
the county numliering one hundred and 



J, 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



twenty-five, are members of this society. 

The Nortliern Tama Teachers' Associa- 
tion has about one hundred members, and 
tlic following are its present officers: 

President, Prof. W. D. Livingston, of 
Traer; Secretary, Miss Luella Gravatt; 
Vice President, Prof. J. R. Caldwell, of 
Dysart. 

WKSTEKN (X^LI.EGE. 

The first steps taken toward the found- 
ing of an institution of learning by the 
Church of the United Brethren in Christ, 
west of the Mississippi, were taken by the 
Iowa Annual Conference, assembled at 
Muscatine, in August, 18.55. At an hour 
set apart to consider the educational inter- 
est, the question of immediate action to- 
ward the promotion of higher education 
was quite thoroughly discussed, and it was 
determined to establish a college at an 
early day. A board of trustees was elected, 
consisting of Rev. Solomon Weaver, Pres- 
ident; Rev. M. G. Miller, Secretary; Rev. 
Joseph Miller, Rev. Daniel Runkle and 
Jonathan Neidig, Esq., who "were required 
as soon as possible, to select a site for the 
location of a college, in as convenient a 
place as possible for the whole Church in 
Iowa." Rev. George Miller was elected 
traveling agent. Steps were also taken 
toward securing the co-operation of the 
Des Moines Annual Conference. "A I'eso- 
luti n was then offered aud passed that 
the institution should be known by the 
name of the 'Western College' of the 
Church of the United Brethren in Christ." 
This name was suggested by the fact that, 
of the colleges of the United Brethren 
Church, it would be the fartherest west. The 
l)oard of trustees here created, held its first 



session in Vinton, Benton county, Iowa, 
October 15, 1855. 

Sessions were held at various points in 
the State in 1855, and the early part of 
1850, during a part of which time propo- 
sitions of financial aid were being pre- 
sented by different localities witli the 
design of securing in their midst the loca- 
tion of the college. The following appears 
in the minutes of the third regular meeting, 
held at Sugar Creek, Cedar county, De- 
cember 24, 1855: "Inasmucli as William 
II. Shuey has presented a proposition to 
this Board of a donation of six thousand 
dollars, provided the college be located in 
the neighborhood of Shueyville, near the 
southwest corner of Linn county, Iowa. 
Jiesohied, therefore that we locate Western 
College near the southwest corner of Linn 
county." This bonus was in cash and 
lands. At this meeting Joseph Miller, 
having by letter, resigned, W. II. Shuey 
was elected to fill the vacancy. 

At the fourth meeting of the trustees, 
held at Shueyville, Johnson county, Feb- 
ruary 11, 1856, the location was finally 
made where the town Western now stands, 
on lands conveyed to the college by Jacob 
Shuey, Adam Perry and W. A. Wherry. 
This tract of land lay out on the bleak 
prairie. At this meeting steps were taken 
toward the erection of college buildings. 

The lands, thus made the property of 
the college, were laid out as a town, which 
was named "Western." Near the center 
of the plat was located the college camjnis, 
containing about seventeen acres. Friends 
soon began to flock to the place and buy 
lots and build; and thus around the college 
a village grew up, which contained, in 18V0, 
about two hundred and fifty inhabitants. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



One of the leading designs in thus lo- 
cating the college upon an unsettled prairie 
was that by this means it might secure a 
strong local support through the friends 
who would, it was supposed, buy land and 
open farms for miles around it. In this 
its friends were disappointed. A foreign 
people (Bohemians) began to purchase and 
settle upon these adjacent lands, and soon 
comprised a greater part of the neighbor- 
ing population. 

The location was beautiful and healthful, 
in the midst of one of the most fertile 
sections of Iowa. It lay eight miles 
south of Cedar Rapids, having its nearest 
connection with Ely station, three miles 
east, on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and 
Minnesota Railway. 

The institution was incorporated under 
the name of "Western College," in March, 
1856. The incorporators and first trustees 
were: S. Weaver, D. Runkle, M. G. Miller, 
Jonathan Neidig and W. H. Shuey. The 
powers usually vested in trustees of col- 
leges were given these trustees and their 
successors, in these articles. The number 
of trustees was not definitely fixed — each 
annual conference of the United Breth- 
iiai Church which co-operated with the 
College being required to elect five trus- 
tees, whose term of office is five years — 
the term of one expiring each year. An 
executive committee, elected by the Board 
of Trustees, acts in its stead between the 
times of its annual sessions. 

In the fall of 1850, the main college 
building was completed, and on the first 
day of January, 1857, the school was 
formally opened. Thirty-eight students 
entered. 

The buildings were three in number — 



all brick. The main building was thirty- 
six by sixty-two feet, and three stories in 
height. The lower story contained four 
recitation rooms and rooms for labratory 
and library. The second story was the 
chapel. The third story — formerly wholly 
comprised of dormitories — was subse- 
quently occupied by the two halls of the 
gentlemen's societies, a recitation room 
and cabinet room. 

Neidig Hall was thirty by forty feet and 
two stories in height. It was named from 
Jonathan Neidig, of Western, who con- 
tributed liberally toward its erection. It 
was erected in 1858. It was designed to 
accomodate gentlemen boarding them- 
selves, and was occupied by gentlemen 
until 1875, when it was partially refitted 
and set apart for the use of ladies board- 
insj themselves. , 

Lane Hall was three stories in height, 
beside basement, and thirty-five by sixty- 
two feet. It was named from Mr. Ira 
Lane, of Illinois, a liberal donor to the 
college. It was the boarding hall for 
ladies. 'J'he basement contained a cellar, 
pantry, kitchen, dining-room and laundry. 
The first story contains steward's rooms, 
music and reception rooms and hall of the 
ladies' society. The second and third 
stories are used as dormitories. The 
foundation of this building was laid in 
1860, but a want of funds delayed its 
completion. Its walls, at various times 
raised higher, stood unfinished and with- 
out roof until the fall of 1864. In the 
summer of 1865, the building was partial- 
ly finished, and in the fall of the same 
year, it was occupied and opened for 
boarders. It was finally completed by 
finishing the ui>per story in 1874. 



^\ 


o 






^ 


■1^ 


1 


.552 HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 


f> 




At the session of the Board of Trustees 


Ladies' 




EmmaNeidig 






lield in June, 1S75, an amendment to the 
articles of incorporation,- allowing the 
Alumni Association of the college a rep- 
resentation of live in the Board of Trus- 


Scientific 

Ladies' 


1865. 
1868. 


. . . Jacob A. Shiiey 

Marj- A. Beam 

A. E. Grove 






tees, was proposed. This amendment was 




1869. 








duly submitted to the co-operating confer- 
ences for ratification, and having been 
,api»roved, is recognized as a part of the 
fundamental law of the institution. The 
tirst representatives of the Alumni Asso- 


Classical 

Ladies' 


J 

1870. 


. . . .Homer R. Page 
oscph B. Ovcrholser 
. . .Eleanor A. Cook 

. Mattie E Allison 








1.S71. 








ciation will take their seats at the next 


Scientific 




A. D. Collier 






session — June, 1876. This a new depart- 
ure with the colleges of this church, but 
its originators and friends see many 
reasons why, in their judgment, it will 
prove highly beneficial to the college. 

From the very first, there was but one 
sentiment among the founders of the insti- 


Classical 


1872. 


..Lewis Bookwalter 
. . .Marion R. Drury 

A. W. Drury 

.Robert E. Williams 
. . . .Anna E. Shuey 
. . ..Lou D. Strother 






Ladies' 








" 




Sallj^ S. Perry 






tution upon this point. It was taken as a 
matter of course that their daughters, as 
well as their sons needed, and should have. 


Scientific 


1873. 


S. J. Sherman 

F. R. Fry 

W. H. Custer 






the benefits of higher education. If pre- 
cedents were wanted, they had them in 
tile action of the older colleges of the 
United Brethren Church. The history of 
the college proves their action wise and 
just. At no time have its managers had 
Uie least disposition to change its policy 
ill this regard. The whole of this matter 


Classical 




.Henry G. Bowman 
..Thomas J Bauder 






,, 








Ladies' 




Eva M. Drury 

Milo Rootli 

















1874. 


W. K. Riggs 

. . ..John W. Surran 






may be stated by simply remarking that 


Classical 


F 


ancis M. Washburn 






the e.vperience of Western College in co- 
L'ducation is of the same satisfactory char- 
acter as that of hundreds of institutions 


Scientific 




. .Cyrus J. Kephart 

Wm B. Arblc 

L. M. Conn 

A L Marshall 






in our country, and that its testimony in 
its favor is equally hearty and pronounced. 

GRADUATES. 

The following named comprise a list of 
the graduates : 

1864. 
Classical W. T. Jackson 


Classical 

Ladies' 


1875. 


J. H. Albert 

Lou Hopwood 




1 


Classical .• 

Ladies' 


1876. 


A.M. Real 

.Sophia Bookwalter 
Belle Hopwood 


1 


1 "^ 






•,' 


3 — 






c 


J V 




^&M-< 



Jy« — »^ 




_j ® 


^» 








•1 


HISTORY OF TAMA COtTNTY. 555 






Ladies' 


. . . .Mary C. Hedges 


The college has had some very liberal 






Scientific 


Wm. 1. Beatty 

... W. H. Kaufman 


donations made to it. Among liberal do- 
nors were Ira Lane, Jacob Shuey, Jonathan 








Frank S. Smith 






1877. 
Abram A Neidig 




Neidig, Adam Perry, A. B. Hisey, Benja- 






A. B. 


min Tallman, W. H. Shuey, Revs. M. S. 






J M. lloin 


B. 8. 


Drury, D. Runkle and M. Bowman. 






A. K Buikdol 


B.S. 


EEMOVAL OF THE COLLEGE TO TOLEDO. 






Joseph Bookwalter 


B. S. 










B. S 


For about twenty-five years the college 
remained at Western. In the meantime 






H. D. Ruukle 


A. B. 






W.J. Ham 


A.B. 


Western had grown to be a town of about 






Josephiue JohnsoD 


B.S. 


•250 inhabitants, but here the growth 






Mina E Wooldi'idge 


B.S. 


stopped, as there was no inducement 






Kalherine Patterson 

Australia Patterson 


B. S. 

B S. 


aside from the college to invite capitalists 






Jennie E. McAlvin 


B.S. 


to take hold and push its growth. The 






1878. 




founders of the college had hoped that 






A M. Moore 


B. S. 


friends of learning would gather about and 


. 




J. W. Buragardner 


A. B. 


build a town and develop a country that 






1879. 




would be conducive to its interests, but 






J. W. Robertson 

Daniel Miller 


B. S. 

B. S. 


the surrounding country was thickly setr 






Eliza A. Moore 


B S. 


tied by Bohemians, which left but a small 






Emma A. Patton 


B. S. 


chance for the improvement hoped for ; 






W. H. Klinefelter 


A. B. 


and as to railroads, the formation of sur- 






Walter L. Linderman 


A. B. 


rounding country was such that an expen- 






1880. 




sive grade was required to reach the town. 






J. W. Robertson 

W. I. Beatly 

E. Krelzinger 


A. B. 

A. B. 


so it was left out in this respect. It was 






A.B. 


these unfavorable circumstances that 






Eli Redeuour 


A. B. 


.caused the supporters and friends of the 






G. I). Matbewsou 


A. B. 


college to determine upon its removal to 






Lou Ilalverson 


B. S. 


the place where it would receive the great- 






1881. 




er encouragement. These conditions hav- 






J L. Drury 


A. B. 


ing been met by the citizens of Toledo, in 






EllaM Horn 

U. R Wilson 


B. S. 

B. S. 


1881 it was removed to that place by a vote 






Allie E. Singley 


B. 8. 


of the trustees at a called session in West- 






G. M. B Miller 


A. B. 


ern, in the winter of 1880-1. 






Ada A. Dickman 


B.S. 


PRESENT BUILDINGS. 






1882. 
Walter G. Smith 


B.S. 


A building was at once commenced in 






Thomas Ji. Studebaker. . 


B.S. 


Toledo and was ready for occupancy the 






1883. 




following year. It is a magnificent struc- 




; 


Willis E Johnson 


B. 8. 


ture, on an elevated site commanding a 


i 




Emma Howard Miller 


B, S. 


fine view of the city of Toledo and siir- 




4 '■ 






^ 


i 


• T- 


3 


6 


5 V 



-* h> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



rDUiKling country. The principal dimen- 
sions of the edifice are as follows : Great- 
est length of stone masonry, one hundred 
and forty-eight feet ; greatest breadth, 
eighty-nine feet ; extreme heighth of ma- 
sonry to chapel, seventy-eight feet ; ex- 
treme heighth of masonry to tower, eighty- 
six feet ; total heighth of tower and spire, 
<»ni! hundred and twenty-six feet. Size of 
college extension, seventy-five by fifty-six 
feel ; heighth of first story throughout, in 
the clear, fourteen feet; heighth of second 
story, (college extension) thirteen feet; 
heighth of third story— society halls— fif- 
teen feet. 

PROSPECTIVE. 

The outlook for Western College is now 
more promising than at any time during 
its history. The raising of twenty-five 
thousand dollars to pay the old debt in- 
curred at the former location shows the 
integrity and fidelity of the people, as well 
as it manifests a determined spirit to 
advance their educational interests. 
Embracing what the citizens of Toledo 
have pledged, they have raised for the 
college in two years in good notes and 
cash over seventy thousand dollars. The 
location is beautiful. The railway facili- 
ties are good. The community is well 
adapted in moral and intellectual influence 
for a college town, and is in hearty 
sympathy with the work. 

The alumni are coming into prominence 
and influence in this and other States. 
The co-operative conferences are increas- 
ing in wealth and numbers. The spirit of 
education is warmly encouraged by the 
membership of these conferences. 

There is a desire for concentration 



of effort and means among them. The 
co-operative territory embraces theUnite<l 
Brethren Church in Iowa, Northern Illi- 
nois, Minnesota, Dakota, and Eastern 
Nebraska, in all eight conferences. This 
ought in the near future to afford a large 
and influential constituency. 

Those over the church are broad and 
liberal enough in view and spirit, yet 
sufliciently rigid in truth and doctrine, to 
enlist the sympathy and be worthy of the 
patronage of the whole county and 
surrounding communities, irrespective of 
churchly relationship. The instructors 
allow to all students the right of individual 
judgment and choice with respect to relig- 
ous belief, so that while the college may 
be in a sense denominational, it is by no 
means sectarian, but a public institution 
of higher learning, devoted to the interests 
of all the people in the neighboring 
country. 

The departments and resources of the 
institution will be constantly enlarged and 
increased, until it is placed upon a jjernia- 
nent basis in every respect. 

The following named comprise those 
who have occupied the position of Presi- 
dent of the College, or who have been 
Principals and acting Presidents : Rev. 
Solomon Weaver, 1850 to 1864; Rev. 
Wm. Davis, 1864 to 1865 ; M. W. Bart- 
lett, Principal, 1865 to 1867 ; H. R. Page, 
Princii>al, fall term ; E. C. Ebersole, A. 
M., Principal 1867 to 1868 ; Rev. E. B. 
Kephart, A. M., 1868 to 1881 ; Rev Wm. 
M. Beardshear, A. M., 1881, an^J yet fill- 
ing the position. 

S. S. Dillraan and wife were the first 
teachers in the college. 



» fy 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



557 



Sylvester S. Dillman was born in Sum- 
mit county, Ohio, December 31, 1827, but 
in early life, removed with his parents to 
Williams county, in the same State. He 
prepared for college in Otterbein Univer- 
sity, at Westerville, Ohio, but took his col- 
lege course at Oberlin, completing it with 
the class of 1854. He then became con- 
nected with the U. B. College at Mt. 
Pleasant, Pennsylvania, as Professor of 
Mathematics and Natural Sciences, in 
which position he remained till the close 
of the year 1656. On the 20th of August, 
1856, he was united in marriage with 
Emily Loughridge, at Mansfield, Ohio. 
Two sons were born unto them — James 
W. L. and George L. In the fall of 1856, 
Mr. and Mrs. Dillman were offered posi- 
tions as teachers in Western College, 
which they accepted, opening the institu- 
tion January 1, 1857, being the first 
teachers employed. In November, 1860, 
the family removed to Toledo, Iowa, 
where Professor Dillman was employed as 
Principal of the Public Schools. Under 
his management the schools were first 
graded. While still engaged in the work, 
the war commenced, and in the summer of 
1862, he enlisted in Company E., Twenty- 
fourth Iowa Infantry. On the organiza- 
tion of the company, he was elected 
Second Lieutenant. He was subsequently 
appointed First Lieutenant, and for some 
time was in command of the company. 
At the battle of Winchester, Virginia, 
September 10, 1S64, he fell, mortally 
wounded by a shell, from the effects of 
which he died September 23, 1864. His 
body lies buried in the city cemetery at 
Winchester, in the private lot belonging 



to the Wrenn family, at whose' house he 
died. 

Rev. Solomon Weaver, the first Presi- 
dent, was not a man of college training, 
hence labored at much disadvantage. But 
he was a man of great energy and much 
natural ability. He did no work in the 
recitation room. Mr. Weaver came to 
Iowa from Ohio, where he had been con- 
nected in some capacity with Otterbein 
University. His views respecting the 
<|uestion of the church establishing and 
building up institutions for the i)roi»otion 
of higher education, were far in advance 
of the opinions entertained by most of his 
co-laborers in the church twenty years 
ago. He was the leading spirit in the 
movement for a college in the U. B. 
Church in Iowa. In his efforts in found- 
ing and laboring for Western College, he 
did a good work for the church and the 
world. Soon after his resignation, in 1864, 
he removed to Kansas, and subsequently 
founded " Lane University " at Lecomp- 
ton. He afterwards started the Kansas 
New Era, which paper he edited until his 
death, in December, 1874. 

Rev. Ezekiel B. Kephart, M. A., who 
served as President of Western College 
from 1868 till 1881, is the present Bi.shop 
of the U. B. Church. He was born in 
Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, on the 
6th of November, 1834. His mother's 
grandfather, G. Goss, was born in Ger- 
many, and came to the United States in 
about 1750, settling in Mohawk county, 
Pennsylvania. Her father, Abram Goss, 
was born in Wyoming Valley, in 1766. 
Abrani's mother was Miss Stoums. Two 



^. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



or three of his grandfather's brothers were 
killed in the Wyoming massacre. At this 
lime Abram Goss was about twelve years 
old, and he and his father enlisted as vol- 
unteers in General Washington's army. 
His (Abrani's) father died or was killed 
iluring the war, and at the close of the 
war, Abram, with his mother, moved into 
Clinton county, Pennsylvania, near Lock 
Haven, where he married a Miss Eam- 
aheiser, and from that place they moved 
into Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, 
where he died at the advanced age of 
eighty-eight years. He drew his pension 
from the United States as a soldier of the 
Ke volution until his death. Miss Eam- 
aheiser's mother was an Irish woman. E. 
B.'s Grandfather Kephart's name was 
Henry. He was born in Berks county, 
Pennsylvania, and his father was a native 
of (-rermany. The paternal grandmother's 
maiden name was Smith, she being an 
English woman. E. B.'s mother, Sarah 
Kephart, was the daughter of Abraham 
Goss. She was born July 6, 1818, in Clear- 
field county, Pennsylvania. His father, 
Henry Kephart, jr., was the second son of 
Henry Kephart, sr., and was born January 
5, 1802, in Penn's Valley, Pennsylvania. 
The father moved to Clearfield county, 
Pennsylvania, in 1804. The Bishop's 
parents are both living and now reside in 
Johnson county, Iowa, llis father is a 
minister of the United Brethren Church. 
Bishop Kephart had si.v brothers and six 
sisters ; three of the brothers and one sis- 
ter being now deceased. The brothers 
living are: C. J. Kephart, President of 
Avalon College, Missouri, and J. L., tlie 
eldest, who was for a number of years at 
Western College, Professor of Natural 



Sciences, but who now is a minister of the 
Pennsylvania Conference of the U. B. 
Church. Bishop Kephart's early days 
were spent in farming and lumbering He 
acquired a liberal English education in the 
common schools of Pennsylvania, but not 
being satisfied with his limited education, 
at the age of twenty-one years he entered 
Dickinson Seminary, Pennsylvania, where 
he remained a student for some time. But 
being short of funds (for he had to depend 
on his own resources) he was compelled 
to quit school and go to teaching. In 
April, 1857, he entered Mount Pleasant 
College, located in Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania, where he remained a student 
until the transfer of the students of tlie 
above named college to Otterbein Univer- 
sity, located in Franklin county, Ohio. 
There he remained in the university un il 
his money was all spent. He left the 
university in his poverty and went to Mis- 
souri, where he engaged in teaching 
school. After having replenished his 
"wasted store," he returned to Pennsyl- 
vania and entered the ministry in the 
Church of the United Brethren in Christ. 
He spent five years in the active ministry, 
most of which time he was pastor of the 
U. B. church in Altoona, Pennsylvania. 
He was also stationed as pastor of the U. 
B. church at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 
and. Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. On 
the 4th of November, 1860, he married 
Miss Sue J. Trefts, of Johnstown, Penn- 
sj'lvania, and at the expiration of the five 
years above re 1 erred to, he returned to 
Otterbein University, where he completed 
the scientific course of study and grad- 
uated June 14, 1865. He first graduated 
in the scientific course and afterwards, on 



^—f 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



l\^ 



June 1, 1870, graduated from the classical 
course. 

On or before the time of his graduation 
he was elected Principal of Michigan Col- 
legiate Institute. In this institute he 
shortly afterward entered upon his duties; 
hut not receiving a due remuneration for 
the amount of labor performed, he re- 
signed his position at the end of one year, 
and returned to Pennsylvania, and took 
charge of a congregation in Westmore- 
land county, from whom he had received 
a call prior to his resignation. In 1868, 
he was elected President of Western Col- 
lege, Linn county, Iowa, which position 
he had the honor of holding until June 
20, 1881. He came to Iowa in August, 
1868, and located at Western, Linn county, 
and now is a resident of Toledo, Tama 
county. Mr. and Mrs. Kephart have l)een 
blessed with four children — Waldo M., 
born January 20, 1X02; died January lY, 
1869 ; Elwood Irving, born May 5, 1866 ; 
died November 11, 1866 ; Emma May, 
born December 28, 1868 ; and Lulu Maud, 
born October 12, 1871. On the 19th of 
May, 1881, at Lisbon, Iowa, at the Gen- 
eral Conference of the U. B. Church, Mr. 
Kephart was elected to the Bishopric of 
that church, and was assigned to the 
Southwest District. This district com- 
jirises the following conferences : White 
River, Indiana; Indiana Conference, Illi- 
nois, Central Illinois, Lower Wabash, 
Soutliern Illinois, East Des Moines, Mis- 
souri, Southwest Missouri, East Nebraska, 
Kansas, West Kansas, Arkansas Valley, 
and the Osage Conference, the four last 
being in Kansas. 
Mr. Kephart's first vote was cast for 



John C. Fremont, in 18.56. His record is 
Republican, and nothing else. In 1871, 
he was elected State Senator, and there 
was not a more faithful and conscientious 
worker in the sessions of 1872-.3. His 
habits of life have been strictly temperate. 
He has labored to make the Bible the rule 
and guide of life, and he finds it to be tlie 
soul of all philosophy, and the perfection 
of all true literature. He has a good 
memory of facts, faces and places ; reasons 
well from cause to effect ; is a lover of the 
sublime and beautiful ; is firmly attached 
to friends and home ; is a good jndge of 
human nature — reading others with re- 
markable accuracy ; is affable and social, 
with a ready flow of ideas and good com- 
mand of language. He is a good reasoner 
— dealing firmly with his subject — being 
governed by the inevitable logic of cause 
and effect. His magnetic presence gives 
him a commanding influence in j)ublic ad- 
dress, and with highly organized mental 
and moral qualities, in his advocacy of 
measures he cannot depart iar from the 
right. 

Long may he live to be a blessing to the 
church and to humanity. 

W. M. Beardshear was elected President 
in June, 1881. W. M. Beardshear was 
born in Montgomery county, Ohio, Novem- 
ber 7, 1850. He is the eldest of four 
children born to John and Elizabeth (Cole- 
man) Beardshear. His ancestors, on the 
father's side, came from Switzerland, and 
on the mother's from Wales and Scotland. 
His parents were enterprising and pros- 
perous farmers. Beardshear chapel, a 
tasteful and commodious brick church near 
D.ayton, Ohio, stands as a monument of the 



"If 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'\iL^ 



catholic spirit and benevolence of his 
father. 

The early school training of the son was 
receivcfl in the country schools. He sj)ent 
his early years on the farm. On January 
•24, 1S05, he enlisted as a private in the 
184th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being but 
fourteen years of age. He served with 
his regiment in Alabama and Tennessee. 
The war having closed he was honorably 
discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, Sep- 
tember 20, the same year. The next four 
years were spent by him in farming. 
Having become convinced of the necessity 
of a higher education, in the fall of 1809, 
he entered the classical preparatory of 
Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio. 
While in school he stood well in his classes 
and liad a sj)ecial liking for the languages, 
mental and moral science. In January, 
1873, he was called from school for a time 
by the death of his father, and was ap- 
pointed sole administrator of the estate. 
Sliortly after he was also appointed admin- 
istrator of a large estate of a deceased 
uncle. Both of these estates were by him 
.satisfactorily administered. On March 
•23, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Josephine Mandhenk, of Brookville, Ohio, 
a former classmate in college. Being eager 
for a complete education, in January, 1874, 
lie entered Otterbein University from 
which he graduated in the classical course 
in June, 187C. 

In August of the same year, he joined 
the Miami Annual Conference of the 
United Brethren Church, and was 
api)oititcd to Arcanum Mission Station, 
Ohio. During a ministry of two years on 
this charge, about eighty persons were 
added to its membership, and its sjiccial 



and general interests advanced. While 
here he went as a delegate from Ohio to 
the International Sunday School Conven- 
tion, held at Atlanta, Georgia, April 17 to 
19, 1878. In the fall of this year lie 
declined the pastorate of this charge to 
take a special course in theology. In Sep- 
tember his name was among those enrolled 
as juniors in the Divinity School of Yale 
College. While in the middle year of 
this school he was, through overwork, 
taken suddenly ill, and after a protracted 
illness was advised by his physicians to 
rest a year. 

Having somewhat regained his health, 
in August, 1880, he accepted the pastorate 
of Summit U. B. Church, Dayton, Ohio. 
His stay here was brief. The leading 
features of the work done was a revival, 
resulting in upwards of forty accessions 
to the Church and setting afoot measures 
for the complete remodelingof the church 
edifice. He resigned this work in July, 
1881, to accept the presidency of Western 
College, which responsible ])Osition he 
still holds. 

FACULTY AND INSTEUCTOES. 

The faculty and instructors of the Wes- 
tern College in 1883 were as follows: 
Rev. W. M. Beardshear, A. M., Presi- 
dent, Professor of Mental and Moral 
Science; Rev. J. A. Weller, A. M., Pro- 
fessor of Ancient Languages and Litera- 
ature; A. M. Beal, A. M., Professor of 
Natural Science; A. E. Shuey, M. A., 
Professor of Mathematics; • Urias D. 
Runkle, A. M., Professor of Ancient 
and Modern History; John L. Drury, A. 
B., Tutor; Emina J. Howard, Instructor 
of Drawing and Painting; F. E. Smith, 






4*- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Instructor of Book-Keeping; I. H. Bunn, 
A. M., Teacher of Vocal Music; Miss 
(iertrude Hogaii, Teacher of Instrumental 
^lusic; Urias D. Ruiikle, A. M., Instruc- 



tor of Penmanship; J. A. "W'eller, A. M., 
Instructor of Elocution; A. M. Beal, A. 
M., Librarian; A. E. Sliuey, M. A., Secre- 
tary. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



In all ages of the world, among civil- 
ized and uncivilized people, the medical 
profession has been held in high esteem. 
Whether it be the learned professor, who 
has studied the science of medicine in all 
its branches, or the "great medicine man" 
of the untutored savages, who from ac- 
tual experience, has made discoveries of 
the healing powers of herbs and roots, 
honor awaits him upon every hand, while 
the life and death of every human being 
is virtually placed in his keeping. The 
weary patient lying upon a bed of pain, 
and the no less weary watcher by his side, 
wait anxiously for the coming of the 
"good doctor," and, on his arrival, note 
his every movement and every expres- 
sion of countenance for a ray of hope. 

The medical fraternity of Tama county 
have, with few, if any exceptions, been an 
honor to the profession. They have ever 
been ready to respond to the call of duty. 
The winter's cold, the summer's heat, or 
the rains of spring and autumn could not 
keep them back when the cry of distress 
reached their ears. Not a physician in 
the county, especially among those who 
settled here at an early day, but has ex- 



perienced suflEerings that would li.avc de- 
terred those in any other profession, in 
response to a summons to attend the bed- 
side of a sick and suffering one. They 
have been compelled to cross trackless 
prairies, to face blizzards from the north, 
often with no hope of fee or reward, but 
only, if possible, to relieve those who 
plead for their care. All this has been 
done by the physicians of Tama county 
without complaint. If the good deeds of 
the profession are not remembered by 
those who have received aid, a time will 
come when they will be remembered. 

In the following review of the medical 
profession in the various towns and cities 
of the county, some of the most promi- 
nent doctors, who have practiced only for 
a time, will be noticed Urst, and then the 
representatives of the profession in 1883. 

FIRST PHYSICIANS IN THE COUNTY. 

The first physicians to locate in Tama 
county were Wesley A. Daniel, Dr. Patty 
and Tallman Chase. 

Wesley A. Daniel, came to Tama county 
from Ohio, in 1853, and located where the 
village of Buckingham was located. He 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



was lilt first Surveyor of Tama county, 
and has been a prominent man. He still 
lives in Buckingham, and is beloved and 
re8])ected by all who know him. 

Dr. Daniel was born October 9, 182.5, 
in Franklin county, Ohio, and in 1843, 
moved with his parents to Boone county, 
Illinois. He commenced the study of 
medicine in 1849, and attended Rush Med- 
ical College, at Chicago, in 1852 and 18.">:5. 
After his settlement in Tama county. Dr. 
Daniel devoted himself to the practice of 
medicine, but as the country was new, and 
]i(>liulation scarce, his time was not fully 
occujiied by his profession, and he served 
four years as County Surveyor, practicing 
iiu'dicine as oacasion required. After his 
second term of office expired, he devoted 
his whole attention to the practice of his 
profession. The population of the county 
had been greatly increased, the territory 
was large, and the rides were long and 
arduous as there were no other physicians 
in the county. November 10, 1858, Dr. 
Daiiiel was married to Miss Janet Gordon. 
In the summer of 1859, the Doctor went 
1(1 Pike's Peak, where he remained some 
lime. In 1864, he received a commission 
as assistant Surgeon in the Twenty-fourth 
Iowa Infantry, and joined the regiment at 
Berryville, Virginia, and was mustered 
into the service, September 15, partici- 
pating in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's 
Hill, Cedar Creek, and saw Sheridan come 
in from his famous ride from "Winchester 
twenty miles away." January 5, 1865, he 
received his commission as surgeon and 
(wjiitiiiucd with the regiment in all its sub- 
seciueiit movements from Vu'ginia to Bal- 
timore, thence to Savannah and Augusta, 
Georgia, in North and South Carolina, 



being mustered out of service at Savannah, 
Georgia, in July 1865; receiving pay and 
discharge at Davenport, Iowa, in August. 
The Doctor at once went home, reaching 
there on the iTth of August, having been 
absent just one year to a day. After 
returning from the war, he continued the 
practice of medicine until about 1881, since 
which time, he has led a less busy life by 
retiring from practice and devoting his 
time to his farm, where he has lived dur- 
ing the past thirty years. 

Dr. Patty came to Tama county in 185-1, 
and stopped for a time with J. H. HoUen, 
on the site now occupied by Tama City. 
In 1854 he opened a little drug store, the 
particulars of which are given in the 
judicial chapter. The store was soon 
attached, and was sold by the Constable. 
J. H. Ilollen bid in the books and medi- 
cines, part of which were afterwards 
purchased by Dr. H. T. Baldy. Dr. Patty 
left the county soon afterwards. 

Dr. Tallman Chase was a native of 
Ohio, and came to Tama county early in 
185.3, locating upon a farm in Toledo 
township. He was a man of intelligence 
and education, having practiced his 
profession in his native State. At the time 
Tama county effected a temporary organi- 
zation in the spring of 1853, he was 
elected County Judge, but did not ipialify. 

TAMA CITY PHYSICIANS. 

One of the first physicians to locate and 
begin practice in Tama City was Dr. M. 
S. Butler. Since then the following 
members of the profession have been in 
practice at that place: Drs. Parsons, A. 
W. Thompson, Williams, II. W. Boynton, 
L. II. Carv,~ Adams, W. T. Plumb, 



t^ 





-'-'"S'^. i V 




^.^--Z^- 




'z.-e^^zx^-^^'Z'^ . 



e 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



565 



Myrick, Harry Weller, A. Ford, F. W. 
Goding, Dentist; O. W. Godiug, and 
others. 

Dr. M. S. Butler, one of the first physic- 
ians in Tama City, located there in 1864, 
and remained until 1869. He came from 
Delaware county, and located in Toledo 
in 1860, and came from that place to Tama 
City. He was a married man, about 
thirty-two years of age ; was a regular in 
practice, and had recently graduated. He 
secured a fair practice, and as a profes- 
sional man, was liked veiy well, but so- 
cially, he was not very popular, owing to 
the fact that genialty was wanting in his 
disposition. It was not in his nature to 
be affable and social, and he knew it, and 
tried hard to appear different from what 
he was. He was a good doctor, however, 
and in his practice was very successful. 

Dr. Par ons came to Tama City in the 
summer of 1S67, and remained until 1869, 
when he went to Chelsea, remained until 
ls73, and again returned and practiced for 
a yeai*and a half at Tama City. He came 
liom Funday, New York, where he had 
licen in practice ; he was a regular gradu- 
ate, and an excellent physician and sur- 
geon. When he left here, he returned to 
Kunday, New York, and resumed his old 
practice there. 

Dr. A. W. Thompson located at Tama 
City, and remained a few months. He 
w.is a h oneopathist, and did not secure 
vny much practice. 

Dr. VVilliams came to Tama City in the 
i.itter part of May, 1S70, and remained 
until July, when he went to Toledo, and 
remained there a short time. He was 
Irom Cleveland, Ohio, a regular and a 



graduate of the Cleveland Medical School. 
He had but little practice while here. For 
a time he was located at Waltham, but did 
not remain at one j)lace long enough to do 
anything. 

H. W. Boynton located in Tama City 
in the latter part of June, 1870, and re- 
mained for a few months. He was also 
located in Toledo for a time. 

Dr. L. H. Cary, who is now a resident 
of Toledo, practiced in Tama City for a 
short time. 

Dr. Adams located here in 1875, and 
remained about one year, as a partner of 
Dr. W. Corns. He was a young married 
man, probably twenty-seven years of age, 
and came to this })lace from Mahaska 
county. He was a good doctor, a regular 
and a graduate of some medical college. 
From here he went back to Mahaska 
county, where he died of consumption in 
1877. He was quiet and retiring in dispo- 
sition, was well liked and secured a fair 
practice, considering the time he re- 
mained. 

Dr. W. T. Plumb, a relative of B. A. 
Hall, was engaged in the practice of medi- 
cine in Tama City for a short time. He 
is now in Marshall county, where he keeps 
a store and runs a postoftice, having given 
up the practice of his profession. 

Dr. Myrick located in Tama City, in 
1879, and remained until 1881. He came 
from Illinois, and from here went to some 
point in the northwestern part of Iowa. 

Dr. Harry Weller located at Tama City 
in 1880, and remained for several months. 
He came from Cedar Rapids and returned 
to that place. He was not a graduate 
when he came, but had attended one 
course of lectures at Louisville, Kentucky, 



37 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and after leaving here, returned to Louis- 
ville long enough to graduate. 

Dr. A. Ford came to Tama City at about 
ihe same time, and remained for about 
three months He was a recent graduate 
of Rush Medical College, Chicago, but 
liad been in practice for many years in the 
Pine regions of Michigan, and was proba- 
bly fifty-five years of age at the time he 
rame here. He had but little practice 
while here and returned to his native 
Htate. It is said by way of a joke, that 
wlien he came, he rather exposed, or to 
use a common phrase, "gave away" his 
inclinations by allowing to be seen a num- 
ber of hard wood sticks, which he ex- 
phiined were " to make (i.r-e handles of. " 

Dr. F. W. Goding was a physician of 
Tauia city. He was born in Hyde Park, 
Massachusetts, May 9, 1852. He was a 
sou of A. L. and Lydia M. (Chandler) 
Goding. His mother was a cousin of Hon. 
Zacharlah Chandler, and also of Hon. S.P. 
Chase. When ten years of age he removed 
with his parents to the city of Chicago. 
His classical education was obtained in 
the graded and high schools of that city, 
and at the Northwestern University, where 
he graduated with the class of l677, 
receiving the degree of A. M. He studied 
medicine at the same institution, graduat- 
ing from the medical department the same 
year; and in 1882, graduated from the 
Mercy Hospital. He at once began the 
l)ractice of his profession in Chicago, but 
after a short time determined to seek a 
field of labor in some smaller town of the 
West'; therefore, April 20, 1882, he located 
in Tama City, Iowa, where he remained 
for one year. Dr. Goding was editor for 



two years of the Blackberry lilcule, a 
weekly paper published at Blackberry, 
Kane county, Illinois; he also taught 
school in that county seven years. 

Dr. 0. W. Goding was a dentisi of 
Tama City. He was a native of Hyde 
Park, Massachusetts, where he was born 
May 12, 1857. When four years of age 
he removed with his parents to the city of 
Chicago, where he obtained a good edu- 
cation in the graded and high schools of 
that place. Subsequently he studied 
dentistry two years under Dr. E. II. 
Kilbourne, of Aurora, Illinois, who was 
President of the American Dental Asso- 
ciation. He then began practicing his 
profession in that city. In April, 1882, 
he removed to Tama City, where he 
remained for one year. 

In the spring of 1883, the medical 
profession was represented at Tama City 
by Drs. William Corns, Benjamin 
Thompson and C. H. Myers. The dental 
branch was represented by Dr. John 
Nicholson. 

One of the best read ])hysicians of 
Tama county, and one whose experience 
in surgery and medicine is probably 
greater than most men of his age, is Dr. 
William Corns. He is a native of 
Muskingum county, Ohio, born October 
27, li<35. llis parents were William and 
Pha'be A. (Bagley) Corns. In May, i8:!7, 
his father's family removed to Muscatine 
county, Iowa, among the very earliest 
settlers of that county. The subjeei of 
this sketch was reared on a farm, and his 
early educational advantages were such as 
the district schools afforded, though he 
could not attend even these uninterruptedly, 
but usuallv had the benefit of the winter 



rrr 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



terms, and attended at such other times as 
he oould be spared from the farm work. 
In 1849 his father died, and William 
remained with his mother until nineteen 
years old, at which time he began life for 
himself by working on a farm as a laborer. 
During the spring of 1861, he began the 
study of medicine with Dr. Albert Ady, 
of West Liberty, Iowa. At this time 
young Corns had hardly a dollar to liis 
name, but nevertheless, determined that 
with a stout heart and willing pair of 
hands he would work his way up, and 
become a physician. While with Dr. Ady 
he did the chores for his board, and 
studied at such times as he could 
command, oftentimes pouring over his 
books until the " wee sma' hours." In the 
fall of 1862, he entered the Keokuk Medi- 
cal College (now the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons of Keokuk) where he made 
his way by working in the Military Hospi- 
tal. He graduated from there in July 
of 18.63, and soon after was appointed a 
contract surgeon and gir'en charge of a 
ward in the Military Hospital of Keokuk, 
which was known as the "Estes House 
Hospital." During his engagement there 
he attended other lectures, which greatly 
added to his store of information. April I, 
186.5, in consequence of failing health, he 
was obliged to resign his position. He 
then came to Tama City, where he soon 
began the practice of medicine, and has 
since won for himself the enviable 
reputation of being one of the best medi- 
cal counsellers of Central Iowa. He is a 
member of the State Medical Association, 
and is the examining physician of Tama 
county for United States pensions In 



August, 1863, Dr. Corns was united in 
marriage with Miss Isabel Ilemperly, a 
native of Muscatine county, Iowa. Seven 
children bless the union — Flora, Kitty, 
Amos, William, Mabel, CJharles and 
Emmett. 

Dr. Benjamin Thompson, who has prac 
ticed medicine in Tama county for the 
past thirteen years is a native of Ohio, 
born in Wayne county on the 1.5th day 
of October, 1844. He is a son of James 
and Margaret (Makinson) Thompson. In 
1851, his parents removed to Lee county, 
Iowa, and subseqently to Scott county. 
Benjamin's early youih was spent in at- 
tending the district schools during the 
winter season and helping his father with 
the farm work during the spring, summer 
and autumn. Later, he attended the high 
school at Davenport, and in 1864, began 
the study of medicine. He attended the 
Eclectic Medical College of Philadelphin. 
Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 
March of 1870. LTpon completing his 
education. Dr. Thompson returned to 
Iowa and soon after settled at Tama City, 
where he has since resided, and now 
enjoys an extended practice. In politics 
he is a Democrat and for the past eight 
years has been one of the city council - 
men. He is a member of the Odd Fellow- 
Lodge, number 7, of Davenport. The doctor 
is a member of the Tama county Medical 
Society, and now holds the responsible 
position of Surgeon for the southern Iowa 
lines, of the Chicago and Northwestern 
R. R. Company. In 1873, he was joined in 
we<llock with Miss Sylvia Parks, a native 
of Indiana. They have one daughter — 
Grace, born May 17, 1881. 

Dr. C. n. Myers was born in Tioga 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Center, New York, January 2, 1857. The 
first seventeen years of his life were spent 
at home attending school, after which he 
entered Waverly Institute, Waverly, 
New Vork, graduating after a three 
years course, with the class of ISTY. 
Wiiile attending the above mentioned 
Institute he studied nifdicine with 
Dr. \V. E. Johnson of that place. Subse- 
quently he entered the department of' 
Medicine and Surgery at the Michigan 
University, Ann Arbor, and was imme- 
diately detached as acting assistant to the 
professor of practical anatomy. Later, he 
was the successful candidate in competi- 
tive examination for the ]iositionof House 
Surgeon in the Homeopothic Medical De- 
]>artment, and was transferred to the hos- 
]>ital of Homeopathic Medical College, 
where he had the honor of being a mem- 
ber of the graduating class of 1880. 
During August of that year he settled at 
Tama City, Iowa, where he is now locat- 
ed. 

Dr. John Nicholson is one of the lead- 
ing dentists of Tama county, and was the 
second of that profession to establish in 
Tama City. He is a native of Ohio, born 
in Belmont county, January 2-3, 1836. He 
is a son of Daniel S. and Martha (Beck) 
Nicholson. His father was a native of 
Pennsylvania and his mother of Virginia. 
The first twenty-five years of Dr. Nichol- 
son's life were passed on his father's farm, 
and up to that time he had received but a 
common school education. At that date, 
however, he began the study of dentistry 
with his brother J. S., a prominent dentist 
of Indc])endence, Iowa. He completed 
his studies with that brother and then 
formed a partnership with him, which 



lasted until his settlement in' Tama City, 
in 1867. Dr. Nicholson is the oldest 
practicing dentist in the town, and in fact, 
in the county. Since his location here he 
has remained alone until within the past 
year, when he associated himself with Dr. 
J. H. Dwight. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. 
of Tama City. During 18.58, he was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Cynthia A. Doan, 
who also is a native of Ohio. Eight 
children have blessed their union, five of 
whom are now living: Milton V., Daniel 
Q., Rosa M., Oscar S. and Alta. 

TOLEDO PHYSICIANS. 

The medical profession of Toledo has 
been represented by some very good men 
and excellent physicians. Among those 
who have practiced there are Drs. T. L. 
Baldy, C. A. Leibrandt, Lorenzo Renz, 
Hiram Biince, William Ilarkins, Ed- 
ward Barton, J. B. Wing, William 
Bunce, M. S. Butler, W. P. Cunningham, 
I). K. Wier, W. R. Miller, Jeremiah Ball, 
II. W. Boynton, Jeremiah Ballard, Dr. 
Williams, and others. 

Dr. P. L. Baldy was the first regular 
graduate to locate at Toledo, the date of 
his arrival being June, 1854. He was of 
German .de.scent, but was a native of 
Pennsylvania, l)orn in September, 1814. 
He attended the Fairfield Medical School, 
graduated in 1835, and in February, 1830, 
removed to Constantine, St. Joseph coun- 
ty, Michigan, where he commenced prac- 
tice, and remained for a number of years. 
In 1850, he took a trip to California, but 
returned witliin a year, and in 1853, went 
to Chicago, where he remained until June, 
1854, when, as stated, he came west with 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



liis family, and located in Toledo. At 
once commencing practice, he did an im- 
mense business, nearly as long as he re- 
mained here. He was a man of great 
reading, quick percej)tion, and of much 
more than ordinary ability; genial, of 
pleasant address and social, he made a 
great many friends among the pioneers. 
He remained in Toledo until 1863, when 
he removed to Council Bluffs, from there 
to St. Louis, near which city he died in 
February, 1873. His family has been scat- 
tered ; he has one son living in ralifornia. 
Dr. P. L. Baldy was a brother of Dr. H. 
T. Baldy, an esteemed old settler of Tama 
county. 

Dr. C. A. Leibrandt came to Toledo and 
began the practice of medicine a short 
time after Dr. P. L. Baldy. He was a 
native of Ohio, a man with a family, about 
3.5 years old. He was a regular in his 
jiraetice and also claimed to be a dentist, 
although it is said that his work in that 
linein a good measure belied his word. 
He remained in Toledo for two or three 
years, when he went to Missouri, and has 
since been lost track of. In personal 
appearance. Dr. Leibrandt was rather fine 
looking, a little above medium height and 
stoutly built. He was sometimes a little 
overbearing and some facetious jiersonage 
dubbed him "The Obstropulous." 

Dr. Lorenzo Bent, practiced medicine 
in Toledo for about one year, coming here 
in the spring of 1855. He was of German 
descent, but a native of Pennsylvania, lie 
was regular in his practice, but had had no 
drilling in the profession, having picked 
up what he knew by observation. He wa' 
about tifty-five years old at the time he 
came to Tama county, small in stature. 



and a cripple, one of his knees being stiff. 
From here he went to Nebraska and it is 
said was killed by the Indians. 

Hiram Bunee, M. D., came to Toledo in 
the spring of 1856, and was engaged in the 
practice of medicine until the time of his 
death in early war times. He was a native 
of Ohio, was a regular graduate in medi- 
cine. He brought his family with him. 
He was a good doctor for his time, an 
earnest, honest, straight-forward man; a 
member of the Congregational church. In 
personal appearance, he was medium sized, 
slender build and dark complexion. 

Dr. William Harkins, was a native of 
Ohio, who came to Toledo in the fall of 
1856, started the first drug .store in the 
city, remained one year and a half, and 
then returned to his old home in Ohio. He 
was a peculiar appearing man, was near- 
siglited, friendly and genial. He never 
practiced here but was called "Doctor," 
and it is supposed had been at some time 
in active practice. 

Dr. Edward Barton came to Toledo in 
the fall of 1856, and commenced jjractice, 
shortly afterwards purchasing Harkins' 
drugstore. He was a native of Ohio; had 
come West several yeai;8 previous to the 
time mentioned und settled in Poweshiek 
county. He was a man about forty years 
of age, a graduate in medicine, was in good 
financial circumstances and had practiced 
about ten years. In about three years he 
returned to Poweshiek county, where he 
still lives. He was a pleasant, genial fel- 
low and waswell liked. 

Dr. J. B. Wing was a native of Han- 
over, Massachusetts, born in 1814. In 
early life he moved to Virginia, and from 
thence to Lorain county, Ohio. He stud- 



■^;=i|v* 



Jo «■ 



570 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ii'il medicine in the Granville College, 
Oliio, and in 185G, came to Iowa and lo- 
cated in Tama county, where he engaged 
in ]iractice and continued until the time of 
liis death, which occurred March 17, 1876. 
He l)uilt u|) an extensive practice and was 
a wise counsellor and skillful physician. 

In 18.58, Dr. William Bunce, a son of 
Hiram, was in Toledo and practiced with 
his father. After leaving here he was for 
a time in Davenport, hut when last heard 
from was in Ohio. 

.lust before Dr. Hiram Bunce died, he 
iutluenced Dr. E. P. Hunter to come from 
Ohio, and the two went into partnership. 
Hunter was a well educated and intelli- 
gent young man of about twenty-five years 
of age, a good doctor and a young man of 
more than ordinary promise. He had a 
fair practice, but was in very moderate 
circumstances. After the death of Dr. 
IJunce, the whole business falling upon 
iiim, he made long trips without sufficient 
chiihing, caught a severe cold and died 
within a few weeks after his partner. 

In 1860, Drs. Butler and Cunningliam 
came to Toledo from Delaware county. 
M. S. Butler was a native of Ohio, a mar- 
ried man and about thirty years of age. 
For some time after liis arrival he did not 
])rofess to practice, but ran a drug store. 
'I'lu'ii attended lectures, graduated and re- 
turned to Toledo, where he engaged in 
practice. When Tama City commenced 
springing up, he went to that place and re- 
mained there for some years, when he 
finally went to Cherokee coxinty, where he 
still remains and is doing well. He was a 
man of easy habits, pleasant, genial, and a 
good talker. In personal make-up he was 
very tall and rather heavy set. 



Dr. W. P. Cunningham had l)een in 
practice in Delaware county, and uj>on his 
arrival here, at once opened an office. lie 
was alone in practice except a short time 
with Dr. Butler. He remained here until 
1867, when he went to Kansas, where he 
has since died. He was a popular and 
very successful physician, practicing in the 
eclectic branch of the profession. 

Dr. I). K. Wier, a physician having n() 
regular method of practice, located at 
Toledo, and practiced several years. He 
was, for a time, at Monticello and after- 
ward at Toledo, where he remained a few 
years and then went to Missouri. He was 
a native of Pennsylvania, and brought 
his family here with him ; was a man of 
medium build, dark complexion, put on a 
good deal of style and was a great liand 
to dance. 

Dr. W. R. Miller, regular, located in 
Toledo about 186.3, and was quite promi- 
nent in medical circles for a number of 
years. He came here from Waterloo ; was 
a native of Pennsylvania ; brought his 
family with him, and having already had 
much experience as a physician, at once 
opened an office and commenced practice. 
For several years he maintained a fair 
practice, but finally left the profession and 
engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he 
continued until the time of. his death. He 
was a large, heavy man, and had an ini 
portant bearing. 

Dr. Jeremiah Ball, eclectic, came to 
Toledo from Eldora, about 186.5, and com- 
menced practice in partnership with Dr. 
J. N. Springer. He had been a traveling 
doctor and only remained here for a few 
years. He then went to Bangor, and from 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



theuce to Coldwater, Michigan. He was 
a small, dark complexioiiedman, quiet and 
retired in dispof*ition and appeared to 
understand his business. 

II. W. Boynton, M. D., a graduate of the 
Albany Medical College, New York, came 
to Toledo from La Porte City, Iowa, in 
18Y(), and remained for eleven years, when 
lie went to Dakota. He was a native of 
New York, came to Iowa in 1861, and 
began the study of medicine with Dr. 
John Conaway, in Brooklyn, Poweshiek 
county. In August, 1863, he enlisted for 
the war in the Twenty-eighth Iowa Infant- 
ry, and served until the close of the war. 
In December, 1866, he graduated in medi- 
cine, lie was a married man, well educa- 
ted in his profession and was well liked. 
In personal appearance, he was of medium 
size, stoutly built, had light complexion 
and curly hair ; and socially was a pleas- 
ant, aflfable gentleman. 

Dr. Jeremiah Ballard came to Toledo in 
1880, and remained in practice for a short 
time. Dr. Boynton had gone to La Porte 
to attend to some property and Ballard 
was secured to come and take care of Dr. 
iioynton's patients. Ballard went from 
liLMc to Monticello ; from there to Garwin, 
when that town began to grow, and a few 
months later removed to Colorado, and it 
lias since been reported that he was dead. 
Ho seemed to be a pretty well educated 
man, and had attended a cour.se of lec- 
tures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, was a little 
fellow, wore a red mustache, and dressed 
•'in fashion." 

In .lanuary, 188.5, the medical profession 
was being represented in Toledo by Drs. 
H. T. Baldy, L. II. Cary, J. N. Springer, 



S. Thompson, W. W. Souster, Jacob C. 
Joralemon and E. R. Smith. The dental 
branch was being represented by Dr. C. 
W. Miller. 

Henry T. Baldy, M. D., became a mem- 
ber of the medical ' profession of Tama 
county in November, 1854, and is the old- 
est Toledo [ihysician. He is the son of 
Christian Baldy, a farmer, and Mary Tom- 
linson,and was born on the 29th of Decem- 
ber, 1819, in Catawissa, Columbia county, 
Pennsylvania. The name is an Italian one, 
and was originally spelled Baldi. During 
the thirteenth or fourteenth century, the 
family were driven by wars from Italy to 
Germany, from whence the ancestors of 
Henry T. came to this conntry. About 
1830, Christian Baldy moved to Sunbury ; 
two years later to Newf ane,Niagara county. 
New York, and in 183.5, to White Pigeon 
Prairie, Michigan, the son aiding his 
father in all these places at farming, 
receiving only a common school education. 
In 1840, Henry T. concluded to become a 
physician, read medicine with an elder 
brother, Peter L. Baldy, at Constantine, 
Michigan; then seeing that his father was 
likely to lose his property unless he 
received aid, returned te the farm and 
worked four years, thus freeing the prop 
erty from incumbrance. He then resumed 
medical studies, attended lectures at the 
Rush Medical College, Chicago, in the 
winter of 1847-8, and the ne.xt winter 
at Louisville, Kentucky. Commenced 
practice at Constantine in February, 1850; 
and at the end of two years, went to Cali- 
fornia, doing poorly at raining but well at 
trading; returned in July, 1854, and the 
following November, located at Toledo, 
where he still lives. He was married in 



572 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



December, 1857, to Mrs. Elizabeth B. 
Miller. Dr. Baldy is rather below, the 
average height of men, but is active, ener- 
getic and enterprising. He is a Republican 
with Whig antecedents, but of late years 
has done but little more than vote. Years 
ago, he was very active in politics, and in 
1858, publislied the Toledo Tribune, tlie 
tirst paper in Tama county. He published 
the first deliii(|uent tax list in the county. 

L. H. Cary, M. D., was born in New 
.lersey in 1804 ; when ten years of age his 
parents emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, 
where he received a liberal education. 
When 22 years of age he commenced 
reading medicine, and in 1837-8 he at- 
tended lectures at Miami Medical College. 
In 184G, he graduated at Willoughliy Uni- 
versity. In 1848, he graduated at the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New 
York. The Doctor was married in 18.39, 
to Miss Jlartha Chamberlin. Of their 
children there are two living — Mary E., 
.uid Anna. In 1854, Dr. Cary emigrated 
to Iowa City, where he engaged in the 
lucrcantile business. In 185C, he came to 
Toledo, where he has since followed his 
profession. 

J. N. Springer, M. D., one of the pioneer 
physicians of the Northwest, was born in 
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 
:;uth of November, 1821. When a mere 
boy his parents emigrated to Orange 
county. Indiana, where his father enga<;ed 
ia farming and accumulated a large prop- 
erty. J. N. remained on his father's farm 
until fourteen years' of age, when he was 
■<enl to the State University at Blooming- 
lo I. Here he spent two years, when his 
liealth failed, and he had to abandon his 



last nine months before graduating. At 
the age of twenty-two he entered the 
medical office of Drs. Harrison «fc White, 
at Paoli. In 1849, he attended lectures at 
the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, graduating in 1852. After 
leaving school, he again entered the office 
of his former preceptors, where he re- 
mained two years. In September, 1847, 
he went to Whiteside county, Illinois, 
and in company with friends, purchased 
land and opened up a farm. In the spring 
of 1851, he sold his land, returned to In- 
diana on a visit, and the following fall 
returned to Illinois, where he commenced 
the practice of medicine. He practiced 
here for some time, then spent two years 
from 1854 to 1856, in Benton county, Iowa; 
after which, he went to Illinois, and in 
1857, engaged in practice in Lawrence 
county, Indiana, remaining there until 
September, 1861 At this time he returned 
to Whiteside county, Illinois, where he 
practiced his profession until May, 1865, 
then came to Toledo, Iowa, and continued 
in practice until 1872; since which time he 
has been chiefly engaged in the drug trade. 
The Doctor was married, in 1845, to Miss 
Rachel Vest, who was born in Orange 
county, Indiana, May 27, 1826. Mr. and 
Mrs. Springer have three children living — 
Newton F., George L. and Ida M. The 
doctor has been identified with the county 
for many years, and has taken a lively 
interest in everything pertaining to its 
welfare. He is a member of the Masonic 
F'raternity, a Sir Knight of Belle Plaine 
Lodge, and a member of the Chapter of 
Tama City. 

S. Thompson, M. D., is one of the lead- 
ing physicians of Tama countv. He is the 



_^« 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



son of James and Jane (Callen) Thompson 
who resided in Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania, where their son was born 
on the 2d of March, 1844. When a small 
boy his parents emigrated to Meadville, 
Crawford county, where the doctor grew 
to manhood. His preparatory education 
was received in the common schools, but 
he afterward attended Alleghany College 
for a few years. In 1862, he came west 
as far as Cedar Rapids, Linn county, Iowa, 
where he entered the office of Dr. E. L. 
Mansfield, and pursued his studies for 
three years. In the meantime he attended 
lectures at Michigan University, in Ann 
Arbor. In 1865, he came to Toledo, Tama 
county, where he commenced practicing. 
In 1867, he attended Rush Medical College, 
of Chicago, where he graduated. Since 
that time, he has been in active practice 
in Toledo, Iowa. Since 1867, he also 
attended the University of New York 
City and Belevue Hospital. Dr. Thompson 
is a man of independent thought, and has 
by his pure and upright life, attracted 
many warm friends, gaining the confidence 
and esteem of all with whom he has had 
to deal. He has been a man of the people, 
and to this, together with the fact that he 
has been true to the highest principles of 
honor and morality, may be attributed his 
success in his life work. In January 1869, 
Miss Adelaide IloUenj daughter of J. H. C. 
Ilollen of Tama City, became his wife. 
They had two children, one of whom is 
living. The "doctor is a member of 
the Masonic Fraternity of Toledo. 

W. W. Souster, M. D., of Toledo, Tama 
county, is a native of VVaupon, Wisconsin, 
liorn on the .3d of May, 1852. His parents 
were Thomas Souster and Ann Eliza 



^' 



(Wood) Souster, of English descent. 
W. W., the oldest of five sons, was edu- 
cated in the common schools and in the 
Academy at Keith sburg, Illinois. At the 
age of seventeen years he commenced 
reading medicine in the office of Dr. C. S. 
Hollingsworth, in Keithsburg, where he 
prosecuted his studies for four years, and 
in the * meantime attended lectures at 
Hahneman College, where he graduated in 
1871, and then for two years remained at 
home. In 1873, he came to Toledo, where 
he commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion. The doctor is a young man of much 
ability, a close student, and is making a 
success of his life work. The doctor is a 
member of the Hahneman Medical Asso- 
ciation of Iowa, also of the Iowa Valley 
Homfeopathic Medical Association, and is 
now Vice-President "of that society. He 
was one of the charter members of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen of 
Toledo Lodge No. 2-3, and has been Medi- 
cal E.xaminer of that association since its 
organization. He is also a member of the 
Knights of Pythias, Marmion Lodge, 
No. 78. 

Jacob C. Joralemon, M. D. a practicing 
physician of Toledo, was born December 
8, 1832, at Passaic, four miles below 
Patterson, New Jersey. His parents were 
Cornelius and Phcebe (Vreeland) Jora- 
lemon, both of whom were natives of 
New Jersey. His father was a house and 
ship joiner by trade, and was mainly en- 
gaged in ship building. When Jacob 
was four years of age, his parents moved 
to Brooklyn, New York, where he received 
the advantages of a public school educa- 
tion. When of sufficient age he was a]i- 
prenticed to learn the painter's trade, and 



opT^ 



-< — • b> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



after serviug an a])prenticeshii) of three 
years, he was made foreman of Bernard 
Crystal's painting establishment. Thi.s 
business, however, did not agree with him, 
so he decided to adopt a sailor's life, and 
while on the sea began the study of 
medicine. In 1860, he left the water, and 
on the day when Lincoln was first elected, 
started on a trij) through the west. 
Ik' remained in Illinois but one year, then 
ri4urned to New York City intending to 
enter the United States Navy, but changed 
his mind and shipped before the mast on 
a vessel bound for South America. After 
his return he was sailing mate for J. & J. 
Eager of New York City, under Captain 
W. H. La Farge. In 1861, Mr. Joralemon 
left the ocean for good and came west, 
locating in McLean county, Illinois, where 
he engaged in the drug business and fol- 
lowed the practice of medicine. In 1876, 
lie graduated from Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, and then resumed his practice in 
McLean county. In 1878, he moved to 
Tcjledo, Iowa, and has since been engaged 
in the practice of his profession. Mr. 
Joralemon was married in 186-3, to Mrs. 
Sarah Capell, daughter of Uz and Rhoda 
(Uonnum) Nobles, and widow of Theodore 
Capell. She had two children by her 
former husband — Frank and Ilattie. Her 
father has been dead for some years; her 
mother is now living in Harrison, Ohio. 
Mrs. Joralemon's parents were early set- 
tlers of Cincinnatti, Ohio, coming to that 
place when but nine log cabins constituted 
the city. She is a member of the Presby- 
terian church. Dr. Joralemon has been in 
Toledo but a few years, yet he has suc- 
ceeded in Imililing up a large and lucra- 



tive practice. He is deeply attached to 
his profession and having the advantage 
of a long experience, he meets with good 
success. 

E. R. Smith, M. D., was born in Venango 
county, Pennsylvania, October 4, 18.51. 
His parents were William and Cynthia 
Smith, now of Andalusia, Rock Island 
county, Illinois. His father is the son of 
Salmon Smith, who was born near the 
City of Rochester, New York, in 1800, 
and died in Wisconsin in 1873. His 
ancestors were among the first settlers of 
the American colonies. Salmon Smith 
was a Methodist minister of some promi- 
nence, and an early aboliti' nist. His 
mother's name was Avery, born in Ver- 
mont, and died aged about thirty. She 
was the daughter of an old Revolutionary 
soldier, whose family came to this country 
with the Puritans. The Doctor's grand- 
parents were married, and resided for a 
number of years, in New York State, 
where his father was born on the shore of 
Lake Chautauqua, January 18, 1826. In 
1830, they removed with their three chil- 
dren to Ashtabula county, Ohio, Avhere 
they remained until 1840; then moved to 
Venango county, Pennsylvania. Dr. 
Smith's mother, Cynthia Smith, was.boVn 
in Canada, on the u'Oth of May, 1829. Her 
father, Francis Smith, was born in Ireland, 
and came to America in childhood ; her 
mother was of (ierman descent. They 
both died a number of years since, at ad- 
vanced ages. The father and mother were 
married in Warren county, Pennsylvania, 
on the 28th of December, 1848. Tliey 
lived in Venango county until 185.5, own- 
ing one of tlie^ first farms upon which 



**!• 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



577 



potrolemii was found. Here E. R. and his 
Ill-other, Dr. Frank S. Smith, now of El- 
horon, this county, were born. From 1855 
until 1860, they lived in Wisconsin, then 
removed to Buffalo, Scott county, Iowa, 
and in the following spring, moved to 
Andalusia, Illinois, where they now re- 
side, aged respectively fifty-seven and 
fifty-four years, and are passing their days 
in ease and contentment. His father is 
now, and has been for the most part of his 
life, engaged in the manufacture and sale 
of lumber. He has often been honored 
with positions of trust by his fellow- 
townsmen. Dr. Smith has three brothers 
and one sister — Frank S. Smith, M. D., 
now of Elberon ; Walter C. Smith, at the 
present time residing at Andalusia; and 
Nellie M., and William C, living at home. 
Dr. E. R. Smith received his education at 
the public school, and at Knox and West- 
tiold Colleges, in Illinois. He commenced 
professional studies with Dr. James 
Cozad, of Andalusia, an old army surgeon 
and physician of experience. He remained 
with Dr. Cozad four years, and in the 
meantime was for one year a matriculant 
of the medical department of the Iowa 
State University, and of Rush Medical 
College, Chicago, graduating at the latter, 
receiving the degree of M. D., February 
1.5, 1876, aged twenty-four years. The 
same spring he commenced the practice of 
his profession at Edgington, a country vil- 
lage adjoining Andalusia, in the families 
of neighbors, old associates and school- 
mates. He remained here for five years, 
doing an extensive practice, and having a 
host of friends, from whom it was hard to 
separate, but scant social, school and 
church privileges, made it apparent that 



a new location, if wisely selected, would 
be to his advantage. Hence, in the spring 
of 1881, after looking over the inducc- 
riients and advantages of other localities, 
he determined that Toledo, with her many 
enterprising citizens, good high school 
and churches, together with the fact that 
Western College was soon to be moved 
there, offered just the advantaies he 
wished. Two years of life among the peo- 
ple have more than confirmed the wisdom 
of that choice. 

Dr. Smith is a member of the Union 
Medical Association and of the Iowa and 
Illinois Central District Medical Society, 
from which he has been sent as delegate 
to the American Medical Association, as 
well as to several State Medical Societies. 
The doctor has kept abreast of the medi- 
cal world, and has been abundantly suc- 
cessful in his practice and in making- 
friends. Dr. Smith is a Republican in 
politics, and in addition to his professional 
business, has freely given his full share of 
time and means to advance the best 
interest of society. He is now, and has 
been for years, a teacher in Sunday school 
and class leader in the U. B. Church, also 
member of the executive committee of 
Western College. For the past two years 
he has been President of the Taraa county 
Bible Society and of the Tama county 
branch of the W. C. T. U. He is also 
Chairman of the Tama county Republi- 
can Central Committee, and in all these 
various positions he has brought the same 
powers to bear that he does in his own 
business, striving to be of service to man- 
kind. 

On June 2.3, 187G, Dr. Smith was mar- 
ried to Miss Kittle Thompson, of Anda- 



");< 



578 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



liisia, anil <l:flinlitcr ol H. S. Tliompson, 
I'or twenty years his father's partner in 
business. She was born, January 15, 
1850, in Mercer county, Illinois, on tlie 
site wliere since has been built the town 
of Reynolds. Her mother was Mary M. 
IJuffum. Both she and Mr. Thompson 
were among the early settlers of Rock 
Island county, and left behind them the 
friends and associations of more than a 
(juarter of a century, when they came to 
Toledo, in May, 1881. The Doctor's mar- 
riage has, in every sense, been a happy 
and fortunate one. His wife has been a 
sharer of his joys, a good counselor in 
MMM-ow, and is one of earth's choicest — a 
true wife, a good mother to five children 
of whom there are four living — Lucy, 
Mabel and Ruth, born in Edgingtoi* and 
Etta horn in Toledo. 

('. W. Miller, dentist, of Toledo, was 
horn in Ogle county, Illinois, on the 2nd 
(if September, 1855. He is a son of S. S. 
Miller, of Washington county, Maryland, 
who emigrated with his family to Ogle 
county, Illinois, in 1842. His mother was 
Mary Haker. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Miller were 
the parents of five sons. C. W. was 
reared as a farmer boy and at the age of 
twenty-one he entered the office of Dr. B. 
B. 'Maydville, of Polo, Illinois, where he 
])rosecuted his studies for two years. In 
.May, 1878, he came to Toledo, and by 
close attention to business and fair dealing 
li.as built up a lucrative business. In pol- 
itics he is a staunch Republican, keeping 
liiinself i)i)ste<l in all matters. 

TRAEli PHYSICIANS. 

Prouiini'ut among those who have rep- 
resented the medical profession in Traer 



are the names of Drs. W. A. Daniel, S. 
Waterbury, W. P. Smith, Warren Scott 
and Dr. Sawyer. 

Dr. Wesley A. Daniel was the fir.st 
physician to practice in this region. Ho 
has been located at Buckingham Village 
for thirty years, and his ride extended 
over all this portion of the county. 

Dr. S. Waterbury was the first physician 
to locate in Traer proper. He came here 
from Kansas, in August, 187.3, and re- 
mained here for seven or eight years, when 
he removed to Calhoun county, where he 
died. He was a married man, about forty 
years of age and a good physician . 

Dr. W. P. Smith came here in 1874 and 
was associated with Dr. Waterbury. He 
was a graduate of Rush Medical College, 
Chicago. He remained here for one year, 
studying dentistry in the meantime, and 
finally went over to that business and 
moved to some point in the western jiart 
of the State. 

Warren D. Scott came to Traer from 
Dewitt in November, 1877, and after re- 
maining for several years went to New 
Mexico. He was a homeopathist and a 
graduate of Hahneman Medical College, 
of St. Louis. 

Dr. Sawyer came to Traer in the fall of 
1882, and remained for five or six months 

In the spring of 1883, the medical pro- 
fession was represented in Traer Viy Drs. 
C. W. Ashton, J. P. Morison, Frank E. 
Whitley, E. M. WooUey, John A. l.add. 
Dr. Parsons and Morris L. Cutler. 

Dr. C. W. Ashton was the first homeo- 
pathic physician to locate in Traer. He 
came here in 1874, from Millville, Ohio. 
He was born in Northampton county, 
Pennsylvania, inM 841. The doctor stud- 









HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ieil meilicine in Pliiladelphia, and also at- 
tended the Homeopathic Medical College 
in that city, graduating in 1871. 

.1. P. Morison, M. D., is a native ol' Can- 
ada, born in 1842. He gr.aduated from 
the medical department of the University 
of Michigan, in 1868. After graduating, 
he practiced in Franklin county. New 
York, for some time, when he came to 
Iowa and located at Traer. 

Frank E. Whitley, M. D., partner of 
Dr. Morison, was born in Chautauqua 
county, New York. He graduated at 
Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1880, 
and in December, 1881, came to Traer. 

Dr. E. M. Woolley bought the drug 
store of Dr. Daniel in 1875, and erected 
his present store building, which he has 
occupied since 1876. Dr. Woolley was born 
in Tompkins county. New York, in 1817. 
He went to Illinois in 18.37, commencing 
the study of medicine in 1839, and was a 
member of the first class of the Rush 
Medical College, when that institution was 
just starting. Dr. Woolley began the prac- 
tice of medicine in Boone county, Illinois, 
in 1845, and remained there twenty-two 
years. He was afterward engaged in the 
drug business at Belvidere. In 1SG5, Dr. 
Woolley came to Traer,where he has since 
been located. 

John A. Ladd, M. D., one of the best 
known physicians in Tama county, is a 
native of New York, born in Delaware 
county, October 29, 18-30. His parents 
were also natives of Delaware county, New 
York. Dr. Ladd began the study of medi- 
cine with J R. Leal, M. D., at Andes, 
Delaware county. He attended two courses 
of lectures at Berkshire College, Pittsfield, 



Massachusetts, and then spent two years in 
what was known as the Hartford Retreat, 
an insitution established for the more 
humane treatment of the insane! He then 
came to Keokuk, Iowa, in the winter of 
1855-6, and entered the Medical Depart- 
ment of the State University, where he 
graduated the following spring. Mr. Ladd 
was then connected in ])ractice with Prof. 
J. C. Hughes, of Keokuk, for about one 
year. He then went to Clinton county, 
this State, and practiced his profession 
until the breaking out of the war of the 
rebellion; then enlisted as a private in the 
Twenty-sixth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 
but was soon after commissioned as Assist- 
ant Surgeon of the First Iowa Cavalry 
Volunteers, in which capacity he served 
until in the fall of 1863, when he resigned. 
He then went to Hardin county, locating 
in Alden, in 1864, remaining but one year, 
when he went to Iowa Falls, and associated 
in practice with Dr. Foster, a well known 
physician of that place. Dr. Ladd remained 
in Iowa Falls until 1868, then removed to 
Buckingham, and January 20, 1868, re- 
moved to Traer. Dr. Ladd has an exten- 
sive practice, has an excellent record as a 
phj'sician, and as a genial and polished 
gentleman. His wife was formerly Nancy 
E., daughter of Gain s Rose. Miss Ladd 
was born in Portage county, Ohio, and 
moved with her parents to Clinton county, 
Iowa, in 1854.. They have six children — 
Ossian D., Fred. G., John IL, Nellie E,. 
Mabel M., and Nancy G. 

Dr. Parsons, homeopathic pliysician, is 
a native of Vermont, l)orn in 1S48. In 
1850, he came west to Wisconsin with his 
parents, and in 1862, moved to Waterloo, 
Black Hawk county, Iowa. Ho began the 



-r— ► 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



study (il' iiKMlii'iiK' ill 1S78, with Dr. G. F. 
Roberts of Waterloo,who is now a professor 
in llu! Chicago Homeopathic Medical 
C^)lli'ge. Dr. Parsons graduated from that 
institution in 1881, and came to Traer the 
same sjiring. 

Morris L. Ciither, M. D., partner of Dr. 
.1. A. Ladd, is a native of Mitchell county, 
this State, born April 28, 1855. He 
graduated at the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons in February, 1878. Dr. Cuther 
lirsi located at Adrian, Nobles county, 
Minnesota, where he practiced for about a 
year and a half. Moving from there to 
Albert Lea, he remained until January, 
1 8s;5, when he became associated witli Dr. 
Ladd in Traer, January 15, 1883. 

DVSART PHYSICIANS. 

The medical profession of Dysart was 
tiist represented by C. L. Teats. Dr. W. O, 
Beam located at Dysart in 1878, and 
rc^mained for several years. At present 
the medical profession is represented in 
Dysart by Drs. P. C. Jones, S. P. Black, 
and B. S. Louthan. 

Dr. P. C. Jones, a practicing physician 
of Dysart, is a native of South Wales, 
England. He was born Jime 28, 18.34. 
His early life was s]>ent in that country, 
and there he received his classical educa- 
tion. During the spring of 1852, he came 
to America, and immediately settled in 
DeKalh county, Illinois. The following 
fall his parents also crossed the ocean, and 
'followed their son to his new home. 
Upon their arrival the subject of this 
sketch began the study of medicine with 
his father, who was a physician. Subse- 
Huently he attended Rush Medical College, 
Chicago, and afterwards the TTniversity of 



Medicine and Surgery at Philadelphia, 
where he graduated with the class of 1872. 
Mr. Jones then located in Brown county, 
Wisconsin, where he practiced for a short 
time, and then removed to Iowa. He first 
i-pent some time in Wright county, and 
then came to Dysart, where he has since 
practiced, with the exception of four years 
spent in Watkins, Benton county, this 
State. The doctor is a Republican, is a 
member of the A. O. U. W., the Knights 
of Honor, and the I. L. of II., which latter 
he was instrumental in organizing in 
Dysart. His marr age with Miss S. A. 
Rhodes, of Madison, Wisconsin, occurred 
in April, 1864, at Whitewater, Walworth 
county, of that State. They have been 
blessed with four children, two boys and 
two girls — Birdie Ella, Millie Blanch, 
Frank L. and Courtland C. The two 
former are deceased. 

fiLADBUOOIv PHYSICIAN.S. 

The first |)li_ysician to locate in Gladbrook 
was a Doctor Curamings. He came here 
in 1880, and "camped on the site" for two 
months while buildings were going u]), 
"so as to be here." He is now in Dakota. 

Dr. Davis, who had been practicing for 
several years at Union Grove, located at 
Gladbrook soon after the town started, 
and remained for one year, when he went 
to St. Paul, Nebraska. 

Doctor Gray came from Badger Hill and 
located at Gladbrook. He remained only 
a few months. 

Dr. A. F. Walter should also be noted 
in this connection. He was a graduate of 
the medical de])artment of the Iowa State 
University. 

In the siirini; of 1883, the medical 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



profession was ably represented in 
Gladbrook by Drs. W. L. Conant, J. H. 
Ilabenich and B. Benn. 

W. L. Conant, M. D., is a native of 
Plymouth, Windsor county, Vermont, 
born January 19, 1825. He is a son of 
William and Liddie (Proctor) Conant. In 
1836, the family removed to Kalamazoo 
county, Michigan, where the subject of 
this sketch was reared, receiving his edu- 
cation at the High School of Schoolcraft, 
s.ame State. When about twenty years of 
age he learned the trade of carpenter and 
joiner, following the same for about seven 
years, and then spent two years in the 
pineries of Michigan. In the spring of 
1855, he came to Tama county, settling on 
section nine in Carlton township, where 
he owned a farm of two hundred and forty 
acres of land," and which he has since 
divided between his two sons. In 1848, 
he commenced reading medicine with Dr. 
Romaine of Colon, Michigan, and on 
coming to Iowa he resumed his studies 
under the instruction of Dr. Holt, a 
homeopathic physician of Marshalltown, 
this State, which profession he has since 
followed. His practice in Tama county 
dates from 1865. On the 1 st of January, 
1864, Mr. Conant enlisted as private in 
Co. E., 24th Iowa Infantry Volunteers, 
went South, and was captured by the rebels 
at the battle of Mansfield, from whence 
he was taken to Tyler, Texas, being held 
prisoner at that place, Camp Gross and 
other points, until finally he was permitted 
to join his regiment at Davenport. He 
was discharged from the Union service on 
the 2d of August, 1865. When Carlton 
town.ship was first organized Mr. Conant 
was elected one of the school directors. 



and since has served as President and 
Treasurer of the School Board, also has 
held the office of Constable for six years. 
Mr. Conant voted with the Whigs until the 
Republican party was organized, when he 
imbibed Republican principles, and has 
since voted with that party. Mr. Conant 
was married on the 30th day of Decem- 
ber, 1847, to Miss Nancy Packer, daughter 
of Henry and Mary Ann (Vader) Packer, 
of St. Joseph county, Michigan, and 
natives of New Jersey. By this union 
there are five children living — Marion A., 
George W., Electa F., wife of Simmer O. 
Lord; Phebe J., and Amanda B. 

Dr. B. Benn located in Gladbrook soon 
after the town started, and is still in 
practice there. He is an eclectic physician 
and surgeon, and understands his business. 

J. H. Habenich, practicing physician of 
Gladbrook, is a native of Pesth Hungary, 
and was born in 1842. He is a son of 'Dr. 
Johann and Amalia (Mai) Habenich. He 
received his early education at the college 
of Leitmeritz, Bohemia, and completed 
it at the Universities of Prague and Leipsic. 
Subsequently, he practiced as a military 
surgeon in the army of Austria for four 
years, and in 1873, came to the United 
States. Dr. Habenich first located at St. 
Paul, Minnesota, where he practiced for 
a time, then followed his profession in 
Fayetteville, Texas, and from there went 
to Milwaukee, Wis. In 1882, he came to 
Gladbrook, this county, where he has since 
worked up a lucrative practice. Dr. Ha- 
benich was married in 1870, to Miss Fran- 
cisca, a daughter of Seigmond Neubidd- 
shov, of Bohemia. They have been blessed 
with four children — Hedva, Elizabeth, 






"IV 



Ml 



- — ^c^ 



582 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Rosa and Narcis. Dr. Ilabenich in belief 
is a inaterialist and in politics is an Inde- 
liendenl. Dr. Ilabenich served as Battery 
Surgeon in the Seventh regiment, Infantry 
Corps of Germany, in the Franco-Prnssian 
war, and was present during the battle of 
Woerth, Sedan and others of minor impor- 
tance. • 

PHYSICIANS OF CHELSEA'^ 

The first disciple of the medical pi'o- 
fession in Chelsea, was E. A. Stockton, M. 
U., who located here in 1864. He was a 
successful physician and had considerable 
practice. He remained until 1878, when 
he went away and has not since been 
been heard from. 

The present representative of the medi- 
cal jM-ofession is Dr. J. S. Ormiston. He 
w.as born in Washington county, Ohio, 
August 14, 1847, and was reared on a farm, 
receiving a common school education. In 
isoc, he came to Iowa, followed farming 
until 1871, then started in the drug busi- 
ni'ss in Brooklyn, Iowa, studying medicine 
at the same time under Dr. A. P. McCul- 
lough. lie graduated from the Medical 
Department of the Iowa State University 
in 1876. In 1870, he was married to Miss 
jS'ancy E. McDonald, a native of Indiana. 
They have three children — Edward E., 
Minnie M. and Charles C. In 1876, Dr. 
Ormiston came to Chelsea and began the 
]iractice of medicine. He has a large 
practice, and is considered a successful 
physician and surgeon. 



The medical i)rofession here is well 
represented by Dr. C4raham. Dr. J. II. 
(iraham, M. D., came to Tama county with 
his j)arents, when he was but three months 



old. They settled at Redman, York town- 
ship, and engaged in farming. J. H. was 
born in New York, in 1852. He was 
reared on his father's farm, and after leav- 
ing the common schools attended the 
Irving Institute for five years. He then 
took two courses at the Medical College 
at Keokuk, in 1878 and 1879. In March, 
187B, he and his brother. Dr. J. W. Gra- 
ham, came to the village of Garwin, 
opened an office, and engaged in the j)rac- 
tice of medicine, remained in partnership 
until 1881, when J. W. went to Earle, 
Sac county, this State, where he is now 
engaged in the profession. J. H. is still 
practicing at Garwin. He was married in 
1876, to Miss Ida Breckenridge, a native 
of Ohio. Their children are Freddie 
Robert and Roy. Dr. Graham is an active 
member of the V. A. S. Fraternity. 

CARLTON TOWNSIIir. 

The first physician in Carlton townshij) 
was Dr. J. S. Ilaynes, who came from 
Indiana and settled in section thirty-one, 
where he still lives. 

The next was Dr. Iliram Weltoii, who 
came in July, 1855, and settled on section 
thirty-four. He remained there engaged 
in practice until 1877, since which time he 
has followed his profession in Indian 
Village township. 

Dr. William Conant is also one of Carl- 
ton's physicians, and is one of the old 
settlers of Carlton township. He was 
born in Shirley, Middlesex county, Massa- 
chusetts, May '.», 1707. He grew to man- 
hood in his native place receiving an 
academic education. In 1810, he went to 
Vermont, where he remained until 18.'j0, 
alternately te,"iching school and attendinsx 



't'l** r- 



s* 







-^ Of^^^^^-^z^^^^. J^, 



•k 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



a course of medical lectures. He next 
went to Michigan, where he lived until 
] 855, then came to Tama county and 
located on section three, Carlton township, 
which is still his home. Dr. Conant started 
out a Jackson Democrat, casting his first 
ballot for Andrew Jackson, at his ( Jack- 
son's ) first election ; but in later years 
Dr. Conant changed his political views 
and cast his last ballot for President Gar- 
field. He has taken an active part in county 
and township afl:airs, having held the 
office of County Supervisor and several 
local offices. He was brought up a Con- 
gregationalist, but while in Michigan, he 
united with the Baptist Church, and is 
now a member of the Christian Church at 
Carlton. Dr. Conant has been twice mar- 
ried ; first in 1824, in Vermont, to Miss 
Lydia Proctor, who bore him six children 
and died September 26, 1838. He was 
again united in marriage on March 1, 1840, 
to Mrs. Itosanna ( Smith ) IJradley, a 
native of Massachusetts, born March IG, 
1802. She was a widow and had six 
children. Dr. and Mrs. Conant have been 
blessed with two children. 



Frank S. Smith, M. D., represents the 
[irdfession here. He was born July 31, 
18.53, in Venango county, Penn. While 
he was (juite young, his parents started 
west, stopped for a short time in Michigan, 
and from there moved to Wisconsin, where 
they resided until the spring of 1860. His 
father the most of the time engaged in the 
lumber business. In the spring of 1860, 
the entire family embarked on a raft and 
.ifler a quiet voyage of two weeks down 
the Mississippi river, landed one mile | 



below Andalusia, Rock Island county, 
Illinois. They lived there one season, the 
father selling lumber, then they spent one 
winter in. Buffalo, Scott county, Iowa; 
finally moving to Andalusia in the spring 
of 1862, where the father has been engaged 
in the lumber and grain trade ever since. 
Frank's early education was received in 
the public schools where his parents lived. 
He worked two seasons with a carpenter, 
and clerked one summer in Keithsburg for 
an Uncle and the next summer in Chippewa 
Falls, Wisconsin, for another Uncle. In 
the fall of 1870, in company with his older 
brother, he started for college at Westfield, 
Clark county, Illinois, and remained two 
years, then returned and engaged in teach- 
ing until the fall of 1874, when he went 
to Iowa City, and studied one college year 
in the University. He again followed 
teaching until the spring of 1876, 
when he went to Western College, Linn 
county, Iowa, and by standing examina- 
tion on the studies he had pursued while 
teaching, and by doing an extra amount 
of work, was granted his degree in June, 
1876. Again he returned to teaching be- 
coming principal of South Moline, (111.) 
schools. Dr. Smith married December 25, 
1S78, to Miss Etta M. Dilling, of Western, 
Iowa, whose acquaintance he had made 
while both were students in college. She 
only lived about fifteen months, dying 
March 15, 1880, leaving a little girl, Etta 
Maude, born February 22, 1880. Mr. 
Smith closed school in Moline in June of 
the same year and put his whole time to 
the study of medicine, that he had been 
pursuing for some time in connection with 
his teaching. He went to Rush Medical 
College, Chicago, the winter terras of 



3!) 



586 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1880-81; the f*pring of 1881 and winter 
term of 1881-8aand received the degree of 
M. D., February 21, 1882. After a short 
rest, he came to Toledo and practiced with 
liis brother and preceptor. Dr. E. R. Smith, 
until the last of September, 1882. He was 
married to Miss Ella M. Wells of Rock 
Island, Illinois, September 30, 1882, and 
iiunu'diately moved to Elberon. They 
have a comfortable home, and the Doctor 
is working u]> qnite a large practice. 

INDIAN TOWN. 

The first physician to locate at Butler- 
ville, was Dr. E. N. Whipple, who com- 
menced practice there in the fall of 1855, 
and remained in that vicinity until about 
1800. 

Dr. Crenshaw, a young physician of con- 
siderable ability, was in practice here dur- 
ing 1857 and 1858. 

Dr. Shugart also came about the same 
time, and remained for a number of years. 
He is now in California. 

In 1859, Dr. J. H. Stevens came to tliis 
place, and prescribed for the sick until 
1802, when he entered the United States 
service. 

Dr. John Doe was engaged in the prac- 
tice of medicine, and in mercantile trade, 
in Indiantown for a number of years. 

MONTOUK PHYSICIANS. 

The first physician to locate in Montour 
was H. C. llutson. At present the pro- 
fession is represented by Drs. .1. H. 
Stevens and A. E. Peck. 

Dr. J. H. Stevens came to Tama county 
and engaged in practice at Butlerville, in 
October, 1859. In 1862, he was commis- 
sioned Assistant Surgeon of the Fourteenth 



Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served as 
such until the regiment was mustered out 
of service. For two years after his dis- 
charge from the service, he was engaged 
in practice at Polo, Illinois, then returned 
to Tama county, and has since been lo- 
cated at Montour. Since 1872, he has car- 
ried on a drug business in connection with 
his practice. Mr. Stevens is a native of 
Delaware county. New York, born October 
1, 1835, his parents being Selah M., and 
Eliza (Helm) Stevens. He commenced 
the study of medicine when eighteen yerrs 
of age, and subsequently graduated from 
the Albany Medical College. Dr. Stevens 
was married in 1804, to Miss Addie M. 
Parsons, by whom he had si.x children — 
four now living : Carleton, Chauncey, 
John and Lois. Dr. Stevens is a member 
of the Mansonic Fraternity and of the I. 
L. of H. 

HICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 

The first physician to locate in this 
township was Dr. John B. Loulhan. He 
was a native of Virginia, and settled in 
the township in 1855, coming directly from 
Ohio, where he had been engaged to a 
great extent in the [)ractice of the profes- 
sion. Upon his arrival here, he at once 
began practice, and at tlie same time car- 
ried on a farm. lie now lives in Dysart. 

Dr. Richard W. Appletou was born in 
Sunbxiry, Pennsylvania, December 21, 
1821. He is a son of Christo])her and 
Elizabeth (Ilewetson) .\ppleton, who were 
natives of England, and who settled in 
America in 1819. In 1824, his father's 
family removed to Wilkesbarre, 'Pennsyl- 
vania, where they remained about five 
years, and thence to Bedford counly. 



7^ 



•rr 



Q ^_ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



In lS35r, tliey removed to Lancaster 
county, and two years later, to Chester"" 
county. During the spring of 1838, they 
removed to New York State, spending 
the first two years in West Chester 
county, where his father was engaged in 
l)uihling the Croton aqueduct. In 1840, 
they located in Dutchess county, and two 
years later, the subject of this sketch 
settled in the State of Wisconsin. Subse- 
•juently he returned to Pennsylvania, 
when he studied medicine in the city of 
Pliiladelphia, and May 5, 1857, grad- 
uated from the Eclectic Medical College 
of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. Upon 
receiving his diploma, he practiced for a 
wiiile in that city, and in 1860, returned 
to Wisconsin, locating in Dane county, 
where he practiced one year and then re- 
moved to Minniesota, where he spent 
another year. Dr. .'>ppleton then came to 
Tama county, Iowa, locating at Haven, 
where he practiced his profession two 
years; then returned to .Winnesota, and 
two years later, re-settled at Haven, where 
he continued to live until 18'7'7. During 
IbTT, he settled on his farm of six hun- 
<lred and forty acres, which li s just north- 
east of Tama City, abandoning his profes- 
sional life to engage in agricultural pur- 
suits. In 1882, Dr. Appleton platted what 
is known as Appleton's Addition to Tama 
City — said addition containing about sixty 
acres of land. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican, and in religion adheres to the Epis- 
copal creed. He is a member of the .Ma- 
sonic Bla/JTig Star Lodge, of Haven, and 
also a member of Doric Chapter, No. 54, 
Tama City. Dr. Appleton was married 
October 15, : 843, to Mary Wingatt Foss, 
daughter of John andEliznbeth (Fitcomb) 



Foss, natives of New Hampshire. Mrs. 
Appleton died January 8, 1871, at Haven, 
formerly known as Eureka, Iowa. Dr. 
Appleton was again married July 23, 1870, 
to Cora A. Birdsell, a native of Iowa. 
They have three daughters : Mary E,. 
Vivia Belle and Cora Lynda. 

IRVING. 

K. D. Shugart was the first practicing 
physician in this place, settling in 1835. 
lie now lives in Riverside, California. 

MOOEEVILLE. " 

The only practicing physician in the 
Village is C. W. Knott, a native of Ohio, 
who was brought up in Muscatine county 
this state, and was educated at the Wilton 
Collegiate Institute of that county. He 
studied medicine with D. W. ,Gray and 
graduated at the Keokuk Medical College 
in 1873. lie commenced practice at 
Princeton, Scott county, the same year. 
In April, he was married to Miss Jennie, 
daughter of Rev. Joseph Powell of 
Toledo. His wife died in August, 1882, 
leaving three children. He has been a 
successful physician and is popular in this 
vicinity. 

CRYSTAL TOWX.SIIIP. 

The first and only practicing physician 
that ever located in Crystal township was 
Dr. S. C. Rogers. He was a native of 
Massachusetts, but came here from New 
York in 1859, and settled on section 16. 
He went into the army as a surgeon, and 
after the war sold his property here and 
located some where in the east. 

TAMA COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 

Pursuant to an adjourned meeting, a 
number of ])hysicians and surgeons of 



^=f 



L 



588 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Tama county met at the Brooks House in 
Traer on the 4th of March, 1878, and effec- 
ted the organization of the Tama County 
Medical Association. The following gen- 
tlemen were present: Doctors Samtiel 
Thomp.son, J. A. Ladd, B. S. Louthan, J. 
P. Morison and Benjamin Thompson. 
After the adoption of a constitution and 
by-laws, an election for officers was held 
which resulted as follows: 
• President, Samuel Thompson, M. U., of 
Toledo. 

Vice President, J. A. Ladd, M. D., of 
Traer. 

Secretary and Treasurer, J. P. Morison, 
M. D., of Traer. • 

Censors, J. A. Ladd, M. D., of Traer ; 
I> S. Louthan, M. T)., of Dysart and Ben- 
jamin T. Thomson, M. 1)., of Tama City. 

The original members were Drs. Sam- 
uel 'J'hompson, of Toledo ; J. A. Ladd, of 
Traer ; B. S. Louthan, of Dysart ; J. P. 
Morison, of Traer; Benjamin Thompson, 



of Tama City ; H. W. Boynton, of Toledo 
and C. L. Teats, of Dysart, 

The objects of the association were 
stated as being the mutual improvement 
in the various branches of medical, sur- 
gical, and pharmaceutical knowledge, and 
the promotion of friendly relations and 
unity of feeling among members of the 
profession. 

As to membership it was declared that 
" any physician on presenting diploma 
from any medical school or society, recog- 
nized as such by the American Medical 
Association ; or passing a satisfactory ex- 
amination before the Board of Censors of 
the society, should by a vote by ballot of 
tw'o-thirds of the members present at any 
regular meeting, be entitled to member- 
ship, on signing the constitution and pay- 
ing the initiation fee into the Treasury. 

The organization was continued for 
several years, but was finally dro|)])od. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



ACRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



Tama county is among the finest agri- 
cultural counties in tiie State. It com- 
l)rises an area of seven hundred and twenty 
S(|uare miles, or a total of 4.5.5,182 acres; 
but a .small ])ortion of which is unfit for 
cultivation. 

Tiie first ground Itroke was by William 
Riley Vandorin, on the third day of 
June, 1840. Ei>hraim VVhittaker came 
with Vandorin, and did breaking a few 



a' 

1' 



days later. This was in what now com- 
prises Salt Creek township. They Ijrought 
with them two breaking plows and some 
seed corn, besides garden seed. They 
"chopped in" some pumpkin seed, and 
planted corn, and Mrs. Van Dorin "chop- 
ped in the sod " (juite-a garden. A good 
crop was the result, raising quite a lot of 
corn and nearly a hundred wagon loads of 
l)uinpkins, wliile Mrs. Vandorin, from her 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



little garden, put up a barrel of pickles. 

During the summer of 1850, the Van- 
(lorin party broke nearly thirty acres and 
jiut a fence around it. 

The next to engage in agricultural pur- 
suits was Anthony Wilkinson and his 
brother, and shortly afterwards Isaac 
Asher in the western part of the county. 
The details of their early actions will be 
found in another Chapter. 

It has, therefore, been a little more than 
a third of a century since the first crop was 
raised in Tama county. The whole county 
was then in a wild state; trackless, and to 
the westward,. almost endless. As far as 
the eye could reach, nothing was presented 
except the tall swaying prairie grass, 
relieved here and there by a small cluster 
of trees. But what a change! Churches, 
schools, villages and cities have sprung up, 
and to-day the broad fields of rich, golden 
grain furnish a wonderful contrast between 
now and then. To-day nearly every acre 
of tillable land is under a high state of 
cultivation. There is some unoccupied 
and unimproved land in the county which 
is held by speculators, who are retaining it 
for a rise in its market value. 

The soil of Tama county is admirably 
adapted to raising all the cereals common 
to this latitude, and as regards fruit, every 
year shows an increase over the previous 
one. No estimate has been made or sta- 
tistics gathered of the number of acres of 
land under cultivation and the amount 
produced, since 1875. This gave the 
amount raised in 1 874. In that year tliere 
were 255,182 acres of improved land, of 
which 07,01.3 acres were in spring wheat 
yielding 1,437,807 bushel.s; corn, 73,251 
acres, yielding 2,842,850 bushels; rye, 110 



acres, yielding 1488 bushels; oats, 13,573 
acres yielding 384,560 bushels; barley, 
7,303 acres, yielding 142,765 bushels; 
buckwheat, 120 acres, yielding 1,6S0 
bushels; flax, 1,423 acres, yielding 12,529 
bushels; sorghum, 132 acres, yielding 9,047 
gallons of syrup. There were 1,589 acres 
of blue-grass for pasture; 15,644 acres of 
tame grass; 148 acres of hungarian grass. 
There were 10,169 tons of tame hay; 27,- 
667 tonsof prairie hay; and 166tonsof hun- 
garian hay mown. Of potatoes, there were 
1,189 acres, yielding 95,041 bushels, and 
372 bushels of sweet ])otatoes. Of onions, 
turnips, beats, peas, and beans, there were 
9,55^ bushels. There were 18,282 acres of 
natural timber, 1589 acres of planted tim- 
ber and 98,835 rods of hedge. There were 
of bearing apple trees, 28,464, yielding 
9,207 bushels; pears, 149 trees, yielding 1 5 
bushels; peaches, 8 trees ; plums, 1198; 
cherries, 2,404; other fruit trees in bear- 
ing, 2,846; number of other fruit trees, not 
in bearing, 1 53,635. Of grapes there were 
66,467 pounds gathered. There has been 
a large increase over foregoing amounts 
since 1875. Since that time four or five 
townships have settled, and thousands of 
acres of improved land have added to the 
sum total. 

THE FIRST KAIK. 

In 1856, a few citizens of Tama, who 
were interested in Agricultural and Me- 
chanical Arts, met in Toledo, the county 
seat, for the purpose of effecting an 
organization, having for its object im- 
provement in the agricultural interests of 
the county. On September So, of this 
year, a fair was held. The display of the 
different products of the county was fair, 
both from field and garden. Stock was 



590 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



very well represented and manifested the 
interest that Tama county farmers took in 
this creditable enterprise, at so early a date. 
This experiment proved so successful that 
the prime movers in it, determined to set 
themselves to work and make the organi- 
zation efficient and permanent. A few 
more fairs were held with moderate suc- 
cess, but finally, the interest waning, the 
society ceased to exist. 

After this a few fairs were held in 
various parts of the county without organi- 
zation, until in 1866, when a permanent 
organization was effected, under the name 
of Tama County Agricultural Society. 

(xreat was the contrast between therfairs 
of that early day and present times. 
Samuel D. Chapman in writing of thera, 
says : " We cannot help drawing a com- 
parison between the fairs then and now. 
At that time, although they were spoken 
of as being successful, the entries were 
few indeed in comparison to what are now 
made each year. Blooded stock was then 
scarce. No such fine herds of cattle as 
ai'e now owned-and exhibited each year by 
L. Carmichael, Andrew Jackson, the 
Wilson's and others; no such droves of 
hogs as J. T. Ames and others show ; no 
improved liorses like those of M. and J. 
Wylie's, W. McGowans', Dr. W. Corn's 
and J. H. Ilollen's, to carry off the rib- 
bons. The floral hall at an early day 
would blush if ])laced side by side with 
the buildings now owned by the Societies, 
and filled each year to overflowing. " 

TAMA COUNTY AGKICUI.TUKAL .SOCIETY. 

Pursuant to call, a primary meeting of 
the citizens of Tama county was held in 
luka, now Taraa City, for the purpose of 



agitating the question of holding a county 
fair during the fall of 1806. Quite a num- 
ber of delegates from the .southern part of 
the county were present. This was on the 
4th day of August, 1866. The meeting 
was called to order by W. T. Ilollen. 
John Ramsdell was chosen President, and 
A. M. Batchelder Secretary. 

Remarks upon the necessity of encour- 
aging agriculture were made by the Pres- 
ident, W. C. Salsbury, of Indiantown, T. 
Foi'ker, and others, after which B. A. Hall 
made a proposition to the meeting in be- 
half of ^he citizens of luka. The proi>osi- 
tion was to furnish the grounds to hold 
the fair, also build sheds and pens for the 
accommodation of stock, and furnish for- 
age for the same, build a trotting course, 
and furnish halls suitable for the floral de- 
l)artment, and to entertain free of charge 
all persons from out of town that took an 
active part in the fair ; also, to make all 
other necessary arrangements for the ac- 
commodation of all who might wish to 
attend the fair. After voting to hold the 
fair during the fall, the meeting adjourned 
to meet on the 18th day of August. 

Accordingly, a meeting was held for the 
purpose of permanently organizing the 
"Tama County Agricultural Society." 
West Wilson, of Crystal township, was 
chosen chairman of the meeting. The 
following persons were elected officers for 
one year : 

W. C. Salsbury, of Indiantown, Presi- 
dent; West Wilson, of Crystal, Vice- 
President ; John Ramsdell, of Richland, 
Treasurer ; A. M. Batchelder, of Tuka, 
Secretary. 

A committee was then appointed to 
frame a constitution and draft by-laws, and 



.^^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



at a meeting of the officers and board, held 
at luka, September 1, 18UC, a constititu- 
tion was adopted. 

The books were then opened for the 
subscription stock, of which the amount 
of one hundred dollars was subscribed 
without any effort. 

It was then decided to hold the first fair 
on the 10th and 11th of October, 186C. 

J. B. Louthan, W. T. Ilollen and L. F. 
Stoddard were appointed a committee to 
draft by-laws. E. Ilayward, James Fow- 
ler, and W. 0. Salsbury were appointed a 
committee on premium list. W . T. Ilollen 
was elected Marshal for one year. 

At a meeting held October 6, 1806, it 
was. voted to make the admission as fol- 
lows: 

Single ticket for one admission f .2.5 

Membership licliet, for one yeur, lulmitliug 

family 1.00 

Children under 13 years old. . . .' 10 

Horse and buggy, one admission .50 

Two horses and cairiage, one admission. . . .75 

One horse and buggy during Fair. 1.00 

Two horses in buggy or wagon 1.00 

The fair was held according to appoint- 
ment and proved a success. 

At an annual meeting held December 1, 
1 mGG, the following named officers were 
elected: 

Judge W. C. Salsbury, President; A. J. 
Wheaton, Vice President; A. M. Batch- 
elder, Secretary; John Ramsdell, Treas- 
urer; Directors, West Wilson, J. Reedy, 
T. Forker, B. A. Ball and L. F. Stoddard. 
The Board of Directors held a meeting at 
Tama city May 25, 1867, when it was de- 
cided tio hold the anniial Fair on the lOlh, 
1 llh, and 12th, of October, 1877. Tlie Sec- 



retary was directed to use the funds then 
in the Treasury (amounting to $407), in 
constructing a suitable board fence on the 
north and west side of the grounds and in 
making arrangements for the forthcoming 
fair. It was also decided to make an 
assessment of |2.50 on the .stock subscribed 
to be paid on or before the 10th day of 
October. 

Fairs have been held every year since 
that time with good success. 

In 1879 the officers of the Society were 
as follows: 

President, L. Carmich el; Vice Presi- 
dent,' A. E. Taplin; Secretary, H. Soleman; 
Treasurer, E. L. Oarmichael; Directors, 
William Earnest, J. II. Hollen, J. L. 
Bracken, John Fife and W. G. Mai in 

At an annual meeting of association held 
at Tama city on the 4th day of December, 
1880, the following named officers wen- 
elected: 

L. Carmicheal, President; A. Taplin, Vice 
President; H. Soleman, Secretary; E. L. 
Carmichael, Treasurer; Directors, John 
Fife, A. L. Brooks, Wm. Earnest, W. G. 
Malin, J. II. Ilollen. 

At the annual meeting of the stockholders 
held at Tama city on the 4th day of De- 
cember, 1881, the following officers were 
elected: 

Andrew Jackson, President; A. L. 
Brooks, Vice President; H. Soleman, Sec- 
retary; E. L. Carmichael, Treasurer; Direc- 
tors, W. G. Malin, Peter Lichty, John 
Fife, Wm. Earnest, A. Taplin. 

At a directors meeting held in February, 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1882, the following report of finance was 
made : 

To balaoce on liiiud last report $ 57. 2H 

Total amount received in 1881 617.49 

Total; 674.77 

Credit by amount paid for vouchers.. 645.28 

Amount on hand 39.49 

It was also decided to hold the ne.\t an- 
nual fair on the 12th, 13th and 14th of 
September, 1882. 



AcJRK'ULTaRAL 



ASSOCIATION 
COPNTY. 



OF TAMA 



On the 13th day of July, 1873. at one 
o'clock in the afternoon, A. J. Wheaton, 
West Wilson, T. A. Graham, L. B. Nelson, 
A. W. West, W. H. Stivers, N. Huff, J. 
Reedy. P. Lichty and others interested in 
such matters, met at the Court House in 
Toledo for the purpose of organizing the 
Agricultural Association of Tama county. 
West Wilson was called to the chair and 
W. H. Stivers was chosen Seci'etary pro 
tijii. Remarks were made by various gen- 
tlemen, and the importance and feasibil- 
ity of the proposed organization was dis- 
cussed, and finally articles of incorpora- 
tion of said association were duly adopted 
and placed upon record. 

At the next meeting held on the littli of 
July, a tract of land in section fifteen, 
belonging to F. Davis, was purchased for 
the fair grounds. P. Lichty, J. S. Town- 
send and D. F. Bruner were appointed a 
committee to prepare and fence the ground, 
and N. Huff, E. Taplin and J. O'Niel were 
appointed a committee to prepare the 
trotting track. 

These matters being all attended to, the 
first annual meeting of the association was 



held on the 1st, 2d and 3d days of Octo- 
ber, 1873. The officers were : President, 
A. J. Wheaton ; Vice-President, West 
Wilson; Secretary, W. H. Stivers; Treas- 
urer, L. B. Nelson. The fair proved a suc- 
cess in every respect, and yearly exhibi- 
tions were held upon the grounds of the 
society ttntil 1878, when from various 
causes the active work ceased and the 
grounds were sold. 

TRAER DISTKICT AGEICULTUEAL SOCIETV. 

This society effected an organization at 
Traer on the 28th of February, 1874, un- 
der the above name. The first permanent 
officers were elected March 14, 1874, and 
were : President, West Wilson ; Vice- 
President, J. R. Steer ; Secretary, G. 
Johnston ; Treasurer, J. T. Wild. The 
first fair was held in September of that 
year, was a marked success both finan- 
cially and in exhibition. 

Since that time, the association has held 
a fair each year with increasing success. 
The grounds are located just north of the 
city of Traer, and are, without doubt, the 
finest in the county. The affairs of the 
association have been Managed in a most 
able manner, and the interested parties 
are to be congratulated upon their selec- 
tion of officers. 

The present officers are as follows : 

President, Arthur Pratt ; Vice-Presi- 
dent, G. Ja<iua; Secretary, W. B. Gillespie; 
Treasure--, C. T. Moore. 

TAMA COrXTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

This society was organized in the spring 
of 18<:>3. The object was for the ])romo- 
tion and encduracfement of horticulture 



^1 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



593 



ami arliiii-iculture by the collection and 
dissemination of correct information con- 
cerning the cultivation of such fruits, 
flowers and trees, both deciduous and ever- 
green, as are adapted to the soil and cli- 
mate of Tama county. 



Any person can become a member of 
the society by the payment of the annual 
fee of fifty cents. 

The first President of the society was 
A. Hufford ; the first Secretary, David F. 
Bruner. 



CHAPTER XIX 



RAILROADS. 



There is nothing in the wide world that 
is so instrumental to the development of a 
new country as the railway ; no internal 
improvement that so abundantly, repays 
the expense of perfecting, and in pioneer 
life, nothing is so greatly felt as the lack 
of proper railway connection, and there- 
fore marketing facilities. To-day, the 
railroads are first built, then emigration 
follows ; but Tama county was not so for- 
tunate as to have her railroads first built. 
Her agricultural and general resources 
were first discovered and made known to 
the world before the iron horse made its 
appearance to transport the surplus pro- 
ductions. 

"When Tama county was first settled, 
and for several years thereafter, the near- 
est market towns were Dubuque and Mus- 
catine. These were market towns because 
they were on the Mississppi river, and 
thus, means of transportation were had. 
The nearest railroad town was Chicago — 
then a mere village. Dubuque was usually 
patronized by the pioneers in the northern 



part of the county, and was a journey — 
there and return — of two hundred and 
fifty miles. Muscatine was the customary 
market point for those in the southern 
part of the county, and was one hundred 
and twenty-five miles away. Trips were 
made as few and far between as possible 
by the settlers, and when one went he 
often got provisions for the whole settle- 
ment. This lack of facilities for market- 
ing greatly retarded the growth of the 
county; for it took a great deal of resolute 
courage to settle in a country where the 
fact must be faced that it was a journey of 
two hundred and fifty miles to market. 

After a time stage lines were established 
and provisions and necessaries of life 
could be gotten at Iowa City and points 
nearer than Dubuque and Muscatine. In 
August, 1854, the Chicago & Rock Island 
Railroad reached Rock Island, which was 
shortly afterwards completed to Daven- 
port, thus bringing railway facilities one 
hundred and eighty-one miles nearer Tama 
county. But this did not elfect the trade 



TU—r- 



40 



r 



- — 'k ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of this region, and, in fact, they did not 
know or care about the completion of a 
railroad to Davenport. Muscatine was a 
little nearer, and the river was as efficient 
a means for transportation. However, 
the road helped those who were coming 
from the east. 

The first advantages of railroad facilities 
felt by the people of Tama county, was 
when the Mississippi and Missouri River 
R. R. was constructed from Davenjiort to 
Iowa City, in Johnson county, and the 
event was hailed as a great blessing. It 
reached Iowa City on the first day of .Jan- 
uary, 1856, having built night and day, 
laying rails by torch light to secure the 
bonus offered by that city. This made the 
lot of the pioneer easier, and the trips of 
seventy miles to market were made 
oftener and in better spirit, and few com- 
plained. Two years later this road was 
extended to Marengo and that became the 
market point tor the county and stages 
were run regularly carrying mail and pas- 
sengers. In 1860, the Chicago, Iowa and 
Nebraska R. R. was completed from Clin- 
ton to Cedar Rapids, and as it was expected 
that this road would be constructed through 
Tama county, a jollification was held, and 
trade left Marengo, and Cedar Rapids was 
patronized. It was then considered but a 
little distance to market, and the trip 
could be made with a load of wheat in four 
days easily and three when time pressed. 
Two years later — in 1862 — ihe Cedar 
Rapids & Missouri River R. R. began 
building westward from Cedar Rapids and 
the market point followed the road. 
Late in the fall it reached Tama 
county, and finally passed through just 
soutli of the center. The contentment 



of the people in that region was now almost 
complete. 

About the same time a railroad was 
completed from Dubuque to Waterloo, and 
northern Tama contributed thousands of 
dollars in trade to that enterprising city, 
it only taking two days to go to market 
and return. 

In 1873, the "Pacific Division of the B. 
C. R. & N. was constructed from Vinton 
to Traer, and northern Tama was satisfied. 
In the years that have flown since that time 
these roads have been extended westward. 
The Toledo & Northwestern railroad has 
been built, crossing the west half of the 
county diagonally to the northwest. The 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway 
has been constructed through the southern 
part of the county, and the Wisconsin 
Iowa &. Nebraska R. R., or "Diagonal," 
as it is called, has been built across the 
northwestern corner of the county. In 
addition to these, a net work of iron track 
almost surrounds the county, north, south, 
east and west, railroads have been con- 
structed within a few miles of the county 
lines, so that the marketing and transpoi'- 
tation facilities of Tama county are equal 
to any county in the State. 

THE FIRST EAILEOAD IN TAMA COUNTY. 

The first railroad agitation in Tama 
county was over the Iowa Central Air 
Line. The company was organized .at 
Lyons in 1843, and secured a land grant 
upon a survey ot line running north of 
and parallel with the present line of the 
Chicago and Northwestern Railway. It 
was the purpose at organization to have 
the Iowa Central run from Sabuia, on the 
Mississippi river, westward to Marion, 
Linn county, a^id on through Toledo and 



-^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



505 



the central part of Tama county to some 
point on the Missouri river, following the 
forty-second parallel as near as practicable. 
S. S. Jones was President of the company, 
and as early as IBS'?, work on grading and 
other matters connected with building 
was commenced, when dissatisfaction 
began to be manifested at^ainst the 
management. M. Courtright & Co., in 
1857, secured the contract for building, 
and Sherrill, Bagley & Bro. for grading a 
portion of the proposed road, the Presi- 
dent of the company himself being inter- 
ested in both of these contracting firms. 
The affairs of the company were very 
corruptly managed, and about two hundred 
and forty-five thousand dollars of fictitious 
stock and seven hundred and fifty-five 
thousand dollars of fraudulent bonds were 
issued. Finally, in 1858, the stockholders 
commenced legal proceedings against the 
President and Directors, applying to the 
courts to have the fictitious and fraudulent 
stock and bonds cancelled; also, the 
contracts for building and grading. A 
notice was served upon the Directors 
recjuesting them to try and expel the 
President for fraud and malfeasance in 
office. After a good deal of trouble and 
delay, the stockholders and people in 
general became disgusted with the way 
the matter had been carried on, and in the 
winter of 1858-9 a plan was conceived, 
whereby the Iowa Central Air Line was 
to be consolidated with the Chicago, Iowa 
and Nebraska I'ailroad. Of this consoli" 
<lation the Imra Transcri2>t, then published 
by X. C. Wieting, said : 

" One of the results of the consolidation 
will be to insure the passage of the road 
through Cedar Rapids; this our citizens 



have anxiously desired, from the fact that 
the road will eventually pass through our 
town, a favor but little expected from the 
old Air Line company." 

The Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska 
Railroad Company were at this time 
constructing a line from Clinton, on the 
Mississippi river, to Cedar Rapids, and 
completed the line in 18C0 to that place. 
Soon after the plan mentioned was 
conceived, it was dropped and another 
scheme was set on foot. A new company 
was organized, under the name of Cedar 
Rapids and Missouri River Railroad 
Company, for the puii)ose of extending a 
road from Cedar Rapids westward through 
the State to the Missouri River. This 
company was largely composed of 
members of the Nebraska Railroad 
Company, and the interests of the two 
roads were identical. As soon as this 
company was organized they asked that 
the Legislature transfer the land grant 
which had been given to the Iowa Central 
Air Line Company to them. Nothing as 
yet had been done toward building the 
Air Line road, and the transfer met with 
approval all along the proposed line of the 
Cedar Rapids and Missouri Kiver Road. 
It was also hotly contested and bitterly 
opposed by those living on the proposed 
line of the Iowa Central. 

Now, in this connection, comes a matter 
upon which the early settlers are divided. 
To l)e impartial and fair to both sides, the 
historian gives both versions of the affair. 

Many claim that the question as to the 
transfer of the land grant from the Iowa 
Central Air Line to the Cedar Rapids and 
Missouri River Railroad Company was 



*^- 



R* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-» ^ 



7na(le the issue uijon which the members 
of the General Assembly were elected in 
]S5n. 'I he transfer could only be made 
by an act of the Legislature. For Tama 
county the matter stood in this shape: If 
the transfer was made it was certain that 
the t'edar llapids and Missouri River Road 
would pass through Tama coimty, south of 
the center, and no doubt was entertained but 
that Toledo would be made one of the points 
In case the transfer was not made the Air 
Line company would build to Marion, and, 
as the citizens of Vinton insisted it should 
go through their place, it would pass 
through the northern part of Tama county, 
and 'J'oledo would be left to ryne side. 
This endangered the county seat's remain- 
ing at Toledo, and as the southern part of 
the county was much more thickly settled 
than the northern, Tama county favored 
the transfer of the land grant. From this 
issue grew the^ hotly contested campaign 
for State Senator from this district in 1859. 
The district embraced Benton and Tama 
counties and the, Republicans nominated 
Thomas Drummond, of Vinton, for the 
oilice. This was bitterly denounced in 
Tama county, as it was known that he 
would vote against the transfer in the in- 
terest of Vinton, his home. A bolt was 
instigated and a convention was held at 
which John Doe, of Indiantown, was nom- 
inated. Doe carried Tama county, but 
Drummond received a sufticent majority 
in Henton county to overpower Tama 
cotmty, and was elected. In the General 
Assembly Drummond voted against the 
tranfer of the grant, but it carried never- 
theless, and thus the land grant was 
turned over to the Cedar Rapids and 
Missouri River R. R. Company. 



The above is the version of a portion of 
the old settlers. Others claim that the rail- 
road issue did not enter into the campaign 
at all, but that Drummond was opposed on 
account of his morals, and this finally oc- 
casioned the bolt and nomination of Doe. 
However this may be, the Cedar Rapids 
& Missouri River R. R. Company at once 
commenced pushing the line westward, 
through Tama county and finally to the 
Missouri river. Soon after its completion, 
the track was leased for ninety-nine years . 
to the 

CHICAGO & NOKTHWESTEEN R. R. COMPANY. 

and the track is still under this comjiany's 
management. 
The graders reached Tama county in 

1861, and by the following summer had 
the track laid as far west as where Chelsea 
now is. Early in November, 1862, the 
tirst engine made its way into Tama, 
county as far as where Tama City now is. 
At this time there was a station there 
which was called Toledo, and farmers be- 
gan hauling grain to points on that road 
instead of to Cedar Falls and Iowa City. 
The Iowa Transcript notified the communi- 
ty of the fact that trains were running 
this far, in the issue of November 20, 

1862, saying: "The railroad is now com- 
pleted to the station opposite this place, 
and the cars are running regularly, start- 
ing from Toledo at 10 a. m., and arriving 
at 4 p. m. We are now directly in com- 
munication by railroad with all parts of 
the east. " 

In due time the railroad pushed on 
westward, through Marshalltown Ames, 
Boone and to Council Bluffs, crossing the 
entire State, and making a direct line to 
Chicatto. It at once became the leading 






^f. 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 






load of Iowa. Tama county subscribed 
liberally to the building of this road and 
it lias proved a good investment. The 
road enters the county by way of section 
24, in Salt Creek township, bearing north- 
ward, follows the valley of the Iowa river 
through the townships of Salt Creek, 
Richland, the southwest corner of Otter 
Creek, Tama and Indian Village, leaving 
through section 18, in the latter named 
township. The towns on the line in 
Tama county are Chelsea, Tama City, 
Montour, and Le Grand. 

According to the statement and report 
of tlie Secretary of State for the year 
1883, the length and assessed value of 
the Chicago & Northwestern railway 
amounted to 25.34 miles, assessed value 
*] 0,220; total assessed value |i258,974. 
This was divided among the townships as 
follows: Salt Creek 6.2 miles ; Richland 
5 miles; Otter Creek, 1.34 miles; Tama 
and Tama City, 6.37 miles; Indian Vil- 
lage, 6.2 miles. 

The Chicago & Northwestern is one of 
the most important and powerful railway 
corporations on the globe. Controlling, 
as it does, about 4,000 miles of track, it 
wields a powerful influence over the com- 
merce and agriculture of the northwest. 
The division which passes through Tama 
county is the greatest east and west thor- 
oughfare of Iowa. It is usually called 
the Chicago and Council Bluffs line, but 
in railway publications it is treated under 
the head of "Council Bluffs, Denver and 
California line. " 

TOLEDO AND NORTUWKSTBRN RAILROAD. 

AVhen the Cedar Rapids & Missouri 
Hiver railroad, now the Chicago & North- 
western railway line, wa.s constructed 



through Iowa, it was at first the design, 
as is stated elsewhere in this chapter, to 
make Toledo one of the points. As the 
work progressed, however, this was some- 
what changed, and it was decided to have 
the road pass up the valley of the Iowa 
river, aiiatural road bed, and leave Toledo 
two miles north of the proposed lino. 
When this conclusion was arrived at, some 
of the officials of the railroad came to To- 
ledo to make arrangements whereby the 
people of the county seat could have imme- 
diate railway connection. Their idea was 
that iron could be got rheap and on long 
time, and the people of Toledo should go 
ahead and lay the track, and the company 
would run it as best they could. The com- 
pany would erecta depot on the main line, 
near the Iowa river, and it was thought 
no other town would be laid out. This 
proposition was not accepted; some think- 
ing that the railroad company would alter 
their determination to follow the valley 
and finally build to Toledo ; others think- 
ing that even did the railroad pass within 
two miles it would be well enough, as no 
one thought of laying out a town; and 
still others were of the opinion that it was 
asking too much of Toledo to build the 
branch road. This furnished a number of 
enemies to the scheme, who worked hard 
against it. There were al.so some who 
earnestly worked for the railroad and en- 
deavored to have a branch built, but to no 
avail. Time went by and in Toledo the 
matter rested. The road was constructed, 
running through Tama county within two 
miles and a half of Toledo; a station was 
built, and the town luka — now Tama City 
— was started. The station was called 
Toledo Station at first, and finally, Tama 



« — »^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COIINTY. 



City. During the years immediately fol- 
lowing the completion of the main line of 
the Northwestern, nothing was said of 
railroad matters at Toledo. In 1865, how- 
ever, it became apparent that something 
must be done to build u|) tlie town, or the 
county seat would be wrested from it. 
Accordingly, during this year, the Court 
House Association was organized, and the 
Court House built and donated to the 
county, which, it was hoped, would make 
the location of the county seat permanent. 
This served the purpose and quieted the 
matter for a time. But Toledo began to 
lose its trade; farmers would pass it and 
go to the railroad towns with their grain, 
and something further must be done. 
Therefore, in 1867, the branch project was 
again started and a splendid effort was 
made toward its success; but just at this 
time the Iowa Central came up, the peo- 
ple turned their attention toward that, and 
again the branch sunk to make room for 
the visionary scheme of that road. 

Meanwhile, matters wei'e growing 
worse. Toledo, two miles and a half from 
a railroad, could not hope to retain the 
county seat of Tama county. In 1868 and 
1809, meetings were held in Toledo, at 
which the question of a branch road was 
extensively discussed, and in ISTO, the ag- 
itation culminated in the organization of 
the Toledo & Northwestern Railroad 
Company. The first officers elected were 
as follows: 

President, William II. Harrison. 

Vice-President, W. F. Johnston. 

Secretary, John G. Safely. 

Treasurer : II. Galley. 

General Superintendent : C. C. Whit- 
ten. 



Directors : W. F. Johnston, Leander 
Clark, W. H. Harrison, H. Galley, Stephen 
Foster, W. H. Stivers, and L. B. Nelson. 

Work was commenced to secure funds 
to carry on the enterprise. Toledo town- 
ship voted a tax of nearly *20,000 ; dona- 
tions were made amounting to about ten 
thousand dollars and stock was issued to 
the amount of about five thousand dollars. 
Those who subscribed donations could 
wait until the road WUs completed before 
paying ; while those who took stock were 
obliged to pay in their money at once. 
However, after the road was nearly finish- 
ed the books of the CO. npany were opened 
and all who had subscribed donations were 
permitted to take stock to the amount of 
their donation. Many did so, and the 
stock was thereby raised to about eleven 
thousand dollars. The sums all fell a 
little short upon collection. Contracts 
were let, the very best of iron was prt)- 
cured at a cost of eighteen thousand dol- 
lars, and laid upon a finely graded bed. 
On the first day of January, 1872, the first 
iron horse steamed into Toledo, the county 
seat of Tama county. During the whole 
of that day an excursion train was run 
carrying everybody free of charge. The 
depot and stock yards were soon built, 
and in completing these the company ran 
a little in debt, having expended all the 
money that had been raised in preparing 
the roadbed and laying iron. C. C. Whit- 
ten was appointed General Superintend- 
ent. The company rented an engine of 
the Chicago «& Northwestern R. R., and 
got the use of a coach by keeping it in 
rej)air. The Toledo company paid for 
fuel, hands and all other expenses. 



•F 



A 



iht. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



599 



The road was about three miles in 
length and the trains ran to the depot in 
Tama City upon the main line track. 

For nearly nine years the branch con- 
tinued under the management of the 
Toledo company. It was a great accom- 
modation to the citizens, much greater 
than the through trains of the present 
day. Six daily trains were usually run, 
and an extra could be put on the road 
when occasion demanded, without fear of 
collision. 

In the fall of 18V9, the Toledo & North- 
western Railroad was sold to the Chicago 
& Northwestern Railroad Company. As 
soon as the sale was completed, the latter 
company began pushing the line north- 
west, and by the fall of 1880, it had 
reached Hubbard, in Hardin county. In 
1881, it was pushed still farther northwest 
and the "end is not yet." In Tama 
county there are four stations on this line, 
Tama City, Toledo, Garwin and Glad- 
brook. The road bears almost directly 
north after leaving Tama City for about 
five miles and then bears northwest. 

William H. Harrison only acted as 
President of the Toledo & Northwestern 
Company for one, year. Succeeding him, 
W. F. Johnston was elected and served as 
Presidentof the company until theroad was 
sold. The principal stockholders in the 
company at the time of sale were : W. 
F. Johnston, Leander Clark, C^ C. Whit- 
ten, Colonel John Connell, David D. 
Appelgate and L. B. Nelson. 

PRESIDENTS OF THE COMPANY. 

The first President of the Toledo and 
Northwestern R. R. Company, was W. 
H. Harrison, who served for about one 
year. 



William Henry Harrison was born near 
Caldwell, Essex county. New Jersey, Feb- 
ruary 5, 1819. His father, Joseph Harri- 
son, was born near the same place, Feb- 
ruary 8, 1793, and his mother, Mary B. 
Crane, daughter of William Henry Crane, 
was born at Mont Clair, Essex county. 
New Jersey, November 5, 1790. Joseph 
Harrison, grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch, was born near Caldwell, same 
county and State as mentioned above. 
December 19, 1747, he being a descendant 
of Richard Harrison, senior, who died at 
Branford, Connecticut, October 25, 1653, 
and whose son, Richard, established the 
New Jersey branch of the Harrison family. 
The reasons for their removal to New 
.Jersey are set forth in the following para- 
graph quoted from the family records: 

"Having become dissatisfied because the 
Connecticut people had become so lax as 
to permit other than professing christians 
to vote at elections." 

When the Harrison's came from Eng- 
land and settled in Connecticut, they 
adopted the following resolutions: "jRe- 
solved, That the earth belongs to the Lord 
and his Saints. Resolved, That we are his 
Saints. Resolved, That we take possession 
of the earth." Both grandfathers fought 
in the Revolutionary war and belonged to 
the militia. All of Mr. Harrison's ances- 
tors on both sides of the house were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian church of Cald- 
well, New Jersey, and at this church where 
the family had worshiped for generations, 
Mr. Harrison was baptized in infancy. 
The father of the subject of this sketch 
was married on the 10th of February 1813 
to Charlotte Gould, who died in June 
1814, leaving a daughter, Charlotte, seven 



^ 



^Ml 



t\^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



months old, now the 'widow Alden,' a resi- 
dent of Toledo, Iowa, since August 20, 
1855. June 15, 1815, he was again married 
to Mary B. Crane, by whom he had five 
children. The eldest, Abbie Louisa, wife 
of L. D. Mozier, of Edison, Morrow county, 
Ohio, was born May V, 1816, and with her 
husband recently celebrated their golden 
wedding. The subject of this sketch was 
the second child. Harvey Durand, the 
third child, was born December 14, 1820; 
died February 11, 1860, in Missouri. Sarah 
Jane, wife of Enoch Peasley, a minister of 
the Friend's denomination, was born De- 
cember 29, 1822; died near Muscatine, 
Iowa, in February, 1861. The four child- 
ren just mentioned were born in New 
Jersey; Lydia Maria, the youngest, was 
born in Ohio, July 11, 1825; died in June' 
1836. The mother of these children, died 
in Ohio, August 5, 1826, and May 8, 1828, 
the father was again married, choosing 
for a help-mate the widow Blinn ti,ee Beard, 
of Knox county. By this union tliere were 
four children, Joseph, Aaron D., Rhoda, 
and Lydia; all married and living save the 
eldest. In 1825, the father moved with 
his family to Ohio, making that State his 
home for fifty-three years until his death, 
which occurred August 25, 1878, being 
eighty-five years old. He was engaged 
in the mercantile business for over twenty 
years, and for a number of years was a 
Justice of the Peace. The subject of this j 
sketch was reared on a farm receiving a 
common school education. At the age of 
eighteen years he was converted and joined 
the M. E. Church. At twenty, he and his 
brother Durand engaged in running a saw- 
mill and clearing a farm of one hundred 
acres. After working together for three 



years, William Harrison took the farai, 
and his brother the saw-mill. 

May 17, 1843, Mr. Harrison was married 
to Sallie Ballard, of Sparta, Knox county, 
Ohio, born October 19, 1818, in Wilmont, 
Hillsboro county. New Hampshire. Her 
])arents were Frederick and Achsah (Ever- 
ett) Ballard, both natives of New Hamj)- 
shire. Her father died in Sparta, Ohio, 
in October, 1868, aged eighty-eight years; 
the mother died at the same place, Novem- 
ber 4, 1857, at about seventy-three years of 
age. Mrs. Harrison's grandfather, Pennell 
Everett, was a soldier of the revolutionary 
war, serving for seven years. He was 
born in Massachusetts, September 3, 1758, 
died in New London, New Hampshire, 
February 5, 1813. His father, Jeremy 
Everett, was born in Dedham, Massa- 
chusetts, in February, 1714. After their 
marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Harrison, lived on 
the farm, and in January, 1848, sold and 
moved to Pagetown, Morrow county, Ohio, 
where Mr. Morrison engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. In October of the same 
year, he removed to Mt. Gilead, county 
seat of Morrow county, and engaged in 
the same business. In April, 1852, he sold 
and moved to Mt. Vernon, same State; 
six weeks later went to Washington 
county where he owned some property, 
and engaged in the mercantile business. 
He remained there until March, 1855, 
when he sold and came west by way of 
the Ohio and Mississippi river steamers, 
landing at Muscatine, Iowa, April 16, 
1855. After visiting with relatives and 
looking about the country for a time, he 
came with his family and effects, to Tole- 
do, Tama county, Iowa, arriving May 13, 
1855. Soon after his arrival he purchased 






IV 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



a saw-mill, coutaining a lath mill and one 
run of stone for grinding corn, being then 
the only place for doing such work nearer 
than C'edar Rapids and Iowa City. In 
the following June the mill was destroyed 
by iire. This was a serious loss to the 
country and to Mr. Harris n, financially ; 
however, he did not lose courage but 
went to work to I'ebuild. He refused prof- 
fered aid, and forming a partnership, 
soon had his mill in running order, and 
also erected a store building in the south 
part of town, where he had purchased 
land and laid out Harrison's addi- 
tion. In August he went to New York 
City, bought a stock (jf goods, and return, 
ing, engaged in the general mercantile 
business. After a few months he took in 
Ira Taylor, as a partner ; they erected a 
store building east of the present site of 
the court house, moved their goods into 
it and continued in business until 1870. 
In 1871, Mr. Harrison, who was a large 
stock holder in the First National Bank 
of Tama City, engaged in the banking 
business in Toledo, under the firm name 
of Harrison, Hall & Warren, their institu- 
tion being known as the Tama County 
Bank. This partnership was continued 
until January 1, 1876, when Messrs. Yeiser 
& Sterrett, land and loan agents, became 
his partners, under firm name of Harrison, 
Yieser & Company. During that year 
they built the Toledo House and moved 
their business into the rooms now occupied 
by the Toledo City Bank, where they con- 
tinued until the death of Mr. Yeiser, in 
December, 1877. The remaining partners 
closed up the business, paying off all the 
depositors, and the following spring sold 
the building to A. Phillips, and the bank- 



ing business to Messrs. Wilder & Wieting. 
Since 1866, Mr. Harrison has devoted 
more or less of his time to fire and life 
insurance, and since quitting the banking 
business, has given his attention wholly 
to insurance, having worked various com- 
panies, and originated the Iowa Mutual 
Benefit Association which has its home 
office in Toledo, Iowa, and is working very 
successfully. He is also the originator of 
the Mutual Endowment Association of 
Toledo, Iowa, and is its Actury and one of 
the Trustees. 

This association is based upon the plan 
differing entirely from anything hereto- 
fore known. It is now in its infancy, but 
bids fair to become one of the most success- 
ful companies of its kind in the State. Mr. 
and Mrs. Harrison have been blessed with 
four children: Elvira, born in Delaware 
county, Ohio, February 14, 1844; married 
at Toledo, Iowa, October 19, 1876, to 
.lames A. Harrigan, born in Kingston, 
Canada, June 6, 1 848, and who died of 
typhoid pneumonia, at Toledo, Iowa, Feb- 
ruaiy 15, 1879, leaving a son, James Cor- 
neal, born July 19, 1878; Louisa and 
Leander, twins, born December 14, 1848; 
the latter dying February 15, 1849; and 
William Henry, jr., born March 15, 1854, 
now engaged in business, at Toledo, Iowa. 
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are members of 
the United Brethren church, having joined 
that denomination in 1874, by letter, from 
the M. E. church, of which they had long 
been members. He has been deeply in- 
terested in all things of a religious char- 
acter, and has given most liberally of his 
means for the furtherance of the cause, 
and was for a number of years trustee and 



V <s- 



602 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



class leader of the M. E. church. He gave 
largely towanl the buikling of that church, 
prol)ably in all about %1,000. Since his 
connection with the United Brethren 
church, he has assisted that denomination 
to the extent of about ^1,200. He gave 
largely toward the court house, which was 
built mostly by the citizens of the town. 
His connection with the Toledo & North- 
western railroad shows marked persever- 
ance, he having advocated the project 
when other substantial citizens of 
Toledo held back. Mr. Harrison was for 
several years Deputy United States 
Revenue Collector for Tama and Benton 
counties, serving with full satisfaction to 
all present concerned. He has always 
been a temperate man and a warm advo- 
cate of temperance principles. He was 
formerly a Whig ; has voted with the 
Republican party since its organization. 
Mr. Harrison's life has not been the 
smoothest, by far ; often has he met with 
severe financial reverses that would have 
palled most men ; friends have deceived 
him and those in whom he trusted have 
shown tnemselves unworthy of confidence- 
but through it all, Mr. Harrison has re- 
mained true to his manhood, has forgiven 
where injustice was done, and has pursued 
the tenor of his way determined to make 
the best of whatever came. 

W. F. .Johnston was the second Presi- 
dent of the Toledo & Northwestern Rail- 
road Company, and acted in that capacity 
during the time the company was in ac- 
tive operation. A great deal of the suc- 
cess of the company was due to his man- 
agement and efforts. He was born on 
the 20th day of April, 1833, in Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania. His father is 



U. S. Johnston, an honored citizen of 
Toledo; his mother, Mary Keister, was a 
woman of most sterling qualities and a 
devoted Christian. She died in Toledo, 
March 5, 1878. U. S. Johnston and wife 
were the parents of three sons and six 
daughters. W. F. Johnston, subject of 
this sketch, when fourteen years of age, 
engaged to work as a laborer on a fai-m 
through the summer and attending school 
in the winter. He worked in this way to 
assist his parents, who were in limited 
circumstances, for three years, when he 
apprenticed out to learn the trade of car- 
penter and joiner, following the same for 
five years. In 1852, in company with his 
father, he came west and spent the sum- 
mer in viewing the country, stopping at 
different points and working at his trade 
to defray expenses. The following fall 
he returned to Pennsylvania, where he 
got employment as clerk in his uncle's 
store with no understanding as to what 
his wages should be. Upon quitting this 
position some time afterward, his uncle 
offered to furnish him money with which 
to come west and purchase land, the land 
or the proceeds to be divided e(jually; but 
the offer was not accepted. In the sum- 
mer of 185G, in company with J. A. Keis- 
ter, now Probate Judge of Blue Earth 
County, Minnesota, and G. R. Kemp, he 
went to Portage City, Wisconsin, where 
he remained until the following October, 
then went to Iowa City, working for a 
time at his trade and afterwards as clerk 
in a store. In March, 1858, he came to 
Toledo and purchased a stock of goods 
in company with H. Galley. They con- 
tinued in partnership until the spring of 
1868, when Mf. Galley sold his interest 



^ ^ — - 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and the company of W. F. Johnston & Co. 
was formed, consisting of W. F. John- 
ston, Wesley Johnston and C. C. Guilford. 
Tlie firm continued in business until 1879, 
when W. F. Johnston purchased the 
entire stock and immediately sold out to 
W. S. Johnston and John A. Owens. Mr. 
Johnston has a wife and one child, his 
marriage occurring on ths 21st day of Sep- 
tember, 1858. His wife was Miss Maria 
J. Newcomber, of Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania. She is a member of the 
Methodist Church where all of the family 
worship. Mr. Johnston came to the 
county in limited circumstances, but by 
close attention to business and skillful 
management has accumulated a large 
estate, and is to-day the largest land owner 
in the county, his accumulated land prop- 
erty in the county amounting to over seven 
thousand acres. In 1881, he built a fine 
residence in the suburbs of Toledo at a 
cost of $12,000; his barn is twenty-nine 
by thirty-four feet and cost *2,000. Mr. 
Johnston was originally a. Whig, but since 
the organization of the Republican party 
he has been one of its warm supporters. 
In 1802 he was elected to the State Legis- 
lature to fill the vacancy caused by tha 
resignation of Major L. Clark, who 
desired to enter the \J. S. service. Mr. 
Johnston was one of the incorporators of 
the Toledo Savings Bank and owner of 
the largest amount of stock until the fall 
of 188 1 . At the organization of the above 
institution he was elected Vice-President 
and has held the same ever since, being 
the present incumbent. He was also one 
of the incorporators and stockholders, and 
one of the board of directors of the First 
National Bank of Tama City. Mr. John- 



ston was elected president of the Toledo 
and Northwestern rail road at the regular 
annual election in 18*72, and held the 
position until 1879, at which time Mr. 
Albert Keep, of the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, was elected to take his 
place, Mr. Johnston being retained on the 
Board of Directors one year longer. Soon 
after the organization of the T. & N. W. 
Railway, he was elected by the board as a 
special committee to negotiate and pur- 
chase the iron and other supplies for 
building the road, and also, to make rates 
for the rolling stock, and later, to con- 
tract with the Chicago & Northwestern 
Company for connection, and such other 
operatingor running arrangements as he 
might deem wise or advantageous to his 
own company. Mr. Johnston was very 
successful in these negotiations, and so 
skillful was the management of the road, 
that from the day it commenced running 
until the change of proprietors in the fall 
of 1879, it paid a ten per cent, annual div- 
idend, and never incurred any indebted- 
ness but that it could readily pay, and did 
pay. Mr. Johnston was very active in his 
connection with the road, and probably no 
one is entitled to more credit for working up 
the extension of the Toledo & Northwest- 
ern Railway than Mr. Johnston, he having 
persistently ])ushed the matter for several 
years, making trip after trip to Chicago 
to talk the matter up with prominent rail- 
road officials. And possibly, thi-ough his 
and Major Clark's efforts alone, the pub- 
lic now receives the benefit of this great 
railroad ; not that they built it, but that 
they they were the means of getting those 
interested who did. Another fact notice- 
able in this connection is, that the mil- 



HISTORY OP TAMA COUNTY. 



lions at present invested in the Toledo & 
Northwestern Railway are under the 
same constitution and regulations that 
were adopted by the original company, 
with the exception that now the proprii- 
tors have the right to build, operate and 
maintain branches running east and west, 
as well as north and south. In educational 
enterprises no one in the county has taken 
more interest, nor given more of time and 
money than W. F. Johnston. In 1871, he 
was elected a member of the Board of 
Trustees of Cornell College, Mt. V'ernon, 
Iowa, now one of the best, if not the lead- 
ing college in the State. In 1877, he was 
elected one of the executive committee of 
liie same college, and in 1880, VicePresi- 
(lent of the Board of Trustees, all of which 
jiositions he now holds. Since his election 
to a ))osition on the executive committee, 
Mr. .Fohnston has been closely identified 
with the management and interests of the 
college, and has donated over live thou.sand 
dollars to the institution, and also owns a 
five hundred dollar scholarship for the 
benefit of worthy indigent students. Mr. 
Johnston is also deeply interested in the 
success of Western College, Toledo, Iowa, 
being a member of the building and execu- 
tive committees of that institution. Mr. 
Johnston has also given largely to the sup- 
port of this college, being anxious to assist 
in making it one of the best and strongest 
institutions of learning in the State. He 
was, and is still. President of the Toledo 
Court-IIouse Association, which built a 
good substantial court-house, at a cost of 
thirty thousand dollars, and donated it to 
the county. Mr. Johnston was the first May- 
or of Toledo, Iowa ; was for several years 
one of the County Supervisors, and for 



many years was connected with the School 
Board of Toledo. During the late war, he 
was appointed Draft Commissioner for 
Tama county. The enrollment and exami- 
nations were made, but the delinquent 
townships make their quota by furnish- 
ing men and the draft was unnecessary. 
At the Upper Iowa Conference of the M. 
E. Church held at Davenport, this State, 
in 1879, Mr. Johnston was elected one of 
the lay delegates to attend the General 
Conference of that church, held at Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, in 1880. During the session 
of that conference, Mr. Johnston was a 
nieniber of two standing committees — 
Educational and State of the Church, and 
was also a member of the special commit- 
tee on the centennial of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he has been a 
member since the fall of 1856. .Mr. John- 
ston is kind and considerate to all classes, 
is indulgent to a fault, and has sustained 
thereby many heavy financial losses. He 
is generous, giving freely and liberally to 
educational, benevolent. Christian and 
public enterprises. Mr. Johnston owns 
the farmer's elevator and was one of the 
builders of the Toledo elevator, being part 
owner of the last named. He was also 
one of the original. owners of the town 
sites of Garwin and Gladbrook. 

C. C. VV bitten, who was General Super- 
intendent of the T. ifc N. W. R. R., was 
born in Huron county, Ohio, on the •28th 
day of November, 1833. His parents 
were Alvin Whitten and Loa (Snow) 
Whitten, who emigrated to Huron county, 
Ohio, in about 1830. When C. C. was 
eighteen years of age he went to New 
York, where Jie was engaged in various 
occupations. In 1868, he came to Tama 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



•k 



county, and at the time of the construc- 
tion of tlie Toledo and Northwestern R. 
R , ho took an active part, and was elected 
by the stockholders as agent and superin- 
tendent, which position he filled until the 
road was purchased by the Northwestern 
company. He was immediately appointed 
by that company as right-of-way agent, 
which office he has filled with complete 
satisfaction to the company and credit to 
himself. Mr. Whitten since coming to 
the county has accumulated a competency, 
now owning one thousand acres of valua. 
ble land in Spring Creek township, besides 
considerable town property along the 
Toledo & Northwestern line of railroad. 
He was married, December 25, 1860, to 
Miss Elizabeth Stacy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Whitten have been blessed with three 
children — Emma, Minnie and Loa. 

ISIRI.INGTON, CEDAR RAPIDS & NORTHERN 
K. R. 

The Pacific division of this railroad, or as 
it is usually called, the " Vinton Branch " 
was constructed from Vinton to Traer, 
ill Tama county, in 1873. Traer remained 
the terminus of the road until 1881, when 
it was built westward through Hardin 
county and Northwestern Iowa. The 
road enters Tama county by way of section 
13, of Clark township, bears to the north 
of west, crosses the townships of Clark, 
Perry, Buckingham, Grant, and enters 
Grundy county. 

According to the statement of the 
Secretary of State for the year 1883, the 
length and assessed value of the Pacific 
division of the B. C. R. & N. R. R. in 
Tama county, showed 18.05 miles, valued 
at ^STj^GO. This is divided among the 
townships as follows: 



In Clark township, outside of the incor- 
porated town of Dysart, there are five 
miles assessed at $10,000. 

Town of Dysart, 1 mile, assessed at 
*3-200. 

Perry township, exclusive of Traer, 3.8 
miles, assessed at $12,100. 

Town of Traer, 1.15 miles, assessed at 
*3,680. 

Buckingham township, 2.5 miles, asses- 
sed at $8,000. 

Grant township, 4.0 miles, assessed at 
!|i4,'720. 

There are two stations on the line in 
Tama county, Dysart, and Traer. 

(MIICAGO, MILWAUKEE AND ST. PAUL RAIL- 
WAY. 

This is one of the leading railway thor- 
oughfares of the United States, and its 
lines reach back and forth over the whole 
Northwest in a network of iron, having 
the greatest numberof miles owned by any. 
one corporation in the world. The "Coun- 
cil Bluffs Line" of this road was constructs 
ed through Tama county in 1881. It was 
completed to Elberon in October, 1881. It 
was speedily pushed on southwest, through 
Tama City, Manning and to Council 
Hluffs. 

This road enters Tama county by way 
of section 13, in York township, crosses 
Vork, Otter Creek, Tama, the southeast- 
ern part of Indian Village, the northeast- 
ern part of Highland and enters Marshall 
county. There are five stations on the 
line in Tama county — Elberon, Vining, 
(xladstone, Tama City and Potter. 

The number of miles and assessed value 
of this road for the year 1883, in the vari- 
ous townships, was as follows: 



606 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



In York township, 6.86 miles, assessed 
at *1 4,548. 

In Otter Creek, T.os miles, assessed at 

*15,()0!l. 

tn Tama townsliip, outside of Tama 
City, 5,0.3 miles, assessed at |!10,66;3. 

Tama City, 1.03 miles, assessed at 
«i2,183. 

Indian Village township, 3.42 miles, as- 
sessed at *7,250. 

Highland township, 2.0 miles, assessed 
at $6,148. 

This makes a totil of twenty-si.x: and 
thirty-two one-hundredths miles in the 
county, on which the assessed value is 
*55,798. 

WISCONSIN, IOWA AND NEBRASKA RAIL- 
ROAD. 

The company organized for the purpose 
of building this road was the Iowa Im- 
j)roveraent Company, and came into exist- 
ence in 1880, with C. C. Gilman as Presi- 
dent. The intention was to construct a 
railway line from Kansas City to McGre- 
gor, diagonally across the State. Work 
was commenced in 1881, and up to May, 
1883, the company had completed and in 
operation forty-five miles of road, extend- 
ing from Marshalltown to Hudson. It 
passes through the northwestern part of 
Tama county, crossing the Toledo & 
Nirth western railroad at Gladbrook. The 
only town of im])ortance on the line in Ta- 
ma county is Gladbrook. 

This road is usually known under the 
name of " The Diagonal." 

PRO.IEOTED RAILROADS. 

The first railroad which was projected 
to run through Tama county was the Iowa 
C'entral Air Line. It has already re- 
ceived due attention. 



The Iowa Central Railroad was the 
next scheme for a railroad that failed. 
The company was organized in 1864 at 
Oskaloosa, wliich place was to be head- 
(juarters. The object was to construct a 
ro.Td from Albia to Cedar Falls, by way of 
Oskaloosa and Toledo. The project met 
with decided favor. A good deal of 
private subscription was secured in Tama 
and the county voted an appropriation of 
140,000 to aid in the construction of the 
road through the county. The company 
commenced collecting private subscrip- 
tions at once and began grading. From 
Toledo to the north line of the county 
a grade was almost finished, costing about 
$35,000. At the January session of the 
Board of Supervisors of the county, in 
1866 it was decided that the appropriation- 
which had been voted the company should 
be paid in three equal yearly installments. 
It had been anticipated that an injunc- 
tion would be asked to restrain the col- 
lection of the taxes or payment of the 
bonus, and the bonds and orders had 
barely been issued when, in March, 1866, 
the injunction was granted restraining all 
payment of taxes, bonds or orders. In the 
meantime, as soon as the bonds and 
orders had been issued by the county, the 
railroad company began disposing of them. 
As an inducement for the citizens to pur- 
chase, it was offered that every one who 
would purchase a county order or warrant 
should have, in addition to such warrant 
or order, a like amount of railroad stock. 
This took like wild fire and the warrants 
were mostly taken up by citizens. Those 
who at once went to the county treasury 
and had them cashed were lucky, for it 
was but a short time until the injunction 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



607 



restrained the redemption of them as 
stated. The injunction was granted upon 
the grounds tliat the county had no right 
to levy such tax. After this the com- 
pany was somewhat crippled and struggled 
to get along, but failed. Finally in about 
1S67, President Gilmau, of the Central 
Iowa Railroad Company began negotia- 
tions with this company and purchased 
the road bed and right of way of this 
line in Poweshiek county and south to 
Oskaloosa and Albia. This cut the line 
in two, and the Central Iowa Railroad 
laid their track on the old line as far north 
as Grinnell, when it turned westward and 
passed north, through Marshall county. 
Thus ended Tama county's hope for the 
Iowa Central. 

A few years later a company was or- 
ganized at Grinnell, as the Grinnell, Cedar 
Falls and Winona Railroad Company, for 
the purpose of constructing and operating 
a line of railway from Grinnell over the 
grading of the old Iowa Central road 
to Cedar Falls, and from there to Winona, 



Minnesota. A good deal of work was 
done to get taxes voted, and with some 
success; but the aid and backing which 
they expected from the Central of Iowa 
Company was not forthcoming, and the 
project died a natural death. In Tama 
county the townships of Howard, Crystal 
and Perry voted aid to the company, and 
when the scheme fell through Perry town- 
ship transferred her bounty to the Burling- 
ton, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, 
while the others allowed their proposed 
bonus to "outlaw." 

In 1873 a corporation was formed for 
building the Peoples' Narrow Gauge 
Railroad of Iowa. The survey com- 
menced in May, of the year named. In 
Tama county the projjosed line was to 
run from near the centre on the west line 
of Spring Creek township, to, or near 
Union Grove, from there east along or 
near the south line of Crystal, Perry and 
Clark townships. The project soon fell 
through. 




HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XX. 



BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP. 



This is a full congressional township, 
comprising township 80, north range 14, 
west of the fifth principal meridian. It is 
located in the northern tier of townships, 
and is bounded on the north by Black 
Hawk county, on the west by Grant town- 
ship, on the south by Perry and on the 
east Geneseo. The surface is rolling. 
The soil is of a good productive quality 
and many of the farmers are turning 
their attention to stock raising. It is 
well watered by numerous small streams. 
Twelve Mile Creek, a " remarkably crook- 
ed stream, " enters from Grant by way of 
section 30, flows east across the town- 
ship and leaves after crossing section 
24. Rock Creek enters, the township 
from the north in two streams which 
unite on section 2, then flowing through 
sections 11 and 14, makes confluence with 
Twelve Mile Creek on section 23. Wolf 
Creek enters from Perry township on the 
south, and flowing through sections 35 and 
■Hi, makes exit toward the east, on 25. 
There is some timber along these streams, 
and in the eastern part-of the township 
there is quite a large grove called "The 
Forks. " There is a small grove on sec 
tion 28, called " Jaqua's Grove." Some 
of the very best of farms with most sub- 
stantial improvements are found here. 



and as a stock raising township it ranks 
among the best. 

SKTTLKMKNT. 

The early development of a township 
depends much upon the character of its 
first settlers. As a rule in new countries, 
the first settlers are not the men to subdue 
any great part of the soil, or make much 
advance toward permanent improvement. 
They seem in many instances to only 
open the way for men of more energy and 
enterprise. Buckingham township seems 
to be an exception to this rule, for most of 
her earliest settlers although some of 
them made a bad record, were men of 
industry, energy and perseverance, and 
consequently it flourished from the begin- 
ning, and its settlement was rapid and 
substantial. 

The first man to cast his lot here was 
Norman L. Osborn, who came in January, 

1852, and claimed the southeast quarcer of 
section 20. After a few months he sold 
this claim to Mr. Dunkle, and removing 
to what is now Perry township claimed 
the northeast quarter of section 10. In 

1853, he sold that claim to Giles and 
Ira Taylor and entered the northwest 
quarter of the same section, where 'he 
broke several acres and built a log house. 
Here he reinaiued about two years, then 



4'§:^ W^S?^' 




•.#»' 



M 



^^, ^.^(^^r^t^^^ 



'Ll 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



611 



sold out tc Stephen Klingaman and again 
sought a new field for speculation. He 
was in Missouri at last accounts. The 
same year David Dean and family came to 
the county and claimed the southwest 
(juarter of section 27. His son Ira, 
entered the southeast quarter of section 
28, and the other son, Lude, the northeast 
of section 33. They all sold out in 1S55 
and went west. One of the sons is now 
at Gohlfield, Wright county, where he 
keeps a grocery store and meat market. 

John Connelly, a native of Ireland, 
came here in 1852, and entered the north- 
east quarter of the northeast quarter of 
section 36. He afterwards murdered his 
wife, was arrested, but finally escaped 
and has not been heard of since. The 
details of this murder may be found 
in the chapter on " Events of Interest. " 

Patrick Casey, a native of Ireland, 
came this same year and settled on section 
25. In 1854, he sold his farm and went 
to Geneseo, where he lived a few years, 
then removed to Kansas and enlisted in 
the army. lie was discharged on account 
of disability, and returned to Kansas 
where he was employed by the Govern- 
ment to guard military stores. While 
in the discharge of these duties he 
was shot by a guerilla, who was taken by 
the crowd and hung to a tree. Mr. Casey's 
family now live in Kansas. 

Otto Story came with the Deans and 
made a claim on section 33. He did not 
prove up his land, but sold out in 1854, 
and went to Wright county. 

Mr. Sprigmire came in 1852, and claimed 
the southwest quarter of section 26 
where he remained a short time and 
then went to Cedar county. 



Alonzo Helm, who came here with the 
Helm family, claimed the southeast quar- 
ter of section 36 and remained a few 
years when he sold out and left. 

Alfred Wood came here in the fall of 
1853 and entered land, after which he re- 
turned to Illinois and spent the winter. 
In the following spring he started on his 
return with his family in a wagon drawn 
by two yoke of oxen, crossing the Missis- 
sippi river at Port Byron. They were nine 
days on the road. 

Alfred Wood is a native of Massachu- 
setts, born at Ashfield, in Franklin county, 
February 26, 1814. He lived on a farm 
until seventeen years of age, when he re- 
moved to North Adams and worked in the 
print mills of that place. In 1834, he 
started west, making the long and tedious 
journey to Cook county, Illinois, before 
stopping. He remained a short time in 
Chicago, which place at that date con- 
tained little else than a grocery store and 
the barracks where the United States sol- 
diers were quartered, and then went on to 
the DuPage river, where he engaged in 
farming until the summer of 1835, when 
he removed to Rock River. There he was 
engaged until the following spring in 
driving a supply wagon for an Indian 
trading post from that place to Chicago, 
a distance of one hundred and thirty miles, 
after which he engaged in farming until 
1841. During that year he, in company 
with his brother Dexter, erected a mill on 
Rock creek, near where Fenton Station on 
the C, B. & Q. railroad now stands. They 
operated the mill nine years, then sold it 
and Alfred removed to Erie, Illinois, 
where he enteied two hundred and forty 
acres of land and began tilling the soil 



V^« »- 



r 



-< » >> 



612 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



oucc more. During the second year of 
his settlement there his land was flooded 
and his crops lost. In 1853, he sold that 
property and came to Iowa for the pur- 
pose of settlement. He selected land in 
this county, in what is now section 30, 
Buckingham township. After making his 
selection he returned to Illinois, and in 
the spring of 1854 removed with his family 
to this county, but lived for one year in 
Perry township before settling on his 
present place in Buckingham township. 
Upon his arrival here, Mr. Wood moved 
into a log cabin owned by John Connell, 
in Perry township, and there lived until 
the fall of that year, when he erected the 
first frame house in Perry township and 
moved his family into it. Subsequently 
ho liad the same house placed on his land 
in Buckingham township. In 1855, he 
erected the house in which he now re- 
sides. December 18, 1844, he was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Betsey A. Moore- 
liouse, of Pen Yan, New York. She bore 
liim four children, of whom one, Charles, 
is now living, and died .July 20, 1855. June 
11, IBS'?, he was married to SevenaBevan, 
a native of England. They have been 
blessed with nine children, seven of whom 
are now living: John A., Lorenzo E., W. 
T. Sherman, Albert G., Arthur, Sevena B. 
and Frederick. Their son Franklin was 
born October 23, 1862, and died July 4, 
1876. He was struck by lightning and in- 
stantly killed ; his father, who was with 
liim, was prostrated by the same stroke, 
but soon recovered to find his son lying 
on the ground near by, dead. Theodore 
was born September 22, 1877, and died 
January 15, 1881. 

J. T. Ames became a settler of Buck- 



ingham township in 18.")4, punhasiiig 
and entering land on sections 13 and 
23, where he has since made his home. 
He is one of the largest farmers in this 
part of the county and is a prominent 
and respected citizen. 

Leander and Theodore Clark came here 
from Huron county, Ohio, in May 1854, 
traveling on the cars as far as Davenport, 
which was then the terminus of the road, 
there they purchased horses and came 
from that point on horseback. Leander 
bought eighty acres of land in township 
86, range 14, which is now within the 
limits of Buckingham, and the west half 
of the south-east quarter of section 25. 
Twenty acres of this land was improved 
prairie and the balance timber. After 
making this purchase he went to Wiscon- 
sin and bought three yoke of oxen, a 
wagon and a breaking plow, and returned 
to Tama county. He then bought and 
entered about a thousand acres of land in 
the neighborhood of his first purchase, a 
part of which was in township 86, range 
13, now Geneseotownship,and commenced 
breaking in that township on section 
30. In 1855, he built a saw-mill on Wolf 
Creek on the land first purchased In 
1857, he was elected County Judge and 
moved to Toledo. In 1860, he returned to 
his farm, and in 1861 was elected to the 
Legislature. In August, 1862, he enlisted 
in the 24th regiment, Iowa Volunteers and 
was mustered in as Captain, afterward he 
was promoted to tl>e rank of Major. He 
has made his home at Toledo since the 
close of the war. 

Theodore returned to Ohio witliout buy- 
ing any land, but returned in the fall and 
entered land on section 31, in towshij) 80 



¥ 



;i^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



north, range 13 west, now known as 
Genesee. In 1857, he purchased a half 
interest in his brothers' mill, and in the 
spring of 1858, returned to Ohio and was 
married, after which he again returned 
and moved into a house he had previously 
commenced near the mill. In the fall of 
that year he moved his house to his land 
in Geneseo, where he made his home until 
November, 18*77. He then went to Texas 
on account of his health, and returning 
the following spring bought land in Traer 
and erected a house, where he lives at the 
present time. 

Dr. W. A. Daniel who came with the 
Woods brothers in 1852, and had made 
his home with them, came to this town- 
ship in 1855, with his brothers Henry and 
Jacob and settled on section 33. Henry 
is now in the furniture trade at Waterloo, 
whore he is doing a good busness. Jacob 
is in Denver, Colorado, where he is keep- 
ing the Columbia Hotel. 

Fred Church, a native of York State, 
settled on section 32. He sold out in 185C 
and went to Wisconsin. He was after- 
ward a member of the Legislature of that 
State, and is now dead. 

Varnum Helm was another of the early 
settlers. He was a native of Rhode Island. 
At (juite an early day he left his native 
State and pushed to the frontier. He re- 
mained but a short time in one place, for 
as soon as the country commenced to 
settle he would sell out and seek another 
home farther west. He came from Benton 
county in 1853, and settled on section 
30. in this township. After remai'- 
ing a few years, although an old man, he 
Itecame restless and dissatisfied, settlers 
cominff in made him aa;ain desirous of 



seeking another home in the western 
wilds, and consequently, he concluded to 
again sell out and journey toward the set- 
ting sun. But his wife refused to make 
another move in that direction, having had 
all the experience in pioneer life desirable. 
Not being able to persuade her to accom- 
pany him he divided the property and 
journeyed on alone, but soon returned and 
lived here with his family for a time, then 
exchanged his land for a farm in Black 
Hawk county, to which place he moved 
and was living at last accounts. 

Robert Granger, another settler of 1854, 
a native of England, came here from Lake 
county, Illinois, and entered the west half 
of the southeast quarter of section 36, 
and the southeast quarter of the north- 
west quarter of the same section. He im- 
proved his land and lived there until 1874, 
when he bought a residence in Traer, 
moved there and yet remains, having 
.rented his farm. 

Another native of England, John G. 
Scott, came in 1854, and settled on section 
34. He deserted his family a few 
years later and went to California. His 
wife married again and now lives in Mis 
souri. 

T. Shiner, formerly from Virginia, came 
from Illinois, and located on section 34, 
where he lived until 1868, when he 
sold out and went to Missouri. 

William Gordon, a native of Paisley, 
Scotland, came from Connecticut to Buck- 
ingham township in 1854, with his family, 
and settled on section 33. He remained 
there until 1878, when he removed to 
Traer, where he died in 1881. His wife 
died in l.'-64. Four of his children, Wil- 
liam, Janet, Jane and Allen came to Iowa 



*n^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



with him. William died February 27. 
1859; Allen died December 18, 1877 ; Janet 
is the wife of Dr. Wesley A. Daniel, of 
Buckingham, and Jane is the wife of 
Robert McCormack. 

Another Englishman, John Byworth, 
came here in 1854, and entered the west 
half of the northwest quarter of section 
■U. He received an injury while help- 
ing to build a bridge on the southwest 
quarter of section 34, from which he never 
fully recovered. In 1868, he sold out 
and removed to Missouri, where he now 
lives. 

George Lyman of New York, was a 
settler of 1854, and selected the east half 
of the southeast quarter of section 33. In 
I8.')5, he sold to W. A. Daniel and went 
to Franklin county. 

Henry Van Vliet, a Vermonter, came to 
this township in 1854, and entered the 
oast half of the southwest quarter of sec- 
lion 30. In 1859, he moved to Perry 
township, where he now lives. 

Eli Eldridge came the year following — 
1 855 — and bought land on section 25, where 
he lived a few years and removed to 
(4rant township. He enlisted in the army 
and died at Jefferson barracks, Missouri, 
in 1SC3. 

(Tamalifl Jaqua, a native of Ohio, arrived 
in the fall of 1855 in company with four 
others. They came with team and wagon, 
crossing the river at Rock Island, and 
bought land on sections 28 and 33, then 
he returned to Ohio, came back in 1856, 
and the spring of 1857, built a house and 
moved in with his family. He is an in- 
Hucntial man, has filled both township and 
county offices, and at the present time is 
editing a newspaper in Traer. His father- 



ir-law, L. H. Thomas, came in the fall of 
1856, and settled on Mr. Jaqua's place, 
where he still lives. 

J. T. Ames, formerly from Massachu- 
setts, came here from Wisconsin in 1854, 
and selected land on sections 14 and 23, 
and the following spring moved here with 
his family, and now lives on section 23. 
He is among the largest farmers in the 
county. William C. Reed came with him 
and bought land on section 24. In 1866, 
he sold his farm and removed to Grinnell. 
He now lives in Caldwell county, Mis- 
souri. 

George Klingamon, formerly from 
Pennsylvania, came here with his family 
in 1855, and finally settled on section 30, 
where he died in 1879. His widow now 
occupies the old homestead. 

George Klingamon was born in Colum- 
bia county, Pennsylvania, October 13, 
1824. He was the son of a carpenter and 
when quite young learned that trade. In 
1842 he removed to Ohio, settling on a 
farm in Auglaize county, and subsequent- 
ly was married to Miss Mary Tam, a na- 
tive of Fairfield county, Ohio. They were 
blessed with two children. In 1854, he 
made a short trip to Iowa, and during the 
spring of 1855, removed with his family 
to this State. He purchased land on sec- 
tion 30, Buckingham township, Tama 
county, but did not settle on it until two 
years later. They spent the first year 
with Alfred Wood, and the next year 
lived on Leander Clark's farm. In 1857, 
they settled on their own place, 
where the wife and daughter remained, 
while the following year Mr. Klingamon 
wentto California to seek his fortune. He 
worked in the mines and quartz mills of 



•^ o — 



r 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



615 



that State two years, and then returned 
to his home where he remained until 
].S(j3, when he again went west, but this 
time chose the territory of Montana as the 
field of his labor. There he followed 
mining three years, after which he re- 
turned to Buckingham township and de- 
voted the rest of his life to farming. He 
died June 12, 1879, deeply mourned by a 
large circle of friends and acquaintances. 
Their daughter Mary died in infancy, and 
Lizzie, who was born in Ohio,. January 28, 
1846, died January. 30, 1876. Before her 
marriage to B. F. Noll, January 5, 1865, 
she had been a teacher. At her death she 
left three children — George T., Mary E. 
and Celia T. Mary E. lives with her 
grandmother, while the others are with 
their father in Nebraska. 

George Kober settled in Buckingham, 
in 1855, and remained until the time 
of his death. He was born in Ger- 
many, March 17, 1830, and died at his 
home in this county, April 28, 1873. He 
was an upright and honest man, and his 
untimely death was deeply deplored by 
all who had known him. Mr. Kober re- 
ceived a good education in his native 
country, where he lived until he was twenty- 
two years of age. He then came to the 
United States and settled in South Britain, 
Connecticut, where he was employed in 
farming until 1855, when he came to Iowa 
and settled in Buckingham township 
of this county. He rented land until 
1859, at which time he purchased a 
farm on section 34. His marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Robert 
Granger, occurred in November of that 
year. They were blessed with seven chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living : Hattie 



A., Mary E., Elias F., John G.. Sarah J., 
and Emma A. After marriage, Mr. Kober 
settled on his farm, and there lived until 
1801, when he sold it, and purchased the 
south east quarter of the same section, 
upon which he lived until the time of his 
death. 

His brother, John Kober, was born in 
Germany, June 6, 1843. During 1857 he 
came to America and settled in the State 
of Connecticut, where, for some years, he 
farmed through the summer and attended 
school winters. In 1802 he came to Tama 
county, Iowa, and in May of 1874, married 
his brothers' widow. They have three 
children : Theodore, Amelia and Frank. 

Joseph Keeler, a native of the State of 
New York, arrived in 1855 and purchased 
the south half of section 11, and the north 
half of section 14, for which he paid fi 
per acre. In 1859, he sold to the Cum- 
mings brothers and removed to Kansas. 

Daniel C. Ladd was a settler of 1855. 
He is a son of John and Nancy Lad<l, and 
was born in Delaware county, New York, 
August 21, 1828. His youth was spent 
in school and on his father's farm. He 
continued to live with his parents until 
1853, when he was married, March 24, 
to Miss Jeannette George, of that county. 
During 1855 he came to this State for the 
purpose of finding a good location for a 
future home. The summer of that year 
was spent with J. T. Ames, of Bucking- 
ham township, and before returning to 
New York that fall, he had entered a 
quarter section of land in that township. 
In the spring of 1850, he removed with 
his family to this county and spent the 
first year with Mr. Ames. The following 
spring he purchased land on section i3> 



"7^^ 



l^ 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



V here ho has since made his home 
Mr. Ladd has erected on his place 
good farm buildings and in every 
way lias made it a comfortable home for 
himself and family. He is engaged in 
stock raising and dairying, and we must 
add that his wife has the reputation of 
being one of the best butter:makers in the 
State. At the fair held in Milwaukee by 
the Union Dairy Association, in Decem- 
ber of 1882, she received: first premium 
for the best tub of June butter; also, the 
first premium for the best butter made in 
Iowa, and the second premium for the 
second best tub of August butter. They 
have three children: JohnT., William J. 
and George D. 

George McKelvey came here in 18.56, 
and made his selection on the north half 
of the southwest quarter of section 2, 
where he broke some land, built a board 
shanty with a bark roof in which he 
lived until 1859, when he caught the gold 
fever and stai'ted for Pike's Peak. He 
now lives in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Joshua C. Wood settled in Tama county 
in 1 Sol', and became a settler of Bucking- 
ham township in 185(i, by locating on sec- 
tion 3;i, where he still lives. He is a 
son of Lyman and Nancy (Heckathorn) 
Wood, and was born in Fairfield county, 
Ohio, February 1, 1827. Two years after 
his birth his parents removed to Hocking 
county, where his father died in 1830. In 
1843 they located in Mercer county, re- 
maining there until 1852, when they came 
to Tama county, Iowa. They settled in 
township 85, range H, (now called 
Perry township), and there lived to- 
gether until 1 856. October 6th, of that 
year, the subject of this sketch was married 



to Miss Elizabeth Kyle, and immediately 
came to Buckingham township and settled 
on section 33, where he has since 
resided. Mr. Wood has improved his land 
and erected a good set of farm buildings. 
His wife died in 1857, and the following 
year he was united in marriage with Miss 
Hannah McKune. They have one son 
living, Francis W., and have an adopted 
daughter, Olive May. Mr. Wood is a man 
who possesses many warm friends and has 
held a number of the township offices. 

John Gait, an old settler of Buckingham 
township, came here in 1856, directly from 
Ayeshire, Scotland, where he was born in 
July of 1810. He lived on a farm until 
fifteen years of age and then began learn 
ing the blacksmith trade. After serving 
an apprenticeship of three and a half years, 
he worked as journeyman two years and 
then set up in business for himself at 
Pound land, Colmonell Parish. There hn 
remained in business until 1856, when he 
left his native land for America. He 
landed in New York city on the 4th of 
July, and from there came directly to 
Tama county, Iowa, and settled in Buck- 
ingham township. Mr. Gait was married, 
in 1834, to Miss Janet Wilson, who has 
borne him six children, three of whom are 
now living: David, Jane and Elizabeth. 
The eldest, David, was born in 1836. He 
received his education in the public schools 
of Scotland, and at fifteen years of age 
began learning his father's trade, which 
he afterwards worked at there until he 
left that country with his parents. In 185', 
he opened a blacksmith shop in Bucking- 
ham township, but a year later, cl scd it, 
and embarked in fanning, which occupa- 



r 



^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



017 



■k. 



tion he followed until 1803, when he went 
to Manchester, Iowa, where he worked in 
a machine shop seven years. At the end 
of that time he returned to Buckingham 
township and settled on a farm, which he 
had previously purchased, on section 32. 
He now owns three hundred acres of land 
and is extensively engaged in stock rais- 
ing. His marriage with Miss Mary 
McCormick occurred in 1869. They have 
been blessed with five children — Neil, 
Grace, Esme, Flora and Archibald. 

John Hankerson came from Illinois, in 
1856, and settled on the northeast quarter 
of section 3. In 1866, he sold out and 
returned to Illinois. He now lives in 
Kansas. 

Adin Antrim, a native of Clinton 
county, Ohio, came in 1856, from Illinois 
and purchased land on section 34. He 
came here with a two-horse team, five 
extra horses and eighteen head of cattle. 
He lived for some time in a sod house 
using his wagon cover for a roof. He im- 
proved the place and lived there until 
1880, when hq retired from his farm and 
purchased a residence in Traer, where he 
now lives. 

John D. Lutzo, a German, came here in 
1856, from "Wisconsin and settled on the 
northeast quarter of the northwest quarter 
of section fourteen. In 1870, he left for 
parts unknown. He used to ride on the 
back of an ox when making a trip to any 
place. 

Dan Iiurmison came this season from 
Indiana and located on the nortiiwest quar- 
ter of section 13. In 1860, he sold out 
and moved away. 

Onesiphorus Gravatt wa.s a pioneer of 



1857, locating in Buckingham during that 
year. He was born in Surrey, England, 
October 20, 1826. He lived on the farm 
and went to the country school until thir- 
teen years old, when he was apprenticed 
to a blacksmith. He served two and a 
half years and then worked as a journey- 
man about two years; then finding that it 
affected his lungs, he quit the business. 
At twenty years of age he went to the 
city of London, where he was employed by 
an asphalt company one year, and then re. 
ceived a commission as a police officer of 
the city. In February of 1850, he re- 
signed, and the following April set sail for 
America. He landed in Mew York city, 
and immediately proceeded to Mercer 
county, Ohio, where, in August, 1851, he 
bought a piece of timber land which he 
cleared and cultivated. In 1856, he vis- 
ited Iowa to see the country and selected 
Tama county as his future home. He then 
returned to Ohio, and in 1857, sold his 
farm in that State and came to Tama 
county, arriving on the 23d of September. 
He purchased a house and lot in Bucking- 
ham village, and rented land of Jonas 
Wood which he began farming. In 1860, 
he bought eighty acres on section 27 
and the following year settled on it. 
Since that time he has added about 
five hundred acres to the first farm and 
has greiatly improved the whole. During 
1877, he erected the residence in which he 
now lives. In 1850, Mr. Gravatt was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah IIow- 
ick, who was born in Susse.x, England, 
September 23, 1825. Nine children were 
born to them— Albert, Basil ia, Carlisle, 
Mary A., Florella, Luella, Laura May, 
Cornelia and William V. The husband 



r 



Ml 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and children were called to mourn the loss 
of the wife and mother December 22, 

1877. 

In 1859, Thomas Cummings, in com- 
pany with his four sons, became a settler of 
Buckingham township, coming from Penn- 
sylvania. The father, and son Anthony, 
lived here until the time they died, and 
two sons, Martin and John are still re-^i- 
dents of the township. They were promi- 
nent factors in the development of this 
vicinity, and sketches of each are here 
presented. 

Thomas Cummings, deceased, was born 
in county Mayo, Ireland, 1794. He was 
married in 1821, to Miss Mary Caffery, 
also a native of county Mayo. They were 
blessed with seven children, six of whom 
grew to manhood. The wife and mother 
died in Ireland, in 1848. In 1852, Mr. 
Cummings joined three of his sons who 
had come to America some years previous. 
He settled in Luzerne county, Pennsylva- 
nia, where he lived until 1859, then came 
in company with his sons, to Tama county, 
Iowa. He settled in Buckingham town- 
ship and there lived until his death, which 
occurred in December of 1866. 

His eldest son, Anthony Cummings, 
deceased, was born in county Mayo, Ire- 
land, April 27, 1822. His education was 
partially acquired in the public school, 
and afterwards completed by si.x terms at 
a select school in his native pariah. In 
1848, he emigrated to America. The 
ship landed him at Quebec and he remain- 
ed in Canada until August of the follow- 
ing year, when he crossed over to the 
United States, and located in Luzerne 
county, Pennsylvania. There he was em- 
])l()yed by a Pennsylvania coal company 



as weigh master. In 1850, he sent suffi- 
cient money to Ireland to enable two of 
his brothers to join him in America ; two 
years later, the three sent back money that 
their father and three remaining brothers 
might cross the ocean. In 1850, Anthony's 
employers opened a union store and 
selected him to take charge of it. Ilis 
marriage with Miss Ann Neiry occurred 
in 1851. During 1859, in company with 
his father and three brothers,, he came to 
Iowa for the purpose of making a perma- 
nent home. They settled in Tama county, 
buying land on sections eleven and four- 
teen, of Buckingham township. Until 
1860, they all lived together in a log 
house, on section eleven. However, dur- 
ing that year, they erected a frame house 
on the same section, and into it his father 
and two brothers moved. The subject of 
this sketch continued to live in the pioneer 
log cabin until 1861, when he removed 
into a frame house which he had built on 
section 14. Three years later he erected 
another frame house on the same 
section, to which he made additions and 
in which his widow now lives. Of his 
family, there are nine children living : 
Thomas, Mary A., Rose D., Francis, John, 
Kate, Eunice, Albert and Lizzie. His 
widow owns five hundred acres of land, 
all of which is under improvement. Mr. 
Cummings enjoyed the confidence and 
respect of the community and held several 
offices of trust in the township. He died 
at his home in Buckingham township, 
Tama county, on the 16th of April, 1883. 
Mass was celeljrated by Rev. Father 
O'Brien, in the Catholic Church at Lincoln, 
Black Hawk county, this State. The 





,^ 




^^^^^,^,-v*^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



funeral sermon was preached by Rev. 
Seallan, of Waterloo. The deceased was a 
member of the church at Lincoln, and was 
buried in the Catholic cemetery at that 
place. 

Martin Cummings, son of Thomas Cura- 
niings, was born in county Mayo, Ireland, 
iiil8:)0, and was there raised to agricul- 
tural pursuits. In 1852, Mr. Cummings 
came to America, landing at New York 
city on the 4th of July. He went from 
there to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, 
where he was engaged in mining one year; 
then went to Illinois, where he was em- 
ployed in laying track on the Rock Isl- 
and railroad and later on the C, A. & St. 
L. railroad. In 1855, he started for Cali- 
fornia. He left New York city March 
5, went by way of the Isthmus of Panama 
and arrived in San Francisco on the 28th 
day of the same month. He followed 
mining in California until November, 
1858; then returned to New York; thence 
to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where 
he remained until January, 1859. At this 
time he came to Tama county, Iowa, with 
his father and brothers and located land 
in Buckingham township, where he now 
lives on a finely improved farm. Mr. 
Cummings was married, in' 1865, to Miss 
Jane Eagan, who has borne him' eight 
children: Mary J., Catharine E., Thomas, 
Rosa A , Margaret, Elizabeth, John J. 
and James M. 

John Cummings, fourth son of Thomas 
Cummings, was born in Ireland, March 4, 
1853. Mr. Cummings made his home in 
his native country until 1850, when he 
came to America and joined his brother 
Anthony in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, 
where lie engaged in mining near Scran- 



ton. Here he remained until 1^54, when 
he went to Illinois and engaged in laying 
railroad iron near Joliet. In the spring 
of 1855, Mr. Cummings went to New 
York city, from whence he started to Cal- 
ifornia by way of the Isthmus. There he 
followed mining until the fall of 1858, 
when he returned to the Eastern States. 
In 1859, in company with his brothers he 
came West, and located land in Bucking- 
ham township, Tama county, Iowa, on sec- 
tions 11 and 14. He now lives on section 
1 1 and like his brothers has been very 
successful as a farmer, owning four hun- 
dred acres of improved land. Mr. Cum- 
mings was married, in IHTO, to Miss Han- 
nah Barrett, a native of Ireland. They 
have been blessed with seven children: 
Mary, Ann, Ellen, Barbara, Kate, Thomas 
and Eunice. 

J. V. B. Greene, a native of the Empire 
State, became a settler of this township in 
1861. He is still a resident of Bucking- 
ham, residing on section :U. He was born 
in Rensselaer county. New York, Febru- 
ary 22, 1833. When he was but three 
years old his parents removed to Jeffer- 
son county of the same State. He was 
reared on a farm and received an academ- 
ic education at the academy at Rodman 
village, and at Dexter Academy in Madi- 
son county. In 1858, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Philinda Ilosmer, of 
Jefferson county. During 1861, he came 
to Iowa and settled in Tama county, buy- 
ing land on section 34 of Buckingham 
township, as stated. Mr. Greene's farm 
is now under a high state of cultivation 
and much beauty is added to the whole 
place by a large number of shade and or- 
namental trees which have been set out 



jj« 



622 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



by himself. A large barn and other nec- 
essary farm buildings have been erected, 
including his present residence, which was 
built in 1874. He has two children, Fred. 
J. and Emma L. 

After this year, 1861, the arrivals came 
in more rapidly, and in this connection, it 
is only possible to give a few of the most 
prominent of those who came, and are 
still here. 

During the year 1864, among the ar- 
rivals were Norman Draper and John G. 
Nichols, who are both still living in the 
township. 

Norman Draper settled in Tama county 
during 1864, and from the time of his 
settlement until 1867, he lived in township 
S6, range 15, now known as Grant town 
ship. In that year, 1867, he settled on his 
present location, having previously pur- 
chased 80 acres of land there. He has 
since bought land adjoining his original 
purchase, and at present owns a farm of 
240 acres, which is improved and contains 
a fine grove and apple orchard. He is a 
native of Ohio, having been born in Sum- 
mit county of that State, February 19, 
1832. His youth was spent on the farm 
and his education was received in the 
district schools. In 1852, he removed to 
Winnebago county, Illinois, where he 
lived until his settlement in Iowa, in 1864. 
Mr. Draper was married on the 4th of July 
1859, to Miss Catherine Noll, a native of 
Pennsylvania. They have been blessed 
with five children — Alma J., Elmer N., 
Lewis E., Bertie U. and Willis N. 

John G. Nichols is a native of New 
York, born in Rensselaer county. May 10, 
1820. He remained in his native county 
until he was twenty-five years of age. 



then moved to Jefferson county and pur- 
chased a farm in Adams township, where 
he lived but a short time, then bought 
property in La Fargeville and moved to 
that ])lace. In 1857, he came west to sell 
machinery, and the same year purchased 
land in Geneseo township, Tama county, 
Iowa. He then traveled for two years 
through Iowa, Wisconsin and Northern 
Illinois, returning at the expiration of 
that time to New York, where he resumed 
farming. In 1867, he returned to Tama 
county, purchasing land in Buckingham 
township, on section 27, where he has 
since lived, engaged in farming. His 
farm is well improved, and he has erected 
a good set of buildings, hauling the lumber 
from Cedar Falls. Mr. Nichols was mar- 
ried January 30, 1846, to Miss Cornelia 
Green, daughter of Joseph Green, of 
JefFerson county. New York. They have 
but one child living — Horace. A daugh- 
ter, Helen M., born to them September 30, 
1853, died October 5, 1876. 

James Philp settled on his present farm 
in the northwestern part of Buckingham 
township in 1865, at which time that 
section of the county was one unbroken 
prairie. He was born in Cornwall, Eng- 
land, December 20, 1827. His youth was 
spent in school and on the farm until 
seventeen years of age, at which time he 
became engaged in raining. He followed 
that occupation in his native country three 
years, and in 1848, emigrated to America. 
He spent the first year in this country in 
working in the lead mines of Hazel Green, 
Wisconsin, after which he removed to 
Illinois, and spent two years in the coal 
mines, situated seven miles east of the 
city of St. Louis. Mr. Philp then pro. 



•F 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ceeded to Canada, where he followed 
farming until his removal to this county, 
in 1865. His farm lies on section 8, and is 
now well improved and contains a fine 
grove. The subject of our sketch was 
married, in 1857, to Miss Ann Harper, a 
nat ve of Whitley county, Canada. Nine 
children have been born to them — Walter, 
Elizabeth A., Maggie, Mary L., Stephen 
J., Effie M., George F., Joseph J. and 
Bessie M. Maggie was born October 28, 
1862, and died September 20, 1869. Joseph 
was born March 19, 1874, and died March 
27, 1875. 

Eber C. Farnham also settled in Buck- 
ingham township in 1865. His first pur- 
chase was 80 acres of land on section 13, 
a part of which had been improved; he 
has since added largely to it, owning at 
the present time 400 acres all of which is 
under improvement. In May, 1881, his dwell- 
ing house was destroyed by fire, therefore 
the following summer he erected his pres- 
ent residence. He is a son of Elishaand 
Sarah 1 arnham, and was born in Thomp- 
kins county. New York, October 27, 1816. 
While yet a small boy Mr. Farnham's 
parents removed to that part of New Yoi'k 
State, which is now known as Genesee 
county. There his father cleared a farm 
and continued to improve it until 1833, 
when he sold all of his property and re- 
moved to Lapeer county, Michigan, where 
they were also very early settlers. The 
subject of this sketch lived with his par- 
ents but two years in Michigan, when his 
health failed and he returned to New 
York, where he resumed his trade, that of 
a carpenter, which he had learned in that 
State previous to going west. Five years 
later he went to Michigan again, and was 



there married in 1850, to Miss Elizabeth 
Cavel of Monroe county, New York. 
During 1857, he removed to Wisconsin 
and purchased a farm in Walworth county. 
In 1859, he sold his home in that State, 
and made the journey to Minnesota, buy- 
ing government land in Utica township of 
Winona county, which he improved and 
sold just previous to his settlement in 
Iowa. He has four children — Carey C, 
Ward M., George L. and Laury A. Mr. 
Farnhams' parents are still living in Lapeer 
county, Michigan, where they settled fifty 
years ago. 

John Fleming, one of the early land 
owners of Tama county, was born June 
29, 1800. He was joined in wedlock, 
April 26, 1826, with Miss Mary Wills. 
Eight children were born to them, seven 
sons and one daughter. The youngest 
son died in infancy ; the daughter is mar- 
ried and lives in Kansas ; three of the 
sons are residents of Mifflin county, Penn- 
sylvania, and three of Tama county, Iowa. 
Mr. Fleming made his first visit to Tama 
county, in May of 1854, at which time he 
bought land in township 86, range 14. 
He continued to reside in Pennsylvania 
until 1861, though from the time of the 
first visit here until his settlement in this 
State, he made Tama county a yearly visit. 
In 1861, his son James accompanied him 
west, and together they completed the 
erection of a house on his land, on section 
23, in the neighborhood of what is called 
Five Mile Grove. The same summer, the 
subject of our sketch with two others, 
organized the first Sabbath school in this 
vicinity, of which he was superintendent 
until the time of his death. May 25, I 868. 
His remains were carried back to Pcnn- 



^k 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



sylvania by his son, and interred in Kish- 
acoquillas cemetery, in Mifflin county. 
His son, John W., is a carpenter and cabinet 
maker by trade. He was born in Mifflin 
county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 18.37. 
Mis early life was spent on a farm, but 
when fifteen years of age his knee was 
accidently injured to such an extent that 
lie was unfitted, for the time, for farm 
work, and therefore, about a year- later, 
was apprenticed to an uncle who was a 
carpenter and cabinet maker, to learn that 
trade. He worked with him a few 
months and then went to Ohio, when he 
followed his trade four years. From that 
State, he removed to Philadelphia, where 
-he received lessons in wood carving, draft- 
ing and finishing for some time, and then 
proceeded to Wooster, Ohio, where 
lu' continued his lessons. Later, he re- 
turned to his native county, where he 
started in busi-ness for himself, as cabinet 
maker and builder of fine carriages. 
While pursuing that occupation his health 
became precarious and his physician ad- 
vised a change ; therefore, he sold his 
]iroperty and business in that county, and 
in ISGG came to Iowa, settling in Grant 
township on land belonging to his father. 
He was one of the commissioners ap- 
pointed to organize the town, and the fir.st 
two years after said organization was 
County Supervisor from there. In 1876, 
he came to Buckingham township, pur- 
chasing a farm on section 26, and three 
years later erected the house in which he 
now lives, doing the work himself and 
also manufacturing the furniture in it. In 
ISSl', he built his barn. His marriage 
with Miss Jane E. Fleming occurred in 
1800. They have been blessed with six 



children : William'R., Mary J., Annie 
W., Joseph M., Mabel and John L. 

Henry E. Davis, eldest son of Henry W. 
Davis (deceased), was born in Delaware 
county. New York. December 25, 1840. 
His father died January 19, 1855. During 
1861, his mother, with her two sons, re- 
moved to Ogle county, Illinois, where 
they lived until 1866, when they came 
to Iowa. They settled in Buckingham 
township, Tama county, and bought 
land on section 2, which had been entered 
by William McKelvey. The subject of . 
this sketch has since improved the land 
and erected on it good farm buildings. 
His marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter 
of Isaac Stater, of Ogle county, Illinois, 
occurred in 1868. Four children blessed 
the union : Lena May, Homer II., Nellie 
J. and Elmer I. Mr. Davis' mother lives 
with him. 

Henry A. Owens, the second son of 
William and Phoebe Owens, is a native of 
Indiana, having been born in Columbus, 
Bartholomew county, of that State, Sep- 
tember 20, 1844. His father was a farmer 
and died when Henry was but ten years 
old. In 1866, the family came to Iowa 
and settled in Tama county. Shortly 
after, Henry bought some wild land on 
section 22, of Buckingham township, and 
immediately began making improvements. 
During the years that have intervened, he 
has set out shade and ornamental trees, 
as well as a large number of apple trees, 
from which he gathers a liberal supply of 
fruit every year. In 1875, he built his 
present frame residence. On the 20th of 
March, 1876, lie was joined in wedlock 
with Miss Efvisa Jaqua, a daughter of 



-f 



-* al'r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Gamaliel Jaqua. They have tliree chil- 
dren : Clinton R., Gamaliel W. and 
Lucretia. 

Anthony Staveley was born in Yorkshire, 
England, in 1832, and remained there till 
he was twenty-fonr years old. His youth- 
ful days were spent in school and on the 
farm. He left England in 1857, and set- 
tled in Canada, where he engaged in farm- 
ing, and after an experience of several 
years of failure in crops he become dissat- 
isfied, and sold his farm. He came to Iowa 
in 1866, and settled in Tama county, 
Jjuckingham township, and purchased a 
small farm of eighty acres. Since then he 
has been very successful, and has added 
other lands, making a total of two hun- 
dred and eighty acres. He married Janie 
Bee, of Peterboro county, Canada. They 
have five children born to them, Fannie A., 
Charles A., Annie M., John W. and Her- 
bert A. 

James Dinsdale, son of L. P. Dinsdale, 
is one of the most extensive farmers and 
stock raisers of Tama county. He was 
born in Yorkshire, England, October 10, 
1839. When he was but si.Y years of a;e, 
his parents emigrated to America, settling 
in Peterboro county, Canada, where the 
subject of our sketch was reared on a stock 
farm. He made his home in that county 
until 1869, when he came to Tama county, 
Iowa. He purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of land on section 19, of Buck- 
ingham township, and at once engaged in 
stock raising. There he lived until early 
in 1883, when he removed to section 18, 
where he had previously purchased a farm 
of Alexander NicoU. He now owns six 
hundred and forty acres of excellent land 
as well as many head of stock. Mr. Dins- 



dale was married in 18()1 to Miss Ann 
Nicoll, of Canada. They had ten children, 
eight of whom are now living. Mrs. Dins- 
dale died May 29, ISTS, and Mr. Dinsdale 
was married again in March, 1880, to Eliza- 
beth Atkinson, from Westmoreland, Eng- 
land. 

Daniel Tierney is a native of county 
Limerick, Ireland, and was born in 1836. 
When he was but six years old his father 
died. At the age of sixteen he came to 
America and immediately proceeded (after 
being landed at New York city) to Utica, 
New York, where he was employed in a 
livery stable. There he remained six years, 
and then removed to his cousin's, and en- 
gaged in farming in Monroe county one 
year. From there, he located in the State 
of Illinois, when in May of 1864, he enlist- 
ed in the 146th Illinois regiment, and with 
it, went south, "e was honorably dis- 
charged in July of 1865, and returned to 
Illinois. During 1869, he came to Tama 
county, Iowa, and purchased land in the 
south half of the southwest quarter of 
section 12, Buckingham to tvnship. Upon 
it he erected a house and continued to 
live there until 1882, when he sold out and 
removed to the southeast quarter of the 
same section, settling on land which he had 
previously purchased. His marriage with 
Miss Honora Creagan, took place in 1805. 
They have been blessed with five children: 
Catharine, Maggie, John O., Nellie and 
Honora. 

William Philp was one of the settlers 
of the northwestern part of the township. 
He was born in Cornwall, England, Janu- 
ary 9, 1829, and spent his younger days on 
a farm. In 1847, Mr. Philp came to 
America, landing at (Quebec, from who nc 



^ (5- 



-aPs 



626 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



he went ti) Cavert, where he followed 
farming until 1869. He then came to 
Tama county, Iowa, and purchased wild 
land on section 8, Buckingham township, 
where he has since made his home. His 
nephew, Thomas Philp, who came to 
I?uckinghara township at the same time, 
was born in Cornwall, England, April 9, 
1847. He was married in 1873, to Miss 
Betsy Hall, a native of Vermont. They 
have three children— Lucinda M., Fred- 
erick and George. On coming to Buck- 
ingham township, Thomas purchased land 
on section 8, which he has since improved 
and made his home. 

William Tomlinson is a native of York- 
shire, England, where he was born April 
12, 1847. Until fifteen years of age his 
time was spent in school and on the farm ; 
however, at that date, he was apprenticed 
to a blacksmith to learn the trade, but 
after about eight months decided to re- 
sume farming again. In 1 865, he left his 
native country for America. After land- 
ing in New York, he went directly to 
Wisconsin, and there engaged in tilling 
the soil until his removal to Tama county, 
Iowa, in 1872. He purchased land on sec- 
tion 20, of Buckingham township and im- 
mediately began improving it. During 
the year 1880, he erected his present resi- 
dence. Mr. Tomlinson was married in 
January of 1870, to Miss Sophia Axon, a 
native of New York State. Two children 
— Alice Belle and Joe West — bless their 
union. 

Alexander Speirs settled in Buckingham 
township in 1874, on land which he had 
purchased several years previous He 
was born in the parish of Colmonell, Ayer- 
sliire, Scotland, September l.S, 1838. His 



father, who was a miller by trade, died 
when Alexander was but four years old, 
and his mother followed, five years later. 
The subject of this sketch then lived with 
an uncle one year, after which, he spent 
the same length of time with a sister ; and 
during both years he was kept steadily in 
school. He then engaged in farming, 
which occupation he followed in that 
country until 1861, when he came to 
America. Upon landing in New York, 
he proceeded to Chicago, where he spent a 
few days and then went on to Bureau 
county, Illinois, and was there engaged in 
farming until his removal to Iowa in 1874. 
Mr. Speirs was married, in 1866, 'o Miss 
Nancy F. Blackburn, a native of Missouri. 
They have been blessed with eight chil- 
dren — William, Mary, Agnes, Alexander, 
James, John, Robert and Albert. During 
1882, he visited Humbolt county, and 
while there, purchased a quarter section of 
land in Avery township, of that county. 

ORGANIC. 

This township was organized in 1853, 
and contained what is now Geneseo, Buck- 
ingham, Grant, Crystal, Perry and Clark. 
The last division was made in 1868, when 
Grant township was cut off and Bucking- 
ham assumed its present boundaries. 

The first election was held in April, 
1853, at the house of the Woods brothers. 
The following officers were elected: Jus- 
tices, John Connell and David Dean; 
Constables, A. L. Dean and Robert Con- 
nell; Trustees, David Dean, N. L. Osborn 
and Samuel Dunkle; Clerk, Jonas P. 
Wood; Assessor, Jonas P. Wood. 
The Judges of this election were 
John Connell, David Dean and N. L. 
Osborn. The Clerks were J. P. Wood 



9 

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A'=^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



627 



and A. L. Dean. The highest number of 
votes polled at this election was nine, that 
being the number which David Dean re- 
ceived for Trustee. 

The last annual election was held at the 
Gravatt school-house, November 1, 1882. 
O. Gravatt, J. C. Wood and P. H. Mason 
were Judges and Robert Provan and J. G. 
Bull, Clerks. At this election the follow- 
ing officers were chosen: 

J. C. Wood, Trustee; G. Jaqua, Justice 
of the Peace; J. G. Bull, Clerk; J. V. B. 
Greene, Assessor; Road Supervisors: Dis- 
trict No. 1, J. W. Fleming; District No. 2, 
E. B. Green; District No. 3, Conklin Gay; 
District No. 4, F. B. Little; District No. 5, 
B. L. Keeler; District No. 6, D. C. Ladd; 
District No. 7, Thomas Cummings; Dis- 
trict No. 8, H. G. Flakins. There were 
cast lOV votes. 

John G. Bull, present Clerk of Bucking- 
ham township, is a native of Greene county, 
Ohio, where he was born June 5, 184-3. 
His younger days were spent on a farm. 
He received his education in the district 
schools and the Teacher's Normal of 
Xenia, Ohio, which latter he attended 
three terms. In August, 1802, Mr. Bull 
enlisted in the 94th Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry and served for three years. In 
1865, he began teaching in the public 
schools of his native county, and contin- 
ued until 1868, when he came to Iowa. 
Mr. Bull settled in Tama county, purchas- 
ing land, in company with his brother, on 
section 5, of Oneida township, and there 
engaged in farming until 1882, at which 
time they sold out, and the subject of this 
sketch bought his present farm on sections 
27 and 34, of Buckingham township. He 
was elected to the office of Township Clerk 



in November of 1882, and the same year 
was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca 
Hopping of Greene county, Ohio. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The schools in this township have kept 
pace with the necessities. Buildings have 
been erected and teachers secured when- 
ever there was a demand for them. The 
people have seemed desirous of furnishing 
all the children an opportunity to secure 
a good common school education and the 
record which follows will show how 
much they have accomplished. 

In district number one the school house 
was built in 1 870, on section 8. Miss Lucy 
Foster was the first teacher in this build- 
ing. The original cost of the house was 
five hundred dollars and in 1880 it was en- 
larged at an additional expense of three 
hundred dollars. 

School district number two did not have 
a building until 1874, when one was erect- 
ed on the northwest quarter of section 20. 
Miss Jennie Felton was the first teacher 
in this house. Miss Jennie Graham was 
the teacher in the spring of 1883. 

The first building for school purposes in 
district number three was erected in 1858, 
on the southeast quarter of section 36 and 
was a frame building. John Gaston was 
the first teacher. In 1873, this building 
was moved away and the same season 
another was built on the northeast corner 
of section 26. Clementine Goben first 
taught here. 

District number four had its first school 
in 1858, which was taught in William C. 
Reed's house on the northwest quarter of 
section 24, by Aurelia Slade. The children 
afterward attended school in what is now 
sub-district number six. This was made 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



a district as it now exists in 1861; and a 
school-house was built the same year. Miss 
Aurelia Slade was the first teacher in this 
house. The school here is now under 
the management of Miss Eunice Cum- 
mings. 

District number five. The first school 
house built in this district was in 1862, on 
O. Gravatt's land on section 27. Miss 
Zoe Taylor was the finst teacher here. 
Two or three years later this building was 
moved to the northwest corner of the 
southwest quarter of section :i2 and in 
December, 1870, was burned and one term 
of school was taught it J. R. Holman's 
house. The present building was erected 
in 1871, on the old site. Miss Amelia 
Gordon was the first teacher in the new 
building. Miss Kate Gummings is its 
present teacher. 

The first house in district number six 
was built in 1800, on the northeast quar- 
ter of section 11, and Miss Aurelia Slade 
was the first teacher. Three or four years 
later this house was moved to the south- 
east quarter of section 3. The present 
building was erected in 1870, on the north- 
east quarter of the r.orthwest quarter of 
section 1 1. Mr? S. J. Sarvey was the first 
teacher here, in the spring of 1878 this 
house was moved to its present location 
on the southwest quarter of section 1. 

District number seven was set off in 
1877, and a school-house built the same 
year, located on the southwest quarter of 
section 3 and Miss Del Wager taught 
the first terra. James Pinkerton is the 
present teacher. 

All these houses are in fair condition 
and additions are constantly being made 
rom time to time. 



EELIGIOUS. 

A Methodist Episcopal class was organ- 
ized at the Bovina school house in 1864, 
with J. R. Hankinson as class leader and 
Rev. Baker as pastor. There was only a 
small membership. Among them were the 
following: J. R. Hankinson and wife and 
Mrs. Jameson and two daughters from 
Black Hawk county. The organization 
continued in existence about ten years, 
being supplied by different pastors. The 
Protestants in this vicinity generally wor- 
ship at Traer. 

A Baptist society was organized at the 
Bovina school house about the same time 
the Methodists perfected an organization, 
with the following membership: W. T. 
V. Ladd and wife, George Brown and 
wife, William Spencer and wife,Mr8. J. E. 
Davis and C. T. Tower and wife. Rev. 
J. J, Wilkins was the first pastor 
and was succeeded by E. L. Lesher. Meet- 
ings were held every alternate Sabbath. 
This organization also continued in exist- 
ence about ten years. A Sabbath School 
was organized on Section 11, in 1862, with 
W. T. V. Ladd as Superintendent ; there 
were about twenty-five scholars. Meet- 
ings were afterward held at the school 
house on Section 3 and in the new school 
house on Section 11. The school increased 
in numbers and also continued in existence 
about ten years. Besides these religious 
societies many meetings were held from 
time to time in different places. One in 
the school house in district number one, 
where a class was organized by Elder Bai- 
ley in 1874 with ten members as follows : 
Mrs. Elizabeth Nichols, Byron Allen and 
wife, Martha^Stephen.son, Mrs. James Wor- 
ley, Mrs. Betsy Philp, Mrs. Daniel Cum- 



1^ 



ft, 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



631 



luings, Mr. Dix and Anthony Stunly and 
wife. In district number two a good many 
services have been held but no organiza- 
tion effected. Elders Hamilton and Liv- 
ingston preached here. The Congregation- 
alists had meetings in the schoolhouse of 
district number seven, and the Methodist 
Episeopals held some services in the same 
j)lace. Religious meetings were held at 
the house of William C. Reed, on section 
24, by Rev. J. R. Upton, a Congregational- 
ist. Mr. Emerson afterward preached here 
and also Elder Roberts. 

The Catholics held meetings in Martin 
Cummings' house, on section 14, in 1878. 
Father Kelley, from Eagle township, offi- 
ciated, and at that time Martin and James 
Cummings were baptized. Mass has since 
been said in Anthony Cummings' house on 
section 14. The people of this vicinity 
now meet for worship in a new church in 
Lincoln township, Black Hawk County. 
Father O'Brien has charge there. 

HI.STORICAL ITEMS. 

On the afternoon of the 8th of October, 
18(50, A. H. Felter murdered his wife and 
attempted to commit suicide. The details 
of this horrible tragedy may be found in 
the chapter of "Events of Interest." 

In June, 1854, Mr. Harton and son, 
while crossing Wolf Creek, were drowned. 
They were living on rented land on the 
southeast quarter of section 26, and were 
attempting to cross the creek on section 
■36. They had been breaking prairie on the 
opposite side from where they lived and 
during the day the creek had swollen to a 
great depth. The team was obliged to 
swim, and Mr. Harton and his son were 
thrown from the wagon and drowned. 
Their bodies were soon recovered. His 



^. 



widow afterward married again and moved 
away. 

The first death in the township was a 
daughter of David Dean, who died in the 
summer of 1852 and was buried on section 
27. A son of Mr. Spade died here in 1853 
and was buried in Buckingham cemetery. 
This was the first interment in those 
grounds. As there was no preacher in the 
neighborhood they were buried without 
funeral services. 

The first marriage was that of W. II. H. 
Hill to Charlotte, daughter of Varnum 
Helm. He enlisted in the army and died 
while in the service. His widow was 
married again and now lives in Nebraska. 

An early birth was John A., a son to 
Alfred and Sevena Wood, born April 11, 
1858. He is now married and living at 
Rock Branch, Woodbury county, where 
he is engaged in mercantile business. 
The first birth in this town was a son of 
A. L. Wood. He was named Wesley, in 
honor of Wesley A. Daniel. He now 
lives in Kansas. 

In 1865, there was a blacksmith shop 
opened on the southwest quarter of section 
1, by Irwin Thompson. Two years later 
he moved the same to Geneseo township. 

Leander Clark built a saw-mill on Wolf 
creek in 1855. He built a brush and dirt 
dam and secured a fall of six feet. An up 
and down saw was used. In 1857, he sold 
one half interest to T. F. Clark, who con- 
tinued the business until 1863, when the 
dam washed out, since which time the mill 
has not run. 

LARCH HILL CEMETERY. 

An association was formed in 1878, by the 
following persons: O. Gravatt, B. F. 
McKay, D. C. Ladd, J. T. Ames, Charles 



^f 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Tower, W. W. Blanchard, William Pink- 
erton. Board of Directors, O. Gravatt, 
President; J. T. Ames, Secretary; B. F. 
McKay, Treasurer. J. T. Ames donated 
nearly two acres of land on section 14, a 
part of which had been used for a private 
burying ground. It was platted by Ames 
and Gravatt into lots, twenty-two feet 
square, valued at ten dollars each. Mrs. 
Susan Ames was the first interment, 
buried here in 1&65. 

The grounds have been beautified, im- 
proved and trees set out, making it a pic- 
turesque spot. 

POST OFFICES. 

There was a postoffice established in 
l.S(j7, called Bovina, with C. H. Blanch- 
ard as postmaster. The office was kept at 
his house on section 10, mail being received 
twice each week from Buckingham. The 
office was discontinued in 1873. About 
this time Buckingham postoffice was moved 
to section 22, and kept at the house of 
the postmaster, .J. R. Holman. This office 
was discontinued about one year later. 

THE LARCHES. 

The above is the name of a large stock 
farm in Buckingham township, J. T.Ames 
proprietor. Mr. Ames came to the town, 
ship in 1854, bought a large tract of land, 
and is now one of the largest stock raisers 
in the county. In 1881, he built a barn on 
section 23, 120 feet long and 112 feet 
in width. It is conveniently arranged, 
has a capacity for 500 tons of 
hay, and room enough to feed and 
stable 200 head of cattle. It is built after 
the most modern plan and cost between 
five and six thousand dollars. It required 
<Mie hundred and thirty thousand shingles 
to cover the roof. Tlie barn is supjilied 



with water conveyed through pipes from 
a well about fifty rods distant, which gives 
forth a continuous flow the year round, 
furnishing a full supply. Mr. Ames keeps 
about 225 head of cattle, all of shorthorn 
grades. He also raises colts to some ex- 
tent, but gives his attention principally to 
raising cattle. 

J. r. Ames, owner of the farm, was 
born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, 
October 18, 1819. When he was two 
years old his parents removed to Erie 
county, New York, where eight years later 
his father died. The subject of this 
sketch then made his home with a brother- 
in-law, Abner Dewey, until he reached 
his majority, the intervening j^ear being 
spent in attending school and helping 
with the farm work. Upon becon ing of 
age he followed a sailors' life on the lakes 
two years, and then started for the west. 
He located in Walworth county, Wiscon- 
sin, where he entered government land, 
and made that his home until the fall of 
1843, when he went south, and during the 
next four years was engaged in teaching 
in the States of Missouri and Kentucky. 
He then returned to Wisconsin, where he 
continued to reside until 1850. April 8 
of that year he started t ' California in 
company with four others. They went 
over land with two four horse teams, 
taking provisions and camping out on the 
way. August 20, they arrived at their 
destination and Mr. Ames' first work in 
that State was the building of the levee at 
Sacramento. Subsequently he engaged in 
building mills and flumes and also took 
contracts for grading streets in Sacra- 
mento. During 1854 he returned to Wis- 
consin, where he was married to Miss 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Mary J. Reed, formerly of Dutchess 
county, New York, and the same year the 
young couple came to Tama county, Iowa. 
Mr. Ames purchased and entered land on 
sections 14 and 23 of Buckingham town- 
ship, and has since made that his home, 



although he spent the first winter after 
his arrival here, in Wisconsin. He is 
now largely engaged in stock raising in 
connection with farming. They have 
three children living: Asa L., Herbert and 
John T. 



CHAPTER XXI 



CARLTON TOWNSHIP. 



This townshi]) lies in the western tier 
of Tama county townships and comjirises 
all of township 84 north, range 16, west 
of the fifth principal meridian. It is 
bounded on the worth by Spring Creek ; 
on the west by Marshall county ; on the 
South by Indian Village township ; and 
on the east by Howard. It is well suj)- 
plied with living streams of water. Deer 
creek enters on section 4, and flowing in 
a southeasterly direction, passes through 
sections 3, 10, 11, 14, 23 and 24, makes 
exit near the northeast corner of section 
25. Prairie creek rises on section 9, runs in 
a southeasterly direction through sections 
16, 15, 22 and on section 23, empties into 
Deer creek — Sugar creek enters on the 
northwest quarter of section 6, and flow- 
ing in a southerly direction through sec- 
tions 7, 18, 17, 19, 29 and 32, leaves the 
township. There are a number of small 
tributaries of these streams, so that the 
lownshi]) is as well watered as any in the 
county. 



There is an abundance of building stone 
in this township, many quarries hav- 
ing been opened. Not only this township 
but the surrounding country is supplied 
from these points. The surface of this 
township is generally rolling and in some 
places hilly. There are tracts of fine 
prairie land and a number of excellent 
farms. The soil on these prairies is a rich 
dark loam, and upon the timber lands of 
of a lighter nature mixed with clay and 
vegetable mould. Along Deer creek there 
is a little natural timber, and in the 
southern part of the township there is a 
good supply. 

The Toledo & Northwestern Railroad 
passes through this township. There is 
one town within its borders— Garwin. 

Carlton township was so named in hon- 
or of James P. Carlton, one of the first 
District Judges of the Fourth Judicial 
District. 



^- 



»^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



SETTLKMENT AND GROWTH. 

The first to settle in what is now Carl- 
ton township was Anthony Bricker, from 
Indiana, in the springof 1856. He crossed 
the Iowa river at Indiantown, ferrying 
his household goods over in his wagon 
ho.K which he had caulked sufficiently to 
keep out the water. He stopped a short 
time near where Brown's sawmill now 
stands and shortly afterwards selected the 
northeast (juarter of section 30 as a claim, 
where he erected a log cabin twelve by 
twelve feet. He was a married man hav- 
ing a wife and two children and is re- 
membered as an accommodating, genial 
companion, an intelligent man and a good 
neighbor. He remained on this place un- 
til 1852, when he sold his claim to II. L. 
Dobson and removed to section 34, where 
he remained until 1857, when he sold out 
to Dr. N. Welton and removed to Kansas. 
He is now living in Montana. 

The next settlement made in this town- 
ship was in 1852 by David, Levi and Ja- 
cob Appelgate, brothers. David is now 
a resident of Toledo and Levi lives in Ne- 
braska. 

In 1853, the little settlement was in- 
creased by the arrival of Stephen Dobson 
and his son, C. W. Dobson, and their fam- 
'ilies; Dr. .J. S. Ilaynes, Jacob I. amb, James 
Laughlin, sr., James Laughlin, jr., George 
Laughlin and Samuel Bricker, a brother 
of Anthony. 

C. W. Dobson and his father, Stephen, 
came from Indiana, arriving here on the 
2Cth of September, 1853. C. W. located 
on section 30, where he remained for a 
number of years and then removed to sec- 
tion 8, where he still lives. Stephen died 
there. 



John Wilson came from Illinois, and 
settled in Carlton township in 1854. He 
lived for many years in Indian Village, 
dying there in 1879. 

Jonathan Peterson came to Carlton 
township in October, 1854, and settled on 
section 18. He came here with teams, 
bringing James Harrows and wife, D. 
Gray and wife, George Brown and Ulys- 
ses and James Seely. The first winter 
was spent in Indian Village townshij). 
Jonathan Peterson was born in Vermont, 
in 1800. When qnite young he went to 
New York and when eighteen came west 
to Illinois, where he spent four years. He 
then purchased a ■ bufEalo and an Indian 
dog and started on his return to New 
York, giving exhibitions on the way. 
Soon after his return he was married to 
Abigail Chapman, also a native of Ver- 
mont, born in 1804. Soon after his mar- 
riage, he engaged in farming and after- 
wards in mercantile and banking business 
until 1847, when he removed with his fam- 
ily to Kendall county, Illinois, where he 
had previously purchased several hundred 
acres of land. He engaged in farming 
in Illinois until 1854, when he sold his land, 
moved with his family to Tama county, 
Iowa, and entered several hundred acres 
of land in Carlton township. He made 
this his home until his death, which 
occurred in February, 1862. His widow 
died in March, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Pe- 
terson reared a family of nine children. 
Mr. Peterson was highly respected as a 
man and held the confidence of all who 
knew him. For a number of years he was 
Chairman of the County Board of Super- 
visors. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



John Peterson came to Tama county 
with his parents, «ho settled in Carlton 
township in 1854, but made permanent 
settlement in 18S5. He is a son of Jona- 
than Peterson and was born in Genesee 
county. New York, May 11, 1833. His 
marriage with Miss Mary Furguson, a na- 
tive of Indiana, took place on the 22d of 
February, 1866. Miss Furguson was born 
in 1848. This marriage has been blessed 
with three children : Ida A., Eva L. and 
Roscoe C. Mr. Peterson is one of the 
most prosperous farmers of the county. 
His farm contains 1,000 acres under good 
cultivation, with a commodious dwelling 
and good barns for his stock. In politics 
Mr. Peterson is a Republican and has 
held various local offices. He takes an 
active interest in county and township af- 
fairs, showing an especial interest in ed- 
ucational matters; for, as the advantages 
f(jr his own early education were limited, 
he is desirous to do everything that will 
improve the opportunities of to-day. Mr. 
Peterson is a kind father, a good neigh- 
bor and is respected by all who know him. 

James Lewis came to Carlton township 
from Illinois in 185.5, and settled on sec- 
tion 29. He soon sold that place to Sam- 
son Strong, but still lives in the township. 

Mr. Merritt came during the same year 
from Illinois and settled on section 28. 
lie died there a number of years ago, 
mourned by a large circle of friends. His 
widow still lives in the township. 

Alexander Reed, from Illinois, settled 
on section 16, of Carlton, in 1855. He re- 
mained a few years when he sold out and 
returned to Illinois. 



The Haskell and Baldwin party settled 
in the central part of the township in 
1855. 

Jackson Guthrie came the same year 
with his family and settled in Carlton 
township. He is still a citizen here. 

Stephen Harris, sr., and Hick Dowell 
settled on section 29 this year. J5oth of 
these parties have left. A son of Mr. 
Harris still lives in the township. 

Benjamin Clark, a brother-in-law of Mr. 
Harris, came from Indiana and settled 
near Anthony Bricker's place. He re- 
mained until the time of his death, just be- 
fore the war. 

Peter >.'oir and Daniel Defrance came 
from Pennsylvania in the fall of 1855 and 
located on section 0. Peter Moir now 
lives in Howard township and Defrance is 
in Hamilton county, Iowa. 

Hiram i^ay and Edwin Libbey were also 
settlers of 1855. 

Another valuable addition was made to 
the settlement in 1855, by the arrival of 
Dr. William L. Conant and family. The 
father is noticed at length in the JMedical 
chapter. 

Marion A. Conant, son of Dr. William 
L. Conant, was born in St. Joseph county, 
Michigan, on the 8th of April, 1852. In 
1855, his parents came to the county and 
settled in Carlton township where they 
remained until the spring of 1881, when 
they moved to Gladbrook, at which place 
the father is engaged in the practice of 
medicine. Marion was reared on his 
father's farm, receiving a common school 
education. He was married, December 
28, 1873, to Miss Eva B. Buihner, who 
was born in Oswego, 111., September 15, 
1855. They have one child, Addie B- 



F1« — ^ 



r 






^t^ 



636 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COXJNTY. 



Mr. and Mrs. Conant are members in good 
standing in the Christian Church at Gar- 
win. Mr. Conant is a Republican and has 
been elected to several local offices. 

George W. Conant, also son of Dr. 
William L. Conant, was born March 12, 
185.5, in Van Buren county, Michigan. 
A short time after his birth, his parents 
emigrated to Carlton township, as stated, 
where George grew to manhood. He was 
educated in the common schools. On 
the 23d of December, 1880, he was 
married to Miss Mary A. Snodgrass, who 
was born in Jackson county, Iowa. She 
is a daughter of Hugh and Lucinda 
(Clark) Snodgrass, natives of Ohio, both 
born in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Conant have 
reared a family of five children. Mr. 
Conant is a staunch Republican and has 
held various local offices. 

In 1856, Rev. Andrew Donaldson ar- 
rived and settled on section 25. In 1857, 
L. N. B. C. Burt came and settled on 
section 7. The following year Newton 
Mudgett, now a prominent merchant of 
Garwin, settled on section 29. William 
Krouse came in 1859, and located on 
section 23. 

L. N. B. C. Burt is a native of Ver- 
mont, born in 1829, and when four years 
old moved with his parents to New York, 
where he grew to manhood, receiving a 
common school education. He was mar- 
ried in 1855, to Miss Mary Peterson, born 
in New York State, in 1838. In 1857, he 
removed to Tama county and settled on 
section 7, in Carlton township, where he 
still resides. Mr. Burt's parents were 
natives of Vermont. His mother died in 
New York, in 1850, aged forty-six; his 
father died in Warren county, Iowa, in 



1881, aged 84. They reared a family of 
seven children, the subject of this sketch 
being the fourth. Mr. Burt has a fine 
farm of 160 acres, under good cultivation. 
He is the father of six children — Willard S., 
George F., Louis H., deceased; Charles L., 
Grant C. and Bertha M. 

William Krouse is a native of Germany, 
born December 16, 1828. He is a son of 
Conrad B. and Francisca (Osthans) Krouse, 
the father being born September 3, 1801, 
the mother, October 10, 1811. In 1848, 
his father emigrated to Richland county, 
Ohio, and engaged in farming until 1803 
or 1864, when he removed to Cleveland. 
Here he lived a retired life, and in 1874, 
the father passed away. His mother, in 
later years, was married to William 
Schaper, and now resides in Carlton town- 
ship. William finished his education in 
the high schools of Brunswick, Germany, 
came to Ohio with his parents, and was 
there engaged in the mercantile business 
until 1851. In 1852, became to Davenport, 
Iowa, where he again engaged in the 
mercantile line. In 1851, he came to 
Tama county and entered a tract of 1,280 
acres of land in Carlton township for his 
father. Tn 1S59, he purchased a part of 
this land from his father, and removing 
here with his family, engaged in farming^ 
which business he still follows. William 
was married in 1856, to Miss Barbara 
ISIillcr, a native of Switzerland, born 
November 8, 1838. There have been 
seventeen children born to them, fifteen of 
whom are now living — William, Mary B., 
Frank, Robert, Minnie, Emma, Oscar, 
Barnhard, Fritz, Louisa, Ernest, Charles, 
Klla F., Sophia and Clara. 



^^ 



'k. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



637 



Samuel E. Beery came to Tama county 
in the fall of 1862, and rented a farm in 
Howard township where he followed 
farming until June, 1863, when he pur- 
chased and moved upon the farm where 
he now lives, in Carlton township. Mr. 
Beery was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, 
where he grew to manhood. He received 
a common school education. Maj' 20, 18.51, 
he was united in wedlock with Miss Mary 
A. Hammitt, a native of Ohio. Eleven 
children have been born to them — Oliver 
D., Sarah A., George W., Caroline V., 
Ida C, Lizzie L., Charles F., Emma E., 
Lillie'J., Lottie M. and Louis E. Mr. 
and Mrs. Beery are members of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Beery 
takes an active interest in local politics, 
and is at present a member of the Board 
of Township Trustees. His farm con- 
tains 203 acres, in a good state of cultiva- 
tion. 

John Ileidlebaugh settled in Carlton 
townshij) in 1864. He was born in Perry 
county, Ohio, in 1836. He received his 
education in the common schools, and as- 
sisted his parents on the farm, which 
vocation he still follows. In 1861, he was 
joined in matrimony with Miss Mary 
Mericle, a native of Perry county, Ohio, 
l)orn in 1840. In 1864, Mr. Heidlebaugh 
came to Tama county, settling on section 3, 
Carlton township, his present residence, 
and has now a well improved farm con- 
taing 96 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Heidlebaugh 
are the parents of six children; Elmer E., 
Amanda C, Emanuel S., David \V., John 
C. and Ethen A. 

Napoleon Bywater came to Carlton to 
settle in 1866. He was born in Baltimore, 
Maryland, October 3, 1841. When he 



was two years old his parents went to 
Zanesville, Ohio, remaining one year and 
a half; they then removed to New Albany, 
Indiana, and there lived until 1848, when 
they emigrated to Cedar county, Iowa. 
From there they Went to Jackson county, 
and then to Tama county, locating at 
Union Grove in Spring Creek township. 
They made this their home until 1860, 
when they again made a move and this 
lime went to Kansas where the father was 
killed in a saw-mill. The following year, 
in March, they returned to Spring Creek, 
and in August, 1862, Napoleon enlisted in 
Company F., 28th Infantry, Iowa, and 
served until the close of the war, receiving 
his discharge July 30, 1865. He took part 
in many battles, but was fortunate in re- 
ceiving only one slight wound in the en- 
gagement at Sabine Cross Roads, Louis- 
iana. On receiving his discharge he re- 
turned to Tama county. He was married 
in January, 1866, to Mrs. Sarah (Fitzgeiald) 
Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, born 
August 28, 1840. Mrs. Bywater had two 
children by her first marriage. Six chil- 
dren have blessed her second marriage, two 
of whom are dead. They removed to their 
present home in 1866. Their farm con- 
tains 340 acres, valued at $25 per acre. 

Peter S. Van Horn, son of Bernard and 
Elizabeth (Davis) Van Horn, was born in 
Clark county, Ohio, in 1830. His parents 
were natives of Harrison coimty, Virginia, 
his father being born there in 1802; his 
mother in 1803. In 1829, the parents re- 
moved to Clark county, Ohio, and followed 
farming and various other occupations 
until 1844, when they removed to Peoria 
county, Illinois. In 1855, they emigrated 
into Clinton county, Iowa, where the 






r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'-^ 



mother died in 1873, and the father in 
1874. Peter S. was reared under his 
father's instruction and received limited 
common school education. He was married, 
in 1854, to Miss Mary Rendall, a native of 
Peoria county, Illinois, born in 1839. Her 
parents were both born in 1812, and emi- 
grated to Illinois in 1835. Her mother 
died in Peoria county, in 1853. Her father 
enlisted in an Illinois regiment in 1862, 
and died of disease at Keokuk, Iowa, in 
1863. Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn have been 
blessed with eight children, three of whom 
are now living, George, Louis and Lawson. 
They have also an adopted daughter 
named Nettie. 

Henry Ross became a resident of Carl- 
ton township in 1869. He was born in 
Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1819. 
He grew to manhood on a farm in his 
native county and received a common 
school education. He was married on the 
3Uth of January, 1845, to Miss Rachel 
Townscnd, who was born in Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania. She bore him 
twelve children, three of whom are now 
living, Mary E., now Mrs. Hall, J. T. and 
Anna C, now Mrs. Townsend, who were 
all born in Pennsylvania. In the spring 
of 1809, he went with his family to Ten- 
nessee, remaining about si.v months, when 
he came to Tama and purchased a farm 
in Carlton township, where he still resides. 
.1. T., son of Henry Ross was born Decem- 
ber 15, 1849. He received a common 
school education, came with the family to 
Tama county, and August 29, 1873, was 
united in marriage with Miss Belle M. 
Dickey, a native of Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania. She was born August 26, 
1X52. Five children have been born to 



* ^U 



them, four of whom are now living, Mag- 
gie M., Harvey W., Rachel E. and James 
D. The family are all Presbyterians. 
They are Republicans in politics, and the 
father cast his first vote, in 1840, for Gen- 
eral Harrison. 

ORGANIC. 

The first organization of this township 
included the present territory comprised 
in that part of Indian Village lying north 
of the Iowa river. Spring Creek and Lin- 
coln townships. The first election was 
held at the house of William Murty, on 
section 4, in what is now Indian Village 
township, on the first Monday in April, 
1854, and the following officers were elect 
ed — Trustees, Jacob Lamm, David Bricker 
and William Murty ; Clerk, H. L. Dobson ; 
Assessor, J. S. Haynes ; Justice of the 
Peace, Stephen Dobson ; Constable, Har- 
rison Wiseheart. For a number of years 
after this, elections were held at the house 
of Anthony Bricker, on section 34. After 
a time, Indian Village township presented 
a petition to the County Judge to organize 
the same as a full congressional independ- 
ent township, but as Carlton had expended 
a considerable amount of money in build, 
ing a bridge across a bayou in the terri- 
tory proposed to be added to Indian Vil- 
lage, a remonstrance was presented which 
resulted in refunding the amount of money 
expended. The first election in this town- 
ship after it had assumed its present 
boundaries was held in November, 1856. 
The present oflicers of the township are — 
Trustees, C. W. Dobson, S. E. Berry and 
A. Brinkerhoft' ; Clerk, G. L. Springer ; 
Justices, Hugh Snodg'rass and J. Cham- 
bers; Con.stables, Willard Burt and James 
M. Mason ; Assessor, J. X. Chambers. 



ik* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



639 



ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first store in the township was 
opened on tlie northeast quarter of section 
26, by Enos Thomas, in ISTT, in a build- 
ing formerly used as a dwelling. He con- 
verted the lower story into a suitable 
place to keep goods and moved his family 
into the story above. He kept here, for a 
time, a stock of general merchandise. He 
is now in the same trade in Garwin. 

The first school building was erected in 
district number nine, now the independ- 
ent district of Sugar Creek. It was a 
frame building 22 x 28 feet and cost 
$700. It was located on the southeast 
corner of the north half of the south- 
east quarter of section 30, and is still used 
for school purposes. The first school 
taught was in the winter of 1861-2 by 
John Sterling. There was an a' tendance 
of thirty scholar,s. The first marriage 
was Harrison Wiseheart to Miss Ann 
Appelgate, in the spring of 1855. The 
ceremony was performed by Judge Ver- 
milya. Mr. Wiseheart is now living in 
Marshall county, and Mrs. Wiseheart died 
there in March, 1882, leaving four chil- 
dren. The first birth was a son to Jacob 
and Melinda Lamm, born November 8, 
1853. He was named Stephen Monroe, 
and is now married and lives at Montour. 

'I'he first death was that of Ezra Church, 
who came to the township in 1857, and 
died the following year ; he was from 
Michigan and was buried across the line 
in Marshall county. 

The first physician in the township was 
Dr. J. S. Haynes. The second was Dr. 
Hiram Welton who settled on section 34, 
in July, 1855. He practiced in this town- 



ship until 1877, when he removed to 
Indian Village township, where he has 
since followed his profession. 

Samuel J. Lewis came to the township 
from Illinois in 1864, and built a black- 
smith shop on section 28, where he yet 
works at his trade in connection with 
farming. This was the first blacksmith 
shop in the township. 

The first school here was taught during 
the summer of 1857,. by Miss Emily Dob- 
son, in a log house built by Anthony 
Bricker. It was located on section 34, 
where the house of Dr. Welton now 
stands; was 12 x 12 feet and erected by 
Mr. Bricker at his own expense. 

There are now ten independent school 
districts in the township, all having good 
substantial school buildings. 

The first husking bee in Carlton town- 
ship was held in the fall of 1855, at the 
residence of Hick Harris. The room was 
only about 14x14 feet and every body in 
the whole region was invited. Mr. Mer- 
ritt played the fiddle, and it finally turned 
into a dance. The puncheon floor rattled 
so the tones of the fiddle could barely be 
heard above the din, and the dust that 
was kicked up fairly made the dancers 
sneeze. The object was to get the young 
folks acquainted and it took some time to 
get the maids oyer their shyness, but 
when things did get to running, as ex- 
pressed by John Peterson, " it was a ter- 
ror." 

The Vineyard postoflice, in Carlton 
township, was established with T. N. 
Mudget as first postmaster. He was the 
only one that ever served. The office has 
been discontinued. 



^K*- 



iL 



640 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



RELIGIOUS. 

The first religious services in Carlton 
were held at the house of Stephen Dobson, 
in the spring of 1854, by Rev. William 
Morrow, of the Protestant Methodist 
church. During the summer of this year 
a church organization was effected through 
the efforts of this minister with the fol- 
lowing membership: Stephen Dobson, 
Elizabeth Dobson, H. L. Dobson, E. A. 
Dobson, Jacob Lamm, Melinda Lamm, 
Rachel Lamm, Rebecca Haynes, C. W. 
Dobson, Mary M. Dobson, Harrison Wise- 
heart and Olive M. Dobson. The first 
officers were Stephen Dobson, leader and 
ordained elder ; H. L. Dobson, steward. 
This society increased in numbers until 
the membership reached forty. It con- 
tinued in existence until 1882. Elder 
Morrow was succeeded by William Lock- 
ard ; then followed W. H. Roberts, D. H. 
Hollenbeck, Rev. Page, William Griffith, 
Elder Cook and Elder Winn. For a num- 
ber of years there was no regular preach- 
ing. 

An organization was effected at the 
Rock creek Presbyterian church upon the 
16th of June, 188-2, under Rev. M.S. Drury, 
of the United Brethren Church, of Toledo, 
wih a membership of twenty-three. Meet- 
ings are now held once in two weeks, by 
Rev. R. J. Laughlin. 

A union Sabbath school was organized 
in 1861 by Rev. C. W. Dobson, at the 
Sugar creek school house, with forty 
scholars. H. L. Dobson was Secretary 
and Treasurer. This school continued in 
existence until 1882, when it was re-organ- 
ized and the meetings are held at the 
Presbyterian church, with John Rose as 
Superintendent and Andrew Laughlin as 



Secretary. There is now an attendance 
of about forty and meetings are held every 
Sabbath. 

The organization of the " Society of 
Friends " was effected at Sugar creek 
school house in 1880 where they continued 
to hold services until the fall of 1882, 
when they erected a church building, 
across the line in Marshall county, where 
they still continue to hold meetings. 

The first services of Carlton Seventh 
Day Baptist Church, were held by Rev. 
Maxson Babcock, at his dwelling, in the 
fall of 1861 . An organization was effected 
the following fall by this minister, assisted 
by Elder C. A. Burdick, with the follow- 
ing membership : Rev. M. Babcock and 
wife, B. C. Babcock, Phcebe A. Babcock, 
Alfred Knight and wife and Lydia Knight. 
The first officers were J. W. Knight, Dea- 
con ; D. C. Babcock, Treasurer. Rev. 
Maxson Babcock was the first pastor, and 
continued in charge fifteen years, when in 
1879 he was followed by Rev. J. T. Davis, 
who remained until 1881, when Rev. Bab- 
cock again took charge and remained until 
relieved by H. B. Lewis, who has charge 
at the present time. 

After organization, meetings were held 
at the house of Rev. Babcock until the 
membership was much increased ; then 
meetings were held at -different school 
houses until 1880, when a building was 
erected at Garwin, at a cost of ^1,000. 
Services are now regularly held weekly 
and there is a membership of seventy. In 
connection with this church a Sabbath 
school was organized in 1872, which has 
been continued to the present time with 
A. M. Brinkei-hoff as Superintendent. 



r 



J5=^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



641 



The pioneer worker in the church was 
Rev. Maxson Babeock, who came to Tama 
county and settled in Carlton township in 
188], where he still resides. He was born 
in Clark county, Ohio, May 5, 1817, where 
he grew to manhood receiving a liberal 
education. He also spent a number of 
years in Shelby county, Ohio. When he 
was but fifteen years of age he experienced 
religion and joined the Seventh Day Baptist 
Church. He was married on the 1st of 
September, 1835, to Miss Phiothata Davis, 
of West Virginia. They have had six 
children, two of whom are living. Mr. 
Babeock is a Republican in politics and 
has held various local offices. 

An organization of the Free Will Bap- 
tist Church was effected in 1856 by Rev. 
Andrew Donaldson, with the following 
membership: Rev. A. Donaldson and 
wife; Sampson Strong, wife and daughter. 
Soon after the membership increased to 
twenty. Meetings were generally held at 
private residences. The organization was 
discontinued in 1860. 

Rev. Andrew Donaldson, who was the 
main worker in this church, is a native of 
Youngstown, Trumbull county, Ohio, born 
.March 24, 1807, removing with his parents, 
when he was three years old, to Cuyahoga 
county, which was one vast wilderness. 
Here Andrew spent his boyhood days 
attending the pioneer schools, which con- 
sisted of log cabins with slab benches. In 
those days the best recommendation for a 
teacher was his muscular powers, conse- 
quently Andrew's early instruction was very 
limited, but after years of reading and 
study he acijuired a good practical educa- 
tion. In 1828, he experienced relision 
and united with the Consrregational 



Church, remaining a member of that organ- 
ization un til 18.37, when he united with 
the Free Will Baptist Church and served 
as a minister of that denomination for 
twenty-three years. In 1860, owing to 
age and infirmities, he retired from active 
life. Mr. Donaldson has been earnest in 
his religious work and thinks it wrong for 
a pastor to receive compensation, refer- 
ring with pride to the fact that he has 
never accepted one cent for his services. 
In politics he was originally a Democrat, 
but when the slavery question began to 
enter into politics he advocated freedom 
for all and worked with the Anti-Slavery 
party, casting his first vote as a Free- 
Soiler in 1844. Since the organization of 
the Republican party he has been one of 
its warm supporters and has held several 
local offices. Mr. Donaldson came west 
to Jackson county, Iowa, in 1845, and in 
185.3, came to Tama county, locating on 
section 25, in Carlton township where he 
still resides. He was united in marriage 
with Roxana Norton, in 1829, who was a 
native of Vermont. Eleven children have 
been born to them, ten of whom are now 
living. His wife died in Carlton town- 
ship, March 23, 1869, aged sixty-three 
years, one month and two days. Mr. 
Donaldson's father died in the spring of 
1883, aged seventy-five years, eleven 
months and seventeen days. 

The Christian Church at Spring Creek 
was organized December 27, 1858, by 
Elder Ephraim Phillips, with the follow- 
ing members — George R. Rider, Eliza J. 
Rider, David Bowen, Mary E. Bowen, 
Esther L. Bowen, Joseph Milholland, 
Henrietta Milholland, James H. Bill and 
Cordelia L. Bill. 



^.fT 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



J. H. Bill was the first Deacon. Elder 
Phillips continued in charge until 1860, 
when he was succeeded by Elder Berry and 
lie by Elder A. Clordner, who is still in 
charge. The present membership is forty, 
and services are held at the school-house ht 
Garwin. There is also a Sabbath school 
in connection with this church. 

Kock Creek Presbyterian Church was 
organized in 1854, by Rev. Mason, in Mar- 
shall county, and took its name from a 
creek in that county. In 1868, they built 
a church 30 x 40 feet, at a cost of 81,500, 
located on the southeast corner of the 
southeast quarter of section 17. Services 
were held by this denomination until 
1882, since which time they have been 
held at the U. B. church. 

An organization of the German Luther- 
an Church was effected in 1875, by Rev. 
S. Meyer, with a membership of fourteen, 
as follows : Mr. and Mrs. Schneider and 
iiree children, Frederick Smith and wife, 
Adam Smith and wife. Christian Ilene- 
line and wife, Mr. Mankie and wife, Idor 
Beery and wife and John Kinsley and 
wife. Mr. Mankie was elected Deacon. 
The first meeting was held at the White 
Pigeon school-house. Rev. Meyer re- 
mained in charge until 1878, when he was 
succeeded by Rev. Edward Haimick, who 
yet remains. Meetings are held once in 
two weeks and the membership remains 
about the same as at organization. 

RAILROAD MATTERS. 

A special election was held at the 
Centre school-house on the 18th day of 
July, 1879, for the purpose of voting upon 
the question of levying a five per cent tax 
upon the property of Carlton townsliip, 
in the aid of the Toledo and Northwestern 



Railroad, resulting in favor^of making such 
levy, provided a station was located and a 
depot built within the limits of the town- 
ship, and located five rods south of the 
north line of section '23. 

Afterward the company relinquished 
their claim to this tax— an occurrence so 
unusual that we give the notice made by 
them in full, as follows : 

" To the trustees of Carlton township, 
in the county of Tama, and State of Iowa, 
and the Board of Supervisors of said 
county: You are hereby notified tliat the 
Toledo and Northwestern Railway hereby 
withdraw the notice which it has hereto- 
fore given, that it has complied with th<' 
provisions of an order of the Board of 
Supervisors of said county, made at their 
regular September session, 1879, and it 
also withdraws. The demand made for 
the jiayment of the tax levied upon the 
taxable property of said Carlton townshiji 
as ordered by the Board of Supervisors at 
the regular September session 1879, and 
hereby stipulate and agree that said tax 
shall not be collected, it having been 
elected to construct the railroad without 
such township aid. 

In witness whereof said company has 
caused these presents to be subscribed by 
its President, and its seal to be hereto 
affixed, this seventh day of August, A. D. 
1880. 

[Signed] Toledo and Northwestern 
Railway, by Marvin Hughitt, 

Vice-President. 

Attest, J. B. Redfield, Secretary. 

KARS POSTOFFICE. 

This office was established in the siiring 
of 1877, and Enos Thomas appointed post- 
master. It was kept at his store on sec- 



■^f 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



4 



tion 26. Mail was received twice each 
week from Toledo, Mr. Tliomas having 
the contract. This office was discontinued 
in the spring of 3 880. 

TOWN OP GARWIN. 

This place is located on sections 1 1 
and 14. The land was purchased from 
George Rider, H. E. Babcock and J. 
Gotwitzer by W. F. Johnston and Lean- 
dor Clark, of Toledo, and was surveyed 
and platted by W. H. Holstead, County 
Suiveyor, in the months of January and 
February, 1880. The first lot sold here 
was purchased by L. H. Babcock during 
the first week in February, 1880. The 
first business building was erected by Hess 
Brothers from Badger Hill, Spring Creek 
township. Itwas a frame structure 20x40 
feet, two stories, the upper story being 
used for a residence. These parties put 
in a general stock of merchandise and 
commenced trade in March, which they 
continued some time, when they leased 
the building and removed their stock to 
Gladbrook. 

N. J. Broekmann succeeded the Hess 
Bros., dealers in general merchandise, and 
still occupies the building. He was born 
in (Germany, in 1858. He was educated 
in the common schools. Mr. Brockmann's 
father was a merchant, dealing largely in 
grain and stock. In 1870, N. J. came to 
the United States, coming directly to 
Tama county, and settling on a farm in 
Spring Creek township. In 1874, he en 
tered the employ of Atchison & Son at 
Traer. After remaining with them some 
time he engaged as clerk wilh Potterfield 
I5ros. He remained in the employ of this 
firm until 1880, when he went to Glad- 



brook and opened a general store, contin- 
uing that business for one year until his 
removal to Garwin, where he now has a 
general merchandise store. Mr. Broek- 
mann is a good business man and is alive 
to the best interests of his town. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, of the 
United Workmen, and also of the V. A. 
S. Fraternity. He was married January 
16, 1883, to Miss Bertha E. Gebaner, a 
native of Clinton county, Iowa, born in 
1858. 

The first to commence in mercantile 
business in Carlton township was Enos 
Thomas, born in Pennsylvania, in 1846. 
lie is a son of John and Sarah (Harmon) 
Thomas. The father was born in Penn- 
sylvania, in 1817, the mother in Delaware, 
1 822, and are now living in Chester county, 
Pennsylvania. Enos, after receiving his 
education in the cojiimon schools, set out 
for the west, coming to Tama county in 
the spring of 1869, and remaining until 
in the fall, when he returned to his home 
in Pennsylvania. He prolonged his stay 
there until the following spring, then re- 
turned to Tama county and engaged in 
farming in Carlton township until 1877, 
when he opened up a mercantile business, 
and on the completion of the railroad to 
Garwin, erected a building and removed 
to that place, where he is now engaged in 
business with James M. Mason. Mr. 
Thomas was married, in 1874, to Miss 
Virginia A. Guthrie, a native of Iowa, 
born in Iowa City in 1853. 'J'hree chil- 
dren have been born to them, one only of 
whom is now living — Mary A. Mr. and 
Mrs. Thomas are members of the Society 
of Friends. 



J^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The jiresent dealers in General mer- 
chandise are N. J. Brockmann, H. J. Felter 
and 'I liomas & Mason. 

FIRST HARDWARE STORE. 

Newton Mudgett erected a small build- 
ing on the ground where the office of the 
elevator now stands, and put in a stock of 
hardware. He received his first bill of 
goods February 20, 1880. He continued 
business at this place until fall, when he 
erected the building which he now occupies. 
He deals in all kinds of hardware, pumps, 
agricultural implements &c., and carries 
a stock of about $4,000. The hardware 
line is now represented by Newton Mud- 
gett and Rider Brothers. 

Newton Mudgett is an old settler of 
Carlton township. He was born in Lena- 
wee county, Michigan, in 1839. In 1840, 
the family emigrated to Kendall county, 
Illinois, and remained there xmtil 1858, 
when they came to Tama county, locating 
on a farm in Carlton township, where the 
family still reside. Mr. Mudgett was 
married on the 13th day of October, 1863, 
to Miss Estella Fitzgerald, a native of 
Wyoming county, Pennsylvania. Mr. 
Mudgett followed farming until the spring 
of ]880,whenhe removed to Garwin and en- 
gaged in the hardware and farm implement 
business, which business he still conducts. 
Mr. Mudgett was formerly a Democrat, 
but at present he affiliates with the Green- 
back party. Mr. and Mrs. Mudgett are 
members of the Christian Church. Their 
children are, Gladys R., Truman J., Mabel 
M. .and Flarry N. 

FIRST DRUG STORE. 

George L. Springer, from Toledo, j.ur- 
chased the building he now occupies and 



commenced business May 1, 1880, and has 
generally a stock of about |1,()00. 

SHOEMAKER. 

The first representative of this branch 
of trade was C. A. Adams. He came 
from Toledo and commenced business 
January 6, 1880. 

Sylvester A. Aldrich opened a shop at 
about the .same time and he is still at 
work. He is a native of Morrow county, 
Ohio; was born October, 27, 1852. When 
two years old his parents emigrated to 
Tama county, settling in Toledo, where 
the father engaged at shoemaking and 
was the first to work at that trade in To- 
ledo, and also in Tama City. His father 
was a native of Ohio, his mother of 
Pennsylvania, and at present are residents 
of Perry, Dallas county, Iowa. Sylvester 
was married, August 31, 1880, to Mary E. 
Youngraan, a native of Tama county, 
born May 7, 1857. They have one child — 
Maud May, born in Garwin, September 
24, 1881. Soon after his marriage, Mr. 
Aldrich moved to the new town of Gar- 
win, and was one of the first to engage in 
the shoemaking business. He still is a 
resident of Garwin where he follows his 
trade. 

LUMBER YARDS. 

There were two lumber yards started 
here about the same time — John Curth- 
burtson receiving the first car load of 
lumber. He came from Union (irovo, 
where he had been in this business about 
five months, and removed to this point up- 
on the completion of the railroad to Gar- 
win in January, 1880. C. D. Terry «fc 
Co., from Tama City, opened a yard in 
January, 1880, and remained here till the 
spring of 1881, when they sold out to 



-Vs ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



John Curthburtson, who remained until 
December 25, 1882, when he sold his busi- 
ness- to Butler & Black, who yet con- 
tinue in this trade. Creenk & Thomas 
also handle this line. 

HARNESS SHOP. 

Tlie first to work at this line of business 
here was D. P. Williams from Greene 
county. He commenced during the fall 
of 1881, and continues at the present time. 

WAGONMAKER. 

A. M. BrinkerhofF came from Black 
Hawk county in the spring of 1880, built 
a shop in town and remains in ihe trade. 

ELEVATOR. 

Butler & Hlack, from Montour, erected 
a commodious elevator, having a capacity 
of eight thousand bushels, in June, 1882, 
and commenced dealing in grain, coal, 
seeds and live-stock. Charles Myers is 
manager of the business at the present 
time. 

Charles Myers was born in Sandusky 
county, Ohio, in 1858, and there grew to 
manhood fitting himself for teaching 
school. In 1879, he came to Tama county, 
stopping in Carlton township, and r e- 
maining until 1880, when he traveled 
through Minnesota, returning to Tama 
county the same fall. March 30, 1882, he 
was married to Miss Ida Beery, who was 
born in Ohio, and when nine months old 
came with her parents to Carlton town- 
ship. 

BOARDING HOUSE. 

The first house of this description was 
kept by Enos Thomas in a two story 
frame building, which he erected during 
the spring of 1880. He commenced 
to feed the hungry in February, and con- 
tinued until the fall of 1881, when he 



converted the lower part into a store room. 
It is now occupied by Mr. Thomas and 
Mr. Mason. 

FIRST HOTEL. 

The first hotel was built by Thomas 
Powers, from Crystal township, during 
the summer and fall of 1881, to which he 
gave the name of "Garwin House." It is 
built on the best approved plan, and cost, 
with lots and barn, $3,200. It was 
opened to the public the 25th of Novem- 
ber. Mr. Powers still continues the busi- 
ness. 

Thomas Powers was born in Allegheny 
county, Pennsylvania, March (i, 1832. He 
was educated in the common schools, and 
when of sufiicient age, was apprenticed 
to learn sickle making. After a time he 
engaged as a nail cutter in a nail factory, 
which occupation he followed for twenty 
years. On the outbreak of the rebellion, 
he took arms in defense of the Union, 
enlisting August 1,1861, in the Sixty-third 
Pennsylvania regiment, serving until July, 
1862. He re-enlisted in September, 1864, 
in Company C, 205th Pennsylvania heavy 
artillery, and served until the close of the 
war. He was wounded at the battle of 
Nelson's Farm, June 29, 1862, from the 
effects of which he never fully recovered. 
He now draws a pension from the Gov- 
ernment He was married in Pennsylva- 
nia, April 9, 1857, to Miss Eliza E. Guthrie, 
a native of Pennsylvania, born May 10, 
1838. In 1870, Mr. Powers came to Tama 
county with his family, and purchased a 
farm in Crystal township, where he set- 
tled and followed farming until the sum- 
mer of 1881, when he sold his land and built 
what is now known as the Garwin House, 
at Garwin. He then began in the hotel 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



business, in which he is still engaged. Mr. 
anil Mrs. Powers are the parents of seven 
oliililrcn — Wilford, Anna, Elmer, Ella, 
Eva, Benjamin and William. He and his 
wife are members of the United Brethren 
t'hnrch. In politics Mr. Powers is a Re- 
])ublican, and has several times been hon- 
ored by the suffrages of the people 

Garwin's physician is Dr. J. -11. Graham, 
who is noticed at length in the medical 
chapter. 

A. B. Jones is the Railroad agent. 

The Fruum brothers are the blacksmiths. 

There are two saloons, kept by P. Rei- 
mer and G. Shultz. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The independent school district of Gar- 
win was set off from school districts num- 
bers one and seven, in the spring of 1882, 
and includes the south half of sections 1 1 
and 12 and the north half of sections l-'S and 
14. During the winter and summer of 
1882 atwo-story frame building, 24x36 feet, 
erected at a cost of $1,500 and is located was 
on lot number 14 block 10. There are 
two departments. The first school is now 
being taught by J. S. West, and there is 
an attendance of about sixty. 

rOST-OFFlCE. 

The DeNovo })Ostofiice was established 
December, 18V9, with Lewis II. Bab- 
cock as postmaster, and the office kept at 
his store located on the northeast quarter 
of section 14. The first mail was re- 
ceived January 10, 1880 and twice each 



week afterward by stage from Toledo. 
About this time the village of Garwin was 
platted and on the ir)th day of January, 
1880, the name of the oftice was changed 
to correspond with that of the town. 

For some reason the De Novo postoffice 
does not appear in the postal guide but the 
records show it was first established under 
that name. The first daily mail was re- 
ceived February 1, 1880. It was made a 
money order oftice August 15, 1880, and 
the first order was drawn on the 15th of 
that month by Frank Frahn in favor of 
A. C. Keyes, of Cedar Rapids. The first 
order paid was to F. Peitz, from Henry 
Peitz, of Clinton. Mr. Babcock is still in 
charge as postmaster. 

SOCIETIES. 

The Garwin Collegian of the V. A. S. 
Fraternity was organized August 5, 1882, 
by Deputy Chief Rector, O. H. Henderson, 
with the following charter members: 

L. II. Babcock, Newton Mudgett, A. M. 
Brinkerhoff, G. W. Berry, Dr. J. II. Gra- 
ham, E. J. Lewis, J. M. Mason, H. L. Fel- 
ter, A. B. Jones, John Curthburtson, D. I). 
Boyington and N. J. Brockmann. '1 he 
first and present officers are: E.J. Lewis, 
Scribe; II. L. Felter, Rector; G. W. Berry, 
Vice Rector; A. M. Brinkerhoff, Chaplain; 
L. H. Babcock, Treasurer; A. B. Jones, 
Usher; D. D. Boyington, Guard; Dr. J. H. 
Graham, Medical Examiner. Meetings are 
held on the first Tuesday in each montli 
at the Depot building. The order is in a 
flourishing condition. 







S31 



,^^^w Afa.1,,,,,^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXII 



CARROLL TOWNSHIP. 



Tliis a full congressional township con- 
taining tliirty-six sections of land and 
known as township 84, north of range 14, 
west of the fifth principal meridian. The 
surface of this township is generally hill)', 
and somewhat rough in the southern and 
southeastern portions. The northern part 
lies more nearly level. Nearly all the 
available land is under cultivation. It is 
well watered by a number of streams, the 
largest of which is Salt creek, which enters 
the township on the western side and run- 
ning a southeasternly course, passes 
through sections 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 27, 34 
and 3-5, leaving from section 30. This is 
known as the "South Fork." The "North 
Fork" enters the township on the north- 
west quarter of section 2, runs through 
sections 2, 11, 12 and crosses the line into 
Oneida on section 13. 

Carroll township is surrounded by Perry 
township on the north, Howard county on 
the west. Otter Creek on the south and 
Oneida on the east. It is strictly an agri- 
cultural township, having no railroad or 
town within its limits. The inhabitants 
are industrious and thrifty and nearly all 
well to do, owning as good farms as are 
in the county. I'he land is nearly one- 



third covered with timber. The soil is 
generally a sandy loam on the prairies, 
and on the timber lands it consists of a 
light clay mixed with a vegetable mold. 
These lands are productive, although in 
places too much broken to be desirable 
for agricultural purposes. Quite a num- 
ber of the farmers are engaged to a lim- 
ited extent in stock raising and through 
the township there are many well im- 
proved farms. 

SEt'TLEMENT OF CAEROLL. 

The first settlement in this township 
was made by Levi Haworth and family, 
Nathan Fisher and family, -loseph Pow- 
ell and family and Shepard Ilaworth. Of 
these, Levi Haworth settled on section 
28, in the fall of 13.53. He was born in 
Vermilion county, Ohio, on the 24th day 
of February, 1811. He remained in Ver- 
milion county until 1824, when his par- 
ents moved to Hendricks county, Indiana, 
and afterwards to Hamilton county, same 
State. Levi was married, on the first day 
of December, 1832, to Miss Phd'be Ha- 
worth, a native of North Carolina. In 
18.53 they came to Tama county and set- 
tled on a farm in Carroll township, where, 
with the exception of three years, two of 



*^^ 



40 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



which were spent in Hardin county and 
one in Toledo, he remained engaged in 
farming until his death, which occurred 
on the 5th of August, 1881. His wife 
died February 25, 1878. Their chil- 
dren are : Alpheus, Solomon, James, 
Howard, Mary, William, Louisa, Dillon, 
Sarah, Ellen and Eli. 

James Haworth, third son of Levi and 
PhcL'be (Haworth) Haworth, was born in 
Hamilton county, Indiana, on the 6th day 
of August, 1838, and came to Tama county 
with his parents in 1853. He was reared 
on bin father's farm, and has made Carroll 
township his home, with the exception of 
three years spent in Hardin county and 
Toledo. Mr. Haworth is a Republican. 
He was married, January 17, 1869, to Miss 
Agnes Hamburg, and they have four chil_ 
dren : Ruby M., Charles L., Freddie (i. 
and Ida L. 

Alpheus Haworth is also a sgn of Levi 
and Phcebe (Haworth) Haworth, born on 
the (ith of February, 1845, in Hamilton 
county, Indiana. In 1853, he came to 
Tama county, settling in Carroll town- 
ship. He enlisted, in 1864, in Company 
G, Fourth Iowa Infantry and served until 
honorably discharged at the close of the 
war, in 1865. He then returned to his 
home and has since been engaged in farm- 
ing on section 19, Carroll township. He 
was married on the 4th day of April, 1856, 
to Miss Elizabeth Margaret Fee, daughter 
of Elias and Mary (Carter) Fee. This 
was the first marriage ceremony performed 
in Carroll township. Three children bless 
this union : Perry, Miranda and Francis. 

Nathan Fisher also came to Carroll 
township in the fall of 1853. He settled 
o;i section 28, building his house on the 



southwest quarter of the northeast quar- 
ter of that section. He is now living in 
Toledo. 

Joseph Powell settled on the southwest 
quarter of section 27, where he remained 
until 1882, when he moved into Toledo. 

Shepard Haworth settled on section 20, 
remaining until 1800, when he returned to 
Indiana. Elias Fee and family, William 
Riley and family, Adam and Asa Wise, 
came in June, 1854. Of these Elias Fee 
is dead. He was born in Clermont county, 
Ohio, August 9, 1804. His early life was 
spent in that county where he learned the 
blacksmith trade. December 15, 1829, he 
was married to Miss Mary Carter, who 
was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, 
August 27, 1809. In the winter of 1829, 
they removed to Indiana, settling in 
Marion county, about nine miles from 
Indianapolis, where he was engaged in 
blacksmitliing. In June, 1854, they came 
to Tama county and settled on section 20, 
Carroll township, Mr. Fee at this time 
entering and buying 1,200 acres of land. 
Both he and his wife were members of the 
M. E. Church, of which he was a local 
preacher devoting a great deal of his time 
to church affairs. Mr. Fee died December 
11, 1879; his wife still survives him. Tliey 
were blessed with ten children, eight of 
whom are living. Sarah, now the wife of 
Adam Wise, of Carroll township; Eliza, 
wife of Wm. Riley, of Toledo; Elizabeth, 
wife of Alpheus Haworth; James Henry, 
resident of Fullerton, Nebraska; William 
A., now living in Toledo, where he is en- 
gaged in the dry goods business; Amanda 
J., wife of VVm. Strain, of Carroll town- 
ship; Nancy, wife of Joseph McRoberts, 
of Forestburg, Dakota, and George M., 



^J«- 



-^^ efV 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



living on the old homestead. William 
Perry died in Indiana, January 14, 1841. 
Francis, enlisted September 13, 1861, in 
Company D , 10th Iowa, and was killed at 
at the battle of Champion Hills, Missis- 
sippi, May 16, 1863. 

George M. Fee, youngest son of Elias 
and Mary (Carter) Fee, was born in Marion 
county, Indiana, on the 1st day of May, 
1848, and came to Tama county with his 
parents in 1854. He has since made Car- 
roll township his home. In politics he is 
a staunch Republican having always taken 
an active interest in political affairs. He 
was elected Justice of the Peace when but 
twenty-one years of age and has held that 
office for ten years. He was married May 
25, 1876, to Miss Eliza M. Dexter, a native of 
Columbia county, Wisconsin. Three chil- 
dren have been born unto them, Ira B., 
Knight E. and an infant. 

Adam and Asa Wise are still living in 
the township and are prominent citizens. 
Adam Wise, was a son of Michael and 
Susan (Bowers) Wise, born in 1823, in Ham- 
ilton county, Indiana. He grew to manhood 
on his father's farm and on the 3rd of 
October, 1850, was married to Miss Sarah 
Fee. Eight children have been born to 
them, four of whom are now living, Mary, 
now the wife of James Taylor, Susan A., 
Martha C. and Wilbur O. In 1854, they 
came to Tama county and entered 240 
acres of land on section 27, of Carroll 
township, where he has since made his 
home. In politics, Mr. Wise is a Repub- 
lican and has always taken an active ]iart 
in township affairs. 

Andrew Wise came later, bringing his 
mother. They made their home with 



Adam Wise until 1856 when Andrew 
located on section 35. In 1879 he remov- 
ed to Kansas where he still lives. 

William Riley, who is mentioned as 
coming in 1854, now lives in Toledo. 

Nathan Harmon came to Carroll town- 
ship in November, 1855, and made a selec- 
tion of land on section 10, where he still 
lives. 

Lucius Kibbee also came in 1855 and 
settled on the same section. In 1870, he 
removed to Kansas, where he has since 
died. 

William Randolph came also in 1855, 
and settled on section 2. He afterward 
removed to Richland township where he 
has since died. 

After this date, the settlers arrived in 
such rapid succession that it is impossible 
to trace them. Among those who have 
arrived since that time and are now 
prominent^citizens and farmers of Carroll 
township, are John Hild, V. B. Pennell, 
William McClain, J. L. Surface, George 
Vogt, James O'Neill and Jacob Arter. 

John Hild was born in Carroll county, 
Illinois, in September, 1842, and is a son 
of Conrad and Regina (Plough) Hild, 
both natives of Germany. His early life 
was spent assisting his father on the farm. 
August 29, 1864, he enlisted in Company 
A., 146th Illinois Infantry, and was honor- 
ably discharged July 8, 1865, at Spring- 
field, Illinois. He then returned to his 
native county, and in 1868, came to Tama 
county, where he settled on section 5, Car- 
roll township. Mr. Hild is a staunch 
Republican and has always taken an active 
part in local politics. He is, at present. 
Treasurer of the school board and Justice 
of the Peace. He was married in 1872, 



;fv-- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



lo Miss Jane McBride, a native of Penn- 
sylvania. Five children have been born 
unto them — ^John M., Olive A., Robert 
II., Mattie P., and BeyrI M. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ilild are both members of the Pres- 
byterian Church. 

V. B. Pennell was born in Trumbull 
county, Ohio, July 7, 18:^8, his parents 
being William and Martha ( Moore) Pen- 
nell. In 1845, the family came to Jackson 
county, Iowa, and in 1850, settled in Black 
Hawk county, where V. B., grew to man- 
hood. In 1866, he came to Tama county, 
settling in Carroll township, on section 31, 
where he now owns a fine farm of 180 
acres. He was married in 1862 to Miss 
Elizabeth Gasten, a native of Pennsylva- 
nia. They have eight children — William, 
Walter, Irving, Ira, David, Ida, James 
.111(1 Harry. 

William McClain was born in Fayette 
county, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1822. 
His native county remained his home 
until 1864, when he came west to Bureau 
county, Illinois, where he spent three years 
and in 1807, came to Tama county, locat- 
ing for a time in Perry township. In 
1874, he settled on section 3, Carroll town 
ship, where he now resides. March 11, 
1847, lie was married to Miss Mary Kelso, 
a native of Pennsylvania. They have 
twelve children living — Susanna, Wil- 
liam, Thomas, Rebecca, James, John, 
Walter, Joseph, Lewis, Stephen, Herman, 
(Teorge and three deceased — DeliIah,Mary 
and Elva. Susanna, Thomas and Rebecca 
are married. Susanna is living in Bureau 
county, Illinois ; Thomas in O'Brien, and 
Rebecca in Ida county, this State. Wil- 
liam is a graduate of the Medical Depart- 
ment of Northwestern University, and 



resides in Beaman, Grundy county, where 
he has practiced medicine for five years. 
James is also studying medicine at the 
above named college. 

J. L. Surface was born in Warren county, 
Ohio, on the 9th day of January, 1816. Ilis 
parents were Henry and Catherine (Long) 
Surface, both natives of Virginia. When 
J. L. was four years old his parents re- 
moved to Preble county, Ohio, where he 
grew to manhood on his father's farm. He 
was married there in 1841 to Miss Amelia 
Tosh, a native of Preble county. In 1850, 
they came west as far as Randolph county, 
Indiana, remained eight years and then 
came to Tama county. After spending the 
first winter in Toledo, they then settled in 
Carroll township, and, in 1868, on their 
present farm on section 18. Seven children 
have been born to them — Hannah, wife of 
Jonathan Wheeler, of Indiana ; Elvira, 
wife of A. J. Gaines, a resident of Dakota ; 
Emily C, wife of E. N. Wing, now living 
in Toledo ; William Franklin, John A., 
George L. and Flora O., wife of T. J. Wise. 

George Vogt was born in Germany, De- 
cember 10, 1835, and came to America 
in 1856, locating in Scott county, Iowa, 
where he resided seven years. In 1863, 
he crossed the plains to California and 
was there engaged in mining until 1807, 
at which time he returned to Tama county 
and purchased a farm in Carroll township, 
on section 12. He was married in 1868 to 
Miss Annie Matthesen, a native of Ger- 
many. Four children bless this union — 
Katie, Henry, Annie and Mary. 

James O'Neill is a son of William and 
Abigail (Sherman) O'Neill. He is a native 
of Canada EiVst, born the 27th of July, 
1833. He attained his majority in his 



-^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



653 



native town, and soon after came west to 
Delvalb county, Illinois. In February, 
1865, he came to Tama county, locating in 
Howard township, where he was engaged 
in farming until 1875, at which time he 
removed to Carroll township. He now 
owns a fine farm of 120 acres on section 5. 
Mr. O'Neill has held the office of Township 
Trustee for two terms and is the present 
Assessor of the township. He was mar- 
ried December "25, 1860, to Miss Sarah 
Smith, who bore him three sons : William, 
Asa, and Sydney. Mrs. O'Neill died in 
July, 1873. Mr. O'Neill was again mar- 
ried, September 25, 187-i, to Miss Katie 
Carr, a native of Illinois, by whom he has 
had one child — Devina Estella. 

.Jacob Arter is a native of Ohio, born in 
Richland county on the 3d of May, 1849. 
His parents were Michael and Susanna 
(Erb) Arter. Mr. Arter remained in his 
native county until 1870, when he came to 
Iowa, locating on section 2, of Carroll 
township, where he now owns a finely 
improved farm of four hundred and five 
.acres. Mr. Arter was married to Miss 
Anna Maria Sparks, a native of Ohio, in 
1872. They have three children living: 
Willie O., Orlie E. and Susanna. Mr. 
Arter has met with good success since 
. coming here and is now one of the leading 
farmers of this part of Tama county. 

OEGANIC. 

The first records of this township have 
lieen destroyed and the officers elected 
j)rior to 1876 are not known. Since that 
time they are as follows for the years men- 
tioned : 1876 — Clerk, John Roberts ; As- 
sessor, John Ilild ; Trustees, G. B. Law- 
son, James O'Neill and F. A. Belt ; Jus- 
tice's, J. D. McNeil and G. W. Fee ; 



Constables, S. A. Smith and C. A. White- 
ley ; 1877 — Assessor, S. A. Smith ; Clerk, 
A. M. Smith ; Trustees, Robert Foster, 
Alfred Loder and John Hild ; 1878— 
Assessor, S. A. Smith ; Clerk, G. B. Law- 
son ; Trustees, James O'Neill, A. C. Coch- 
ran and G. M. Fee ; 1879— Assessor, S. A. 
Smith ; Clerk, John Roberts ; Trustee, 
John Hild ; 1880— Assessor, S. A. Smith ; 
Clerk, John Roberts ; Trustee A. C. 
Cochran ; Constables, W. W. Strain and 
James McClain ; 1881 — Justice, T. J. 
Hartley; Trustee. G. M. Fee; Constable 
to fill vacancy, John Hanus ; 1882 — Jus- 
tices, John Hild and Lee Graham ; Clerk, 
John Roberts ; Constables, G. Budgett 
and J.M. Taylor ; Assessor, James O'Neill; 
Trustee, John Nachazel. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first service of this character was 
conducted by Rev. D. Petefish, a Method 
ist divine, at the residence of Nathan 
Fisher, soon after the first settlement in 
1853. The only church organization 
within the limits of the township is a 
Methodist Episcopal. A class was organ- 
ized soon after the first settlement, and 
services were held at private residences 
and school houses until March 1881, when 
the society purchased a building which 
had been used for school purposes on the 
southwest corner of section 20. 'I'his 
building they remodeled and in June 1882, 
it was dedicated as a church by Rev. II. 
O. Pratt, who is now engaged in the min- 
istry at Cedar Rapids, and who at one 
time was Representative in Congress from 
the fourth district. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Miss Martha Ann Fisher taught the first 
scliool in this township in a house owned 



4 4^. 



-« »>?•. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



by the widow Bailey, on section 28, in 
tlie fall of 1855. The first school house 
was a log building erected originally by 
Nathan Fisher for a dwelling, and sold by 
him to the district for school purposes. 
There are now nine districts consisting of 
four sections each, the school houses all 
standing in the centre of their respective 
districts, excepting the one in district 
number nine, which stands about twenty 
rods from the north of the center. The 
houses are all frame and valued at %3,- 
025. There were 314 children of school 
age in 1882, and there were registered 
259 scholars with an average daily at- 
tendance of 122. 

FIRST THINGS. 

Tlie first birth in the township was 
James Andrew, a son of Adam and Sarah 
Ellen Wise, born November 3, 1854. He 
died September 26, 1864. The next birth 
in the township was Eli, a son to Levi and 
Phfpbe Haworth, born April 25. 1855. He 
is now living in Sac county Iowa, and was 
married July 2, 1870, to Miss Matilda 
Strain. 



The first marriage was Alpheus Ha- 
worth to Miss Elizabeth Margaret Fee, 
April 4, 1856, at the residence of Elias Fee. 
The ceremony was perfermed by Rev. 
Brown. They are still living in the town- 
ship. 

The first death was that of Samuel Bai- 
ley, which occurred in the fall of 1855. 
He was buried on section 33, on land 
owned at this time by J. Yarham. 

CEMETERIES. 

A cemeterj' is located on the northwest 
corner of section 29. The first interment 
was the wife of Levi Haworth. She de- 
parted this life February 25, 1878. An- 
other cemetery is located on the southeast 
corner of the southwest quarter of section 
27. The first burial here was Alice II., 
a daughter of Adam Wise and wife; she 
died September 5, 1864. 

The second burial was James A., a son 
of the same couj)le. He died September 
26, 1864. There is also a private burying 
ground of the B.ates family which is loca- 
ted on the southwest quarter of section 18. 




.t^ 



J'- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXI 11- 



CLARK TOWNSHIP. 



This is a full congressional township, 
L'm1)racing township 85, range 13. It is 
situated in the eastern tier of Tama 
county townships, and is bounded by 
Geneseo on the north, Perry on the west, 
Oneida on the south, and Benton county 
on the east. There are three small 
streams having source in this township ; 
two of them, flowing toward the south, 
are branches of Salt creek, and make 
confluence in Oneida township ; the other. 
Rock creek, flows toward the east, and 
leaves the township on section 1. 

There is one railroad passing through 
the township in the center from east to 
west— the B., C. R. & N. R. R. 

The surface of this territory lies gently 
undulating, or nearly level. The soil is 
mostly a dark sandy loam, and there is 
very little of any natural timber within its 
boundaries. The inhabitants are chiefly 
engaged in agriculture, and mostly Ameri- 
cans, with a considerable settlement of 
Germans. The town of Dysart is located 
in this township and receives due atten- 
tion elsewhere. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in what is now 
Clark township was made by Charles 
Unger and family, July 13, 1855, upon the 



southwest quarter of the northeast quarter 
of fection 1. Here Mr. Unger erected a 
little log cabin, which was the first in the 
township. He still resides in the town- 
ship. 

G. W. Bradley, a native of Massachu- 
setts, came during the year of 1855, and 
entered the northeast quarter of sections. 
He was a single man, and "Iroarded round" 
until 1862, when he was married and 
moved into the house which he had erected 
upon his farm. He remained here ujitil 
1864, when he sold and removed to Black 
Hawk county. He is now dead. 

Asahel Parmenter and family came to 
Clark township in 18'55, and located on the 
southwest quarter of section 1, where he 
died in 1860. 

Joseph Dysart came in 1855, and entered 
! the whole of section 24. He commenced 
to improve in 1858, but did not make 
actual settlement until 1863. 

On the 26th of May, 1856, David Tor- 
rence and family settled upon land on 
section 0, where they erected a house. In 
May, 1855, Mr. Torrence came from Jones 
county and entered the land. In Septem- 
ber, of the same year, he hauled some 
lumber to his future home, and put up 



'^ 



.^'. 



±1^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



hay which was spoiled by rain. In May, 
1856, he made actual settlement. He now 
lives in Traer. 

During the summer of 1856, Joseph 
Moss and family arrived, coming from 
Benton county, settling on section 18. 
They were natives of Ohio, and Mr. and 
Mrs. Moss were usually called "father" 
and "mother." They moved from here to 
Perry township, and later to Vinton, where 
they both died. 

Newton Miller settled in Clark town- 
ship in 1855. In the chapter uj)on "Early 
Days" will be found a reminisence written 
by Mr. Miller, giving the details of his 
early settlement, and the death of his wife 
by a prairie fire. 

P. P. Wentch was a settler of 1857, 
making his selection on section 6, where 
he still lives. He was born in Wurtem- 
burg, Germany, June 29, 1822. He came 
to America in 1851 and worked on a farm 
in Connecticut for eighteen months; then 
came west to Huron county, Ohio, where 
he remained until 1854, at which time he 
came to Tama county and located in 
Buckingham township. Three years later 
he settled in Clark township, where he has 
since resided. Mr. Wentch is one of the 
large land owners of this part of the county, 
his farm consisting of 460 acres in a high 
state of cultivation. He has always taken 
an active part in politics, having held sev- 
eral of the township offices. In 1852, he 
was joined in matrimony with Miss C. B. 
Keitter, a native of Germany. They have 
nine children ; Catharine, IMary, George 
F., John IL, Louise, Julia Ann, May Bell, 
Joseph P. and Wallace W. 



Andrew Boylan came in 1859, and made 
settlement on section 4, where he remained 
until 1865, when he moved to Bucking- 
ham township. He now lives in Traer. 

T. S. Talmage also came in 1859, and 
located on sectiop 11, where he still lives. 
He is a native of Greene county, New 
York, born January 27, 1834. He is a 
son of Henry and Jane A. (Reed) Tal- 
mage. His father was a physician and 
was born in Vermont. His mother was a 
native of >Jew York State. The subject 
of this sketch was reared on a farm in his 
native county and there received a part of 
his education at Greenville Academy. 
Upon removing to the State of Wisconsin, 
in 1856, he attended Beloit College. After 
completing his education he traveled for 
two seasons through Illinois as agent for 
J. H. Manning & Company, the cele- 
brated reaper manufacturers. The win- 
ters of said years were spent in teaching. 
In April of 1859, he came to Tama county 
and immediately settled on his present 
place — section 11, in Clark township — 
which land he had previously purchased. 
The whole journey from southern Illinois 
to this county was made by Mr. Talmage 
on horseback. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican and was the first County Supervisor 
from this township, which office he held 
three years. He has held nearly all of the 
township offices and was Clerk of the same 
for the long period of twelve years. He 
is a member of, and was one of the organ- 
izers of the Presbyterian Church at Dy- 
sart. He is a member of the Iowa Legion 
of Honor. Mr. Talmage was united in 
marriage, in 1861, with Miss Eliza A. 
Howe, a native of Girard, Erie county, 
Pennsylvania. Four children have blessed 



,1- 



-,^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



this union: Jennie R., Hattie B., Charles 
H. and Harry H., who died January 12, 
1881, at the age of six years, seven months 
and nine days. 

Stephen R. Hunt came in 1860, and set- 
tled on the northwest quarter of section 
14. He remained here until 1880, when 
he moved to Kansas, where he still lives. 

The settlement of Clark township 
was slow, the cause being the lack 
of timber. Among those who have 
come in since the date last mentioned, 
and have been, or are now, prominent 
citizens of Clark township, may be men- 
tioned; .James Enderton,Hugh Calderwood, 
John T. Converse, Christian Knoop, B. F. 
Thomas, Samuel Everett, Mathias Stoakes, 
J. N. Stoakes, Robert Powell, J. T. Find- 
ley, R. B. Beach, M. D. Bonney, Robert 
S. Smith, William H. Stoakes, J. D. E- 
Reed, J. F. Redmond, William Stewart, 
John Campbell, and John Jensen. 

James Enderton was born March 4, 1833, 
at Medina Centre, Medina county, Ohio. 
In the fall of 1 830, his parents moved to 
Sterling, Illinois, and James E. remained 
with his parents till of age. He married 
Miss Lucinda Root, a native of Farming- 
ton, Trumbull county, Ohio, November 
17, 18.56. Two daughters, Jannie and 
Sylvia, bless their union. He came to 
Tama county in the spring of 1866, and 
settled on the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 11, in Clark township. He owns a 
fine farm of 80 acres. Mr. Enderton is 
a Republican, and has held the office of 
School Director, Road Supervisor, Town- 
ship Trustee and Assessor. 

Hugh Calderwood was born in Fulton 
county, New York, Angust 13, 1834. He 
is a son of John and Jane Becket Calder- 



wood, both natives of Scotland. Hugh 
remained at home until 1859, at which 
time he came west to Iowa, and settled in 
Elk River township, Clinton county, re- 
maining there tmtil 1867, when he settled 
in Tama county, on section 18, Clark 
township, where be has a fine farm of 380 
acres. In politics, Mr. Calderwood is a 
Republican, and has held the offices of 
Jutice of the Peace four years, and has been 
Assessor twice. He was married to Miss 
Mary Stewart, a native of Scotland, in 
1 865. Six children bless this union — John 
B., Floretta J., Annie May, Ruby Eliza- 
beth, William Stewart and Arthur James. 

Christian Knoop wag born in Bredstadt, 
Germany, April 24, 1838, and came to 
America in 1865. The first three years 
after coming to the United States were 
spent in Scott county, Iowa,and in 1868 he 
came to Tama county, locating on section 
31, Clark township, where he now owns 
320 acres of land under good improve- 
ment. He has held the office of Road 
Supervisor for two years. In 1868, he was 
married to Miss Lena Gosau, a native of 
Germany. They have one adopted son, 
George. 

B. F. Thomas, an enterprising farmer in 
Clark township, was born in Preble county, 
Ohio, March 6, 1837. He is a son of L. H. 
Thomas, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
Lydia (Phillips) Thomas, a native of Ten- 
nessee. His early life was spent in his 
native county where he learned the potter's 
trade. In 1856, the family came to Tama 
county and settled in Buckingham town- 
ship, where his parents still reside. In 
1861, he enlisted in Company G., 14th 
Iowa Infantry as a private, but was after- 
ward promoted to a non-commissioned 



* 



658 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ofticership. During his service he partici- 
pated in the batth's of Donelson, Shiloh, 
Lake Chicot, Tupello and Town Creek. He 
was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, 
April 6, 1862, and remained a prisoner of 
war two months. He was honorably dis- 
charged in November, 1864. He then 
returned to his home and was engaged in 
working at his trade. In December, 1864, 
he was married to Miss Sarah E. Stoakes, 
daughter of John Stoakes, of Perry town- 
ship. In 1869, they settled on section 5, 
Clark township where he now owns a farm 
of 240 acres. Mr. Thomas is a Republican 
in politics, has held the office of Justice of 
the Peace, and is at present one of the 
township Trustees and Treasurer of the 
township schools. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas 
are the parents of seven children, six of 
whom are now living, John L., Arthur H., 
Lewis N., Curtis H., B. Frankie and Wil- 
lie H. 

Samuel Everett was born in Somerset 
county, Maine, on the 7th day of January, 
1832. He is a son of S. F. and Calista 
(Turner) Everett. His early life was 
spent in his native county, receiving but a 
limited education. In 1850, he came west 
to Dodge county, Wisconsin, with his 
parents. In 1851, he engaged as a sailor 
on the lakes and during that year helped 
to unload the first railroad engine ever 
brought into Wisconsin. In the fall of 
that year he returned to his home in Dodge 
county, where he remained until 1864, 
then came to Iowa, spending the first year 
in Allamakee county, then came to Tama 
county and located in Perry township, near 
West Union, buying a farm of 104 acres. 
Mr. Everett was at one time postmaster of 
the Wolf Creek postoffice. In 1869, he 



settled on section 19, Clark township, 
where he has since resided. He was mar- 
ried in December, 1866, to Miss Caroline 
L. Vanglike, a native of Madison county, 
New York. Three children bless this 
union; Carrie, Lizzie A. and Hattie M. 

Mathias Stoakes, son of William M. and 
Caroline (Householder) Stoakes, was born 
in Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 18th day 
of January, 1848. He came with his 
parents to Iowa in 1851, and to Tama 
county in 1855. He was reared 
on his father's farm in Perry township, 
and received a good common school edu- 
cation. In 1869, he settled on section 1, 
in Clark township, and in 1874 settled on 
section 8, and now owns one of the finest 
farms in that township. Mr. Stoakes has 
always taken an active part in matters of 
local interest, especially in school affairs. 
He was married in 1874 to Miss Jane 
Stewart, a native of Washington county, 
Wisconsin. They have four children: Ella 
Jane, Charles Stewart, William Mathias 
and Edith Elizabeth. 

J. N. Stoakes, brother of Mathias, was 
born in Jefferson county, Ohio, August 7, 
1849. In 1851, his parents emigrated to 
Iowa, locating in Van Buren county, 
where they remained until in February, 
1855, and then settled in Perry township, 
Tama county. The subject of this sketch 
grew to manhood on his father's farm, 
receiving a good common school educa- 
tion. In 1870, he settled on section 7, 
Clark township, where he now owns a fine 
farm of 160 acres. Mr. Stoakes is a 
Republican and has held several town- 
ship offices. At present he is Assessor 
and Secretary of the School Board. In 
1871, he was married to Miss Mary Jane 



*f 



;fv* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



659 



Brown, Five children have been born 
unto them — Thomas F., Maggie, Ernest 
R., Carrie C, ard Grace. 

Robert Powell is a native of Wales, 
horn September 5, 1844, his parents being 
Edward and Elizabeth ( Davis ) Powell, 
both natives of VVales. He came to 
America with his parents in 1855 and 
settled in Wisconsin. August 14, 1862, 
he enlisted in Company C, 29th Wiscon- 
sin Infantry and served until honorably 
discharged at Madison, Wisconsin. While 
in the service, he was a participant in the 
following engagements : Port Gibson, 
Champion Hills, lilack River, seige of 
Vicksburg, seige of .Jackson, Sabine 
Cross Roads, Pleasant Hill, Spanish Fort, 
and Fort Blakely. After his discharge, 
he returned to Dodge county, Wiscon- 
sin, and in 1870 came to Tama county, 
locating on section 19, Clark town- 
ship, where he now owns a farm of 
1 00 acres. Mr. Powell has held several of 
the township offices. He was married in 
1S67 to Miss Sophia Furrow, a native of 
Wisconsin. Their children are — Edward, 
Emma, John, Estella, Martha and James 
Gartiehl. 

J. T. Findley, a son of William and 
Rebecca (Taylor) Findley, was born in 
Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on the 
7th of May, 1836. He attained his majori- 
ty in his native county, and in 1857, came 
west to Minnesota, where he remained 
two years, locating in 1839 in Warren 
county, Illinois. July 7, 1862, he enlisted 
in Company A, 83d Illinois Infantry, and 
afterwards participated in the second battle 
of Fort Donelson, Nashville and Colum- 
bia, being, honorably discharged from 
service at Chicago, Illinois, July 5, 1865. 



He then returned to his home in Warren 
county and remained there until 1867, 
when he came to Tama county and first 
located in Geneseo township. In 1870, he 
moved into Clark township and settled on 
section 20, where he now owns a fine farm 
of 240 acres. Mr. Findley was married 
in 1859 to Miss Margaret E. Williams, a 
native of Pennsylvania. Six children 
have been born to them — Alpheus L., 
Thomas, Fatima, Abbie, Emery and Ottie. 

R. B. Beach is a native of Iowa, born 
at Lyons, in Clinton county, May 22, 1858 
His father, the Rev. H. W. Beach, was a 
Methodist minister. R. B. Beach's educa- 
tional advantages were the common schools 
in his native county, in connection with 
those of Tama. In 1865, his parents re- 
moved to Geneseo township of this county, 
where they remained until 1874, when 
they came to Dysart. Here his father en- 
gaged in the lumber trade until his health 
failed, in 1877, and in the following year 
his death occurred. The subject of this 
sketch has continued to reside here since 
coming with his parents in 1874, and at 
present is engaged in farming. During 
1882, he was joined in wedlock with Miss 
Iloxie J. Freeman, who was a native of 
Benton county, Iowa. 

M. 1). Bonney is a native of Ohio, born 
in Portage county, January 18, 1827. He 
is a son of Hezekiah and Marietta (Dewey) 
Bonney. He was reared on his father's 
farm, receiving a good common school edu- 
cation. In 1851heremovedtoI.oraincoun- 
ty, Ohio, when he was married January 18, 
1853, to Miss ArvillaR. Holcomb, a native 
of that county, and daughter of Truman 
and Phrebe (Pike) Holcomb. Two chil- 
dren were born to them in that county, 



^=^f 



0(50 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



one of whom is now living : Everard M. 
In 1857, they settled in Branch county, 
Michigan, and, while there, George II., 
Ardelle A. and Marietta V. were born to 
them. In ISTO they settled in Tama 
county, on section 11, Clark township. lu 
poliiics Mr. Bonney is a staun -h Republi- 
can and has held several local offices. 
They are members of the Methodist 
church of Dysart. 

Robert S. Smith, one of the enterprising 
farmers of Clark township, is a native of 
Scotland, born on the 10th day of May, 
1S42. His parents Robert and Jennie 
(Stevenson) Smith, came to America in 
1849, and located in Green Lake county, 
Wisconsin. In IS&2 they moved into Iowa, 
settling in Hardin county where they now 
reside. In 1859, Robert visited Colorado 
and remained one year. Again in 1870 he 
visited the golden west, returning after a 
sojourn of two years to Hardin county. In 
1875 he settled in Clark township, on section 
27, where he now owns one of the finest 
farms in the township, consisting of 400 
acres of well improved land. Mr. Smith 
is Independent in politics, and is one of 
the present Township Trustees. He is a 
member of the Masouic Fraternity, and 
lias reached the 32d degree. In 1870 he 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Lillie 
Filkins, a native of New York State. 

William H. Stoakes settled in this 
county with his parents in 1855. He was 
born in Van Buren county, Iowa, May 21, 
185:!. He is a son of William and Caro- 
line (Householder) Stoakes, and a brother 
of Mathias and J. N. In 1855, his parents 
came to Tama county and settled in 
Perry township, where they still reside, 
and where the subject of this .sketch grew 



to manhood. In 1876, he settled on section 
7, Clark township, where he still lives. 
He was married in 1876 to Miss Alice 
Jameyson, daughter of Charles Jameyson 
of Genesoe township. Three children 
bless this union — -Irene, Charles R. and 
Howard. 

J. D. E. Reed was born in Vigo county, 
Indiana, December 4, 1840; remained 
there until 1805, when he came west to 
Cedar county, Iowa, and in 1869 to 
Tama county, where he settled on section 
6, in Oneida township. In 1876 he 
became a resident of Clark township, 
where he now owns a farm of 240 acres, 
eighty acres on section 33 and 160 acres 
on section 28. He was married in 1859 to 
Miss Letitia Watts, a native of Kentucky. 
They have four children — George W., 
Ellen M., Charlie and John D. E. 

John F. Redmond was born in Wicklaw 
county, Ireland, November 29, 1834. He 
came to America in 1857 and first located 
in Ulster county, New York, but soon 
after came to Ogle county, 111., and re- 
sided there until 1865, when he came west 
to Benton county, Iowa, where he settled 
on a farm two miles west of Dysart. In 
1878, he came to Clark township where 
he now owns "a fine farm of 160 acres ad- 
joining the village of Dysart. In 1870 he 
was married to Miss Catherine SkifiFing- 
ton, a native of Ireland. Their children 
are John P and Joanna E. 

William Stewart is a native of Wash- 
ington county, Wisconsin, born to William 
and Jane (Pringle) Stewart, on the 14th 
of August, 1858. He was reared on his 
father's farm, receiving a common school 
education, until 1876, when, he attended 
and graduated at the Oshkosh Business 



^r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



College. In October, ISld, he came to 
Tama county and settled on section 8, 
Clark township, where he now owns a fine 
farm of 240 acres. Mr. Stewart is a Re- 
liiiblican in politics. 

John Campbell is a native of Chemung 
county, New York, born to Judson and 
Abigail (Young) Campbell, on the 15th of 
August, 1 838. He resided in his native 
county for thirty years, then came to Tama 
county, settling first on section 35, Perry 
township, where he spent five years, at the 
end of which time he located in Carroll 
township, remaining until 1881, and then 
moved into Clark township where he now 
owns 160 acres on section 30. Mr. Camp- 
bell was married in 1860, to Miss Mary A. 
Butts, a native of New York State. Their 
children are Elsie, Judson, William, Flor- 
ence, Carrie and Charles. September 6, 
1861, Mr. Campbell enlisted in the 50th 
New York Volunteers Infantry, and after 
serving fourteen months, was discharged 
on account of physical disability. 

.lohn Jensen was born in Germany, Oc- 
tober 1", 1847, and came to America in 
1864, locating first in Scott county, Iowa, 
where he was engaged in farming for five 
years. In 1870, he came to Tama county 
and located on section 2, Oneida township, 
where he remained until the spring of 
18S2, when he moved to his present farm 
of 320 acres on section 29, Clark 
township. He was married, in 1877, 
to Maria Thiesen, a native of Ger- 
many. They have two children living: 
Peter and Thomas. 

ORGANIC. 

The first election was held at the house 
of David Torrence, November 0, 1860. 
The following have been the ofhcers : 



1860 — Trustees, Joseph Moss, Charles 
Unger and G. W. Wierman; Assessor, 
David Torrence; Clerk, G. W. Bradley; 
Supervisor, T. S. Talmage. G. W. Brad- 
ley resigned the clerkship April 8,186., 
and David Torrence was appointed to fill 
the vacancy. 

1861 — Trustees, Joseph Moss, Charles 
Unger and T. S. Talmage; Assessor, Jo- 
seph Moss; Clerk, David Torrence. 

1862 - Justices, David Torrence and .T. 
A. Parmenter; Constables, G. A. Gum- 
mellandP. P. Wentch; Trustees, Joseph 
Moss, C. Unger and T. S. Talmage; As- 
sessor, Joseph Moss; Clerk, David Tor- 
rence. 

186.3 — No records. 

1 864 - No records. 

1865— Justices, P. P. W entch and D.a- 
vid Torrence: Trustees, Andrew Boylan, 
Newton Miller and Henry Moss; Asses- 
sor, David Torrence; Constable, Charles 
Unger. 

1866 — Assessor, James Enderton; Clerk, 
T. S. Talmage; Trustees, P. P. Wentch, 
Henry Moss and C/harles Unger; Justices, 
D.avid Torrence and Solomon Cochrane; 
Constables, Newton Miller and Jerome 
Lee. 

1867 — Supervisor, Joseph Dysart; Clerk, 
T. S. Talmage; Assessor, James Enderton; 
Trustees, Solomon Cochrane, David Tor- 
rence, P. P. Wentch; Constable, James 
Enderton. 

1868— Assessor, Hugh Cahlerwood; 
Clerk, T. S. Talmage; Trustees, Solomon 
Cochrane, Enoch Converse and Samuel 
Everett; Justices, David Torrence ai d T. 
S. Talmage; Constables John W. Thomas 
and Ezra Coflee. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1809 -Trustees, David Torrence, James 
Enderlon and S. F. Everett; Assessor, 
Hugli Calderwood; Clerk, T. S. Talmage; 
Justices, B. F. Tiiomas and W. H. Shafer; 
Constables, A. Coutts and H- F. Mosher. 

1870 — rrusleo.s, David Torrence, James 
Enderton and Hugh Calderwood; Asses- 
sor, J. T. Converse; Clerk, T.S. Talmage; 
Constables, H. F. Mosher and Kelsey 
Phelps. 

1871 — Clerk, T. S. Talmage ; Trustees, 
M. D. Boiiney, David Torrence and B. F. 
Thomas; Constables, F. M. Crissman and 
Benjamin Heath; Assessor, W. H. Shafer. 

1872 — Justices, J. W. Crissman and S. 
F. Everett; Assessor, W. H. Shafer; Clerk, 
T S. Talmage; Trustees, Joseph Dj'sart, 
James Enderton and Daniel Pickett; Con- 
stables, F. M. Crissman and P. Olson. 

1873 — No records. 

1874 — Assessor, H. Frank; Justices, 
S. Hardin, H. Calderwood; Constables, 
M. B. D. VVetherin and J. N. Black; Trus- 
tees, James Enderton, B. F. Thomas and 
Daniel Pickett; Clerk, T. S. Talmage. 

The officers elected in the fall of 18Si', 
are as follows: Justices, N. C. Rice and 
L. J. Tussey; Clerk, E. Pearson; Trustee, 
l>. [<\ Thomas; Constables, W. P. Worrall 
and A. Burnett; Assessor, J. N. Stoakes. 

Clark township was so named in honor 
of .Judge Leander Clark. Quite a number 
of names were proposed, among which 
were "Plain," on account of its level sur- 
face, and "Rock Creek," after the creek 
of that name, but "Clark" was finally de- 
cided upon. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The Krst school in this township was held 
in a building on the northeast quarter of 
section 2, owned by Newton Miller, in 



1862, and was taught by Jacob Parmenter. 
There was an attendance of about seven 
scholars. The first school house built 
was on the northeast corner of section 
11, in 186.3, and cost «!224. It is still stand- 
ing. The first school in this building was 
taught by Miss Annie Torrence during the 
winter of 1863-4. The district in which 
this building is located now comprises 
sections 1, 2, 11 and 12. 

There are now nine school districts in 
the township, including the independent 
district of Dy«art. All tliese have good 
school buildings excepting number 9, and 
the educational facilities compare favora- 
bly with other townships of similar pop- 
ulation. 

ETTIE POSTOFFICE. 

This office was established in 1869, at the 
house of John T. Converse, on section 11, 
where it remained until its removal to Dy- 
sart, in February, 1873, when the name 
was changed to correspond with that of 
the village. J. T. Converse was the fiist 
postmaster, and remained in charge until 
after the name was changed to Dysart. 

John T. Converse was born in Ashford, 
Windham county, Connecticut, October 
31,1823. His parents were Palmer and 
Betsy (Tyler) Converse. He grew to 
manhood in his native county. Ills edu- 
cational advantages were the district 
schools, and later, an attendance at an 
academy. During 1846 he was married, 
in Tolland county, Connecticut, to Miss 
Marcia Crawford, a native of Union, Tol- 
land county, and a daughter of Judge 
Ingoldsby W. and Rhoda (Taft) Crawford. 
Her ancestors were among the early set- 
tlers of Tolland county. After their mar- 
riage, the young couple spent some years 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



663 



in Windham, where Mr. Converse was 
engaged in farming; and in 1857, 
they removed to Minnesota, locating in 
Dakota county. During 186(3, they re- 
turned to the east, and in February, of 
1867, came to Tama county and settled on 
the southeast quarter of section 11, Clark 
township. Mr. Converse was ajjpointed 
postmaster of Ettie postoffice in 1868, and 
later was first postmaster of Dysart. His 
death occurred on the 21st day of Decem- 
ber, 1880, at San Antonio, Texas, where 
the family were spending the winter. His 
remains lie in the cemetery of Dysart. 
Mrs. Converse has two children living, 
Marcia Melora, wife of Adelbert A. Ives, 
of Dysart ; and John T., who is living in 
Grundy county, Iowa. 

HISTORICAL ITEMS. 

The first birth was George F., a son to 
P. P. Wentch and wife, September 27, 
1857 ; he is still living. 

The first marriage in the township was, 
that of Newton Perkins and Miss N. Moss. 
It occurred in 1859. 

The first death occurred in October, 
18.56, the wife of Newton Miller. Her 
death was occasioned by a dreadful prairie 
fire in which she was caught during a 
high wind. Particulars will be found in 
chapter 11. 

TOWN OF DYSART. 

This place is pleasantly located in the 
eastern part of the township. The land 
on which it rests was formerly owned by 
John W. Crissman, who caused the village 
to be platted in November, 1872. To this 
original plat an addition was made dur- 
ing the summer of 1875, by David P. Tus- 
sey, of illair county, Pennsylvania. After- 



ward another addition was made by Rev. 
H. W. Beach, of about thirty acres. 

The village was named in honor of Hon. 
Joseph Dysart, ex-State Senator from 
Tama and Benton counties, and ex-Lieu- 
tenant Governor of the State. 

ORGANIC. 

Dysart has been duly incorporated, the 
first election being held July 12, 1881, 
when the following named persons were 
elected to oflice: N. C. Rice, Mayor ; T.. 
C. Curyea, Recorder ; Peter Jensen, C. 
P. Fedderson, S. W. Arbuthnot, D. E. 
Ilallet, Chas. Betebenner and George 
Alexander, Trustees. 

The next election held, March 1882, re- 
sulted as follows: N. C. Rice, Mayor ; 
R. B. Beach, Recorder ; C. P. Fedderson, 
S. W. Arbuthnot, Geo. Alexander, Peter 
Jensen, P. C. Jones and J. E. Hollabaugh , 
Trustees. N. C. Rice resigned, November 
14, 1882, and H. W. Persons was elected 
Mayor to fill vacancy by the council on 
November 12. 

The officers elected in March, 1883, were 
as follows : H. W. Persons, Mayor ; 
Peter Jensen, and D. E. Hallet, Trustees ; 
Arthur Sewall, Assessor ; J. H. Pinkerton, 
Recorder ; Wendell Pierce, Treasurer ; 
Byron Stewart, Street Commissioner. 

BUSINESS MATTERS AND MEN. 

The first store built in this town was 
erected by William Davidson who opened 
therein a general stock of merchandise, in 
January, 1873. It is now occupied by 
Emmett & Peters for a hardware store. 

The second store building was erected 
by John W. Crissman in which Mr. Durand, 
of Belle Plaine, opened a stock of 
goods. This building then stood on the 
southwest corner of Main and Wilson 



vh- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



streets. It is now occupied by the general 
mercliandise store of Clough & ShaefFer, 
and stands on the north side of Wilson 
street. 

J. E. Clough, one of the business men 
mentioned, is a native ot New York, born 
in Tompkins county, in 1840. He lived at 
home until twenty-one years of age, and 
then removed to Indiana, where, during 
1862, he enlisted in Company D., 74th 
Indiana Volunteers. He participated in 
the battles of Chickamauga and Mission 
Ridge, besides being in other engagements 
while with the army of the Cumberland 
and with General Sherman in his "March 
to the Sea." He was honorably discharged 
at Indianapolis in 1805. Two years 
later, he removed to Benton county, Iowa, 
where he was engaged in carpentering ; 
and, in 1876, settled in Dysart. Here he 
was employed at the same occui^ation until 
November, 1881, when he associated 
himself with John Coutts and embarked 
in his present business. Mr. Clough is a 
member of the I. O. O. F. society, and is 
also a charter member of the A. O. IT. W. 
organization. He was married in 1876, to 
Miss Jennie E. Farnsworth. Two children 
bless their home — Bessie and Charles. 

The third store carried dry-goods, and 
was opened by Johansen & Pollikek in the 
spring of 1873. 

The fourth store was established by O. 
D. Bonney and opened during the spring 
of 1873. 

These buildings were on the the west 
side of Main street, and in July, ISS'J, the 
latter was burned. 

George W. McDonald opened his dry- 
goods and general merchandise store in 
Dysart in 1877. He is a native of Penn- 



sylvania, bom in York county, on the 14th 
of March, 1839. His parents were John 
and Catherine ( Wiant ) McDonald. At 
the age of fifteen, he began clerking in 
a store in Baltimore, and subsequently 
learned the millwright's trade,whichhefol- 
lowed, making his headquarters in the 
cities of Washington and Baltimore. 
During the spring of 1855, he removed to 
the State of Ohio, locating in Mount 
Blanchard, Hancock county, where he 
engaged in mercantile business until 1869, 
at which time he so'd out and emigrated 
to Clarence, Shelby county, Missouri. 
While there, Mr. McDonald engaged in 
the lumber trade and also had an interest 
in a dry-goods house part of the time. 
In the fall of 1876, he located at Greene, 
Iowa, and in the spring of the following 
year came to Dysart, where he has since 
been engaged in the dry-goods business. 
He is a member of the order of Odd 
Fellows, and also a member of the 
Masonic order. On the 8th day of Janu- 
ary, 1863, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Maggie McGuigan, who is a native 
of Pennsylvania. 

The first railroad train made its appear- 
ance within the limits of the village on 
the 27th day of December, 1873, on the 
Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern 
Railroad, and was a welcome visitor. 
This was for a time the terminus, and the 
village improved rapidly. 

The first house for a dwelling was built 
early in December, 1872, by Levi John- 
son. It has since been torn down. It 
was the only residence in the town until 
the spring of ~1873. 



^» aK ' 



'k. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The tirst meat market was established 
in 1873, by John Theid, who remained in 
the business about one year. The market 
has changed hands several times, and is 
now conducted by John Schloc. 

Joseph Furrow established his meat 
market in January, 1883, and is now 
doing a good business. 

Joseph Furrow was born November 17, 
1841, in Champaign county, Ohio. He re- 
mained in his native county until fourteen 
years of age, and then removed to Miami 
county, Ohio, where he engaged in farm- 
ing for a number of years. August 14, 
18(jl, he enlisted in Company A, 2d 
Ohio Infantry, and served until honorably 
discharged, October 20, 1864, at Camp 
Chase, Ohio. He participated in the bat- 
tles of Stone river, Chickamauga, Mission 
Ridge and Atlanta, besides being in sev- 
eral lighter engagements. In 1866, he 
came to Tama county, Iowa, and located 
on a farm in York township. There he 
remained until 1871, at which time he en- 
gaged in farming in Oneida township. He 
continued farming until in December, 
l.sT:i, and then came to Dysart, where the 
I'd! lowing spring he erected the Central 
I louse, of whicl; he was proprietor five and 
a half years. He then engaged in the 
livery business until January of 1882, and 
is at present operating a meat market. 
His livery .stable was destroyed by fire 
July 5, 1882. Mr. Furrow has held the 
(itlice of Town Constable for six years. He 
is a Master Mason. His marriage with 
Miss E. E. Bowen, a native of Indiana, 
occurred in 1871. They have two children, 
Eddie H. and Florence E. 
The lumber and coal trade is represented 



Ellis & Son of Vinton. The interests of 
Ellis & Son in Dysart are managed by 
H. H. Allison. ' 

P. Jensen is a native of Germany, born 
in June, 1854. He came to America with 
his parents in the year 1865. They first 
settled in Davenport, Iowa, where they 
lived until 1870, and then mcrved to Oneida 
township, Tama county. The subject of 
this sketch was reared on a farm and re- 
ceived a common school education. In 
1877, he came to Dysart, where he clerked 
one year and then went to Germany and 
spent one year. In 1879, he returned to 
Dysart and opened his lumber and coal 
yards. Mr. Jensen votes the Republican 
ticket, and is at the present time one of the 
Town Couilcilmen and also a Director of 
the public schools. His marriage with 
Miss Mary Meggers, occurred in 1879. 
They have two children: Dora and Frank. 

H. H. Allison is a native of Stephenson 
county, Illinois, where he was born March 
5, 1854. When eleven years of age, he 
removed with his parents to Benton county, 
Iowa, where he grew to manhood on the 
farm. He obtained a good common 
school education in order to fit himself for 
a business career; and in 1875, began 
clerking for Ellis & Son, lumber dealers, 
of Vinton. Three years later he was 
CTiven charge of their branch office at 
Dysart, which position he now fills. Mr. 
Allison was married during 1876, to Miss 
Lillie Stone, a native of Scott county, 
Iowa. One child, Grace Dell, blesses 
their union. 

The first blacksmith shop was erected by 
Levi Johnson. He died in Illinois soon 
after the shop was completed. Mr. Finch 



in Dysart by P. Jensen of Dysart and | bought the tools and worked in the shop 



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ihiL 



666 



HISTORY OF TAiMA COUisTY. 



for a short time, then built another. In 
1870 he sold out and went west. A. 
Edmonds commenced business in this line 
ill April, 1876, and still holds a large 
trade. Walter Bradbrook established his 
shop in 1878. In 1882 the firm became 
Bradbrook & Dahn, and they do a good 
business. 

Alonzo Edmonds was born in Novem- 
ber of 1834, in Ross county, Ohio. A 
short time after his birth, his father's 
family moved to the State of Indiana, 
where Alonzo received a common school 
education and learned the trade of black- 
sniitliing. During 1854 he came with his 
parents to Iowa, and located in Benton 
county, where he followed his trade, in 
connection with fanning, for many years. 
In April of 1876 he settled at Dysart, 
where he has since lived and followed his 
trade. September 16, 1858, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary E. Stewart, a 
native of Virginia. Four children have 
been born to them — Emma, Susan, Bessie 
and Frank. 

Walter Bradbrook is a native of Ohio, 
born in Huron county, of that State, in 
November, 1842. He learned the trade 
of blacksmithing at Newark, the county 
seat of Huron county. He came to Tama 
county, Iowa, in 1861, and first located at 
Toledo, where he spent fourteen years in 
wag<in and carriage making, and then fol- 
lowed mercantile pursuits until his removal 
to Dysart in 1S77. In 1878 he opened his 
blacksmith shop in this place, and has 
since been engaged in that business. On 
the 2:3rd day of February, 1870, Mr. 
Bradbrook was united in marriage with 
Miss Anna Carter, a native of Tama 
county. Five children have been born 



unto them — Alice, Harry, Frederick, Lucre- 
tia and fdell. The wife and mother died 
September 2.S, 1S80. 

The first wagon maker to cast his lot in 
Dysart was N. Burdoine, who established 
business in 187.3 in a shop built for that 
purpose. He remained here but a short 
time when he sold out and returned to 
Vinton. 

11. W. Howard established his shop in 
April, 1878. He erected his present com- 
modious building in 1880, and does a bu.si- 
ness of §2,500 anually. II. W. Howard 
was born in Chautauqua county, New 
York, August 7, 1834. He obtained his 
education in his native county, and also 
learned the trade of wagon making. 
During 1 855, he located at Ozark, Jackson 
county, Iowa, where he worked at his 
trade uutil July, 1862, when he enlisted in 
Company A, 26th Iowa Infantry. After 
eleven months of service, he was honor- 
ably discharged opposite the city of Vicks- 
burg, in Louisiana. Mr. Howard then re- 
turned to Jackson county, arid in 1866 re- 
moved to Tama City of this county. There 
he worked at carpentering for a while, and 
then followed farming until his settlement 
at Dysart in 1877. Soon after his arrival 
here he established himself in his old 
trade of wagon making, which business he 
has since followed. He lias held the office 
of School Director. In politics Mr. How- 
ard follows no particular party but votes 
for the best man. In 1856, he was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Emeline Sutton, a 
native of Chautauqua county. New Y'ork. 
They have four children living- — Vlarvin, 
Alice, Etta and Ilattie. 

The first drug store in Dysart was 
opened by O. D. Bonney in 1873. This 



- I « 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



brancli of trade is now represented by 
Pinkerton & Sherwin and Manrid & 
Haney. The business of the former firm 
was established by J. H. Pinlterton in 
18/6; that of the latter by K. Manrid in 
1ST5. Both firms have a good trade. 

J. H. Pinkerton, of the firm of Pinker- 
ton & Sherwin, was born in Merrimac 
County, New Hampshire, November 23, 
1849, and is a son of James and Mary E. 
(How.ser) Pinkerton. He received a 
liberal education in his native county, and 
at the age of si.vteen, removed with his 
parents to Fond-dii-Lac county, Wisconsin, 
where his parents now reside. The sub- 
ject of this sketch remained on his father's 
farm seven years, and then came to Mar- 
shall county, Iowa, where he farmed 
nearly two yeai's, after which he came to 
Dysart, where he engaged in the drug 
trade, in which business he has since con- 
tinued. In politics he is a Republican, and 
has held the office of Assessor two years. 
Mr. Pinkerton was one of the first mem- 
bers of the I. O. O. F. of Dysart, and also 
a member of the A. O. U. W. Society. 
His marriage with Miss Millie Cluise, a 
native of Wisconsin, occurred in 1S74. 
They have two children — Bertha E. and 
Clyde Chase. 

O. M. Haney, of the drug firm of Man- 
rid & Haney, Dysart, is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born in Fayette county, March 
■2, 1845. His early life was spent in his 
native county, attending school and work- 
ing at various occupations. In February, 
1S64, he enlisted in Company C, 2d Penn- 
sylvania Heavy Artillery, and served un- 
til honorably discharged at Philadelphia, 
in February of 1866. ! 'e pai ticl])ated ii; 
the battles of the Wilderness, Cold Har- 



bor and Spottsylvania, besides being en- 
gaged in several of the battles at Peters- 
burg during the nine months' siege of that 
place. In August of 1866, he came to 
this State and first located at Des Moines, 
entering that city on the second passenger 
train ever run into the place. Afterwards 
he located at Council Bluffs, and still later 
at Belle Plaine, and in 1875, came to Dy- 
sart. During all these changes Mr. Haney 
was engaged in the drug business and in 
1879, he opened, in partnership with R. 
Manrid, the drug store at present in this 
place. The subject of this sketch held 
the office of Township Clerk four years. 
His marriage with Miss Elizabeth Ilan- 
lan, a native of Ohio, occurred in October 
of 1875. They have one daughter -Frank. 

HOTELS. 

The tirst hotel was built during Janu- 
ary, 1873, by Mrs. Lafevre and was used for 
a hotel about two years, since which time 
the building has been used for a general 
store and is noiv occupied by E. Z. Demjisey. 
There is at this time but one hotel, the 
"Commercial." It was built in 1877, by 
Mr. Brown and is now under the efficient 
management of J. W. Gower who is do- 
ing a good business. 

Captain J. W. Gower, proprietor of the 
Commercial House, was born in Fairfield 
county, Ohio, December 2, 1833. He re- 
mained in that county until 1851, when he 
located in Licking county, Ohio, and in 
1856, came to Tama county and settled 
near where Tama City now stands. For 
the first year after his arrival. he was 
engaged in farming, and then en- 
gaged in the carpenter trade. July :11, 
1861, he enlisted in Company C, loth 
Iowa Infantry as a private, and 'uly 25, 



*^; 



rp* 



Lk^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1 80;i, was promoted to the captaincy of 
Company II, 50th U. S. C. I. and sened 
until May 15, 1865, when he was honora- 
bly discharged at Mobile, Alabama. While 
in the service he participated in the bat" 
ties of Charleston, Missouri; New Madrid, 
Missouri; Corinth, Mississippi; luka, Mis. 
sissippi; and again at Corinth, where he 
was wounded, October 3, 1862, in the right 
side; at Tallahatchee, Mississippi; siege of 
\'icksburg, Jackson, Mississippi; Champion 
Hills, Mississippi, where he was wounded 
.May 16, 186:3, in the right shoulder, and 
was afterward in the battle of Blakely, 
Alabama. After his discharge he came to 
Tama county and engaged in milling at 
Ciielsea. In 1879, he located atTraer and 
was there engaged in engineering. In 
April, 1882, he came to Dysart and em- 
barked in the hotel business and is at 
present running the Commercial House, 
which under bis management is becoming 
very popular. 

Another house called the "Central" was 
built by Joseph Furrow in 1874, and was 
used for hotel purposes until June, 1882. 

A grist mill was built in 1877, by Suave- 
ly & Shafer at a cost of $5,000. It had 
two runs of burrs. They sold to Mr. 
Keeves and in the summer of 1881, it 
was burned. This was unfortunate for 
the town as the citizens had donated one 
thousand dollars toward its construction; 
and it leaves I)y.sart without a mill. 

The first warehouse was built by Brown, 
Doty & Company, in the spring of 187.3, 
and was afterward burned. The first grain 
was bought by i his company during the fall 
of 1873. Before the fire they had l)uilt an 
elevator which was also burned at the 
same time. This had been erected at an 



e.xpense of ?;7,000 and was a tine build- 
ing. During the fall of 1873 Smiley & 
Company erected a warehouse, which in 
April, 1877, was purchased by Alexander 
& Arbuthnot, and additions were made to 
it. This firm continued here in business 
about three years, when the property was 
purchased by George Alexander. The 
buililing has a capacity of 30,000 bushels,- 
and was erected at a cost of $8,000. It 
has all the modern elevator improvements. 
Mr. Alexander ships from 800 to 1200 car 
loadsof grain andseeds peryear, and about 
200 car loads of stock. He has received at 
this point, as high as 8,200 bushels of grain 
in a day. 

One of the most enterprising business 
men of Dysart is George Alexander, a 
native of Scotland, born to William and 
Mary (Cleland) Alexander on the 21st of 
September, 1839. He came to America 
with his parents in 1851, located first in 
Chicago, where they remained until 1856, 
then came to Tanja county and settled in 
York township. Here the subject of this 
sketch enlisted, in August, 1862, in Com- 
pany E, 24th Iowa Infantry, and partici- 
pated in the battles of Port Gibson, Cha i;- 
pion Hills, seige of Vicksburg, Winches- 
ter, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, being 
honorably discharged from the service at 
Davenport, Iowa, in August, 1865. He 
soon after engaged in the grain trade at 
Belle Plaine, where he remained for nine 
years. He was then in the same business 
for one year at Toledo, and then returned 
to Belle Plaine, where he ran a foundry 
for a year. The ensuing six months he 
spent at Garrison, Iowa, engaged in the 
grain trade, and in January, 1877, came lo. 
Dysart whereMie has since been e.\t,ensi\r- 



'^ 



i \ ' 



^1 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ly engaged in the buying and selling of 
grain and stock. In politics, Mr. Alex- 
ander is a staunch Republican. He does 
not seek office for himself, but uses his in- 
fluence to put the "right man in the right 
pl.ace." He is a Master Mason and at pres- 
ent is Junior Warden of Ascalon Lodge 
No. 393. He is also a member of the A. 
O. U. W., Fraternity and the Legion of 
Honor. His marriage to Miss Anna 
Yeiser, a native of Ohio, took place in 
April, 1862. This union has been blessed 
with three children : Mary Agnes, Lydia 
Ellen and Frank Arthur. 

S. W. Arbuthnot is also an enterpris- 
ing grain grain dealer of Dysart. He is 
a son of Robert and Jane (Holden) Ar- 
buthnot. He was born in Allegheny 
county, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1836. 
His parents came to Iowa, and settled in 
Salt Creek township, Tama county, when 
he was thirteen years old. He was raised 
on his father's farm and received his 
education in the district school. During 
the second year of our late rebellion, he 
enlisted in Company F, 28th Iowa In- 
fantry, and on the 16th of May, at the 
battle of Champion Hills, Mississippi, was 
severely wounded in the left hand, and 
therefore was discharged in 1864, at St. 
Louis, Missouri. Mr. Arbuthnot now 
draws a pension from the Government, 
After his discharge, he returned to Iowa, 
and located in Benton county, where he 
followed farming for eight years, and 
then removed to Belle Plaine. In the lat- 
ter place he eng.aged in the grain trade, 
and since his settlement in Dysart, in 1 8T6, 
he has foil wed the same. In politics, he 
is a Republican, first, last and always. 
He has been one of the Town Council- 



men. He is a member of the Presbyterian 
Chnrch, and is a strong advocate of tem- 
perance. He is a member of the Iowa 
Legion of Honor, and of the A. O. U. W. 
society. During 1860, Mr. Arbuthnot was 
married lo Miss Sarah A. Hottel, a native 
of Pennsylvania. They have two children 
living — Sarah J. and Stata H. Mr. Robert 
Arbuthnot, father of S. W., died in 1854; 
the mother still lives. 

L. D. Hulett, a harness-maker, of Dysart, 
is a native of Indiana. He was born in 
Blackford county, that State, December 
14, 1843. Shortly after his birth the 
family moved to Whiteside county, Illi- 
nois, and there the subject of this sketch 
passed his youth and received his educa- 
tion. In 1863, he enlisted, as a_ private, in 
Company B, 147th Illinois Infantry aiid 
served until honorably discharged at Sa- 
vannah, Georgia, in 1865. Mr. Hulett 
then returned -to his native county, and 
afterwards learned the harness maker's 
trade in the town of Morrison. Subse- 
quently, he followed that trade in difier- 
ent western States until 1871, at which 
time he located at Fort Dodge, Iowa, 
where he worked at his trade for two years, 
and then went to Blairstown, remaining 
there three years. In 1876 he came to 
Dysart and opened a harness shop, wl icli 
is now well stocked with goods in that 
line. Mr. Hulett is a number of the A. ( ). 
U. W. society, and was instrumental in 
organizing the I. O. O. F. in this place. 
He was married to Miss A. J. Esget, on 
the 9th day of February, 1879. 

Charles F. Duncan is also engaged in 
the harness making trade. He is a native 
of ]>enton county, Iowa, where he was 
born, November 3, 18.57. He is a son of 



^l 



ri^ 



il^ 



670 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



William Duncan, a pioneer of that county. 
Charles received a common school educa- 
tion, and afterwards learned the trade of 
harness makins^ at Vinton. During 1878, 
he settled in Dysart, and in July, of the 
same year, opened the shop where he is at 
present. He was united in marriage, in 
1880, with Miss Effie E. Sutton, a native 
of this State. 

fteorge Wood, shoemaker of Dysart, is 
a native of Pennsylvania, born in York 
county, on the 18th day of December, 
1834. His parents came west, in 18-tl, to 
Wayne county, Ohio, where he grew to 
manhood, and afterward came west to 
Illinois, locating in Bureau county. He 
there learned the trade of shoemaking. 
October 10, 1861, he enlisted in Company 
1], 57th Illinois Infantry, and served until 
honorably discharged on account of dis- 
abilities, April 28, 1862. In 1864, he 
came to Vinton, Iowa, and got employ- 
ment working at his trade. In 1878, he 
began farming in Benton county and con- 
tinued there for five years. He then 
opened a shop at Dysart, where he is at 
present. 

The livery business in Dysart is repre- 
sented by the firm of Worrall & Evy. 
W. P. Worrall was born in Morgan coun- 
ty, Ohio, July 2, 1844. His early life 
until twenty, years of age, was spent in 
that county, and in 1864 he came to Cedar 
county, Iowa, where he was engaged in 
farming until 1870, when he located on a 
farm in Oneida township, Tama county. 
In 1881, he went to work at carpentering 
in Dysart, and in 1882 opened a livery 
business. In 1872, he was married to 
Miss R. S. Vernon, a native of Ohio. She 
died on the 16th day of September, 1879. 



J. H. Evy, junior partner in the firm of 
Worrall & Evy, liverymen of Dysart, was 
born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, 
December 28, 1853. In 1876, he came to 
Floyd county, Iowa, where he spent three 
years. He then moved to Greene, Iowa, 
and in 1881, came to Dysart, where, in 
1882, he engaged in the livery business 
with W. P. Worrall. 

A. Branaman & Company opened the 
first bank in Dysart in 1877. They did 
business in a small room until the summer 
of 1878, when they erected the present 
bank building on Main street. They sold 
out to N. R. Pierce, April 1, 1880, and 
the name of the institution was clianged 
to Citizens' Bank. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The postottice of Dysart was first named 
Ettie. It was moved to the village, Feb- 
ruary 10, 1873, and the name changed to 
Dysart. J. T. Converse wast the post- 
master. The office was then held in Wil- 
liam Davidson's store on the southeast 
corner of Main and Wilson streets. On 
the first day of July, 1875, Samuel Wood 
became postmaster and in July, 1877, it 
was moved one door south, where it has 
since remained. J. L: Spayde received 
his commission as postmaster ^and took 
charge of the office July 1, 1880, and still 
holds the position. It was made a money 
order oflice in July, 1875. The first order 
was drawn July 5, 1876, William David- 
son being the remitter and Nye, Camp- 
bell & Company, C hicago, payees— tlie 
amount being ^20.28. The first order was 
paid July 19, 1875, issued at Dixon, Illi- 
nois, by George W. Palmer, the payee 
being C. C. Fike; the amount was thir- 
teen dollars. 



•^a »- 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



671 



The present postmaster of Dysart, J. 
L. Spayde, was born in Richland county, 
Ohio, on the 4th of May, 1849. Soon af- 
ter his birth the family removed to Kos- 
ciusko county, Indiana, where he received 
a common school education and grew to 
manhood on the farm. In September, 
18G9, he settled in Benton county, Iowa, 
where he spent about eight years, teach- 
ing through the winter months and farm- 
ing during the remainder of the year. He 
then came to Dysart and began clerking 
for William Davidson, a dealer in general 
merchandise. With him Mr. Spayde re- 
mained until he entered upon his duties 
as postmaster in 1880. In politics he is a 
Republican. On the 20th of November, 
1879, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Ettie F. Gotten, a native of this State. 
They have one child — Zula Rae. 

PROFESSIONAL. 

I he first physician to locate here was 
C. L. Teats, who came during the fall of 
187'! and remained until his death in 1878. 
This profession is now represented by 
Drs. P. C. Jones, S. P. Black and B. S. 
Louthan. 

The first attorney to locate here was A. 
Branainan who came in 1875, and remained 
until isso. The bar is now represented 
by Nf. C. Rice and F. C. and W. H. 

Wood. 



Dysart has been comparatively free from 
the fire fiend. However, it has had a few 
blazes. The only one that did damage 
to any great extent occurred during the 
night of the 5th of July, 1882, at which 
time *23,000 worth of properly was de- 



"71^ 



stroyed. The fire consumed a row of 
wooden buildings on the west side of Main 
street. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Realizing the great benefits derived 
from public schools and other means of 
education, the people of Dysart, in 1873, 
concluded not to wait longer for necessary 
buildings and made arrangements with a 
Mr. N. Burdoine to use a wagon shoft 
which had been built by him, for school 
purposes, and here Miss Belle Davidson 
taught the first school. This building was 
used for this purpose for nearly two years, 
and also for religious and political purposes. 
It is now used by the Evangelical Associa- 
tion of Dysart, and stands two blocks west 
from where it was first built. The present 
school building was erected in 1876, at a 
cost of |!5,500. It is a two story frame 
edifice and was erected by the Tama City 
Building Company. It is now a graded 
school. Walter Shaffer was the first Prin- 
cipal. He was succeeded by J. R. Cald- 
well, who yet remains in charge. There 
are 160 scholars in the district. 

RELIGIOUS. 

During the fall of 1873, the first service 
of this character was held in the town. 
The sermon was preached by H. W. 
Beach, a Methodist minister, in the Bur- 
doine wagon shop. Services of this de. 
nomination had previously been held in 
the school-horise on section 11, and the 
school-house in district number one. The 
first sermon in the vicinity was preached 
at the latter place, by Rev. Baker, in the 
spring of 1869. The regular Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Dysart, was organ- 
ized in August, 1873, by Rev. Enoch Hol- 
land, who was the first pastor. A house 



t 



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lw 



672 



mSTOKY UF TAMA COU^S'TY. 



of worship wasbuiltin 1874, and dedicated 
Seiitember 13 of that year. It cost $2,200. 
Among the first members were M. D. 
Bonney and wife, William Castledine and 
wife, M. M. Lant, J. W. Crisraan, wife and 
mollier, William Davidson, F. M. Crisman, 
E. M. Bonney, Mary Gamble, J. C. Guiney, 
William Crisman, A. R. Crisman and 
Albert Shafer. The Rev. Enoch Holland 
*was succeeded, in 1875, by Rev. W. H. 
Miller; then came Henry Bargelt, C. A. 
Hawn, W. D. Maybry, S. B. Maltby and 
B. C. Barnes, the present pastor. The 
church now has a membership of sixty-one, 
and services are held every two weeks. 
The following are the present officers: 
(4eo. Alexander, M. D. Bonney, J. F. Aus- 
tin, William Castledine, R. B. Beach, 
Trustees; M. D. Bonney, Class Leader ; 
Goo. Alexander, M. D. Bonney and Wil- 
li:iin Harrison, Stewards. 

In connection with this church a Sab- 
bath school was organized in 187.3, with 
M. D. Bouncy for first Superintendent. 
There is now a membership of one hun- 
dred and twenty, an average attendance 
of seventy-five. J. H. Burris is Superin- 
tendent, George Howard, Secretary and 
R. B. Beach, Librarian. 

A Sabbath school was organized by this 
denomination before the society came to 
Dysart, which has been continued and is 
officered at present as follows: John L. 
Sp.iyde, Superintendent; H. W. Person, 
Assistant: E. Pearson, Secretary; Mrs. H. 
W. Parsons, Treasurer; G. Newton, Chor- 
isiei-; Miss Etta Howard, Organist. 

rRESHVTEKIAN CHURCH. 

Thischurch wasfirstorganizedas Yankee 
<irove Presbyterian Church, taking the 
name from the place of its birtii, Y'ankee 



Grove, in Benton county, where its organ- 
ization was effected February 4, 1860, with 
the following named members : G. S. 
Eekerman, Sarah E. Eckerman, William 
Boyd, Sarah Boyd, James Stewart, Mary 
Stewart, Theron S. Talraage. The first 
service was held in a school house. Rev. 
Nelson C. Robinson, from Vinton, was the 
organizer and supplied the pulpit. The 
first elder was Theron S. Talmage. The 
society continued to hold service once in 
four weeks, then once in three weeks, at 
school houses in the western part of Ben- 
ton county, until they moved to Dysart, 
where the first services were held in the 
Methodist Episcopal church in 1874. 
They continued to hold services there and 
in the school house for some time. About 
this time articles of incorporation were 
adopted and the name changed to "Pres- 
byterian Church of Dysart." The first 
minister at Yankee Grove was Rev. Nel- 
son C. Robinson, who supplied until 1807, 
then came James Agnew, who remained 
until 1869. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Daniel L. Hughes. He remained until 
187:3. After this for some time the church 
was supplied only occasionally. Rev . 
Joseph A. Donahey was the next regular 
minister and remained about six months, 
leaving in 1875. After this the pulpit was 
supplied by different persons until Rev. 
Daniel L. Hughes came and remained 
until November 2, 1879. A. C. Brown 
came next, and November 10, 1880, he was 
installed regular pastor and remained until 
November 12, 1882. Since that time ser- 
vices have been held at intervals only, 
without any regular supply. A house of 
worship was^ erected in 1877, 30 x 50 feet 
at a cost of *;:5,000. It was dedicated De- 



;fv" 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



673 



ceraber 2, ISTV, the dedicatory sermon 
being preached by Stephen Phelps, now 
President of Coe College, Cedar Rapids. 
Daniel L. Hughes also assisted at this in- 
teresting service. The present officers of 
the church are : W. H. Sherwin, G. C. 
Howard, S. W. Arbuthnot and T. S. Tal- 
raage. Elders ; Kimple Bates, Deacon ; W 
e. Sherwin, G. C. Howard, S. W. Ar- 
buthnot, T. S. Talmage and E. Pearson, 
Trustees. The number of members since 
orgonization has been 107. The present 
membership is 67, and the church is in 
good condition. 

GERMAN EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. 

The German Evangelical Association 
was organized at Dysart, in 1873, by Rev. 

E. Escher. The first members were — F. 
and J. Aschenbrenner, H. Messer, C. Mose- 
bach, J. Landgrave and A. Strube. The 
first officers were — F. Aschenbrenner, 
Leader; f. Mosebach, Exhorter ; Trustees' 

F. Aschenbrenner, P. Minkle, C. Thiele, C. 
Brandan, C. Degner. The first religious 
services of this denomination in this 
neighborhood were held at Houghton's 
school-house, six miles southwest of Dy- 
sart. 

The diflFerent pastors since organization 
have been as follows: Revs. C. Eschen 
N. Schook, H. Butz, A. Hauser and M_ 
Knoll, the last named being the present 
minister. The most important revival, as 
regards the number of conversions, took 
place during the administration of N. 
Schook. In 1878 the church edifice was 
erected. Its size is 20x50 feet and its cost 
was about $500. The present officers of the 
church are— Trustees, F. Aschenbrenner, 
C. Brandan, C. Thiele, W. Zobel and W- 
Marquette ; Class Leaders, Aschenbrenner, 



Thiele and Degner. The present mem- 
bership of the church is one hundred, and 
it is prospering. 

A Sunday school was organized by this 
society in 1874, with J. Aschenbrenner, as 
Superintendent. The school is in healthy 
and growing condition, having an enroll- 
ment of eighty-five and an attendance of 
seventy. 

CATHOLIC. 

The Catholic Society of Dysart was 
organized in the fall of 1879. The first 
services were held at the house of John 
F. Redmond some time during the fall of 
1878. Services were also held at the house 
of Geo. W. Brown. Among the first 
members, John F. Redmond and family, 
Thomas Redmond and family, Peter Bell 
and family, Geo. W. Brown and family, 
Wm. Drapsey and family and Antone 
Schicht and family. The first priest was 
Rev. P. E. Kinney, who was located at 
Vinton, and supplied this church every 
two weeks. He remained about two years. 
Since that time the Rev. A. E. Kinney has 
supplied the church. The church edifice 
was built in 1879 at a cost of $1,600. The 
building is 30x40 feet. There are over 
one hundred members. 

KVANCJELICAL. 

The Evangelical Association was organ- 
ized in 1878, with Rev. H. Brauer, as 
President. Among the first members were 
Fred. A. A. Sheubrenner and wife, J. A. 
Hotsel and wife, John Kielmer and wife, 
and Peter Minkle and wife. 

DYSART CEMETERY. 

This abode of the dead is located on the 
southeas corner of the northeast quarter 
of section 23. An association was duly 
organized and incorporated on April 12, 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1880, consisting of the following named 
persons : Geo. Alexander, Joseph Dysart, 
W. H. Sherwin, F. Aschenbrenner, Wil- 
liam Harrison, H. P. Sherwin, H. H. Alli- 
son, W. W. Cochrane, D. A. Innis, T. H. 
Stewart, W. H. Leeper, W. O. Beam, Jo- 
seph Furrow, G. W. McDonald, Peter 
Jensen, S. W. Arbuthnot, Conrad Brandon, 

C. Linder, L. J. Tussey, J. M. Messer, T. 
S. Talmage, D. E. Hallett, and C. Stohr. 
The first interment here was C. W. Hawks. 

The business connected with the asso- 
ciation is controlled by a Board of Direc- 
tors. 

The present officers are H. W. Howard, 
President ; H.H. Allison, Secretary ; Geo. 
Alexander, T. S. Taira.age and Peter Jen- 
sen, Director.s. 

SOCIETIES. 

Vedette Lodge I. O. O. F., No. 417, 
Dysart, was organized September 9, J880. 
The charter members were C. H. Beteben- 
ner, William E. Hodgin, Daniel Knee, L. 

D. Hulett, H. H. Scott, O. M. Harney. 
The first officers were David Knee, N. 

G.; O. M.Harney, V. G.; C. H. Beteben- 
ner, Recording Secretary; L. D. Hulett, 
Permanent Secretary ; Wm. E. Hodgi n 
Treasurer. Those who have been elected 
to the chair are David Knee, William E, 
Hodgin, C. H. Betebenner, J. E. Holla, 
baugh, L. D Hulett, J. H. Pinkerton. 

The present officers are J. H. Pinker- 
ton, N. G.; Arthur Sewell V. G.; R. B. 
Beach, Recording Secretary; David Knee, 
Permanent Secretary ; '^'^' . P. Pierce, 
Treasurer. The total membership since 
organization has been o'-i. The present 
membership is a 48. The lodge is in a 
flourishing condition. 



Ascalon Lodge A. F. and A. M., No. 
393, was organized April 15, 1878, with 
the following charter members, H. K. 
Suavely, B. S. Louthan, Geo. Alexander, 
W. H. Sherwin, A. K. Burnett, J. Furrow, 
Wm. W. Cochran, L. O. Person, C. E. Free- 
man, C. A. Haun and Jacob Sirrine. The 
firstofficers were H. K. Snavely, W. M.; B. 
S. Louthan, S. W.; George Alexander, J. 
W. ; W. H. Sherwin, Treasurer ; William 
W. Cochran, Secretary ; Jacob Sirrine, S. 
I). ; Joseph Furrow, J. D.; Charles E. Free- 
man, S. S.; L. P. Person, J. S. ; A. R. 
Burnett, Tyler ; Rev. C. A. Hawn, Chap- 
lain. The chair has since been held by 
H. B. Ely, Jacob Sirrine and B. S. Lou- 
than. 

The present officers are B. S. Louthan, 
W. M. ; Samuel Wood, S. W. ; Geo. Alex- 
ander, J. W. ; C. D. Fedderson, Treas- 
urer ; J. R. Caldwell, Secretary ; A. R. 
Burnett, S. D. ; Mr. Dickinson, J. D. ; L. 
L. Wheeler, Tyler. The present member- 
ship is 39. There have been no deaths 
since organization and the lodge is in good 
working order. 

The Iowa Legion of Honor, Lodge No. 
86, was organized July 2, 1880, at Dysart, 
by a charter granted by the Grand Lodge 
of the State. The following named were 
the charter members : 

Geo. Alexander, W. W. Martin, W. E. 
Hodjins, Ben. Horreby, Levi Shoupe, A. 
H. Spayde, Wm. Hosier, W. 1 1. Howard, 
W. W. Wilds, Fred Howard, E. Pearson, 
G. C. Howard, '!'. S. Talmage, George W. 
Reed, C. H. Betebenner, Oliver Wheaton, 
G. D. Roe, C. S. Betz, Frank Hamblin, F. 
M. Spillman, F. A. Mussman, D. S. Farns- 
worth, Davi^d Hite, M. II. Howard, James 
Sherman, A. N. Stewart, J. E. Ilollabaugh, 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



675 



T. C. Cnryea, G. W. Ault, E. L. Flem- 
ming David Knee, Chauncey Hunt, John 
Jurgen, Fred Aschenbrenner, Geo. E. 
Wean, J. F. Krahnbuel, S. P. Black, G. 
S. Baiighart, C. J. linger, .J. B. Stewart, 
Peter Jensen, T. C. McElwaine, Kichard 
Lukins, John Anderson, J. C. Clough, H. 
P. Sherwin, John Coutts, W. O. Bean, G. 
M. Taggart, T. N. Ives, Ralph Beach, S. 
W. Acbiithnot, J. H. Pinkerton, Frank 
Clayton, S. W. Snyder, A. M. Woodward, 
R. E. Thompson and H. F. Hovey. P. C. 
.Jones also became a member of this lodge 
by card. The first officers were P. C. 
Jones, President ; T. N. Ives, Vice-Presi- 
dent ; E. Pearson, Recording Secretary ; 
J. H. Pinkerton, Treasurer ; W. O. Bean, 
Chaplain ; W. E. Hodgins, Usher ; Ralph 
Beach, Doorkeeper ; C. J. Unger, Senti- 
nel ; Trustees, G. C. Howard, C. H. Bete- 
benner, and Peter Jensen; P. C. Jones, S. P. 
Black and W. O. Bean, Medical Exami- 
ners. P. C. Jones held the Presidency one 
year. Then came H. W. Sherman for six 
months ; then Henry W. Howard, six 
months ; then P. C. Jones, the present 
incuml)ent. The lodge has a membership 
of 4.5 at the present time. No deaths 
have occurred since organization. They 
had jiaid twenty-two assessments since 
organization to January 1,188:^. The lodge 
is in flourishing condition, meetings are 



held on the first and third Saturdays of 
each month, in the Odd Fellow's Hall. 
The organization of the lodge is largely 
due to the energy and perseverance of Dr. 
P. C. Jones. 

The Perseverance Lodge, No. 68, I. O. 
G. T., was organized at Dysart, February 
9, 1882, at Masonic Hall. It was the re- 
organization of the old lodge. The first 
officers elected wei'e as follows: W. C. 
T., H. B. Ealey ; W. V. T., Mrs. H. 
Smith ; W. R. 8., Mrs. Ella IFanlin ; W. 
F. S., A. Sewall ; W. T., J. R. Caldwell ; 
W. M., T. Ellis ; W. C, S. Arbuthnot ; 
W. J. G., Mrs. M. Black ; W. O. G., Mr. 
Edmonds ; W. D. M., Miss Etta Howard ; 
W. R. S., Miss Fannie Means ; W. L. S., 
Miss Anna McGuigan ; W. A. S., Dr. Lou- 
th an ; P. W., George Newton. 

Since organization the membership of 
the lodge has amounted to 11 5, at present i t 
numbers 95. The present officers are as 
follows : W. O. G., D. Harton ; W. L. 
S., Gladys Barnett ; W. T. G., E. Hiliman; 
W. R. S., Emma Burrows ; W. M., Era 
Martin ; W. C. T., J. K. Caldwell ; W.D. 
U., O. Hottle ; W. V. T., Mrs. M. Black ; 
W. T., George Wood ; W. C, Mary Brad- 
brook ; W. F. S., J. E. Hollabaugh ; W. 
A. S., W. P. Pierce : W. R. S., E. L. New- 
ton. 







HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXIV 



COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP. 



This township contains about 23,040 
acres of land, comprising all of township 
82 north, range 1.5, west of 5th princi- 
]ial meridian. It is bounded on the north 
liy I ania township, on the east by Rich- 
land, oil the .south by Poweshiek county, 
and on the west by Highland township. 
The northern part of the township is some- 
what broken and uneven, yet under culti- 
vation, and it contains some of the best 
farms in Tama county. This section of 
the township contains considerable natural 
timber, although large quantities have 
been cat off since the early settlement. 
The soil is somewhat lighter here than on 
the prairies, being a clay mixed with 
vegetable mold or decayed vegetation, and 
it is very productive. The success of 
many farmers in this part seems to add 
additional evidence to the claim for pro- 
ductiveness made by many for this class 
of land. The southern part of this town- 
ship consists of prairie, principally, and 
the part south of Richland creek, greatly 
undulating. The soil there is a dark 
sandy loam, and when properly managed 
makes rich returns for the labor of 
(^lie agriculturist. Tiu- township is 
well watered. The Iowa river enters I 



the township in a number of places along 
the northern boundary line, and Richland 
creek crosses a little south of the centre, 
entering on the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 19, and flowing in an easternly course 
through sections 19, 20, 21, 28, 27, 26, 2.3 
and 24, leaving the township from the 
latter siection. Besides these streams 
there are other small creeks and good wa- 
ter abounds. This territory is occupied 
by a good class of people and contains an 
agricultural settlement exclusively. The 
nearest trading point of any size is Tama 
City, which adjoins on the north. 

KARLV .SBTTLKMKNT. 

The first settlement in Columbia town- 
ship was made by Eli Chase, who came 
here in April, 1851, and settled on section 
1, on Rock creek, on a farm entered by 
him sometime previous. He remained on 
this farm but a short time, but has always 
been a resident of the township. He now 
resides on section 3. 

James West and family were the next to 
arrive. They came in May, 1851, and also 
settled on section 1. Three years later 
they moved to Johnson county, Iowa, 
where they still reside. 



^! 



^1^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



67' 



In the spring of 1852, George W. Mor- 
rison came from Iowa county and settled 
on section 1 where he remained several 
years, when he moved to Missouri, where 
he died ii 1882. 

Wheaton Chase and family came in 

1853, and settled on section 4. He re- 
mained several yeai-s and then removed to 
Pottawattamie county, where he has since 
died. 

Thomas Everitt came with his family 
in October, 1853, and settled on the north- 
east quarter of section 5. He remained 
until he died. May 7, 1872. 

Joshua Burley came in tlie spring of 

1854, and settled on the southwest quarter 
of section 4. He enlisted in the war of 
the rebellion and died at Keokuk, Iowa. 

In 1854, the Stoddard family came to 
Columbia township and settled on section 
IG, which at that time was entirely owned 
by them. The father, William Stoddard, 
was a native of Litchfield, Connecticut; 
the mother, Betsy (Henderson) Stoddard, 
a native of New Hampshire. The former 
is still living near Dubuque; the latter 
died in March, 1874. Sketches of their 
three sons, Leonard, William H. and Ly- 
man H. Stoddard, who are yet prominent 
citizens of the township, are here pre- 
sented. 

Leonard Stoddard was born in the town 
of Litchfield, Litchfield county, Connecti- 
cut, April 24, 1831. Leonard remained 
in his native county until twenty-three 
years of age, and while there learned and 
followed carpentering. He was married 
in Connecticut, in 1854, to Miss Lucy A. 
Trowbridge, a native of that State, and 
the same year in company with his par- 
ents came to Tama county, Iowa, and im- 



mediately took a claim of eighty acres on 
section 16, of Columbia township. Mr. 
Stoddard now owns a farm of 105 acres, 
one hundred of which is under improve- 
ment. In politics he is a Democrat and 
was the first Clerk of his township. He 
has three children living : Nellie C, Har- 
riet E. and Arthur T. 

Captain William H. Stoddard is a native 
of Connecticut, born in Litchfield county, 
February 28, 1839. He came with his 
parents to Tama county in 1854. They 
settled on section 16, of Columbia town- 
ship, and there the subject of our sketch 
has sincelived. In July of lf-61,he enlisted 
as a private, in Company C, 10th Iowa 
Infantry. His brother Albert raised, and 
was Captain of this Company, which was 
the first from Tama county. In January 
of 1862, while in Missouri, he was made 
Corporal; the following July, was promoted 
to the rank of 2d Lieutenant. In Novem- 
ber of 1863, after the battle of Mission 
Ridge, he received the commission of 1 st 
Lieutenant, and in December of 1864, 
while at Savannah, Georgia, was promoted 
to the rank of Captain, receiving his com- 
mission from Governor Stone. While in 
service he participated in the following 
engagements: New Madrid and Ireland, 
No. 10, Missouri; seige of Corinth, in 
1862; luka, Mississippi; 2d siege of Corinth 
in 1863; Port Gibson, Champion Hills, 
Black River Bridge, Jackson, siege of 
Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, Tennessee and 
Columbia, South Carolina, besides other 
smaller battles and skirmishes. Mr. Stod- 
dard formed one of the Sherman's triumph- 
ant army in his march to the sea. He was 
mustered out of service and honorably 
discharged at Davenport, Iowa, in Septem. 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ber of 1865. He then returned to Colum- 
bia township, and settled on his farm in 
section 16, wliere he now owns 130 acres. 
In politics, he is a Democrat and has held 
the office of Town Trustee. He is a strong 
advocate of temperance. In 1866, he was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth C. 
Eslibaugh, a native of Pennsylvania. They 
have six children living, George E., Bessie 
M., Jessie D., John II., Maud and Mary. 

Lyman H. Stoddard, another son Wil- 
liam and Betsey (Henderson) Stoddard, 
was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, April 
1.5, 1843. In 1854, he came with his parents 
to Tama county, Iowa, and settled in Col- 
umbia township. He was reared on a farm 
and received his education in the district 
schools of that township. In May of 1865, 
he enlisted in the one hundred day service, 
ill Company K, 7th Iowa Infantry, and 
after serving nearly four months was hon- 
orably discharged at Davenport, Iowa. He 
served under Captain Norris, of Ottumwa. 
After the close of the war, Mr. Stoddard 
remained home awhile and then made an 
e.xtended trip of five years duration, through 
the territories, after which, he returned to 
Columbia township and settled on section 
1 6, where he now owns a farm of 75 acres. 
He votes the Democratic ticket, and has 
held several town offices, besides being 
School Director a number of terms. In 
1873, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah Kendall, a native of Westminster, 
Vermont, and a daughter of Sanford G. 
Kendall, who now resides in Columbia 
township. Two children, Fred and Bertha, 
bless this union. 

John Walz was a settler of 1854. He 
was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 
October, 1827. When twenty years old 



he left his native country for America. 
He landed at New York city and soon 
after settled in Berks county, Pennsylvania, 
where he remained six years working at 
his trade of stone cutting. From there he 
removed to West Virginia, and in 1854, 
came lo Tama county and purchased 160 
acres on section 12, of Columbia township. 
Since that time Mr. Wal/. has added to his 
farm until he now owns nearly 500 acres, 
all of which is under fence. Mr. Walz 
has held the offices of Trustee and School 
Director. In 1853, he was married to 
Potenzie Mink, a native of Germany. Eight 
children were born to them, five of whom 
are now living, George, Albert, Matilda, 
Mary and William. Mrs. Walz died in 
January, 1871. Mr. Walz was again mar- 
ried in 1871, to Mrs. Susanna Frederick, 
a native of Ohio. She had been twice 
married before becoming the wife of Mr. 
Walz, her first husbands name being 
Mitchell, by whom she had two tjhildren, 
William and Amanda. By her second 
husband she also had two children, Ame- 
lia and Carlotta. 

Reiiihard Metz came to Columbia town- 
ship in March, 1854, and is still a promi- 
nent citizen of this vicinity. He was 
born in Baden, Germany, August 8, 1824. 
He emigrated to America in 1847, and 
first settled in Blair county, Pennsylvania, 
and subsequently, in Allegheny county. 
Later, he was engaged in boating on the 
Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and after- 
wards located in Taylor county, West 
Virginia, where, in December, of 1853, he 
was married to Victoria Mink, a native of 
Wurtemburg, Germany. In March, 1854, 
he came west to Tama county, Iowa, and 
bought a farm of 80 acres in Columbia 



J"=^ 



4- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



township. He now owns 180 aores, all of 
which is under fence. Mr. Metz has held 
the office of School Director. In August, 
of 1802, he answered the President's call 
for 500,000, by enlisting in Company F, 
28th Iowa Infantry. While in service 
he participated in the following battles : 
Port Gibson, Miss., May 1, 186-3; Cham- 
pion Hills, May 16, 1863; Edwards' Sta- 
tion, May 12, 1863; siege of Vicksburg, 
:\Iay 22 to July 4, 1863; Yellow Bayou, 
La., May 19, 1864; Sabine Gross Roads, 
Aprils, 1864; Cane River, April 24, 1864; 
Middle Bayou, May 8, 1864 ; Mansura, 
April 16, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Va., Sep- 
tember 22, 1864; Opequaw, Va., Sept. 19, 
1864; Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864. 
He was honorably discharged at Savan- 
nah, Georgia, July 31, 1865, and returned 
to Columbia township, where he has since 
been engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. 
Metz have eight children liring : Eliza, 
Benedict, Anthony, Pauline, Matilda, Wil- 
liam, Minnie and Edward. 

William H. Coskrey, was a pioneer of 
1855. He was born in Richland county, 
Ohio, January 1, 1821. Soon after his 
birth the family removed to Muskingum 
county of that State, and there the sub- 
ject of our sketch passed his youth and 
the first years of his manhood. During 
the fall of 1855, he came to Tama county, 
Iowa, and settled on section 1 of Columbia 
townshi|>, where he now owns 236 acres of 
land, nearly all of which is under cultiva- 
tion. He votes the Republican ticket. On 
26th of January, 1864, Mr. Coskrey was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Rachel J. 
McGrew, a native of Tuscarawas county, 
Ohio. Eight children have been born to 
them, seven of whom are living : Rober 



Joseph H., Mary A., James F., Levi S., 
Emeline and Olive. Their daughter Anna 
died when five months old. 

In 1855 Christopher Spire became a set- 
tler of Columbia township. He is a native 
of Gloucestershire, England, born on the 
3d of February, 1823. He is a son of 
Jeremiah and Ann (Hardin) Spire. His 
early life was spent on a farm in his native 
country, and in 1 848 he came to America. 
In 1844 he was married to Miss Sarah 
Shayler, also a native of England. Upon 
their arrival in this country they located 
at Glens Falls, New York, where they re" 
mained some time and then spent six years 
in Ohio. In 1855, they came to Tama 
county, settling in Columbia township, 
where Mr. Spire entered a farm of 120 
acres on section 24. He now owns 280 acres 
in this county. In 1872, be settled on 
section 25, where he now has a fine farm. 
He has taken an active part in town 
affairs, having held several offices of trust. 
Six children blessed their union, two only 
of whom are living — Richard and Amy 
Ann, now wife of George Miller. Several 
good stories are told by Mr. Spire of his 
early life in this State. Upon ai-rival, he 
was very ignorant as regards the ways of 
America. One day after having been gone 
some hours, he returned to a neighbor's 
house, where he was temporarily staying, 
and noticing that he appeared very much 
cast down, his neighbor asked what the 
trouble was. Mr. Spire's answer was that 
he could not find his land. The neighbor 
informed him that there was no hing 
strange in that, as he would have to have 
it surveyed before he would know just 
where it was. Accordingly a surveyor was 
engaged and came to survey it. In doing 



' 9 



680 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



this, as Mr. Spire says, "He went directly 
to a stone, set liis compass, and told me to 
take the chain and go ahead, and go in a 
huriy. After going south a ways, we 
turned and went west, then south, then 
east to the place of starting. The surveyor 
then folded up his traps, saying, that 
' 'twas done.' I said to myself, 'that man's 
a fool! he knows no more about where my 
land is than I do.' Still I felt certain it 
was in that neighborhood, and I accord- 
ingly built my house as near the center as 
possible to be certain I was on my own 
farm." Several years later, Mr. Spire had 
it surveyed again, when it was proven be- 
yond a doubt that he was on his own 
land. See Reminiscence chapter for 
further details. 

After 1854, the settlers qame in more 
rapidly. Among those who have come in 
since that time and who are still here, may 
be mentioned James Trowbridge, J. Hoag, 
William F. Eshbaugh, J. A. Eshbaugh, 
Frank Eshbaugh, Moses Pickett, John 
Cory, William Cory, Capt. J. H. Lauder- 
dale, William G. Malin, Thomas M. Ma- 
lin, George M. Malin, John Doyle, Sam- 
uel Sexton, J. W. Flathers, W. Leonard, 
G. A. Hutchison, William Hartsock, J. 
H. Smith, James Phillips, Martin Keup, 
Robert Powers and E. G. Carpenter. 

James Trowbridge is a native of Litch- 
field, Litchfield county. Connecticut, where 
he was born March 11, 1819. His parents 
wei'e James and Lucy (Parmalee) Trow- 
bridge, both natives of Litchfield county. 
James is one of the ninth generation of 
Trowbridges, originally from England. 
He received a common school education, 
and when sixteen years of age began 
learning the tailor's trade, which occupa- 



tion he followed while in that State. 
Early in March, 1856, he started west, and 
after spending two weeks on the road, ar- 
rived in Tama county, Iowa, on the ■24th 
of the month. He immediately settled on 
section 16 of Columbia township, on land 
purchased for him by Leonard Stoddard. 
He now owns 80 acres on this section Mr. 
Trowbridge belongs to the Republican 
party. He is at present a Trustee of the 
town, and at different intervals lias held 
other offices of trust. During 185.3 he was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Julia Mun- 
ger, a native of Litchfield, Connecticut, 
and a daughter of Truman and Margaret 
L. (Hart) Munger. They have two child- 
ren living — Charles H. and Lillian E. 

Joel Hoag was born in Greenfield, Ulster 
county, New York, on the 14th of July, 
1809. He is a son of Elisha W. and Lydia 
Hoag. His father was born in New York 
State and his mother in Massachusetts 
Soon after Joel's birth, the family removed 
to the eastern part of Pennsylvania and 
subsequently to Ohio. His educational ad- 
vantages were very limited, but he inher- 
ited a taste for study from his parents, 
who were well educated people and had 
been teachers ; he, therefore, by diligent 
application to his books during leisure 
hours, acquired a good education in the 
English branches. He remained in Ohio 
until 185.3 and while there made farming 
his principal business. During 1853 he 
made a trip to Tama county, Iowa, and in 
December of that year entered a farm in 
Richland township. He then returned to 
Ohio and in 1856 came here for the pur- 
pose of making a permanent settlement. 
He lived in Richland township until Au- 
gust, 1859, at which time he came to his 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



present location, on section 23, of Colum- 
bia township. Ill politics, he was for- 
merly a Whig and became a Republican 
with the formation of that party. Mr. 
Iloag has held the office of Clerk in Rich- 
land and Trustee in Columbia township. 
He has always taken a very active interest 
in educational affairs and has held several 
school offices. During 1857 he was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Margaret Jane 
Beale, a native of Butler county, Penn- 
sylvania, and a daughter of John and 
Jane Beale, also of that county. She 
c^me to Iowa with her parents in 1855. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hoag belong to the Society 
of Friends and are members of the Hick- 
site denomination. They have seven chil- 
dren living — Benjamin Franklin, Lydia, 
wife of I.. C. Noble, a member of the 
Board of Trade of Chicago ; Elisha W. 
B., Theodore Appleton, Ira, Ann Dillia 
and Nellie. 

Wm. F. Eshbaugh is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born in Northumberland county 
of that State on the 7th of February, 1842. 
His parents are J. A. and Mary (Follmer) 
Eshbaugh. In 1850 he removed with his 
parents to New York State. He was reared 
on a farm and attended the district schools 
near his home during the winter months, 
until fifteen years of age ; after which, he 
attended the University at Lewisburg, 
Pennsylvaaia, sLx months, and subsequently 
spent the same length of time at the acad- 
emy in Wilson, Niagara county. New York.. 
During 1859 he came to Tama county with 
his parents, and at the time intended to 
see his parents settled here, and then com- 
plete his studies in the east ; however, the 
opportunity never offered itself. In the 
spring of ISGO he began farming, and Au- 



gust 15, 1861, enlisted at Marshalltown in 
company B, 2d Iowa Cavalry, as a pri- 
vate. Later, he became a bugler and 
served as such until he enlisted as a vet- 
eran in 1863. In July of 1862 he was 
taken prisoner at Booneville, Mississippi, 
and confined in the prisons of Mobile, 
Macon and Libby, until November of 

1862, when he was paroled, and near the 
last of the year exchanged. Previous to 
the time of Mr. Eshbaagh's imprisonment, 
he was in several skirmishes and engage- 
ments, and had a number of narrow es- 
capes — at one time having his horse shot 
from under him. He participated in the 
entire siege of Corinth and was employed 
in skirmishing on the line of road from 
Memphis to that place. Upon returning 
to his regiment, he was in the engage- 
ments at Palo Alto, Birmingham, Colliers- 
ville, Coldwater, Salisbury and Moscow, 
also on the Soag Smith raid in February, 

1863. Subsequently, he participated in 
the battles of Old Town Creek, Tupello, 
Hurricane Creek, Lawrenceville, and the 
engagement at Nashville, Tennessee. Au- 
gust 15, 1865, he was discharged at Nash- 
ville on account of disability, and has 
never since entirely recovered his health. 
For several years after leaving the army 
Mr. Eshbaugh could do but little work of 
any kind. He now lives on section 17, 
where he owns a fine farm of 200 acres. 
In politics, he is a staunch Republican, 
and has held the office of Town Trustee 
three years, the office of Justice of the 
Peace five years, besides having been 
Town Assessor. During 1866 he was 
united in marriage with Miss Emma Bur- 
ley, of Columbia township. Eight cliildren 
were born to them, six of whom are liv- 



50 



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682 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ing : Alice, Ned, Lois, Blanche, Merle 
and an infant. The family are members 
of the M. E. Church. 

.John A. Eshbaugh is a son of Anthony 
and IJarbara ( Homing ) Eshbaugh, born 
July 24, 1819, in Northumberland county, 
Pennsylvania. The father died when 
John was fourteen years old. He lived 
on the farm until 1836, then went to 
Columbia county, same State, where he 
remained but one year, then returned to 
his native county, and shortly after, again 
removed to Columbia county. While 
making these changes, John worked by 
the month at farm work. In 1 840 he was 
married to Miss Mary Follmer, a native of 
Pennsylvania. Nine children have been 
born unto them, six of whom are now 
living — William F., Francis, Caroline, 
now wife of Wm. H. Stoddard ; Susan B., 
Daniel O. and Charles H. Columbia 
county was subsequently divided, and Mr. 
Eshbaugh lived in that part which became 
Montour county. The following ten years 
after his marriage were spent in Montour 
and Northumberland counties, after which 
he removed to New York, where he re- 
mained until 1859, then came to Tama 
county, this State. He spent one winter 
in Toledo, and then moved into a log cabin 
situated one mile west of his present farm. 
In 186:i, Mr. Eshbaugh settled on his pres- 
ent place on section 17, of Columbia 
township, where he now owns 120 acres of 
laud. For the past six years Mr. Esh- 
baugh has been suffering severely with 
rheumatism. 

Frank Eshbaugh is a native of North- 
umberland county, Pennsylvania, where 
he was born October 19, 1843. Soon after 
his birth the family removed to Niagara 



county. New York. There he remained 
until 1859, at which time he came to Tama 
county, Iowa, with his parents. During 
October of 1862, he enlisted in Company 
F., Sixth Iowa Cavalry, under General 
Sully, and served against the Indians. In 
1803 he was with the noted Captain Fisk 
party, and had many hair-breadth escapes 
from the red men. He was honorably 
discharged at Davenport, Iowa, November 
1, 1865. Mr. Eshbaugh then returned to 
Columbia township and engaged in farm- 
ing. He now owns a fine farm of 120 
acres in section 18. At present he is one 
of the Trustees of the town. March 1, 
1870, his marriage with Miss Emergene 
Tomlinson, occurred. Three children 
have been born to them, but only one, a 
daughter, Grace, is now living. 

Moses Pickett settled in Richland town- 
ship, Tama county, in 1856. He is a na- 
tive of Ohio, born in Knox county, in Sep- 
tember, 1833. His parents are William 
and Margaret (Sofa) Pickett. Soon after 
his birth the family removed to Bureau 
county, Illinois, and there Moses passed 
his yonth and early manhood. He was 
reared on a farm, and as his father lived 
on the frontier there was but little time 
or chance for attending school. Mr. 
Pickett remained in Bureau county, occu- 
pied in farming, until March, 1856^ at 
which time, as stated, he removed to Rich- 
land township, this county. There he en- 
tered a farm of 80 acres on section 7, which 
he partly improved and then sold. In 
March of 1861, he came to Columbia 
township, settling on section 26, wlicre he 
owns 640 acres of land valued at ^35 per 
acre. In politics he is a Republican. His 
marriage with Miss Mary Gray, a native 



^'« ^ 



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^a__w- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of Indiana, occurred in 1859. They have 
two children living: Luella S. and Wal- 
lace. 

John Cory was born in Cornwall, Eng- 
land, on the '20th of November, 18.31, and 
.July 1, 1849, he, in company with his 
mother and family, left Old England, and 
after a long and stormy voyage of fifty- 
four days landed in New York city, Au- 
gust 23. The father had preceded them 
the year before. Their first winter in this 
country was spent in Jefferson county, 
Ohio, after which they settled in Belmont 
county of the same State. John remained 
in that county engaged in farming until 
1862, at which time he came to Iowa. He 
first settled on section 2-i, of Columbia 
township, where he remained two years 
and then removed to section 25. During 
1869, he purchased and settled on a farm 
on section 26. Mr. Cory now owns 240 
acres of land, 160 acres of it being on sec- 
tion 20 — his present home— and under 
cultivation; the I'emaining 80 acres lie on 
section 24, and 50 acres of that are also un- 
der improvement. In politics he is a Re- 
publican and has held the office of Town- 
ship Trustee. He is a strong advocate of 
temperance. In 1852, he was joined in 
matrimony with Miss Mary E. Yates, a 
native of Ohio They have six children: 
William II., Charles E., Joseph H., Fran- 
cis W., Anna K. and Mary M. The fami- 
ly are members of the Society of Friends. 

William Cory is a native of England, 
and was born in Cornwall, June 2, 1839. 
His parents were Henry and Mary (Rowe) 
Cory, natives of England. The family 
came to America in 1846, and first located 
in Jefferson county, Ohio; later they re- 
moved to Belmont county, and in 1856, 



settled in Henry county, Illinois. Will- 
iam's early life was spent on the farm 
and his education was obtained in the dis- 
trict schools of that day. In 185Y, they 
removed to Clark county, Missouri, and 
there Mr. Cory was engaged in farming 
until 1863, at which time he came north 
to Tama county, Iowa. He purchased 
and settled on a farm of 40 acres on sec- 
tion 23, of Columbia township, and now 
owns 160 acres in the township, all of 
which is under cultivation. In politics he 
was formerly a Republican, having cast 
his first vote for Abraham Lincoln; but at 
the second election of U. S. Grant, went 
over to the Greenback party. Mr. Cory 
held the office of Township Clerk two 
terms and had the honor of being the first 
Republican elected to said office; he was 
also the second Republican of his town- 
ship elected to the office of County Su- 
pervisor, in which capacity he represented 
Columbia two years. He was Justice of 
the Peace eight years. In February of 
1861 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary S. Peck, a native of Porter county, 
Indiana. Nine children have blessed their 
union: Martha A., Samuel A., Henry D., 
Mary E., John and Ella D. (twins) Wil- 
liam, Benjamin and Inez. Their daugh- 
ter, KUa D., is now deceased, Mr. and 
Mrs. Cory are members of the M. E. 
Church. 

Captain J. H. Lauderdale, one of the 
largest farmers of Columbia township, is 
a native of Livingstone county, New 
York, where he was born March 21,1828. 
Shortly after his birth the family removed 
to Genesee county, that State. There he 
grew to manhood on a farm and at the 
age of twenty-two removed to Walworth 



t 



'A 



/. e w 



684 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



county, \Niscoiis)n, where he purchased a 
mill and engaged in the milling business 
in connection with farming. During the 
fall of 1861, he raised Company I, of the 
13th Wisconsin Volunteers, and served as 
Captain of that company nearly two years, 
lie was then honorably discharged on ac- 
count of sickness, ha\'ing been taken with 
an attack of hemorrhage of the lungs. 
3lr. Lauderdale spent the winter of 1863- 
4 in Wisconsin, and the following spring 
came to Tama county, Iowa, and located 
on section 19, of Columbia township. He 
now owns 400 acres in one body and a 
limbered lot on the Iowa river. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican and has held the 
ortice of County Supervisor, besides sever- 
al of the to\vnship offices. 

Thomas M. Malin, an enterprising farm- 
er of Columbia township, was born in 
r.elmont county, Ohio, May 21, 1824. His 
liarents were Minshall and Julia A. (Bar- 
ton) Malin, natives of Pennsylvania. In 
early life he received a fair common school 
education, and later, learned the carpenter 
trade of his father, which occupation he 
followed until 1862, when he became en- 
gaged in farming. During the spring of 
1~0C, the subject of our sketch removed 
to Tama county, Iowa, and immediate y lo- 
cated on section 14, of C-olumbia township, 
where he now owns a farm of 120 acres, 
eighty acres of which is under cultivation 
and the rest is timber. In politics he is a 
(ireenbacker and is a strong advocate of 
soft money He has held the offices of 
Townshii) Trustee, Justice of the Peace 
.ind School Director. Mr. Malin was mar- 
ried, in 1849, to Miss Martha J. Yocum, 
also a native of Belmont county, Ohio. 
She is a daughter of Mark and Mary 



(Street) Yocum, natives of the same county. 
They have eight children living: George 
M., Mary E., Emma J., Laura W. A., El- 
mer M., William Ellis, Anna V. and Ra- 
chel C. 

Geo. M. Malin, a son of Thomas and 
Martha Jane (Yocum) Malin, is a native of 
Ohio, born in Belmont county, of that State, 
July 24, 1851. During the spring of 1866, 
he i-emoved, with his parents, to Tama 
county, Iowa. He received a common school 
education, and after his settlement in this 
county, spent four winters in teaching — 
his first school being in district No. 6, 
of Columbia towhship. In the fall of 
1876, he was married to Miss Amy Spire, 
daughter of Christopher Spire. The fol- 
lowing year Mr. Malin removed to his 
present place, where he now owns 1G() 
acres of well improved land. Mr. and 
Mrs. Malin have three children living — 
Mabel F., Ellis C. and Thomas M. In 
politics Mr. Malin is a Republican. 

John Doyle was born in county Wex- 
ford, Ireland, in October, 18.34. During 
1853 he came to America, and first set- 
tled in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where 
he soon engaged in farming. In 1865 he 
removed to Scott county, Iowa, and at the 
end of three years, came to Tama county, 
settling on section 28, Columbia township, 
where he now lives on a fine farm of 200 
acres. Mr. Doyle was married in 1861, to 
Miss Ellen Enright, a native of Ireland, 
and born in 1839. They have ten chil- 
dren living — Annie, born July 31, 1862; 
Michael, born February 14, 1864 ; Maggie, 
born August 7, 1865 ; John, born Febru- 
ary 3, 1867; Maurice, born March 31, 186!i; 
Peter, born August 28, 1871 ; Dennis, born 



1= 



^^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



A^ 



"^^ 



October 5, 1873; Martin, born November, 
19, 18(5; Mary, born October 28, 1877; 
Stephen E., born May 22, 1881. 

Lemuel Sexton, a son of Enoch and 
Elizabeth (Wood) Sexton, was born in 
Madison county, Indiana, on the 18th of 
March, 1833. He was reared on a farm 
and received a good common school 
education. Mr. Sexton remained in his 
native county until thirty-two years of 
age, with the exception of two years 
spent in Grant county, of that State. 
During the spring of 1865, he removed 
to Tama county, and the following year 
purchased a farm, which he afterwards 
sold. In 1868 he settled on section 33, 
Columbia township, where he now owns 
82 acres of land. In politics he is a 
Democrat and has held the office of Town- 
ship Trustee five years. Mr. Sexton was 
married in 1855 to Miss Nancy Lucas, a 
native of Ohio. She died in 1863. He 
was again married in 1870, to Angeline 
Ward, a native of Indiana. They have 
two children living : Charles and Emma. 

The following brief history of Honor- 
able William Hartsock, is a fine illustra- 
tion of what self-reliance can accomplish 
under discouraging circumstances. Wil- 
liam Hartsock is a native of Knox county, 
Ohio, born May 20, 1852. His grand- 
father was born in 1749, in the city or 
fortness of Kehl, in the grand Duchy of 
Baden, Germany, and emigrated to Ameri- 
ca in 1753. William's father was born in 
Washington county, Pennsylvania. Wil- 
liam's mother was Miss Amy Cox, a grand- 
niece of Dr. Benjamin Rush, who waspne 
of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and was a descendant of an 
officer of that name in Cromwell's army. 



His father was a wealthy farmer, and 
owned extensive mill property, but he 
engaged in an unlucky enterprise, that of 
shipping flour from Brownsville, Pennsyl- 
vania, to New Orleans. In this he was 
not successful, as the flour spoiled in 
transportation. Having lost most of his 
property, he gathered up what he had left 
and came to Knox county, Ohio. Here 
William was born in 1825. When he was 
twelve years of age his father realizing 
the fact that an old settled country was 
not the place for a poor man, very wisely 
concluded to emigrate to Illinois, and set- 
tled in Green county of that State. Will- 
iam remained with his parents on the 
farm, having only educational privileges of 
very inferior district schools during the 
winter months. Here his father died in 
the fifty-first year of his age, without hav- 
ing accumulated much property. After 
the Black Hawk purchase, when the 
excitement ran high for cheap lands, im- 
migrants came on horse back, in wagons 
and every way except on railroad, to secure 
land in the new Territory. Young Wil- 
liam, who was the I seventeen years of 
age, started on horse back to what is now 
the great State of Iowa. He crossed the 
Mississippi river at Burlington on the 7tli 
of April. When eight miles north of 
that place, he was overtaken in a heavy 
hail-storm, and, seeing a cabin in the dis- 
tance, attempted to reach it. The storm 
became so severe that he had to dismount, 
his horse became unmanageable and got 
away, taking with him William's entire 
outfit, which consisted of an axe and iron 
wedge which he was carrying in a pair of 
old fashioned saddle bags. On reaching 
the cabin, the pioneer told him there wa^ 



^1 



'k. 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



another settler about four miles further on 
the road, and the horse would probably 
stop there. After partaking of the kind 
hospitalities of the pioneer, the next 
morning he started in search of his horse 
which he found at the place suggested' by 
his host. He took a claim in his mother's 
name nine miles southwest of Iowa City. 
After making some rude improvements he 
went and moved his mother and family, 
with a team consisting of one yoke of 
cattle, to their new home. After the 
struggle common to pioneer life, they 
finally secured a title from the Govern- 
ment to their home. As money was 
scarce and employment that would com- 
mand money, hard to obtain, he concluded 
to try steam-boating, which occupation he 
followed for two years on the upper Miss- 
issippi and Ohio rivers. In 1853 he was 
married and moved still farther west, set- 
tling in Keokuk county, on a farm which 
he had purchased in 1850. While a resi- 
dent of Keokuk, Mr. Ilartsockmade many 
friends, and in the fall of 1861, was 
elected by the Republican party to the 
office of Representative by a large major- 
ty ; a position which he held one term 
giving satisfaction to his supporters. In 
the spring of 1870, Mr. Hartsock and 
family came to Tama county and settled 
in Columbia township, since which time 
he lias been engaged in farming. Through- 
out his life he has endeavored to maintain 
a high standing as a man of high moral 
integrity, always realizing that a clear 
head, a strong hand, and an honest pur- 
pose would always insure success. His 
habits have been strictly temperate, and he 
was an earnest advocate of the constitu- 
tional amendmeiit,as voted for by the people 



of Iowa, June 27, 1882. He has been a 
member of the Christian Church for many 
years. Mr. Hartsock was first married to 
Miss Catharine Heaton, of Clarksville, 
Pennsylvania, with whom he lived until 
November 26, 1868, when she died, leav- 
ing him the care of five children, three 
daughters and two sons, and in 1869, he 
was married to Mrs. A. A. Biggs, a widow, 
who is his present wife. Mr. Hartsock 
has a happj' home with all the conven- 
iences of the modern farmer. 

J. H. Smith is a son of John B. and 
Sarah (Hoover) Smith, and was born in 
Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, Jnne 24, 
1826. He lived in his native county until 
about thirteen years of age and then re- 
moved to Indiana county of that State, 
where he grew to manhood, after which, 
he returned to Clearfield county, and there 
remained until 1862. At that date Mr. 
Smith came to Iowa, and located in Scott 
county, where he followed farming until 
1870, then came to Tama county and set- 
tled on his present farm on section 34, 
Columbia township, where he now owns 
240 acres. He has held the offices of 
School Director and Town Trustee. Mr. 
Smith's second marriage occurred in 1802, 
at which time Miss Phcebe Patterson be-, 
came his wife. She was born in Clearfield, 
Pennsylvania, April 29, 1838, and is a 
daughter of John and Nancy (Ray) Pat- 
terson. Nine children have been born to 
them: Sarah A., born October 8, 1803; 
Luella M., born May 1, 1865; Rebecca I. 
H., born December 8, 1867; Luranda IL, 
born September 11, 1868; Clara A., born 
June 10, 1870; Morris H., born January 
29, 1872; Eva D., born December 9, 1874; 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



68*7 



Walter J., born June 24, 1876, and died 
August 16, 1876; Lucretia E., born Septem- 
ber 6, 1879. 

James Phillips is a native of New Hamp- 
shire, and was born in the town of Rox- 
bury, Cheshire county, July 27, 1807. His 
parents were Leayitt and Mary (Hinds) 
Phillips. James was reared on a farm and 
received his education in the common 
schools of Roxbury. When twenty-three 
years old, he removed to Chautauqua 
county. New York, where he lived four- 
teen years and then located in Erie county, 
Pennsylvania. There he engaged in farm- 
ing until his removal to Tama county, 
Iowa, in 1858. Mr. Phillips first bought 
a farm of 160 acres in Howard township, 
but soon sold it and purchased one in 
Toledo township, two and a half miles 
west of Toledo village. He farmed there 
thirteen years and then settled on section 
1 5, of Columbia, where he has since resided. 
His first marriage occurred in 1829, at 
which time he was united with Miss Lou- 
isa Hinds. She bore him five children, 
four of whom are now living, Henry, Jessie, 
Thomas and Louisa, and died in 1840. Mr. 
Phillips was again married in 1841, choos- 
ing for a help-meet. Miss Emily Woodruff. 
Three children were born to them, two of 
whom are living, William and Elizabeth. 
This wife died in 1856. The following 
year he led to the alter Louisa Jane Kelly, 
a native of Pennsylvania. They have one 
child living, George. 

Martin Keup was born in Bavaria, 
August 9, 1824. His youth and early 
manhood were spent on a farm in his native 
country. During 1853, he came to America 
and first settled at Princeton, Bureau 
county, Illinois, where he spent six years 



working in a brick yard, and then pur- 
chased a farm of 40 acres, upon which he 
lived until his removal to Tama county, 
Iowa, in 1873. He settled on section 29, 
Columbia township, where he now owns 
an excellent farm of 193 acres, all of which 
is under cultivation. Mr. Keup was joined 
in wedlock, in 1857, with Eliza Shmoll, 
who bore him nine children, eight of 
whom are living: Catharine, Andrew, 
Mary, Eliza, Annie, George, William and 
Eva. She died on the 4th of March, 1876. 
The subject of this sketch again married, 
April 19, 1877, choosing for a wife Eliza- 
beth Sanderhee, who was born at Hanover 
Germany. 

Robert M. Powers is a native of Illinois, 
born in Hancock county, of that State, 
December 11, 1856. He is a son of Abner 
and Martha E. (Strong) Powers. In 
1869 the family removed to Iowa county, 
Iowa, where they settled on a farm. After 
receiving a good common school education, 
the subject of this sketch attended Iowa 
College one term. In 1873 his parents 
came to Tama county, locating on a farm 
in Columbia township, where his father 
died in 1878 ; his mother still lives. Mr. 
Powers taught his first term of school 
during the winter of 1876-7, at school 
No. 7, of Wheatland township, Carroll 
county. Since that term he has been con- 
stantly teaching in the winter, with the 
exception of the winter of 1879-80. He 
is now holding a term of school at No. 8, 
Columbia township. 

ORGANIC. 

Application was made on the 5th day of 
February 1856, by Joshua Burley, that the 
township of Richland be divided and a 
new one foi-med to be called Columbia, 



^7=^ 



;iV 



M*. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and it was so ordered by the County Court, 
containing township 82, range 15, west of 
5th principal meridian. The first elec- 
tion was held at the house of Joshua Bur- 
ley, on the Tth day of April, 1856, with the 
following result : Milton C. Gettis and 
Henry C. Morrison, Constables ; John D. 
Gettis, George W. Morrison and George 
H. Stoddard, Trustees; Leonard Stoddard, 
Clerk ; William T. Hawley, Assessor. 
There were 21 votes polled. 

Following is the record of elections 
since that time: 

April 6, 1857. Joseph Lufkinand John 
W. Coe, Constables ; Leonard Stoddard, 
Clerk ; Joseph L. Croskrey, Supervisor ; 
George W. Morrison, James Trowbridge 
and John W. Coe, Trustees. 

1858 — George W. Morrison, James 
Trowbridge and Wm. Thompson, Trus- 
tees ; Leonard Stoddard, Clerk. 

1859 — Isaac Toland, Justice; Milton C. 
Gettis and Samuel A. King, Constables ; 
John Walz, Wm. Stoddard and John Fife, 
Trustees ; George W. Morrison, Assessor; 
Leonard Stoddard, Clerk. 

1860 — Isaac Toland, Supervisor ; H. L. 
Biggs, S. I. Cady and John Fife, Trus- 
tees ; Leonard Stoddard, Clerk ; Wm. 
Thompson, Assessor. 

1861 — Joel Iloag, Geo. W. Morrison and 
Jacob Croskrey, Trustees ; C. J. Rhoades, 
Clerk; Leonard Stoddard, Assessor ; C. J. 
Rhoades and Leonard Stoddard, Con- 
stables. 

1802 — Joel Hoag, G. W. Morrison and 
Jacob Croskrey, Trustees; G. W. Mor- 
rison, Supervisor; Madison Bostwick and 
C. J. Rhoades. .Justices of the Peace; 
L. Stoddard, Clerk ; James Trowbridge, 



Assessor ; John Walz and C. R. Blake, 
Constables. 

1863— Joel Hoag, G. W. Morrison and 
Jacob Croskrey, Trustees ; L. Stoddard, 
Clerk; John A. Eshbaugh, Assessor; C.J. 
Rhoades and E. C. Rhoades, Constables. 

1864— John Ross, Supervisor; Joseph 
Yates and John A. Eshbaugh, Justices of 
the Peace; Thomas Watts and Sylvester 
Phillips, Constables; Wm. Cory, Clerk; 
Joel Hoag, John Cory and James Trow- 
bridge, Trustees; James Trowbridge, 
Assessor. 

1865 — Joseph Lufkin, Constable; James 
Trowbridge, Assessor; Wm. Stoddard, 
John Ross and Joel Hoag, Trustees; Wm. 
Cory, Clerk. 

1866 — -Wm. Cory, Supervisor; A. H. 
Gray and Joel Hoag, Justices; Isaac To- 
land, Henry Cory and Joel Hoag, Trustees; 
W. G. Malin, Clerk; James Trowbridge, 
Assessor; Fred Sanborn and W. F. Burley, 
Constables. 

1867— James Trowbridge, T. M. Malin 
and N. Randolph, Trustees; Henry Cory, 
Assessor; W. G. Malin, Clerk; B. C. 
Berry and Isaac Toland, Justices; Fred 
Sanborn and W. F. Burley, Constables. 

1868 — James Wilkinson, Supervisor; 
B. C. Berry and James Wilkinson, Jus- 
tices; James Trowbridge, F. M. Malin 
and L. C. Robb, Trustees; A. H. Gray, 
Collector; James Trowbridge, Assessor; 
W. G. Malin, Clerk; Fred Sanborn and 
Leonard Stoddard, Constables. 

1869— T. M. Malin, Justice; T. M. Ma- 
lin, Wm. Stoddard and W. F. Eshbaugh, 
Trustees; John Cory, Assessor; W. G. 
Malin, Clerk; Albert Cory and Joel Hoag, 
Constables. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1870 — •Wm. Hartsock and James H. 
Fee, Justices; B. C. Berry, W. F. Esh- 
baugh and Wm. Stoddard, Trustees; 
Albert Cory and W. F. Burley, Constables; 
W. G. Malin, Clerk; L. F. Stoddard, As- 
sessor. 

1871 — Hiram Bissell, John Walz and J. 
G. Sanborn, Trustees; Christopher Spire, 
Clerk; L. F. Stoddard, Assessor; B. C. 
Berry and Lyman Everett, Constables. 

1872 — John A. Eshbaiigh and Wm. Hart- 
sock, Justices; Lyman Cary, Assessor; L. 

F. Stoddard, Clerk; W. H. Stoddard, James 
Trowbridge and John Stoakes, Trustees; 
Wilder Leonard and Michael McCallister, 
Constables. 

187.3— C. Spire, Justice; L. F. Stoddard, 
Clerk; E. C. Pennell, Assessor. 

1874 — Wra. Cory and Leonard Stoddard, 
Justices; A. Zehrung, T. M. Malin and 
John Stoakes, Trustees; L. F. Stoddard, 
Clerk; James Trowbridge, Assessor; 
Wilder Leonard and A. P. Leavitt, Con- 
stables. 

1875 — H. Bissell, Assessor; A. P. Lea- 
vitt, Clerk; W. H. Stoddard, T. M. Malin 
an<l Adam Zehrung, Trustees. 

1876— Wm. F. Eshbaugh and Wm. 
Cory, Justices; Hiram Bissell, Assessor; 
A. P. Leavitt, Clerk; Wm. Stoddard, W. 

G. Malin and L. Cory, Trustees; Harmaii 
Schwerdtfeger Constable. 

1877— Wm. F.Eshbaugh, Assessor; A. P. 
Leavitt, Clerk; John Duffy, L. Sexton and 
Jacob Croskrey, Trustees. During the year, 
A. P. Leavitt resigned and S. E. Peck, 
was appointed in his place May 6, 1878. 

1878— Wm. F. Eshbaugh and Wm. Cory, 
Justices; L. F. Stoddard, Assessor; G. A. 
Hutchison, Clerk; Lyman Cory, W. G. 
Malin and L. Sexton, Trustees. 



1879 — H. Bissell, Assessor; G. A. Hutch- 
ison, Clerk; W. G. Malin, Trustee; Dan 
Barnt, Constable. 

1880 — Hiram Bissell, Assessor; Wm. 
Peck, Clerk; E. S. Carpenter, Trustee; 
Wm. Hartsock, Wm! F. Eshbaugh and 
Edward Yates, Jr., Constables. 

1882 — W. G. Malin, Assessor; G. A. 
Hutchison, C'lerk; John Duffy and Wm. 
Stoddard, Justices; James Trowbridge, 
Edward Yates, Jr. and Dan Barnt, Con- 
stables. 

G. A. Hutchison, the present Clerk of 
Columbia township, is a native of Belmont 
county, Ohio, born March 29, 1857. His 
parents were James P. and Mary R. 
(Hatcher) Hutchison. The former is a 
native of Washington county, Pennsylva- 
nia and the latter was born in Belmont 
county, Ohio. The subject of this sketch 
received a good common school education 
and afterwards attended an academy. In 
1870 he left his native place for Tama 
county, Iowa, and during the first eight 
years of his residence here, made his home 
with W. G. Malin, of Columbia township, 
and was engaged in teaching during the 
winter months and farming the balance of 
the year. In 1878, Mr. Hutchison pur- 
chased his present farm of 120 acres on 
sections 23 and 24 of Columbia township. 
In politics he is a Greenbacker. During 
1879 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Emma Malin, a daughter of Thomas Malin. 
Two children bless their union, Laura 
Blanche and Martha. Mr. Hutchison's 
father is still lixing, but his mother died 
June 15, 1878. 

THE township's NAME. 

When application was made to Judge 
Vermilya to organize this township it was 



^^ 



51 



fe^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



proposed to call it "Litchfield," in honor 
of Litchfield county, Connecticut, from 
whence the Stoddard family came. A num- 
ber of old settlers joined in asking for this 
name, but Joshua Burley succeeded in 
having Judge Vermilya name it Columbia. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The finst school taught in this township 
was at the house of William Stoddard by 
Miss Elvira O. Stoddard during the winter 
of 1855-6. 

There are now nine school-houses in the 
township as follows: Union school-house, 
district No. 1, is located on section 12. 
The first school taught in this district was 
at the house of Martin Pickett, on land 
now owned by Reinhard Metz. This 
school was taught during the winter of 
1857-8, by Frank Stoddard. The first 
house built for school purposes was located 
about fifteen rods east of where the pres- 
ent one stands, and was built for a dwell- 
ing house by Daniel Haythorne. The 
present house was built during the summer 
of 1869 at a cost of |!800. The district 
has £9 pupils. 

In district No. 2, the house is located in 
the southwest corner of the southeast 
quarter of the southeast quarter of section 4. 
The first building erected for school pur- 
poses in this district stood on section 3, 
and was built in 1858. It was afterward 
sold and the present one built at a cost of 
ill, 100. The first school in this district 
was taught by Mrs. Hazelette, during the 
winter of 1858-9. 

In district No. -i, the building is located 
on the southwest quarter of section 5, and 
was built at a cost of $300. The first 
school in the district was taught at the 
house of Joshua Burley. The second was 



in a building which is now used as a granary 
by Thomas Everitt. The district has 20 
scholars. The first school was taught by 
Elizabeth Burley. 

In district No. 4, the school-house is 
located on the northeast corner of section 
19, and was built in 1870 at a cost of #850. 
The first school was taught by John Scott 
during the winter of 1870-1. The district 
has 30 pupils. 

District No. 5. — After this district was 
organized, the first school was taught at 
the house of James Trowbridge, by M iss 
Elvira O. Stoddard, during the winter of 
1861-2. The school house was built in 
1865, and was then located near the north- 
west corner of the northeast quarter of sec- 
tion 21, and was builtat acostof |i400. It 
has since been moved to its present loca- 
tion near the northeast corner of section 
21. The district numbers 30 pupils. 

In District No. 6, the school house is 
located in the southeast corner of the 
northwest quarter of the southeast quarter 
of section 23, and was built in the fall of 
1865. It was then located in the 40 acres 
east of its present location. The first 
school taught in this district was in a 
cabin on Edward Yates' farm, on section 
23, in 1865, by Miss Nannie Musser, now 
the widow of Dr. Rickey. There are now 
42 scholars in the district. 

In District No. 7, the building is locatcil 
in the southeast corner of section 26. It 
was built during the summer of 1866, at a 
cost of ^900, and then stood on section 25. 
The first school in the district was taught 
at the house of Mrs. Biggs, now Mrs. 
Wm. Hartsock, on section 25, during the 
winter of 1864-5. The district has 45 
scholars. 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



In District. No. 8, the school house 
stands in the northwest corner of section 
:i4, and was built in 1870 at a cost of 1800. 
The first school taught in the district was 
by Miss Eliza Sanborn. There are now 
?,0 scholars in the district. 

District ^lo. 9, was the last district set 
off in Columbia township. The school- 
house is located in the southwest cor- 
ner of section 29. It was first located in 
the northeast corner of section 31, upon 
land donated to the district by Lyman Cary . 

RBLIGIOUS. 

A Methodist Episcopal Society was or- 
ganized at the school house in Columbia 
village by Rev. Kelley, in 1880. Among 
the first members were Mr. and Mrs. 
Ira Gettis, Milton Gettis and wife, Cyn- 
thia Gettis, S. J. Cady and wife, Wm. 
Stoddard and wife, and George, Elvira, 
Mary and William H. Stoddard, John A. 
Eshbaugh and wife, Sarah and Lavina 
Everett, and Caroline Croskrey. At first 
the pulpit was supplied from other places, 
afterward this place formed a circuit 
with Chelsea, Grandview and Haven. 
Preaching has been held at different places 
in the neighborhood until the summer of 
1882. At the last meeting of the officers, 
in 1882, it was decided to unite with Tama 
City Church. 

The Society of Friends was organized 
in 1878 by Elizabeth Foster and Anna 
Yates. Among the first members, were 
Joseph Yates and family, B. C. Berry and 
family, Joel Hoag and family and John 
Cory and family. Services were held at 
Grandview school house, every two weeks 
until December, 1878, when the society 
was discontinued on account of many 
members having moved away. 



The Presbyterian Society of Corinth 
was organized at the Chase school house, 
(No 2), in 1860. Among the first members 
were John Fife and wife, Wm Thomp- 
son and wife, Isaac Toland and wife, 
Robert Strain and wife, and two daughters; 
Samuel Strain and wife, Mrs. E. J. John- 
ston and Mary Toland. The first pastor, 
was Rev. Luther Dodd. He was located 
at Toledo, and supplied this place once in 
two weeks. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Benjamin Bew, then came Rev. Wm. 
Messmer, then Rev. Mr. Gordon, and Rev. 
James Stickles. The place of worship 
was afterward moved to Columbia school- 
house, (No. 3), and afterward to the Fife 
school house in Tama township. The so- 
ciety is now united with the one at Tama 
City. 

rOST OFFICE. 

The township has never had but one 
post office, and has none at present. Ola 
post office was established at the house of 
Geo. W. Morrison on section 1, in 1854, 
and he was appointed first postmaster. In 
1857 it was moved to Columbia village 
and name changed to Columbia. S. J. 
Cady was appointed postmaster. He was 
succeeded by William Hawley. Upon the 
establishment of an office at luka, this 
office was abandoned. Joshua Burley was 
also postmaster here for a time. 

VILLAGE OF COLUMBIA. 

This village was laid out in 1856, on 
section 5, by Milton and John D. Gettis. 
The town was but little more than one on 
paper, although a hotel was built in 1857 
and the jjostoffice of Ola was moved to the 
village. A saw mill was also built by 
Gettis Bros., which remained about nine 



.k 



694 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



years. All traces of the town has long 
since passed away. 

HISTORICAL ITEMS. 

Tiu' tirst death in the township was a 
cliild of .lames West and wife. It died 
ill the spring of 1852 and was buried on 
tlu'ir farm on section 1. 

The Hrst birth was a son of E. and N. J. 
Chase, March 1, 1853. The first marriage 
was of Mr. John A. Carlton with Miss Sarah 
A. Stoddard in 1855. There are four cem- 
eteries in this township. One located on 
the northeast corner of the northwest 
(juarter of section 12. The first interment 
here was Ritenhouse. Another cem- 
etery is located on the southwest quarter 
of section 29, and still another in the 
northeast corner of section 23. Several 
bodies were interred in the southwest 
<liiarter of section 5. 

TEMPERANCE. 

The " Sons of Temperance " was organ- 
ized at the Starr school house ( No. 1 ), in 
March 1876. The charter members were: 
D J. Peek, Emma J. Malin, Ira Wilcox, 
C. H. IIookirk,'G. A. Hutchison, S. S 
Peek, Moses Pickett, Wm. M. Peek, M. 
Herbage, C. E. Cory, Celia Rogers, Luella 
Pickett, Frank llartsock. Miss J. E. Fowl- 
er, Annie E. Cory, Etta Brown, Mrs. 
Moses Pickett, Wallace Pickett, Wm. H. 
Cory, Mrs. Wm. Hartsflck, G. S. Payne, 
Lestie Hatfield, Marion Brown, Wyley 
Brown and James A. Merritt. The first 
officers were: J. A. Merritt, G. W. P.; 



D. J. Peek, W. P.; Celia Rogers, W. A.; 

S. F. Hartsock, R. S.; Moses Pickett, 
Chaplain; Luella Pickett, Treasurer ; Wm. 
M. Peek, Conductor. The society flour- 
ished, holding their meetings every two 
weeks, until June 26, 1880, when it was 
merged into the Blue Ribbon Society. 

LITERARY SOCIETY. 

In 1860 a literary society was organized 
by the citizens of the southeastern part of 
the township, for the purpose of mutual 
improvement. This .society has been in 
running order most of the time during the 
winter seasons since, and has proved a 
source of considerable intellectual profit to 
the neighborhood. Topics of the day have 
been ably discussed. During the war 
when all was e.Yciteraent, this neighbor- 
hood shared the public excitement with 
the rest. C. Spire was one of the leaders 
in the literary movement and a talker upon 
the political issues of that day. The peo- 
ple of this vicinity pronounced him a 
Copperhead. Not to be outdone and to 
prove that other good men had been in 
their times of like opinions as himself, he 
presented the following question for de- 
bate in the Lyceum, "Resolved that Jere- 
miah the prophet was' a copperhead." 
The disputants were C. Spire and Wm. 
Cory for the aftirmative. Elder Rhoades 
and Joseph Yates for the negative. The 
subject was ably discussed for four even- 
ings and was finally decided in the aftirm- 
ative, that "Jeremiah, the prophet was 
a copperhead." 



•^ « **■ 



■^r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



695 



CHAPTER XXV. 



CRYSTAL TOWNSHIP. 



This territory comprises Congressional 
township 85 north, range 15, west of the 
iiftli principal meridian. It is bounded on 
the north by Grant township, on the west 
by Spring Creek, on the south by Howard 
and on the east by Perry. It is well 
watered by numerous streams. Four Mile 
creek enters from the porth on section 3, 
and flowing toward the southeast, passes 
through section 2, and leaves from section 
12. Wolf creek enters the township 
from the west on section 18, flowing east 
through that section to 17, thence to sec- 
tions 16 and 10, then following, meander- 
ingly, the line between sections 11 and 14, 
makes exit from section 12. Salt creek 
rises in the southern part of the town, on 
section 33, and flowing toward the east, 
passes through sections 20 and 25, making 
exit from the latter section. Crystal 
creek is in the southwestern part of the 
township. One branch rises in Spring 
Creek township and another on section 
19. They make confluence on section 19. 
It then flows in a southerly direction 
through section 30, thence in a south- 
westerly course across the corner of sec- 
tion 31, back to Spring Creek township. 
The emigrant road going west used to 
cross this stream on the northwest quarter 



of section 30. It was a very bad crossing 
and teams were freijuently stalled here, 
and settlers in the neighborhood were 
called tipon to help with their teams to 
pull them out. On this account this place 
was called the " dug-out. " 

Along Wolf creek there is some natu- 
ral timber. There is also a grove in the 
northern part, on section 3, known as 
"Four Mile Grove," while numerous large 
and beautiful plantations of trees add to 
the scenic eft'ect. The township is mostly 
prairie and the surface south of Wolf 
creek lies nearly level, while that north 
of the stream is rolling and hilly. The 
soil is generally the rich dai'k loam for 
which this part of the State is noted, 
except in the northern portion where there 
is a clay mixture. 

The township was named by Mrs. C. L. 
Davis, from the crystaline purity of the 
air. In this, as well as in other town- 
ships in this section of the county, wheat 
was once the main product, but at the 
present time it is not considered a paying 
crop, and the farmers are devoting their 
attention to other cereals and the raising of 
stock. There is no railroad in the towii- 
I ship, but there are three live towns within 
I short distance, and easy of access, Traer, 






^5 



•k. 



696 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Gladbrook and Garwin. The inhabitants 
are mostly American and Scotch, with a 
few (irermans, and all are an enterprising, 
industrious class of citizens. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in this township 
was made in 1854 by Nelson Felter, who 
came here from Cook county, Illinois, and 
settled on the northwest quarter of section 
15, where he built a log house and covered 
it with boards. It was in this humble 
abode the first white child was born in 
the township. Mr. Felter occupied his 
farm until 1882, when he moved to Mar- 
shalltown, where he now lives. Nelson 
Felter was born in Schoharie county. New 
York, August 15, 1813. He was married 
September 18, 1834, to Miss Calphrenia 
Powers, a native of Otsego county. New 
York. In 1854 he came to Tama county 
and immediately purchased laud on section 
15, of what is now Crystal township. He 
erected on his land a log cabin — the first 
in the township — which he occupied until 
1869, when he built a frame house. He 
reared five children — Matthew C, Rachel 
E., Jane, Harvey L. and Lyman. The 
wife and mother died May 23, 1881, and 
the subject of our sketch was again mar- 
ried, October 25, 1882, choosing for a help 
meet, Mrs. F. H. Brown. 

.John ^V. McKune came here from Lee 
county, Illinois, in June, 1855, traveling 
overland with teams, bringing thirty head 
of cattle with him. He located on the 
southwest quarter of section 14. The fam- 
ily lived with Mr. Felter through the sum- 
mer while he broke some of his land and 
built a log house into which they moved 
in the fall. He made this his home until 
the time of his death, which occurred June 



27, 1870. His widow now lives in Perry 
towLship with her daughter. John W. 
McKune was born in Orange county, New 
York, in 1803. When he was nine years 
old his parents removed to Susquehanna 
county, Pennsylvania. There he was 
joined in marriage. May 8, 1831, with Miss 
Frances Stuart, of Great Bend, Pennsyl- 
vania. Four children were born to them: 
George, Hannah E., Augusta and John 
E. In 1844, he settled in Cattaraugus 
county, New York, where he lived until 
1846. During that year he removed to 
Lee county, Illinois, where he purchased a 
farm and lived for nine years. He then 
sold his property there and came to Iowa 
for the purpose of settlement. Upon 
reaching this county he purchased land on 
section 14 of what is now Crystal town- 
ship. He took much care in improving 
his land, and made his home on it until 
called away by death, June 27, 1870. He 
was a kind husband and father, a good 
neighbor, and was deeply respected by 
all. He was a member of the first town 
Board of Trustees and afterwards held 
other oftices of trust. His widow now 
makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. 
L. E. Wood. 

Mr. McKune's eldest son, George, was 
born in the town of Windsor, Broome 
county. New York, June 21, 1833. He 
came west with his parents, making his 
home with them until the time of his mar- 
riage, December 24, 1860. His wife was 
Miss Eliza Stewart, daughter of James 
and Louisa (Vanleiw) Stewart. They 
have been blessed with seven children: 
Fred, Frances, John, Libbie, George, Ab- 
bie and Nellie. Immediately after his 
marriage, Mr. McKune settled on his farm 



V «5 



.^ 



>l 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



in the northeast quarter of section 23, of 
Crystal township. He has erected good 
farm buildings on his place and set out 
shade and fruit trees. He is now engaged 
in stock raising in connection with farm- 
ing. At present he is a member of the 
town Board of Trustees, is postmaster at 
Crystal postoftice, and has held other offi- 
ces of trust at different times. 

John E., the youngest son of John W. 
and Frances McKune, is a native of Sus- 
quehanna county, Pennsylvania, where he 
was born March 2, 1840. He lived with 
his parents until October of 1861, at which 
time he enlisted in Company G, 14th Iowa 
Volunteers, and started off to fight for his 
country's honor. He participated in the 
battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. 
During the latter engagement he was 
taken prisoner and died in 1862, while in 
the rebel prison at Macon, Gleorgia. 

Hannah, the eldest daughter, is now 
the wife of J. C. Wood and lives in Buck- 
ingham township. Augusta, the third 
child born to them, married L. E. Wood 
and is living in Perry township. 

Another settler in 1855, was Jonathan 
S. Bishop, a native of Logan county, Ohio, 
who came here with his family from St. 
Joseph county, Michigan. They started 
from that place the 24th of April with 
three yoke of oxen and one yoke of cows. 
They visited on the way in Illinois and in 
Washington county this State, and arrived 
in Crystal township the 10th day of June, 
and settled on the east half of the north- 
east quarter of section .31. His fam- 
ily lived in the wagons until fall. During 
the summer he broke some of his land 
and drew some lumber from Muscatine 
an ^ erected a frame house. He continued 



to improve his land until the fall of 1862, 
when he joined the Union army. He died 
in the service, September 8, 1863. Two 
of his sons are now residents of the town- 
ship. 

Jonathan S. Bishop was born on the 
banks of the Little Miami, in Logan coun- 
ty, Ohio, October 20, 1818. His youth 
was spent in school and assisting his 
father on the farm. When twenty years 
of age he began learning the wheel- 
wright's trade. During 1839, he was in 
Springfield, Illinois, building carts, which 
were to be used in dragging stone to the 
site where the State capitol was to be 
erected. April 20, 1840, he was married, 
at Urbana, Ohio, to Miss Mary McGahan, 
a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, 
and born July 7, 1813. They were blessed 
with four children, only one of whom is 
now living — John B. M. The subject of 
this sketch continued to work at his trade 
in Ohio until 1845, when he removed to 
Cass county, Michigan, where he bought 
a farm and also a saw mill. His wife 
died there March 25, 1851, and he soon 
after sold his property and removed to St. 
Joseph county, working at his trade in the 
town of Constantine. Subsequently he 
was married in that county to Mrs. Polly 
Ray Ketchum, widow of Loren Ketchum. 
She was born November 28, 1821, in Cat- 
taraugus county. New York. Three chil- 
dren were born to them : Charles A., 
Harriet E. and Laura A. In 1853, Mr. 
Bishop removed to White Pigeon, Michi- 
gan, and two years later, came to Tama 
county, Iowa. He entered land on section 
31, of Crystal township, upon his arrival 
here, and immediately began improving 
it. In September of 1862 he enlisted in 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



company F, 28th Iowa Volunteers, being 
mustered in as corporal. He was detailed 
as his Company's representative in the 
color guard. He was flag bearer at the 
battle of Champion Hills, where he was 
slightly wounded in the arm. The flag 
staff was shattered over his head and the 
flag badly damaged. He participated in 
the battle of Port Gibson and the siege of 
Vicksburg, and was with the regiment in 
its march to New Orleans. In August of 
186;i he was detached from his regiment 
and joined the 11th Louisiana. Shortly 
after, he was taken sick with typhoid fever 
and died in the regiment camp, September 
8th, 1863. Mrs. Bishop died at their home 
August 18th, twenty days before her hus- 
bands death occurred. 

Charles A. Bishop, youngest son of Jon- 
athan S. Bishop, was born at Constantine, 
in St. Joseph county, Michigan, August 
26, 18.52. He was in his third year when 
his parents settled in this State. His edu- 
cation was received in the district schools 
of Crystal township, and at the High 
School of Toledo. February 2, 1876, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Maggie 
Watt, daughter of Joseph Watt, of West- 
moreland county, Pennsylvania. They 
have two chldren : Frank R. and Arthur 
A. In 1875 the subject nf this sketch pur- 
chased a farm on section .32 of Crystal 
township. During 1882 he erected on it 
his present large frame residence. 

Valentine Shultz a native of the " Key- 
stone " State, started from Michigan, and 
arrived in Crystal township June 8, 1855, 
and settled on the west half of the north- 
west quarter of section 32, where he built 
the second log house in the township, and 



lived in it until the lime of his death, in 
1868. His widow now lives in Garwin. 

Asa Hoag, who was a native of the em- 
pire State, came here from St. Joseph 
county, Michigan, in 1855, and settled on 
the northeast quarter of 29, where he 
erected a board shanty. On the way here 
his wife lost her reason, and on that ac 
count he sold out in 1856 and returned to 
Michigan, where he was killed about a 
year later by a falling tree. 

In the fall of 1855, Mrs. Margaret Mor- 
ton also a native of the empire State 
came with her family from Lee county, 
Illinois, over land with ox teams, crossing 
the Mississippi river at Fulton. They were 
eleven days on the road and settled on the 
southeast quarter of section 14. 

Mrs. Margaret Morton, one of the first 
settlers of Crystal township, is a daughter 
of Jonathan and Dorotha ( Smith ) Peter, 
son, and was born January 11, 1817, in 
Cortland county. New York. September 
1, 1836, she was joined in wedlock with 
John Morton, who was born in Tompkins 
county, New York, May 2, 1815. He was 
reared on a farm in his native county, and 
when a young man, learned the trade of 
wagon making. The same year in which 
he was married, he opened a wagon shop 
in Allegany county, and continued in bus- 
iness there until 1842, when he removed 
to Lee county, Illinois. There he was em- 
ployed in farming for a while, and then 
opened a wagon and plow shop, which busi- 
ness he followed until the time of his death, 
October 6, 1854. He left a wife and seven 
children to mourn his loss ; two of those 
children have since followed him to that 
" brighter shore." The five now living 
are Persis, Ann N., Luceba, Newman VV. 





'^ /) >^v 



t t/, ^.M^yt.-*^,y^^^-^yi^<y 



fe. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



701 



and Alrneda. In the fall of 1855, Mrs. 
Morton started, with her family, for the 
west .Upon reaching Iowa, she proceeded 
to this county, where she had previously 
purchased land in the southeast quarter of 
section 14, Crystal township, and where 
she has ever since made her home. 

Her oldest son, Jonathan Morton, was 
born in Allegany county. New York, Feb- 
ruary 4, 1838. He made his home with 
his mother until January of 1864, when he 
enlisted in Company A, 14th Iowa Volun- 
teers. His regiment joined General Banks' 
command and participated in the Ked 
River expedition, in which campaign, at 
the battle of Pleasant Hill, he was wound- 
ed. He was in several other engage- 
ments, remaining in the service until 
the spring of 1865, when be was 
taken sick, from exposure, and never 
recovered. He was discharged in June, 
of that year, and returned home, where, 
after many weary months of pain and 
sickness, he died on the 24ih day of Feb- 
ruary, 1866. Her daughter, Persis, is now 
the wife of M. C. Felter. Ann N., former- 
ly a teacher in the public schools of this 
county, is now deputy postmaster of Crys- 
tal post office, and is also Secretary of the 
School Board. She has a general store on 
the northeast quarter of section 14, Crystal 
township. Luceba was married to George 
W. Buchanan, July 3, 1864, and is now re- 
siding with her family in Union county, 
Oregon. 

Newman W., the only son now living, 
is a native of Lee county, Illinois, where 
he was born October 18, 1848. He was 
seTen years of age when his mother settled 
in Iowa. His education was received in 
Crystal township. He was married at 



Beaver City, Furnas county, Nebraska, 
on the 31st of January, 1880, to Miss Laura 
E. Evans, a native of Bureau county, Illi- 
nois. They have one son — Claude Henry. 
Mr. Morton now occupies the old home- 
stead. 

Almeda was married December 25, 1876, 
to John Estle, who died May 12, 1882, 
leaving his wife and two children, Tony 
Ray and Anna Mable, to mourn his un- 
timely death. 

West Wilson a native of Scotland came 
here from Connecticut in 1854, and entered 
land on sections 12 and 13, after which he 
returned to Connecticut. In 1856 he 
moTed here with his family and has since 
made this his home. 

West Wilson was born in Ayreshire, 
Scotland, September 19, 1820. He was 
reared on a farm and attended the public 
schools of his native parish, completing 
his education under the tutorage of Mr. 
Lang, Professor of Greek and Hebrew, in 
Edinburg University. After completing 
his education, he engaged in farming until 
1846, when he came to America, and set- 
tled in New London county, Connecticut, 
where he rented a farm and engaged in the 
vegetable and dairy business. In 1854, he 
came to Tama county, and entered land 
in township 85, range 15, now known as 
Crystal township. He then returned to 
Connecticut and continued his former 
business until 1856, when he again came 
to Iowa and settled on his land. He has 
improved his farm and erected a good set 
of buildings. In 1874, he engaged in the 
grain business in Traer, and in 1879, he 
opened up a branch business in Morrison, 
and again in 1882, engaged in the same 
business in Reinbeck. Mr. Wilson was 



J^ 



702 



fflSTORT OF TAMA COUNTY. 



married in 1845 to Margaret Drynan, a 
native of Ayreshire, Scotland. She died 
in 1860, leaving nine children, eight of 
whom are now living — Janet, Jane, Mar- 
garet, James, Agnes, William, Henry and 
Catherine. Grace died when three years 
of age. His second wife, to whom he was 
married in 1863, was Barbara Kennedy, a 
native of Ayreshire. Four children bless 
this union — Sarah, John W., Christiana 
and Dallon K. In 1880, Mr. Wilson made 
a visit to his native land, and his friends in 
Tama county had the privilege of reading, 
in the Traer Clipper, many interesting 
letters written by him during his travels. 
Mr. Wilson was the first to introduce 
shorthorn cattle in northern Tama. He 
has engaged quite extensively in raising 
this breed of cattle, and in the fall of 1882 
sold ninety-five head. Mr. Wilson was 
also one of the instigators of the Toledo 
Agricultural Society, and of the Northern 
Tama Agricultural Society. He has al- 
ways been on the alert to do anything for 
the good of his county, and it was mainly 
through his influence that most of the 
Scotch and English settled here. Mr. Wil- 
son is possessed of excellent business quali- 
fications, and has been successful in accu- 
mulating a competency. He is knowiu 
and respected all over the county. 

J. S. Town send, a native of "Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania, came in 1854, 
and entered the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 27. After entering his land he re- 
turned to Pennsylvania. In 1856, he re- 
turned with his family, coming on the 
cars as far as Iowa City. There he hired 
a team to take him to Tann county, where 
he had friends. He there bought a pair 
of horses and drove to his new home. 



lie has made great improvements and is 
one of the largest farmers in the town- 
ship. 

C. L. Davis, a native of Connecticut, 
came here from St. Joseph county, Michi- 
gan, in 1 856, and bought land on sections 
29 and 30. He bought a board shanty of 
Mr. Hoag, and lived in that until fall. In 
the meantime he had cut some trees and 
hauled the logs to Bruner's mill, on Deer 
creek, and had them sawed. He built a 
frame house, 16x24 feet, with a lean-to, in 
which he lived until 1868, when he built 
the house in which he now lives. 

Washington Brown, a step-son of Valen- 
tine Shalbz, came here with him and en- 
tered the east half of the northwest quar- 
ter of section 32. He remained in the 
country until 1 864, when he went to Dick- 
erson county, Kan., where he is now en- 
gaged in farming. 

Robert Wylie came in 1854, and en- 
tered land on section 24, after which he 
returned to Cedar county. In 1855 ho 
came back to his land, did some breaking 
and built a house, but spent the winter in 
Cedar county. In the spring of 1856 he 
again returned, bringing his family. 

Robert Wylie was born in Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania, Feb. 8, 1807. 
He was reared on a farm. May 30, 1830, 
he was joined in marriage with Miss 
Isabella Ralston, who bore him nine chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living, Margaret 
J., John B., Mary, Isabella, Sarah and 
Matthew. Mr. Wylie made his home in 
his native State until the fall of 1854, 
when he came to Iowa for the purpose of 
finding a good location for settlement. 
He left his family at Tipton, Iowa, and 
came on to 'faina county, where he soon 



^'— 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



703 



entered 320 acres of land in sections 21 
and 28 of what is now Crystal township. 
He then returned to Tipton, but the fol- 
lowing spring made another trip to this 
county, and while here made arrange- 
ment to have broken several acres of his 
land and also erected a house. In the 
spring 1856 he removed his family here, 
since which time they have been promi- 
nent residents of the county. During the 
year of 1872 his dwelling was destroyed 
bj fire, and he immediately after ■ ards 
erected the large frame house, in which 
he lived until the time of his death — June 
6, 1S76. His widow, two daughters and a 
son now live on the homestead. When 
quite young Mr. Wylie joined the Pres- 
byterian church in his native state. 8ub- 
sequentlj' he was one of the first elders of 
the Salem Presbyterian church, of which 
he was one of the original members. He 
enjoyed the respect and confidence of the 
people and fiHed many oftioes of trust in 
the township. Two of his sons now live 
in the township. His son, John B. Wylie, 
was born Feb. 19, 1834. He made his 
home with his parents until the fall of 
1866, when he was married to Miss Mar- 
garet McQuilkin, a native of West More- 
land county, Penn., where she was born 
Aug. 3, 1843. She bore him six children, 
four of whom are now living — Lillie 
]>eele, Robert H., Mary E. and W^illiam 
Orr -and died in Crystal township, Feb. 
8, 1881. Mr. Wylie is an elder in the 
Salem chuwjh, of which he has been a 
member since its organization. At the 
first town meeting he was elected an offi- 
cer of the same, and he has been kept in 
some responsible position of trust most of 
the time since. 



Orin Burright, a native of the "Buckeye" 
State, came here from Illinois in 1856, and 
first settled on section 3, where he built a 
house and lived a short time and then 
moved to the northwest quarter of section 
15. In 1865, he moved to Toledo, where 
he now lives. 
^John Buchanan, a "Hoosier" by birth, 
came here in 1856 and settled on the east 
half of the northwest quarter of section 23. 
Afterward he sold and moved to Indian 
Village. He now lives in Oregon. 

William Guilford, a native of the old 
"Bay" State, came here from Vermont in 
1856, and located on the northwest quarter 
of section 30. In : 864, he went to Howard 
township, and afterward went to Toledo 
where he engaged in the hardware business. 
He now lives at Storm Lake. 

Abraham Quinn, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, came from Illinois in 1855, with a 
team bringing his family and driving 
through some cattle. He left his family 
in Monroe county while he came and 
entered the east half of the southeast 
quarter of section 2. In September, he 
moved his family here and made this his 
home until 1877, when he moved to Oregon. 
His oldest son Peter, now occupies the old 
place. Abraham Quinn was born in Penn- 
sylvania, in 1809. When a young man 
his parents moved to Ohio and settled in 
Franklin county, where they were among 
the first settlers. Abraham assisted his 
father in clearing up the farm, which was 
in a heavily wooded country. In 1835, 
Mr. Quinn was married to Miss Sarah 
Ann Hartsock, a native of Pennsylvania. 
They settled on a farm in Plain township, 
Franklin county, and made that their 
home until 1855, then came to Iowa, local- 



*7i; 



;(r 



j±=AiL 



704 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



iiig in Tama county, in what is now Crys- 
tal low iisliijj. lie purchased laO acres of 
prairie land on sections 1 and 2, and some 
timbered land on section 3. He built the 
tirst frame house and lived in the town- 
ship until 187V, when he moved to Oregon, 
where he now lives a resident of East 
I'ortland. Mrs. Quinn was born in Penii- 
sylvania in 1812, and died in Crystal town- 
ship, Tama county, September 17, 1864. 
Mr. and Mrs. Quinn were the parents of 
five children: Peter, Elizabeth A., Jane 
Ellen, Mark Leroy and John W. The 
(laughters are both living in Grant town- 
ship of this county. John W. is married 
and lives in Oregon, and Mark L., died in 
infancy. 

The oldest son, Peter Quinn, was born 
in Franklin county, Ohio, March 15, 1837. 
Ho attended the public schools in Ohio 
and Illinois, making his home with his 
p.arents until 1864. On August 31, 1864, 
lie enlisted in the Ist Iowa Cavalry, Com- 
pany C, and was soon transferred to Com- 
pany M. He joined the command at Little 
Rock, Arkansas, and was with the regi- 
ment until the close of the war, being hon- 
orably discharged June 13, 1865. He re- 
turned to Crystal township, Tama county, 
and November 30, 1865, was married to 
Miss Agnes, daughter of Gilbert and Sarah 
McMillan, of the same township. Mr. and 
Mrs. Quinn have been blessed with sevdn 
children: Sheridan G., Wilson A., David 
W., James M., Freddie J., Maggie M. and 
Peter R. On his return from the war, 
Mr. Quinn settled on the southeast quarter 
of section 2, where he has since lived. 
Mr. Quinn is the proprietor of the Crystal 
Creamery, which he established in 1880. 



Another man who came here to seek a 
home in 1855 was Gilbert McMillan, a 
Scotchman, who had come from the old 
country but a few months previous, and 
had made a short stop in Connecticut. 
He selected 120 acres on section 2, 
then went to Buckingham and lived 
until the spring of 1857, when he 
settled on his land and now makes this his 
home. Probably no man in the country is 
more fond of a joke t*an he, and it takes 
a good man to "get ahead " of him. It is 
said that J. Vertrees is the only person 
that ever did, and it happened in this 
way : Mr. McMillan had " considerable 
many hogs," and very little corn or feed 
of any description for them, and Mr. Ver- 
trees had corn in abundance, but of hogs 
none. Meat was scarce in the neighbor- 
hood, and, in consideration of the hard 
work to be done, a necessity. In order to 
secure a supply, or make provision for the 
future, something must be done. There 
were the hogs and here the corn, a plan 
to get the two together would make pork. 
So Vertrees made a proposition to McMil- 
lan to take some of the shoats and feed 
them for one-half the pork. "To this Mc- 
Millan rfeadily assented and Vertrees 
drove home the " porkers. " In a few 
days he killed one of them, and wishing 
everything fair, called in Solomon Walls 
to divide it, which he did as carefully as 
possible, splitting exactly in the centre 
from the end of the nose to the tip of the 
tail. It was thin enough for a lantern, 
and without fat enough to cook it in. 
Vertrees carried McMillan's half to him, 
when it suddenly dawned upon McMillan 
that there was something wrong about 
that contract, but notwithstanding his loss 






^t^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



705 



of hogs, he was not the man to " squeal " 
and enjoyed the joke as well as anybody. 
One day his neighbor, Chapman, was at 
his house when he was feeding his stock 
and said to him, " You have more stock 
than you need. " " Mac " replied " yes, 
that is true, " and pointing out two steers 
said, " You may have those two for all I 
care. " Chapman knew well the propen- 
sity of his neighbor for joking, and know- 
ing of course that McMillan would not 
think for a moment that he would actually 
take the cattle and drive them away, he 
concluded to play a joke by taking him at 
his word. It was a hot day in August, 
and he started the steers. They ran out 
on the prairie, and continued to run, with 
Chapman after them, until man and beast 
were both exhausted and mad. But final- 
ly, after much trouble and vexation, he 
succeeded in getting them well on the 
road toward home. When passing a 
neighbor's house, the man came out and 
asked, " what he was doing with those 
steers. " He replied, " I am driving them 
home from McMillan's. " " But, " said 
the man, "they are my steers." Then 
Cliapman saw " where the joke came in, " 
and went home a very tired, but a wiser 
man. 

Gilbert McMillan was born in the par- 
ish of Colmonel, Ayreshire, Scotland, 
.lune 16, 1816. His father was a farmer 
and stock-raiser. Gilbert received his 
education in the public school at Barr 
Hill, and continued to make his home 
with his parents until twenty-six years of 
age, when he was united in marriage with 
Miss Sarah Wilson, daughter of James 
and Jane (Lusk) Wilson. They have 
eight children : Agnes, Jennie, Maggie, 



David, James, Janet, Peter and Grace. 
At the time of his marriage the subject of 
oifr sketch rented a farm in the parish of 
Colmonel, and there lived until 1855, 
when he left his native land and came to 
America. He landed at New York city 
on the 24th of February, and immediately 
proceeded to Connecticut, where he visited 
friends until the following June, when he 
came to Tama county, Iowa, for the pur- 
pose of settlement. He entered 120 acres 
of land in the northeast quarter of section 
2, of what is now Crystal township, but 
spent the first year on a rented farm 
in Buckingham township. Id the fall 
of 1856 he'purchased 40 acres of land ad- 
joining hig farm, upon which he moved a 
small frame house that he had purchased 
in Buckingham township. After living 
here for some time he built an addition, 
and continued to occupy the house until 
1880, when it was destroyed by fire. He 
then erected the frame house in which he 
now resides. Mr. McMillan now owns 
260 acres of improved land and 70 acres of 
timber land. 

Charles Lee Davis made his settlement 
in Crystal township, in the spring of 1856. 
He bought land on sections 29 and 30, and 
also purchased a little shanty to live in 
until he could get a more substantial house 
erected. He cut logs, hauled them to the 
saw mill on Deer creek, and that fall built 
a frame house, 16x24 feet, with a lean-to 
attached. In this house he lived until 
1868, when he erected bis present dwell- 
ing. He was born in Windham county, 
Connecticut, August 27, 1813, and is a son 
of Thomas and Prudence (Denison) Davis. 
When he was but three years old, his 
parents removed to Genesee c<iunty. New 



^1 



■^1 e'v 



^1 



Lk 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



York, wlierc the subject ot our sketch 
was reared on a farm. He received his 
education at the Pine Hill school, at Elba, 
that county. When he was twenty-four 
years of age his father died. In 1841 Mr. 
Davis was united in marriage with Miss 
Polly Ann Thorpe, daughter of John and 
Polly (Skidmore) Thorpe, of Otsego 
county. New York. The young couple 
continued to make their home in that State 
until 1845, when they removed to St. Jo- 
seph county, Michigan. There Mr. Davis 
purchased land which he improved and 
lived upon until his settlement in this 
county. Their children living are — Mary 
E., Helen P., John Russell, Henry M., 
Sheldon F ., Lewis W., Eva A., Hattie 
A. and Frederick E. Their oldest son, 
Charles, was born December 12, 1842. He 
made his home with his parents until 
September .5, 1861, at which time he en- 
listed in the 10th Iowa. Infantry Regiment, 
went south and joined Pope's command. 
While in service he was taken sick, re- 
turned home, and died two weeks after 
his arrival — on the 12th day of May 1862. 

John S. Townsend is a settler of 1856. 
He is a native of Westmoreland county, 
Penn., where he was born Aug. 10, 1822. 
He is the third son of John and Elizabeth 
Townsend, natives of Pennsylvania. His 
father died in his native State in 1867, and 
two years later the wife and mother 
also passed away. The subject of this 
sketch was reai-ed on a farm and received 
his education in the common schools of 
his native county. He made his home 
wilh his parents until his twentieth year, 
at which time he was united in marriage 
with Susan Dickey, a native of that 



county and daughter of David and Eliza- 
beth (McLellan) Dickey. In 1846 Mr. 
Townsend purchased a farm in his native 
township, erected a brick house, and con- 
tinued to reside there until 1856, when he 
sold his place and came to Tama county, 
Iowa, wherein November, 1854, he had en- 
tered land on section 28 of what is now 
Crystal township. He made this his home 
until 1857, when he purchased a quarter 
section of land in Deer creek timber, In- 
dian Village township, and moved on it. 
He cleared and improved fifty acres of it, 
and at the end of four and a half years re- 
turned to his farm in Crystal township, 
where he has since resided, with the excep- 
tion of six months spent in Toledo, Iowa, 
and three months spent in visiting friends 
and relatives in Ohio and Pennsylvania. 
Since coming to Tama county Mr. Town- 
send had bought large tracts of land, 
1,000 acres of which he has improved and 
fenced. He has six children living — 
Mary E., wife of Robert Cowen, living on 
section 21 of Crystal township; Craig H., 
now engaged in the lumber trade in 
Greene county; Dan D., now clerking in 
a railroad office at Cedar Rapids ; Edmund 
K., engaged in farming on section 21 of 
Crystal township; Cordia L., wife of W. 
Muirhead, who lives on section 20 of Crys- 
tal township; Charles, the youngest, is at 
home with his parents. Their eldest son, 
William Shields, was born Feb. 11, 1845, 
and made his home with his parents until 
December of 1863, when he enlisted in 
Company G, Fourteenth Iowa, and went 
South. He was taken a prisoner of war 
in the battle at Pleasant Hill, La., and 
died Sept. 1, 1864, in the rebel prison at 
Tyler, Texas. David A. was born JLarch 



^^ 



^l^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



■707 



18, 1853, and died Oct. 24, 1865. Ann 
Eliza, the eldest daughter, was born Jan. 
30, 1843, and died Oct. 29, 1865. Marga- 
ret L. was born March 10, 1847, and died 
Nov. 1, 1865. John M. was born March 
20, 1851, and died Nov. 1, 1865. 

Solomon Walls, a native of Ohio, came 
from Ogle county, Illinois, in 1857 and set- 
tled on section 3, where he lived until 
1859 when he moved to section 15, where 
he now lives. He was born in Knox coun- 
ty, Ohio, January 10, 1832. He made 
that county his home until 1852, when he 
removed to Ogle county, Illinois, where 
he was subsequently married to Miss Mary 
E. Burright, daughter of Orrin Burright 
During 1857 they removed to Tama coun- 
ty, Iowa, and settled on section 3, of Crys- 
tal township. Two years later, he pur- 
chased land on section 15, where he has 
since made his home. Mr. and Mrs. 
Walli" have six children: Laurinda, Will- 
iam Henry, Charles E., Milan D., Hortense 
E^and Cordie. Mr. Walls is a prominent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of Crystal, and has been its class 
leader for many years. 

Joe Vertrees, a native of Illinois, came 
in 1858, and settled on section 3. During 
the war he returned to Illinois. He now 
lives in Shelby county, Iowa. 

Dr. S. C. Rogers, the only practicing 
physician that ever settled in this town- 
sliip, was a native of Massachusetts. He 
came here from New York in 1859, and 
settled on section 16. He went to the 
army as surgeon, and after the war he 
sold his property here and settled in the 
east. 



S. M. Chapman, a native of Kentucky, 
came here in 1859, and settled on the 
northeast quarter of section 2. During the 
war, he went to the southern part of the 
covmty. Stewart Burright came here in 
1859, and settled on section 3. He enlisted 
in the army, and upon his return settled in 
Shelby county. 

In 1865 the Whannel family came to 
Tama county, and have ever since been 
prominent and respected citizens. In their 
respective townships will be found 
sketches of the different members of this 
family, and -in this connection are pre- 
sented personal sketches of those who are 
residents of this township. 

Peter Whannel, eldest son of John and 
Margaret V\ hannel, is a native of Ayre- 
shire, Scotland, where he was born Feb- 
ruary 3, 1833. He received his education 
in the public schools of his native parish 
(Colmonel), and afterwards came with his 
father and family to the United States, 
settling in Knox County, Illinois, where 
they continued to live for a number of 
years. Immediately after the family were 
settled in their new home, the subject of 
our sketch hired out as a farm hand in the 
neighborhood of his parents home, and for 
the first year's labor received the small 
sum of 1165. Subsequently he, in compa- 
ny with his father and three brothers, 
rented land which they farmed while in 
that State. During the time, they man- 
aged, by economy and unceasing toil, to 
save $1,500 ; however, by the failure of 
the bank in which it was deposited, all 
was lost with the exception of a paltry 20 
per cent recovered by them several years 
afterwards. The father died August 29, 
1864, and the following year the family 



H^=^ 



-< ei.*- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



came to Tama county, Iowa, buying 640 
acres on sections 6, 7 and 8 of Crystal 
township, of which only 50 were im- 
proved. Mr Whannel now owns a well 
cultivated farm of 5G0 acres, on which he 
has erected good, substantial farm build- 
ings. His residence is located on section 
0, and was erected in 1865. August 26, 
1864, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Janet Young, a native of Ayreshire, Scot- 
land, and daughter of Samuel and Janet 
Young. Seven children have been born 
to them : Janie E., Margaret K., Samuel 
L., Mary H., Janet C, Thomas A. and 
Marion A. Mr. Whannel is also largely 
engaged in stock raising in connection 
with farming. Mr. Whannel has three 
brothers whose farms join his : Thomas, 
in Cryrstal township, and John and Robert 
in Grant township. 

Thomas Whannel, the second son of 
John and Margaret Whanijel, was born 
in the parish of Colmonel, Ayreshire, 
Scotland, April 27, 18-35. He received a 
liberal education in the public schools of 
his native parish, and subsequently came, 
with his parents, to America. For some 
years after their settlement in this country, 
the subject of our sketch was engaged in 
farming in the state of Illinois ; at first 
working as a laborer at ten dollars per 
month, and later, in company with his 
father and brothers, farming rented land. 
Witli them he suffered by the failure of the 
bank in which their hard earned money was 
deposited. In 1865 he came to Tama 
county, Iowa, with his father's famlily, 
and settled in Crystal township, where he 
now owns 480 acres of improved land ; he 
also owns 400 acres in Wright county of 
this State. February 9, 1870, he was joined 



in wedlock with Mary J., daughter of 
Andrew and Elizabeth (Kelly) McCor- 
mack. They have been blessed with six 
children : Andrew, James M., Mary E., 
John H., Robert W. and Edward. In 
1869 Mr. Whannel erected his present 
residence on section 7 of Crystal town- 
ship. He, with his brothers, came to 
this county poor, but by patience, perse- 
verance and industry, they now rank 
among the largest and best farmers of 
Tama county. 

John Stevenson settled in Tama county, 
Iowa, on section 36, Crystal township, in 
1865, and there made his home until his 
death, which occurred January 8, 1876. 
Mr. Stevenson was a native of Scotland, 
born in Ayreshire, June 12, 1808. He was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Marion Wier, 
a native of Ayreshire, Scotland, born in 
December, 1811. They were blessed with 
ten children, eight of whom are now liv- 
ing. Mr. Stevenson continued to live in 
Scotland until 1853, when they emigrated 
to Canada, settling on a farm in Peterboi^ 
county. During 1865 he sold his home- 
stead there, and, crossing to the United 
States, came to Iowa, where he soon pur- 
chased land on section 25, of Crystal town- 
ship, this county. He settled on it and 
continued to improve the same until the 
time of his death. His widow now occu- 
pies the homestead. Mr. Stevenson's 
third son, James, is also a native of Ayre- 
shire, Scotland, having been born there 
November 23, 1843. He was eight years 
of age when his parents emigrated to 
Canada, and twenty-two years old when 
they settled in Iowa. He made his home 
with his parents until 1870, when he was 
united in marriage with Mary J., daughter 



■^^ 




% 




V 




HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Vll 



of Samuel Steen, of Pennsylvania. They 
have three children —Ella E., Jessie J. 
and Samuel W. Mr. Stevenson's farm is 
in the southwest quarter of section 25, 
Crystal township He is now largely 
engaged in stock raising in connection 
with farming. 

Among those who have come into the 
township since 1865, and are now promi- 
nent settlers, may be mentioned Johann 
Cohrt, John B. Brush, Edward Dodd, E. 
B. Harlan, D. W. Baker, John Sharp, 
( laus Fredrick Jacobs, Heinrich Clausen, 
Edwin Moore, E. W. Harrison, James 
Fink, William Belfour, Robert McPher- 
ran, John Swan, Peter Ploen, Edwin 
Lynde, William McTurk, Robert Cowan, 
William Houghton, John Karmsen, Jona- 
than and Joseph Allard, and others. 

Johann Cohrt, one of the first German 
settlers of Crystal township, was born at 
Hollingstedt, Schleswig, Germany, He 
received a good education in his 
native town, and there lived until 
1856, when lie emigrated to America. 
Upon being landed at New York city, he 
proceeded directly to Davenport. Iowa, 
and from there, removed to Illinois, where 
he was employed during thatwinter chop- 
ping wood, for which he received $1 
per cord. He then hired out as a farm 
hand, and for his first years labor received 
lilTO; the second year he worked for 
twelve dollars per month, e.xcept during 
harvest time, when, he received $1.50 per 
day. August 13, 1858, he was married to 
Rebecca Tenkk who was born August 26, 
1840, in Holstein, Germany. She is a 
daughter of Peter and Maggie Tenkk. 
In 1859 Mr. Cohrt farmed land six miles 
from Davenport, Scott county, on shares. 



"^s r- 



The next year he removed to Liberty town- 
ship, same county, where he bought 80 
acres of wild land ; on it he erected a 
house and continued to improve the land 
until 1806, when he came to Crystal town- 
ship of this county and purchased the 
west half of section 16. He lived on the 
northwest quarter six years and then 
built his present residence in the other 
quarter. He is also engaged in stock rais- 
ing in connection with farming. Thirteen 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Cohrt, eleven of whom are now living — 
Claus, Mary, Peter, Annie M., John, Wil- 
liam, llenry, Emma, Matilda, Clara and 
an infant named Theodor. Teresa, a twin 
sister to Matilda, died when in her fifth 
year ; and just eight days later, Caroline 
died, aged about three years. 

John B. Brush is a native of Sussex 
county. New Jersey, born July 26, 1817. 
His education was received in his native 
county, and there his youth and early 
manhood was spent. He passed the win- 
ter of 1846-7 in Buffalo, New York, and 
proceeded to Illinois, buying land in De- 
Kalb county of that State. Two years 
later he sold his property there and re- 
moved to this State, making his first settle- 
ment in Center township of Clinton county, 
where he was one of the pioneers, the 
township not being organized until three 
years later. He purchased government 
land, and during the years he lived there, 
improved it and made of it a comfortable 
homestead. In 1866, he sold the farm, 
came to Tama county, and bought the 
southeast quarter of section 22, Crystal 
township, which land w»s 'hen wild prairie. 
The same year he completed the house in 
which he now lives, and in 1881 erected a 



53 



'9 



^^= 



•lA 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



barn 32x46 feet, with an ell 18x30 feet. Mr. 
Brush now owns 3-20 acres of improved land 
and 40 acres of timber land, and also a resi- 
dence in the town of Traer. March -23, 
1850, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Phebe C. Cole, also a native of Sussex 
c-Dunty, New Jersey, and a daughter of 
Josiali W. and Hannah (Wickham) Cole. 
They have seven children: Walter J., 
Jane H., Emma A., Sarah F., Oscar W., 
Charles C. and Judson W. 

Edward Dodd settled in Tama county 
in 1866. He spent the first year in the 
employ of West Wilson, of Crystal town- 
ship, and then purchased, in that township, 
1 20 acres of unimproved land on section 1 7. 
During the same year he broke a number 
of acres, and in 1868 raised his first crop. 
In January, 1873, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Janet Wilson, a daughter 
of West Wilson. They have been blessed 
with five children: Henry West, Thomas 
Wright, James Wilson, Maggie Drynan 
and William Andrew. Mr. Dodd now 
owns 280 acres of improved land, on which 
have been erected good farm buildings. 
In 1872 he built his present residence. He 
is a native of Ayreshire, Scotland, born 
March 29, is;)8. He made that country 
his home until 1856, when he came to the 
United States. After landing in New 
York, he proceeded to Michigan where he 
was employed in farming until 1863, then 
removed to Illinois, remaining in the latter 
State until the year of his settlement in 
this county. Mr. and Mrs. Dodd are mem- 
bers of the Tranquility Church. 

E. B. Harlan is a native of Putnam 
county, Indiana, where he was born No- 
vember 25, 1843. His early years were 
s[)ent in school and on the farm. During 



August of 1862, he enlisted in the 80th 
Indiana Volunteers and went to Kentucky, 
where he was taken prisoner by Morgan, 
in his raid through the State. He was 
immediately paroled and returned to his 
home. April 26, 1863, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Susanna Etter, wlio 
also was born in Putnam county. In 1864, 
he purchased a farm in Washington town- 
ship of that county, and there lived until 
the fall of 1868, when he sold his property 
^d came to Iowa. He worked a rented 
farm near Tama city, this county, the first 
year and then bought a farm on section 15, 
Crystal township. There he lived four 
years then sold the place and purchased 
his present farm on section 5. During 
1882, he erected the house in which he 
now lives, and at the present time owns 
400 acres of improved land. Mr. and Mrs. 
Harlan have been blessed with nine chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living: David 
Franklin, Mary Ann, Joseph R., Lizzie, 
Rosa and Noah Robert. Their son Johnny 
died in infancy; Etta May (Jied at seven 
years of age, and Rebecca died when five 
years old. 

Daniel Webster Baker is a native of 
Orleans county, Vermont, born on the 10th 
of January, 1847. He was reared on a 
farm, receiving his education in the dis- 
trict schools. October 9, 1803, he left 
home, went to Montpelier, that State, and 
on the 12th of that month started for Cedar 
Rapids, Iowa, ariving on the loth, and on 
the 18th started for Tama county. lie 
reached Toledo the same day and stopped 
for a few days with George Guilford, an 
old acquaintance, who, on the 21st of Oc- 
tober, took Mr. Baker to the farm of John 
B. Sharp, in SpringCreek township, whore 



¥ 



i^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



he remained until about the Istof Decem- 
ber. Then Mv. Baker went to Wm. Guil- 
ford's, whose farm he cultivated the fol- 
lowing year, and in August, 1864, pur- 
chased the David Hunnewell place in 
Howard township, where he remained, 
engaged in farming, until April, 1868. 
He then sold his farm and purchased the 
one which he now occupies in Crystal 
township, and removed to it on the 7th of 
April. During his first year in Howard 
township, Mr. Baker taught school for 
one term in the old log school house in 
the Gallagher district, and has frequently 
since taught singing school in that and 
adjoining townships In 1864, Mr. Baker 
was married, by Judge T. A. Graham, to 
Miss Elisabeth. Sharp, who came to Iowa 
from Vermont, in July of that year, in 
company with Wm. Guilford and wife, 
who were returning from a visit to friends 
in that State. This marriage has been 
blessed with two children: Hattie G.,born 
January 24, 1868; and John W.,born June 
9, I8T0. Mr. Baker is a Republican, and 
although not a politician, has held various 
township offices. When the Grange 
movement spread over this portion of Iowa, 
he took an active part, and was one of the 
officers of that lodge. 

John Sharp is one of the oldest men in 
Crystal township. He was born June 3, 
1 798, seven miles from Manchester, Eng- 
land. When fourteen years of age he 
learned to weave, and six years later, 
learned to draw patterns for the Print 
Mills, which occupation he followed while 
in his native country. In 18.30 he came 
to the United States. After stopping in 
the State of New York six or eight 
months, he journeyed on to the town of 



Poultney, Vermont, where he was em- 
ployed in weaving broadcloth. There he 
remained six months, and then decided to 
return to England; therefore made prepar- 
ation, and started for Montreal, where he 
intended taking ship. On his way he 
stopped at Greensboro, Vermont, to visit 
friends, and they induced him to buy a 
farm in that vicinity, and settle there. He 
complied with their wishes, and made that 
his home until his removal to Tama coun- 
ty, Iowa, in 1867. He settled in Spring 
Creek township, where he lived for some 
years, and then took up his abode with 
his son-in-law, D. W. Baker, of Crystal 
township. 

Ciaus Frederich Jacobs, is a native of 
Holstein, Germany, born January 14, 1837. 
He attended school until fifteen years of 
age, and from that time until his depart- 
ure for America in 1855, was employed on 
a farm. Upon landing in New York city, 
he journeyed w'estward until he reached 
Winona, Minnesota, where he soon be- 
came engaged in a saw mill. Not long 
afterwards he removed to Davenport, Iowa, 
where he remained four years, employed 
on public works. At the end of that time 
he rented land in Scott county, and began 
farming on his own account. In 1860 he 
was married to Margaret Schmidt, who 
bore him four children — only one of whom, 
Henry, is now living — and died in 1867. 
He was married to his ]jresent wife. Miss 
D. Meier, 1869. They have been blessed 
with eight children, four of whom are 
now living : Dora, Willie, Annie and 
Bennie. In 1869, Mr. Jacobseame to this 
county and purchased wild land on section 
35, of Crystal township. Since that time 



f 



^2 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



he lias improved the land, set out a grove, 
and in 1879 built a barn 24x32 feet, and 
two years later, erected his present large 
liame residence. In 1873, the family was 
siricken with scarlet fever, and within 
nine days' time, three of their children 
were taken from them by death. 

Ileiiirich Clausen is a native of 
(lermany, born in Klein Dennewerk, 
Schleswig, February 7, 1831. His early 
life was spent in school, and later, he 
worked on a farm. During 1869 he emi- 
grated to America, making his first settle- 
ment in Jackson county, Iowa, where he 
was engaged in farming. Subsequently 
lie removed to this county, and rented a 
farm on section 30 of Crystal township. 
Five years later he purchased a farm on 
section 9, and in 1876 built the frame 
house in which he now lives. His mar- 
riage with Miss Catherine Michalsen occur- 
red in 18.56. They have tliree children : 
Hans, Henry and John. 

Edwin Moore is a native of Stillwater, 
Saratoga county, New York, born April 1, 
1836. His early life w-as spent in school 
and on the farm. September 10, 18.57, 
lie was united in marriage with Miss Ervy- 
ette Teal, a native of Duchess county. 
New York, and a daughter of Jacob Teal. 
They have but one child — Ella A., who is 
now teaching scliool. During 1863, Mr. 
Moore settled in Illinois, where he was 
employed in farming until his removal to 
Iowa, in 1871. Soon after his arrival here, 
he purchased a farm on section 29, of 
Crystal townshij), Tama county, and im- 
mediately began making improvements. 
He has set out fruit and shade trees, and 
erected good farm buildings, which in- 



cludes the. substantial farm-house in which 
he lives. 

E. W. Harrison is a native of Illinois, 
born in DeKalb county, Augu.st, 24, 1842. 
His parents were George and Elizabeth 
Harrison, natives of England. Upon com- 
ing to this country, they first settled in 
New York State, and from there removed 
to DeKalb county, Illinois, where their 
son Uriah was the second white child born 
in DeKalb township. The subject of this 
sketch received his education in the 
graded schools of DeKalb village. In 
October, 1 862, he enlisted in Company C, 
14th Illinois Volunteers,; his regiment 
went South and joined the Army of Ten- 
nessee, but after some time, was transfer- 
red to the Army of the Cumberland. It 
was the first regiment to enter Knoxville, 
and participated in the siege of Atlanta, 
besides being in several minor engage- 
ments. July 30. 1865, Mr. Harrison was 
honorably discharged with the rest of the 
regiment, and returned to his home, where 
he became engaged, in company with his 
brother, as a manufacturer and dealer in 
harness. During 1869, he sold his prop- 
erty and business there, and came to Iowa. 
The first season in the State was spent 
by him in breaking prairie land in the 
counties of Calhoun and Carroll, after 
which he came to Tama county, where, in 
the fall of 1870, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Philena Mann, who died 
January 16, 1872. His present wife, to 
whom he was married in 1873, was Lorinda 
A., daughter of Solomon Walls. Six chil- 
dren have been born to them : Daniel S., 
George P., Clara E., Grace E., Ralph E., 
and Charleses. In the spring of 1873, Mr. 
Harrison moved to Kansas, remainiij 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



715 



until in the fall of 1874, when he returned 
to Iowa. He purchased his present farm 
in Crystal township, in the fall of 1877. 

James Fink was born in Holstein, Ger- 
many, Augusts, 1817. He attended school 
until sixteen years of age; then for four 
years he worked at farming. In 1837, he 
commenced wagon making, serving three 
years, then joined the array. After 
serving a few weeks he was discharged on 
account of an impediment in his speech. 
After this he worked at his trade two 
years; then opened a wagon shop, and 
carried on the business until 1866, when 
he came to America, landing in New York 
on the 28th of May. He came west as far 
as Scott county, Iowa, and in August of the 
same year rented a farm for three years. 
After the expiration of said lease, he came 
to Tama county, and settled on his broth- 
er's farm for one year, in Spring Creek 
township After this he bought land in 
Crystal township on sections 15 and 22. He 
has at present 400 acres of well improved 
land and fine farm buildings. He has five 
children — Peter, Claus A., Annie S., Betsy 
C. and James. Three of these children — 
Claus, Annie and Betsy — ai-e all of one 
birth, and are the only triplets in Tama 
county. His oldest son, Peter, was born 
June 3, 1849. He attended school until 
seventeen years of age, then was employed 
as clerk until he moved with his parents to 
America. He met with a small accident 
while crossing the bridge to the vessel. 
The chain broke and he, with two others, 
plunged head-foremost forty feet into the 
water. He was rescued without damage, 
but got a free ducking. He remained at 
home until 1879, and February 15, of that 
year, he married Miss Catherine Dow 



Schmidt. 'I heir union has been blessed 
with two children — Tilly Margarita and 
Rosa L. He lives in Lincoln township, 
and has a farm of 240 acres. 

William Balfour is a native of liincoln- 
shire, England, born May 25, 1845. There 
he received his education in the private 
schools, and when thirteen years of age 
emigrated with his parents to America. 
They settled on a farm in Rock Island 
county, Illinois, and the subject of our 
sketch continued to make his home with 
them until March of 1864, when he en- 
listed in Company I, 28th Illinois Volun- 
teers. He joined his regiment at Spanish 
Fort, Alabama, and continued with it un- 
til honorably discharged in March, 1865. 
He then returned to his home where he 
was employed in the coal mines until 1872, 
at which time he came to Tama county, 
Iowa, and purchased land on section 25 of 
Crystal township. He immediately settled 
upon it, and before many years had passed 
his farm was under good cultivation. In 
1867 he was united in marriage with Miss 
Rachel J. Coulter, a native of Summit 
county, Ohio. 

Robert McPherran was born on the 2d 
of September, 1835, in Franklin township, 
Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. Until 
sixteen years of age, his life was spent in 
school and on the farm. He was then em- 
ployed by his brother as overseer of a 
construction force on the Pennsylvania 
railroad. In that work he was engaged 
two years and then returned to his home, 
and one year later, removed to Illinois, 
where he was employed for two years in 
the same capacity on the Mississippi 
River railroad. At the end of that time 
he again returned to Pennsylvania, where 



ri6 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



he was married, December 29, 1858, to 
Miss Catherine A. Miller, a native of Miff- 
lin county, that State, born April IG, 1838. 
They immediately settled on a farm in 
Mr. McPherran's native township, and 
there lived until 1873, when they sold their 
property and came to 'Jama county, Iowa. 
Mr. McPherran purchased wild land in 
the northeast quarter of section 36, Crys- 
tal township, where he immediately set- 
tled and began making improvements. 
Since that time his land has been well cul- 
tivated, and he has erected good farm 
buildings, which includes his present large 
frame residence. Mr. and Mrs. McPher- 
ran have been blessed with eight children 
— Florence, born March 19, 1860; Samuel 
S., born August 2, 1861, died in infancy; 
Harrison M., born April 13, 1863; Walter 
E., born January 11, 1865; Ada Maud, 
born December 30, 1866; John W., born 
May 3, 1868; Hurbert B., born August 6, 
1870, and Frank B., born December 1, 
1873. 

John Swan is a native of Perthshire, 
Scotland, where he was born August 22, 
1839. He was reared on a farm, and con- 
tinued to live in his native parish until 
twenty-five years of age, when he went to 
Dundee, where he was engineer in a linen 
factory eight years. He then emigrated 
to America, landing in the State of Vir- 
ginia, where he engaged in farming (in 
Nansemond county) about four years, 
raising cotton, peanuts, sweet potatoes 
and water melons. In 1876 he came to 
Tama county, Iowa, and settled in Crystal 
townshij), buying land in the northwest 
quarter of section 4. Since 'that time he 
has improved his farm, and among other 
buildings erected the house in which he 



now lives. Mr. Swan was married in 1859 
to Miss Adelaide Lawson, who bore him 
nine children, and died in 1876. Three of 
these children are now living — .Iohn,Jane 
and Adelaide. During 1880 he was united 
in marriage with Mrs. Sarah McDurrell, 
who died June 16, 1882. 

Peter Ploen was born February 25, 1839, 
in Holstein, Germany. He attended the 
public schools of his native place until 
sixteen years old, and at the age of seven- 
teen emigrated to the United States. 
Upon landing at New York city he came 
directly to Iowa, where he was employed 
in farming in Scott county. For his first 
year's labor he received 1130, and for his 
second year SlOO. In 1863 he was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Sophia Berten, a 
native of Holstein, and subsequently 
rented a farm, which l^e worked until 
1872, when he removed to Marshall 
county, where he leased a farm for four 
years. At the expiration of that time he 
came to Tama county, and bought land in 
the southeast quarter of section 27, Crys- 
tal township. His farm is now under 
good cultivation, and he has' erected all of 
the buildings now upon it. Mr. and 
Mrs. Ploen have five children living — 
Meta, Henry, Carrie, Adolph and Charlie. 
Their son Edward died at two and a half 
years of age. 

ORGANIC. 

This township was formed in 1857 by 
an order issued by J. C. Vermilya, then 
County Judge, to J. S. Bishop, directing 
him to call an election. It was a separa- 
tion from Buckingham township, and the 
formation of Crystal. The first township 
election was held at the house of Nelson 
Felter, April 6, 1857, on the northwest 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



717 



quarter of section 15, when the following 
named persons were elected: J. S. Town- 
send, Township Clerk; John W. McKune, 
Robert Wylie and Orrin Burright, Trus- 
tees; John B. Wylie and John Buchanan, 
Constables; Robert Wylie and West Wil- 
son, Justices of the Peace; Nelson Felter, 
Supervisor of Roads. Township affairs 
seem to have been properly managed. 
Nothing unusual has occurred to mar the 
general good feeling, and the elections 
have been much the same from year to 
year. In 1882 the following were elected 
which constitute the present list of 
officers: 

Clerk, Edwin Lynde; Assessor, Robert 
Cowen; Trustees holding over, George Mc- 
Kune, Wm. McTurk; Trustee elected, J. 
B. M. Bishop; Justices, .John McClain, 
Wm. McTurk; Constables, John Winters 
and Wm. Houghton; Road Supervisors, 
District No. 1, Gilbert McMillan; District 
No. 2, Thomas McTurk; District No. .3, 
E. W. Harrison; District No. 4, Henry 
Weise ; District No. 5, James Fink ; Dis- 
trict No. 0, John Klesspie ; District No. 
7, William Stevenson ; District No. 8, 
Peter Ploen ; District No. 9, E. Eby. 

Edwin Lynde, present Clerk of Crystal 
township, came to Tama county March 4, 
1S69. He first rented land for five years 
in Crystal township, then purchased a 
farm in Buckingham township where he 
lived two years. He then sold, and bought 
his present place in Crystal township, 
where he has since lived. Mr. Lynde is 
a native of New York, born in Essex 
county, January 17, 1841. His grand- 
father was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war, and after the war was among the 
first settlers and first inn-keepers of Wills- 



boro township, Essex county. His aunt 
Elizabeth was presented with fifty acres 
of land because of having been the first 
white child born in that town; and it was 
on that land that the subject of this sketch 
was born and reared. His early educa- 
tion was received in the district school, 
but later he attended four winters at a 
select school in town, having to make the 
trip of three long miles each morning and 
night. November 7, 1861, Mr. Lynde en- 
listed in Colonel Berdan's United States 
Sharp Shooters, went south and joined the 
Army of the Potomac, sharing in many 
battles and being wounded in one 'of the 
seven day's fight before Richmond. Octo- 
ber 9, 1864, he was honorably discharged 
and he at once returned to New York 
State, where he was married to Miss Ann 
E. Lincoln, daughter of Simeon Lincoln , 
of Essex county. In 1868, Mr. Lynde 
removed to Vermont, where he remained 
one year engaged in farming, then came 
west and settled in Tama county, Iowa. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lynde have seven children: 
Jennie, Woodard, Noble, Rolla Cassius, 
Daniel, Jesse and George. 

William McTurk, one of the Trustees and 
Justices of Crystal township, was born in 
Ayreshire, Scotland, Aug. 13, 18:36. In 1857 
he emigrated to America, and upon land- 
ing at Quebec, Canada, came directly west 
to Wisconsin, where he was employed as a 
farm hand a short time, and then pur- 
chased a team and worked land on shares. 
During 1864 he went to Mitchell county, 
Minnesota, where he resided two years, 
and then came to Tama county, Iowa. He 
soon bought land in Crystal township and 
on it built a log cabin, in which he lived 
until 1872, when he erected the frame 



-Tf 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



house in which he now lives. He was 
married in Scotland, in 1857, to Miss 
Annie Donaldson. They have six chil- 
dren, Thomas, John and .James (twins), 
Gilbert, Margaret, and an adopted daugh- 
ter, Kitty. 

Robert Cowan, the present Assessor of 
Crystal township, is a native of West- 
moreland county, Pennsylvania, born 
September 8, 1846. When he was nine 
years old his parents removed to this 
State and settled in Franklin township, 
Linn county. His early education was 
received in the district schools, and sub- 
sequently advanced by two terms at Cor- 
nell College, Mount Vernon. January 5, 
1871, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary Townsend, the daughter of 
John S. and Susan (Dickey) Townsend. 
The following year he came to this 
county, settling on section 21, of Crystal 
township. During 1879 he erected on his 
farm his present residence. He was 
elected to the office he now fills in 1881. 
Mr. and Mrs. Cowan have two children — 
Shields T. and Robert. 

William Houghton, Constable, is a na- 
tive of C!anada, born in the province of 
Ontario, March 22, 1834. His father, 
Pliineas W. Houghton, was a native of 
Vermont. When William was but two 
years of age his parents moved to the 
States, locating in New York, where they 
lived until 1848, when they moved to 
Michigan. After a two years' residence 
in the latter State the family moved to 
Illinois. Mr. Houghton remained at 
hiime witli his parents until the fall of 
1855; then went to Wisconsin and worked 
one winter in the pineries on the Wis- 
consin river. In 1856 he went to Minne- 



sota and spent one year in the pineries on 
the St. Croix river, and while there met 
with an accident by which he lost the 
sight of his left eye. He then returned 
to Illinois and resumed farming until 
1864, when, in company with his parents, 
he came to Iowa and located in Crystal 
township, Tama county. Here he lived 
with his parents one year, and then pur- 
chased land on section -3, on which he 
built a log house. In 1868, he bought 
more land on the same section and 
erected the frame' house in which he now 
lives. Mr. Houghton was married in 
1860 to Miss Samantha Collins. They 
have fourteen children — Orette, Ada A., 
Eli, Emma, Luella, William G., Edward' 
David, Burt Lee, Charles, Annie, James, 
Thompson and Lizzie. Mr. Houghton 
was elected Constable of his township in 
1880 and again in 1882, being the present 
incumbent. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first blacksmith shop in this town- 
ship was started in 1860 by Mr. Loupee on 
section 32. Here he farmed and worked 
at his trade two years, when he went to 
Howard township. He went to war and 
later opened a shop in Toledo. In the 
spring of 1883 he went to Kansas. Wil- 
liam Brown opened a shop on section 14 
in 1870. In 1876 he sold out and is now 
engaged in farming in Grant township. 
His successor sold to Lewis Gethman who 
rented the building to William Scott. He 
was succeeded by George Nichols who, six 
months later, removed to Traer where he 
now works at his trade. There is a brass 
band in this township which was organ- 
ized in October, 1882. There is now a 
membership of twelve with Albert Fair- 



:=£L^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COtHsTTY. 



721 



child as leader. They meet at the school 
houses in the Bishop and Wylie districts. 
There are some good musicians in this or- 
ganization and it promises well. James 
Atchinson erected a building on the north- 
east quarter ot section 14, in 1866, and 
opened a general store. He sold out to 
J. M. Foster in 1875, who was succeeded 
by Ann- M. Morton, the present proprie- 
tor, in the spring of 1882. 

George White opened a shoemaker's 
shop here in 1870, where he worked at his 
trade until 187.5, when he sold the shop to 
J. M. Foster and abandoned the business. 

The first birth in the township was Ly- 
man W., son of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson 
Felter, born Ajril 13, 1856. He is now a 
teacher in the public schools of the county. 

The first marriage was Lyman Wood to 
Miss Augusta McKune, June 28, 1857. 
The ceremony was performed by Leander 
Clark, Justice of the Peace. They now 
live in Perry township, and have one child, 
Abbie. 

In 1S80, Peter Quinn established a 
creamery at his residence on section 2. 
From January, 1882, to January, 1883, 
26,000 pounds of butter were made, and sold 
in New York and Pittsburg. Cream is 
gathered in Spring Creek, Perry, Howard, 
Grant and Crystal townships. This is 
called "Crystal Creamery." 

EDUCATIONAL. 

Crystal township is well represented by 
schools and school houses, which speaks 
well for its people. A brief record of 
each district is here presented, showing 
the advancement made in educational 
matters here. The first school house in 



the township was erected in 1856, and in 
this Miss Nettie Cyrenus taught the first 
school. 

District No. 1. — The first school here 
was taught by Miss Janet Wilson in Gil- 
bert McMillan's house, on the southeast 
quarter of section 2. The second term was 
taught by Miss Agnes McMillan in the 
same house. It was made a sub-district 
in 1862. The first school house was built 
in 1865 on the northeast corner of the 
northwest quarter of section 1 1 . The first 
term of school taught in this building was 
by D. B. Forreyin the winter of 1865-6. 
The same building yet remains on the old 
site. 

District No. 2. — This was made a sub- 
district in 1876 and the school house was 
built in 1878. The first term of school 
was taught by Mrs. Elizabeth Hale during 
the winter of 1878-9. 

District No. 3. — This was made a sub- 
district in 1871, and Peter Whannel was 
chosen Director. The first term of school 
was kept in his house, commencing in 
May, 1873, and was taught by Miss Agnes 
McNorin, who is now the wife of John 
Young. There were three terms taught 
in Mr Whannel's house. The school 
bitilding was erected in 1874 and a term 
of school taught therein the same season 
by Miss Joanna McCosh, who is now the 
wife of Andrew Ross. The school house 
is located on the northwest quarter of 
section 8. 

District No. 4. — This was made a sub- 
district in 1870, and O. P. Jones was cho- 
sen Director. The school house was ijuilt 
in 1871 on the southwest quarter of section 
17. A. Wheatley was the first teacher in 
this district in the winter of 1871-2. 






J-. 






722 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



District No. o. — The first school house 
in this district was built in 1873, and is 
located on the northeast quarter of section 
'21. The first term of school was taught 
by Miss Jennie Felter in the winter of 
1873-74. 

District No. 6. — The first school-liouse 
here was built in 1859, on the southeast 
(|uarter of section 14, and the first term of 
school was taught in the winter of 1858-9, 
and was taught by Charles Cooper, a stu- 
dent from Iowa College. This building 
was blown to pieces by a tornado in June, 
1805, and the neighborhood was without 
any school for a time. The present house 
was built in 1867, located on'the west half 
of the southeast quarter of section 14. It 
was moved to the east half of the same 
quarter in 1881. Miss Ann M. Morton was 
llie first teacher in the new house. 

District No. 7. — The first house built 
here was in 1870 on the northwest quarter 
of section 36, and is a neat frame building. 
Miss Belle M. Dickey was the first teacher. 

District No. 8. — The first school house 
in this district was built in 1868 on the 
northeast ([uarler of section 28, in 1873. 
The district was divided and the house 
was moved to the southwest quarter of 
section 27. 

District No. 9. — This was made a sub- 
district in 1856, and a school house was 
built the same year on the southwest quar- 
ter of section 29. The first school was 
kept in the summer of 1856 and taught by 
Miss Nettie Cyrenus. This house was 
sold in 18S9 and moved to Grundy county, 
where it was used for a dwelling. The 
])resc'nt house was built in 1809 on the old 



site and within its walls Judson Pine was 
the first teacher. This is called the Bishop 
district. 

POSTOFFICES. 

The first postoftice in the town was es- 
tablished in 1857, under the name of Crys- 
tal, with J. S. Townsend as postmaster. 
As he was about to move from the town, 
he seit in his resignation, and recom- 
mended that R. R. Chambers be appointed 
in his stead, which was done, and the 
office kept at his residence, but was soon 
afterward discontinued. 

In 1861, it was re-established, and Dr. 
S. C. Rogers was appointed postmaster. 
He resigned to go to the war, and Wil- 
liam Wade was appointed in his stead. 
The office was held at Dr. Rogers' house, 
on section 10. Wade was succeeded by 
Nelson Felter, who kept the office about 
two years, when he was succeeded by 
West Wilson, who deputized James Atch- 
inson, and he kept the office at his store, on 
section 14. He was succeeded by George 
McKune, the present postmaster. Miss 
A. M. Morton is the deputy, and has tlie 
office at her store on section 14. 

Fairhaven postoffice was established in 
1872, and O. P. Jones was appointed 
postmaster. He deputized Peter Seick, 
who kept the office at his house, on section 
19. John Harmsen was appointed deputy 
in 1878, and moved the office to his house 
on the same section, where it still remains. 
Mail is received three times each week 
from Gladbrook and Traer. 

John Harmsen, deputy postmaster of 
Fairhaven postoffice, was born in Ilolling- 
stedt, Schleswig, Germany, September 12, 
1830. He attended school until sixteen 
years of age, and when eighteen years old 



f^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



,1 



began learning the carpenter's trade, 
which occupation he afterwards followed 
while in his native country. In 1868, he 
emigrated to the United States, and upon 
landing in New York city, proceeded di- 
rectly to Davenport, Iowa, where he worked 
at his trade one year and then came to 
Tama county, He purchased land on sec. 
tion 17, of Crystal township, and there 
engaged in farming until 1874, when he 
rented a place adj ining his, removed to 
it, and established himself in the saloon 
business. There he followed that busi- 
ness four years, then returned to his own 
place, made additions to it, and the same 
year opened a saloon on it. During 1879 
he erected a hall 32x48, 12 feet post, to be 
used for dancing. At present he keeps 
a saloon and hotel, besides attending to 
the duties of postmaster. Recently Mr. 
Havmsen rented his buildings, and soon 
expects to retire to a farm he has lately 
purchased on section 20. August .3, 1858, 
he was married to Miss Kate Clausen. 
They have six children : Claus, Hans, 
Ralph, Willie, Hannes and Annie. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first meeting of a religious char- 
acter in Crj'stal township, was a prayer- 
meeting at the residence of D. L. Dickey, 
on section 31, during the summer of 1866; 
and was attended by about a dozen per- 
sons, of different denominations. Meet- 
ings were afterwards held of this kind 
ill different private bouses during the sum- 
mer season. 

A Sabbath School was organized in 
.lune, of th.at year, at J. S. Bishop's house, 
on section 31. D. L. Dickey was Super- 
intendent, and there was an attendance 
of about twenty-five scholars. 



This organization still continues ; now 
holding meetings at the Salem church. 
John A. McClain is the present Superin- 
tendent. 

The first church organization in the 
township was effected November 3, 1856, 
at the house of J S. Townsend, on the 
northwest quarter of section 28, by Rev. 
Walter L. Lyon, with fifteen members, 
as follows : Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wylie 
and three of their children, Margaret, 
John and Mary; Miss Jennie Ralston; 
Robert Crawford and wife, with their 
three daughters, Eliza, Rebecca and Isa- 
bella ; Mr. and Mrs. James Stone and Mr. 
and Mrs. J. S. Townsend. Rev. Luther 
Dodd was the first pastor, remaining with 
this congregation until November, 1871. 
The church was then supplied by different 
preachers until February 1877, when Rev. 
James Stickel took charge aad continued 
until 1882, when he was succeeded by 
Elder Hughes, the present pastor. The 
society now numbers forty-seven mem- 
bers. This was named the Salem Presby- 
terian Church, by D. L. Dickey, in honor 
of a church in Pennsylvania. In 1864 a 
church was erected in the southwest quar- 
ter of section 28. 

There was a Methodist Episcopal class 
organized at Orrin Burright's house on 
section 15, in the fall of 1859, by John L. 
Kelley, with six members, as follows: 
Orrin Burright and wife, Joseph Vertrees 
and wife, Solomon Walls and wife. Joseph 
Vertrees was elected class leader. As. 
soon as the school house was completed 
they met there to worship, where Mr. 
Kelley preached one year. He was suc- 
ceeded by the following who have preached 
since that time : Revs. Swearington, 



*7i; 



.rr 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Wirtz, Iiigliam, Hankins, Thomas, Hol- 
brook, Fawcett, Baker, Byres, Wilkinson, 
Bailey, S])ry, Snider, Winset, McGee, 
I'aliiior, M(/ntgoniery and Rev. Hiram Bai- 
li'V, tlie present pastor. Meetings are held 
(iiic-e in two weeks at the Centre school- 
licinse. Edward I.ynde is class leader, 
with ahout thirty members. A Sabbath 
scliool was organized soon after the class, 
with Solo > oil \\'alls as Superintendent. 
Kdwin Lynde is the present Superintend- 
ent and meetings are regularly held. 

The Methodists held meetings in the 
Bishop school house, in 1856. Rev. Dut- 
ti'ii from Marshalltown officiated. A so- 
ciety was organized here in 1859, by Rev. 
Kelly, with J. S. Bishop and wife and C. 
L. Davis and wife, of this town, as mem- 
bers. Other members were from Howard 
township. J. S. Bishop was class leader 
and Steward. Meetings were held regu- 
larly until 1862. The following named 
served as pastors for this c'ass : Revs. 
Fawcett, Hankins and Thomas. 

The Advents held meetings in the 
Bishop school house in 1877. They have 
not held meetings of late. 

CRYSTAL CESUSTERY. 

The land for this abode of the dead was 
donated by C. L. Davis in 1858, when it 
was laid out and platted; since that time, 
one-half an acre has been added to it. It 
is controlled by the Township Trustees. 
'I'iie lots are free to all residents, nd are 
sold to non-residents for five dollars each. 
The first burial here were the remains of 
Miss Laura, daughter of J. S. and Polly 
Bishop, who died July 4, 1859. Joseph 
Allard is sexton in charge. 



Joseph Allard's father, Jonathan Allard 
was born in New Durham, New Hamp- 
shire, August 2, 1802. When he was but 
five years old his parents removed to 
Canada, settling in the province of Quebec. 
There the subject of our sketch was mar- 
ried, in January of 1824, to Miss Isabella 
Kenison, who was born in Canada East, 
November 17, 1805. They were blessed 
with ten children, seven of whom are now- 
living. In 1861 Mr. Allard returned to 
the United States. He settled in Stephen, 
son county, Illinois, where he purchased a 
farm and lived until 1880, when he came 
to Iowa. He makes his home with his 
son in Gladbrook. 

His son Joseph was born in Sheffor<l 
township, Shefford county, province of Que- 
bec, Canada, July 21, 1833. His youth was 
spent in school and on his father's farm. In 
1857 he came to the United States, and pur- 
chased land in company with his brother, 
and erected a house in which he lived un- 
til his removal to Iowa in 1864. Upon his 
arrival here, he bought land on section 32, 
of Crystal township, Tama county, and 
erected a house 16x22, 12 feet post; at- 
tached, was a kitchen 12x14 feet. The 
family lived in this humble abode until 
1878, when Mr. Allard erected his present 
residence. In 1875 he built a barn 40x48 
feet with a basement. March 27, 1855, he 
was married to Miss Mary J. Berry, of 
Shefford county, Canada. They have 
been blessed with seven children, six of 
whom are living — Emily J., Ella May, 
Amanda M., George A., Carrie A. and Ruth- 
erford. Their eldest child, Florence M ., 
died when seven months old. 



T 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



' GENESEO TOWNSHIP. 



This territory compri.ses Congressional 
township 80 north, range 13, west of the 
fifth principal-meridian. It is located in 
the extreme northeastern corner of the 
county. It is bounded on the north by 
lilack Hawk county, on the west by Buck- 
ingham township, on the south by Clark and 
on the east by Benton county. The surface 
is rolling and the soil a dark productive 
loam in most places. It consists mostly of 
prairie, but some timber is found along the 
streams and there is a body of timber 
called "Six Mile Grove," in the northeast- 
ern part of the township. This grove 
consists of white oak, burr oak, red oak, 
elm, hickory, butternut, basswood, poplar 
and black walnut. Many fine trees were 
cut from this grove and the supply 
diminished, but there is considerable good 
timber left. The township is watered by 
Wolf creek and its tributaries. The main 
stream entering from the west, on section 
30, and following mainly toward the east, 
passes through sections 20, 21, 22, 23, and 
makes exit toward the east on section 24. 
Years ago wheat was the main crop here, 
thirty bushels frequently being raised to 
the acre, but of late years this crop has 
been comparatively a failure, and is now 
but little cultivated, the attention of the 
farmers being turned to other products, 



and to the raising of stock, in which they 
have been very successful. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement in this township 
was effected in the spring of 1 853 by 
Joseph Hill, a native of Virginia, and his 
son-in-law, John Riley, who was formerly 
from Ohio. They came here from Macon 
county, Illinois, with ox teams, bringing 
with them cooking utensils, and camping 
out on the way, building rafts and swim- 
ming their cattle to cross many of the 
larger streams. After about a month's 
travel, they arrived and settled on section 
13 where Hill built a log house. He died 
quite suddenly in 1855. His widow and 
two sons now occupy the original claim. 
Riley claimed land on sections 13 and 24, 
and built a small log cabin on section 13. 
It was in this building that the first white 
child of the township was born. In 1804 
Mr. Riley built the frame house in which 
he now lives on section 24. 

Joseph Hill was born March 18, 1804, in 
Virginia. When he was but four years 
old his parents removed to the State of 
Ohio, settling in Tuscarawas county. 
There Joseph was married July 29, 1825, 
to Miss Sarah Anderson, who was born 
in Pennsylvania, May 3, 1804.- Twelve 
children blessed their marriage. During 



"^1 



^1^ 



^^ 



Lk* 



726 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1849 they settled in Macon county, Illi- 
nois, where they lived until 1853, when 
they came to Tama county, Iowa, and 
settled in Geneseo township, where Joseph 
Hill died June 28, 1855. Four of their 
children died while they were yet in the 
State of Ohio, and the remaining eight — 
William H. 11., Charity, Mary, Martin, 
Joseph, William, George W. and Lorenzo 
D. — came with their parents to this 
county. William H. H. was married 
quite young, and in 1863, enlisted in Com- 
pany D, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteers 
and died while in service. Charity is the 
wife of John Riley, of Geneseo township. 
Mary married Alpheus Goodpasture, now 
of Kansas. Martin wafe married in 1857 
to Miss Mary Casey, who died April 24, 
1882, leaving eight children. Joseph 
now lives in Vinton, Iowa. He has one 
child. William is married to his second 
wife and lives at La Porte, Iowa. George 
W. was married August 25, 1876, to Miss 
Cornelia Barber. They have three chil- 
dren — Lorenzo Joseph, Charity Daisy and 
Charlie. 

John Riley, who, with Joseph Hill has 
the honor of being the first settler of Gene- 
seo township, was born in Tuscarawas 
county, Ohio, October 22, 1830. His early 
life was spent on the farm in his native 
county. In the fall of 1849, he started 
west for the purpose of seeing a little of 
the world. The winter was spent in 
Iowa, and the following spring and a part 
of the summer in Minnesota. From the 
last named State he went by boat down 
tlie river to St. Louis, where he made a 
short stay and then returned to Linn 
county, Iowa. In 1851 he located in Ma- 
con co\inty, Illinois, where he was first 



employed in a brickyard, and later, en- 
gaged in sawing lumber for the railroad. 
During 1853 he was joined in the holy 
bonds of matrimony with Miss Charity 
Hill, and, immediately afterwards, started 
in company with his father-in-law and 
family for Iowa. He came to Tama 
county, entered land on sections 13 
and 24 of Geneseo township and imme- 
diately removed his family there and be- 
gan making improvements. He first 
built a rough log cabin, which the family 
occupied until a more comfortable abode 
could be constructed. In 1 864 he erected 
Ins present frame residence. Mr. and 
Mrs. Riley have six children — Louisa, 
Mary E., George W., William M., John 
and Barney. 

In the fall of 1853 Nathaniel Spencer, 
formerly from New York, came here from 
Michigan, and took a claim on section 14. 
He was quite a prominent man, and took 
a lively interest in town affairs. It was 
he that proposed the name " Geneseo," 
for the township, and was always fore- 
most in every public enterprise. He died 
in February, 1870, and was buried in the 
Spencer burying ground. His son Wil- 
liam now live on section 14. 

George Busier, a Pennsylvania German, 
came with the Spencer family, and entered 
land on section 13. He died in 1856 and 
his family now live in Black Hawk county. 

Elijah Guernsey came here from Lick 
county, Indiana, and entered large tracts 
of land. He built a double log house on 
section 23, where he lived until his death, 
which occurred February 14, 1861. His 
widow and children now occupy the place. 
His son is one of the most extensive far- 
mers in the county. Elijah Guernsey was 



"^o »- 



4«- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



727 



born in Canada, May 17, 1826. His par- 
ents were natives of Vermont, and soon 
after Elijah's birth, they returned to that 
State Subsequently they removed to the 
State of New York, and later, returned to 
Canada, where they lived a few years, and 
then crossed over to the States once more, 
and settled in Lake county, Indiana, where 
they were among the first settlers. Mr. 
Guernsey made his home with his parents 
until 1850, when he went to California, 
where he engaged in mining three years, 
then returned to Indiana. In November, 
1854, he was married to Miss Caroline 
Phelps, who was born in Geauga county, 
Ohio. A few days after his marriage, Mr. 
Guernsey started for Tama county, Iowa, 
and upon his arrival entered land on 
section 23, Geneseo township. He im- 
proved the land and made his home on it 
until the time of his death. He left his 
widow and two children — Chester and 
Seriah — to mourn his death. The spring 
following his decease, Mrs. Guernsey, with 
her children, removed to Ohio, where, 
December 10, 1867, she was married to 
Alvin Harrington. One child — Harry — 
was born to them, and her husband died 
February 7, 1872. The following fall 
Mrs. Harrington returned, with her chil- 
dren, to Geneseo township, and with them 
now occupies the old homestead. Dur- 
ing 1875 she erected the frame house in 
which they now live. 

Another early settler of Tama county 
is Patrick Emmett, who came here in 
1854,and claimed land on section .30, where 
he has since resided. He was born in 
1810, in Ireland, and was married there in 
1829, to Miss Catherine Ryan, who bore 
him six children, and died in 1845. Three 



years after his wife's death, Mr. Emmett 
came to America, and sett'ed in Illinois, 
where iie continued to reside until his 
settlement in this county. He was mar- 
ried the second time, in 1849, choosing for 
a helpmeet. Miss O'Donnel, who has borne 
him five children, four of whom are now 
living. 

John L. Tedford, formerly from Ohio, 
came here from Linn county, in the spring 
of 1854, and selected land on section 21, 
and then returned to Linn county. In the 
fall he came back and built a log cabin 
and put up some hay. In the spring of 
1855 he moved his family to their new 
home, where he has made great improve- 
ments and still remains. Chauncy B. 
Slade, a native of York State, came also 
from Linn county the same year and set- 
tled on section 16, where he lived until 
the time of his death. His son, Sardis, 
who was a school teacher, now resides in 
Waterloo. 

Theodore Moore, a Pennsylvanian, came 
here from Michigan, in 1864, and claimed 
the east half of the northeast quarter of 
section 10, and the southwest quarter of 
the southwest quarter of section 11. How- 
ever he did not move here with his family 
until 1855. He opened the first black- 
smith shop in the town. He has improved 
his land, and built the neat frame house 
in which he now lives. Joel Hayward, 
a native of New York, came here from 
Michigan, in 1855, and bought land on 
section 21, where he lived until 1875, 
when he went to California, and still lives 
in that State. Harvey Wager, formerly 
from New York, came here from Michi- 
gan in 1 854, and took a claim on sections 
18 and 10 ; but sold out and took another 



r 



M*. 



:±=±.i^ 



728 



HISTORY OF TAMA COTINTY. 



on section 10. He moved here with his 
family in 1856, and first built a small log 
house, bringing the shingles from JVIusca- 
tine to cover it. In 18G2 he erected a stone 
house, in which he now lives. 

William Tedford, a brother of John L., 
came from Linn county, in January, 1855, 
and settled on section 21. In 1859 he 
started for Pike's Peak, and died in July 
of that year, in Kansas. Ilis widow now 
lives in Palo Alto county, with her son. 

Harvey Wager was one of the pioneers 
of 1854. He was born October 23, 1827, 
in Washington county. New York. When 
he was but eight years old, his parents 
removed to Michigan, settling in Round 
Prairie township, Kaliwnazoo county. 
There he attended the common schools 
for some years, and then advanced his ed- 
ucation by two terms at a select school at 
Schoolcraft. When twenty-three years old, 
he purchased a farm in Texas township, 
Kalamazoo county, and a year later, was 
united in marriage with Miss Betsy Ann 
Secoy. They were blessed with eight 
children, seven of whom are now living: 
'Wallace, Evangeline, Viola, Irving, Byron, 
Delia and Albert. During 1854 Mr. 
Wager started west on a prospecting tour, 
and upon reaching Tama county, Iowa, 
selected a claim on sections 18 and 19, 
Geneseo township. He soon after returned 
to Michigan, where he sold his claim, 
and during the winter of the same year, 
made another trip to this county. This 
time he selected land on section 10 of the 
same township, then again returned . to 
Michigan. In the fall of 1855 he came 
here and erected a house on his land, 
returned home, and in the spring of the 
following year, removed his family to 



their new home, and immediately began 
making improvements. In 1801 he erected 
his present stone residence. His first 
wife, who was a native of New York 
State, died in 1863. He was married to 
his present wife. Miss Charlotte Hum- 
phrey, of Utica, New York, in August of 
1866. They have two children, Mattie 
and Mamie. 

In 1855 the settlement of this part of 
the county was increased by the arrival 
of the Stoakes family. They settled 
mostly in Perry township, and in that 
connection will be found sketches of 
them. Geneseo, however, contains one of 
these pioneers — Eleazar Stoakes. He is 
the fourth son of John and Jane Stoakes, 
and was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, 
March 4, 1833. His younger days were 
spent in helping his father till the soil, but 
he was given advantages so that he obtained 
a good common school education. He 
came to Iowa with his parents and made 
his home with them until 1861. Fired 
with a zeal for the welfare of his country 
he enlisted in the Fourteenth Iowa Infan- 
try, Company G, went south with the 
regiment and j)articipated in the battles of 
Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing. 
He was taken prisoner at the latter battle 
on the 6th of April, 1862. He was paroled 
at Macon, Georgia, in June following, and 
returned home. In August of that year 
he joined the regiment at Benton bar- 
racks, near St. Louis. Here he was taken 
sick and was honorably discharged, on ac- 
count of disability, the 8th of November, 
and returned again to his home in Perry 
township. As soon as his health would 
permit he engaged in farming his land on 
section 2. In 1865 he purchased the 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



729 



southwest quarter of section 32, in Gene- 
seo township, and the north half of 
the northwest quarter of section 5, in 
Clark township. He was married, March 
1, 1866, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Robert 
and Elizabeth Granger, and settled on his 
land in Genesee township. He has .since 
improved the lard and erected several 
good substantial buildings. The house in 
which he now lives was built in 1882. 
Thev have .six children — Theodore. G., 
George E., De Witt C, Alice V., Ella 
May and Belle. 

Enoch Clay, a son-in-law of Varnum 
Helm, came here in 1854, and entered 
land on section 1.3. In 18-57 he sold to 
George Wilson and went to Black Hawk 
county. 

Another settler in 1854 was Patrick 
Emmett, a native of Ireland, who came 
here from Dubuque county, and settled on 
section 30, where he may still be found. 

Phineas L. Sherman, a native of New 
York State, arrived here in 1855, and set- 
tled on section 10, where he built a log 
house which he covered with hay. He 
afterward made great improvements and 
built a good and commodious frame house. 
He died in 1875 at Iowa Falls while on a 
visit to his son. His widow died a few 
years later at Waterloo. They were both 
buried at Vinton. Their son, Buren R. 
Sherman, was elected Governor of Iowa 
in 1881. 

Sylvester Zea, formerly from New 
York State, came here in 1855 and selected 
a home on section 28, where he lived a few 
years and then went to Crawford county. 
A few years later he came back and lived 
on section 20, until 1859, when he returned 
to Crawford county. 



David Lefler, a native of Canada, ar- 
rived in 1855, and settled on section 29. 
He died a few years later. His family now 
live in Salt Lake city. 

Jonathan Hall, who was quite a young 
man at that time, came with Mr. Lefler and 
afterward married his daughter and set- 
tled on section 20. He is now in Ne- 
braska. 

S. B. Secoy, a native of New York, ar- 
rived from Michigan, in 1856, and lived 
with Harvey Wager until fall, when he 
moved to a log house which he had built 
on section 10. In 1862 he erected a house 
on section 11 where he lived until the 
time of his death, in 1876. His widow is 
now in Michigan. 

Edward Breunan, of Ireland, came here 
from Quebec, in 1856, and made a claim 
on section 1. 

Luther and N.Wheeler, natives of Wash- 
ington county. New York, came here from 
Illinois, in 1867, and settled on section 26, 
where they still live. 

George Wilson, formerly from Pennsyl- 
vania, came from Michigan, in 1867, and 
bought land on section 13. By profession 
he was a preacher, a cabinet maker by 
trade, and a man much respected by all. 
He died at an early day and the family 
are now scattered. 

George Meinger, of Baden, Germany, 
came here at an early day, and settled on 
section 29, where he improved the land and 
lived until 1874, when death called him 
away. His widow now lives in Kossuth 
county, and his son Charles lives on the 
claim. 

Charles Meinger, a son of George and 
Rosa Meinger, was born in Baden, Ger- 
many, September 5, 1845. Five years af- 



^. 



— ok* 



•k 



730 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ter his birth, his parents emigrated to 
America, settling at Racine, Wisconsin, 
where they lived ten years, and then re- 
moved to Stephenson county, Illinois. Two 
years later, they came to Iowa, reaching 
Black Hawk county, their home until 1865, 
when they came to Geneseo townshij), of 
Tama county, and located on Elijah 
Guernsey's farm. There they lived two 
years, and then purchased land on section 
25 and settled on it. Charles made his 
home with his parents until his marriage, 
which took place on the 4th of November, 
1869. His wife was Miss Bertha Harch. 
They have been blessed with four child- 
ren, three of whom are now living — 
Charlie H., Minnie and Dora. Mr. Mein- 
ger now occupies the farm on section 25, 
formerly owned by his father. 

Another prominent settler of 1857 was 
Michael Casey, who came here from Ver- 
mont, and settled on section 29, where he 
lived seven years, and then moved to sec- 
tion 13, where he now resides. He is one 
of the largest land owners in the county. 
Michael was born in county Clare, Ireland, 
in 1819. His early life was spent in tilling 
the soil of his native country. In 1840 he 
was married to Miss Margaret Buckley, who 
bore him two children — James and Mary. 
In 1845 they emigrated to America. Af- 
ter remaining in Quebec (their landing 
place) three weeks, they crossed over to 
the States and settled in Boston, Mass- 
achusetts, where, a few months later, his 
wife died. During 1849, he removed to 
Vermont, where he was employed on the 
Burlington & Rutland railroad. While 
there, Mr. Casey was married, in 1850, to 
Miss Loraine Madison, of Windsor county, 
that State. Four children have been boi-n 



to them — George (who was born in Ver- 
mont), Oscar, Henry and Alma, born in Io- 
wa. In 1851, Mr. Casey went south, where 
he spent five years and five months, 
and then returned to Vermont. In 1857 
he came to Tama county, Iowa, and settled 
on section 29, Geneseo township, where he 
had purchased 80 acres of land. He lived 
there until 1864, when he sold the farm, 
removed to section 13, where he bought 
land and erected the frame house in which 
he now lives. At the present time he has 
a large barn and other buildings for stock 
and grain on his farm, and is now making 
preparations to erect a new residence dur- 
ing the summer of 1883. Former'y, Mr. 
Casey devoted his many acres to the culti- 
vation of grain, extensively, raising 7,000 
bushels per year, but of late years he has 
turned his attention to stock raising. His 
farm now consists of nearly 1,300 acres. 
His eldest daughter, Mary, died in Black 
Hawk county, Iowa, April 23, 1882, leav- 
ing a husband and eight children to mourn 
her death. 

Edward Brennan was an early settler of 
Tama county, coming to Geneseo town- 
ship in 1856. He first entered the east 
half of the southeast quarter of section 1 ; 
but was afterward notified that the rail- 
road company had entered it previously ; 
so he was obliged to purchase it, i)aying 
^5 per acre. He first erected a log 
cabin, in which he lived until 1868. Dur- 
ing that year he built the frame house in 
which he now lives. Mr. Brennan is a na- 
tive of county Kilkenny, Ireland, born 
in 1811. In 1849, he left his native land 
and came to the United States, landing at 
Boston. From there' he went to Bolton 
whefe he engaged in farming for a few 



•F 



-* — f 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



731 



months, then made another change, going 
to Brunswick, Maine, where he followed 
railroading, thence he went to Vermont, 
where he followed the same business at 
Ludlow. In 1852, Mr. Brennan went to 
Quebec, where he served on the police 
force for four years, and in 1856, came to 
Tama county, as stated. Mr. Brennan was 
married in 1847, to Miss Margaret Casey. 
They have been blessed with seven chil- 
dren, four of whom are now living : Pat- 
rick, Edward, James and John. Thomas, 
born October 27, 1851, died January 27, 
1875, of heart disease. He had gone into 
the timber for a load of wood, and a mo- 
ment before his death, had been talking 
with his companions. When he was taken 
with the disease he fell over and expired 
instantly. Mary, a married daughter, was 
born March 24, 1848, died May 4, 1874, 
leaving.two little children, one of whom 
soon followed her mother, the other is now 
living with her grandmother, Mrs. Bren- 
nan. Bridget, another daughter of Mr. 
and Mrs. Brennan, was born in 1850, died 
in 1854. 

Jared Cheasboro came here from Illi- 
nois in 1857, and settled on section 26. 
Here he erected a stone house in which 
he lived until the time of his death 

Andrew Mcllhinney, a native of Ireland, 
settled on section 20, in 1859, on land he 
had entered a few years previously and on 
which he had built a house the year before. 
In this house he now lives. 

After this the settlers came in more 
rapidly and it would be impossible in 
this connection to trace them with any 
degree of regularity. However, among 
those who came in since that time and are 
now prominent citizens, may be mentioned 



the following, as representing the class of 
Geneseo's inhabitants : William Peverill, 
Silas H. Horton, Isaac W. \^'hite, S. 
Newell West, Benjamin Bisel, Benjamin 
McKay, John Life, Samuel P. Maynard, 
Charles Jameyson, Gilbert J. Monroe, 
George A. Edwards, George M. Life, Ko- 
manzo Nutt, John Huey, David Taylor, 
T. C.Temple, Robert N. Riggs,F. L. Les- 
lie, R. S. Anderson, C. A. Williams, G. 
H. Grover, G. M. Tedford, Jacob Sirine, 
D. F. Campbell, Robert Speer, Theodore 
J. Merritt, Theodore Moore, Benjamin 
Bruner, Daniel Mclntire and others. 

William Peverill is a native of England, 
and was born in Nottingham, Notting- 
hamshire, February 17, 1827. When four- 
teen years of age he was bound out to a 
starch-maker to learn the trade, but after 
three years ran away and engaged as to- 
ker on board a man-of-war in Her Majes- 
ty's service. After seven months had 
elapsed, he was discovered by his master, 
who procured his discharge, and took him 
back to his forsaken trade. LTpon serv- 
ing his full time, he went to Scotland and 
worked at his rade for two years in Pais- 
ley, a town near Glasgow. He then re- 
turned to England, and opened a factory at 
Baseford, near Nottingham, which estab- 
lishment he operated ten months, and 
then made a trip to America. He located 
at Cincinnati, where he worked at his 
trade five months, then returned to Eng- 
land, and about ten months later, again 
came to the United States. After spend- 
ing some time in the city of Cincinnati 
again, he went to Chillicothe, Ohio, 
where he was foreman in a starch factory 
one year. From there he removed to 
Rockford, Illinois, where he was also fore- 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



mau in a factory, until August, 18tj2, when 
he enlisted in company E, 7-tth Illinois 
Volunteers. He participated in the bat- 
lies of Perryville, Kentucky, and Stone 
Kiver, 'l''ennessee, being taken prisoner in 
tlie latter engagement, but in less than an 
hour was re-taken by the Union troops. 
At Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he was taken 
sick, and in February, 1863, honorably 
discharged on account of disability. A 
scar can still be seen on the top of his 
head, where was hit by a ball at the 
battle of Stone River, and the proV)ability 
is, that if he had been one inch taller, 
his life would have ended then and there. 
Upon receiving his dismissal from service, 
Mr. Peverill returned to Rockford; and 
the sime year, traded some property there 
for land on section 2, of Geneseo town- 
ship, this county, and removed here with 
his family. In 1869 he sold his farm and 
removed to Missouri ; but after some time 
it fell back to him, and he therefore re- 
turned in 1871. He now owns 380 acres 
of land, and lives on the southwest quarter 
of section 2. In 1848 he was united in 
marriage with Miss Emma Williamson, 
of Old Radford, near Nottingham, Eng- 
land, who died at Chillicothe, Ohio, Octo- 
ber :!1, 1855, leaving her husband and 
three children — Christopher, Henry and 
Emma — to mourn her death. His present 
wife was Mary McVicker, widow of David 
Kern. Thoy have been blessed with seven 
cliildren, five of whom are now living : 
Sarah L., Albert L., William J., Alexan- 
der VV. and Hugh G., the three last named 
were born in Geneseo township. 

Silas H. Horton settled in Geneseo 
township of Tama county in 1863. He is 
a native of Tioga county. New York, 



where he was born January 23, 1821. He 
was reared a farmer and spent most of the 
years previous to his settlement in Iowa 
in his native county; however, two years 
were spent at Oxford, in Chenango county; 
and another two years at Corning, in Che- 
mung county. The first land owned by 
him in this county was a number of acres 
on section 3, of Geneseo township, for 
which he traded property in New York 
State. Since his settlement here Mr. 
Horton has added many acres to his origi- 
nal farm, now owning 480 acres. He was 
united in marriage in 1847 with Miss Sally 
Brundage, a native of New York city. 
They are blessed with eight children — 
Esther, Eunice, Jotham, Emily, Marshall, 
Nathan, Mary and Adie. The family 
make their home on section 2. 

Isaac W. White, son of John and Sarah 
White, is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, 
where he was born November 21, 1832. 
In 1849 his parents emigrated to Iowa and 
settled at Shellsburg, Benton county, 
where they were among the first settlers. 
His father is still living there on the 
original claim, and is now in his eighty- 
sixth year. Isaac made his home with his 
parents until 1858, when he was married 
to Miss Nancy E. Miskimen, whose parents 
were also early settlers of Benton county. 
After marriage Mr. White rented his 
father's farm, on which he continued to 
live for six years, and then removed to 
Geneseo township, of Tama county, and 
tiicre settled on section 29, on land which 
he had entered in 1855. Subsequently 
he purchased eighty acres adjoining his 
lands, and at the present time owns 250 
acres, the most of which is improved. 



"='f 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



They have five children — James II., 
Amelia, Aimer, Clementine and Sarah A. 

S. Newell West made his first settle- 
ment in this county in 1863. It was in 
Clark township, and there he lived until 
1865, when he came to Geneseo township, 
settling on section 33, where he resided 
until 1882, when he sold his farm there 
and purchased land on section 32. In July 
of the same year he began the erection of 
the house in which he now lives. He was 
I)orn in Warren county. New York, April 
22, 1833. One year after his birth his 
parents removed to Chautauqua county, 
where they resided until 1839, and then 
settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania, near 
the town of Erie. The subject of this 
sketch spent his early life in school and 
on the farm. Wlien twenty-two years 
old he removed to Kane county, Illinois, 
where he lived one year and then went to 
Wisconsin. He spent the first winter in 
the pineries of Clark county, and the fol- 
lowing spring located in Jackson county, 
where he was employed in a sawmill near 
Black River Falls. During the fall of 
1S.37 he returned to his home in Pennsyl- 
vania, and there engaged in farming until 
his removal to Tama county, Iowa. Janu- 
ary 28, 1862, he was joined in wedlock 
with Miss Abbie Sherwin, of Erie county, 
Pennsylvania. They have been blessed 
with five children — John Sherwin, George 
Markham, William W., Royal A. and 
Ilattie. The last named, their only daugh' 
ter, was born Febuary 17, 1872, and died 
October 30, 1873. 

Benjamin Bisel is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, born in Bedford county of that 
Slate February 7, 1817. He received his 
education in the county of his birth, and 



was there reared an agriculturist. In 1850 
he bought a farm in Salt Creek township, 
Fayette county, that State, where he lived 
about two years, and then purchased 
another one in Bull Skin township, and 
removed to it. In 1854 he came west to 
Illinois, first locating in McLean'Jcounty, 
where he resided until 1857, then removed 
to Will county, and thence, in 1861 to 
Kendall county. During 1865, he came 
to Tama county, Iowa, and settled in the 
northeast quarter of section 30, Geneseo 
township. He has since improved the 
land and in 1882, erected the frame house 
in which he now resides. Mr. Bisel was 
married in 1844, to Miss Susanna Wonders, 
who has borne him ten children, seven of 
whom are now living : Henry, Mary E., 
Amanda, Alexander, Isaac, Melvina and 
Benjamin F. Sarah, their eldest child, 
was born January 11, 1845, and died De- 
cember 30, 1863. Catherine M. was born 
July 18, 1850, and died February 14, 1862. 
Jacob was born March 23, 1852, and died 
January 23, 1864. 

Benjamin McKay is a native of Onon- 
dago county. New York, born March 20, 
1822. He received his education in the 
district schools of the county, and at an 
early age learned the carpenter trade of 
his father, who was a carpenter before 
him. At the age of seventeen, he removed 
with his parents to Warren county, Penn- 
sylvania, and continued to make his home 
with them, until 1857, when he went to 
Winnebago county, Illinois, where he 
bought land, commenced to make improve- 
ments and in connection worked at the 
trade. During 1867, he sold his farm at 
an advanced price, and went to the Stale 
of Missouri with the intention of settling 



'k 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



there. He found, however, upon arrival, 
tliat tlie country fell far .short of what he had 
antici])ated, and therefore turned his face 
northward again. He came to this State 
and purcha.sed a tract of wild land on sec- 
tions 18 and 19, of Genesee township, 
Tama county. Since that time he has 
cultivated the same, planted groves of 
trees upon it, and erected the house in 
which he now lives. In 1864 the subject 
of his sketch was united in marriage with 
Miss Mabel Hill, a native of New York. 
She bore him three children, two of whom 
— (ieorge W. and Alva D. — are now living; 
and died December 2, 1876. Mr. McKay's 
present wife was Mrs. Caroline Marsh, 
widow of Joseph Marsh. She had three 
children by her first husband: EstellaD., 
Lucy E. and Alice L. 

.John Life was born April 6, 1820. He 
was the second of six sons and stayed with 
his father until he was twenty years old. 
When the subject of this sketch was 
eighteen years old, his oldest brother, 
William, who was then twenty years old, 
started out with a determination to re- 
ceive an education, which left a heavier 
weight of care upon John. Two of his 
younger brothers also pursued the same 
course William did. Henry took a medi- 
cal course and is now practicing medi- 
cinein McEwingsville, Pennsylvania, and 
(ieorge, who qualified himself for the 
ministry, followed preaching until his 
health failed him. He is now occupied in 
farming in this county. Two of John's 
brothers, Samuel and Abraham, are farm- 
ers in Virginia. John has one sister, 
Annie, who also lives in Virginia. Wil- 
liam and his wife are at the head of the 
Rye Female Seminary, New York, at this 



time. John, when he was eighteen years 
old, met with the misfortune of losing his 
left eye by accidently having it pierced 
by a twig, while in among the timber and 
brush clearing land on his father's farm. 
The inconvenience of the loss of an eye 
can only be known to those who experi- 
ence it. When twenty years of age, he 
learned the trade of wheelwright and 
cabinet maker, and after serving fourteen 
months, embarked in the business for 
himself, making spinning wheels, chairs, 
bedsteads, and other aiticles of furniture. 
He continued to work at that business 
until in the spring of 1862, when the late 
civil war was carried on to its fullest ex- 
tent. His brother Abraham not feeling 
disposed to join the Southern army, left 
Virginia and went through the line to 
Pennsylvania, where he remained until 
the close of the war. John then took the 
care of his parents upon himself until the 
close of the war, when his brother Abra- 
ham returned home. In the spring- of 
1862, the Union Army made their first 
move through Highland county, and John 
happened to be at the mill with a grist of 
two bushels of wheat, taken there on 
horseback. While there, a party of Union 
soldiers came and took all the flour that 
was in the mill, and among others they 
took John's. He tried to pursuade them 
to let him have his, but without avail 
they promising to pay him if he would 
come to their headquarters. This seemed 
to be a dangerous undertaking to him, but 
he gathered up courage and made arrange- 
ments with one of his neighbors to go 
with him ; but the following morning his 
neighbor declined to go. This was a try- 
ing time for ' Mr. Life, but he moved 



-a V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



735 



through this perilous undertaking by him- 
self. He was arrested twice on his way- 
there and searched ; but after reaching 
headquarters he was kindly received by 
Col. McLean of the 75th Ohio Regiment, 
who requested him to take the oath of al- 
legiance to the United States, which he 
willingly did. He then collected pay for 
all the rtour that had been taken. He re- 
turned home in safety, and paid off his 
neighbors for the flour that was taken. 
This course lie pursued throughout the en- 
tire war, trying to save life and aid dis- 
tressed families irrespective of parties. 

When the war closed he made up his 
mind to move to Iowa, to his brother 
William's land on section 8, Geneseo 
township, Tama county. He started with 
his family from Highland county, Vir- 
ginia, on the morning of the 18th of April, 
1867. He hired a man with a wagon and 
team to take him and his family and goods 
to the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, a dis- 
tance of ninety miles. He reached the 
railroad on the 2'2d, took the train on the 
23d, and reached Waterloo, Iowa, on the 
26th, which was then the nearest station to 
his brother's farm in Tama county. On 
the morning of the 27th of April he crossed 
Cedar river on a ferry boat; then hired a 
rig — and a poor one it was — to bring him 
and family to Tama county. At that time 
the country was very thinly settled be- 
tween Waterloo and the six-mile grove in 
Geneseo township. After traveling seven 
miles south from Waterloo they came to 
an open prairie, which extended ten miles 
with no settlers, except a man by the 
name of Spence, who lived midway be- 
tween that point and the six-mile grove 
settlement. Consequently, the roads were 



in bad condition and Mr. Life and family 
did not reach their place of locality until 
late in the evening of the 27th of April, 
1867. Having no house to move into, 
he and his family lived with a neighbor for 
three months until he could haul lumber 
from Waterloo to build. Before his 
house was fully enclosed he moved his 
family into it and made their beds on the 
floor, and on the first night a heavy rain- 
stoi-m came up, dashing the rain in tor- 
rents all through the house, so that their 
beds were soaked with water. But this 
did not discourage him. He commenced 
improving his brother's farm of 320 acres 
and continued until it was all under culti- 
vation, and in the same time he bought 80 
acres on section 5, on credit, by paying 
10 per cent, interest in advance for 
the first year, the principal being divided 
into three annual payments, which he met 
promptly. The land cost him 17.50 an 
acre. In the spring of 1882, he bought an 
improved farm on section 6, adjoining his 
other place, upon which he no .v resides 
and which he intends making his per- 
manent home. He had a family of 
five children, all born in Virginia. Sarah, 
the oldest, was born April 19, 1846. When 
she was eleven years old she went to her 
uncle William's, whose wife was then the 
Principal of the Muncie Female Acad- 
emy, Pennsylvania, and remained with 
her aunt and uncle until she had finished 
her education. William and his wife then 
moved to Rye, New York, where they lo- 
cated and are at the head of the Rye Fe- 
male Seminary. While there Sarah was 
married to Rev. John C. Taylor, who is 
now located in Cuba, New York. William 
! H., the oldest son, was born on the 18th 



sl'v 



•36 



HISTORY OF TA>IA COUNTY. 



of March, 1849. He stayed with his father 
until November, 1881, when he was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah B. Rohrbaugh, a native 
of Grant county. West Virginia. They 
now live on their farm of 160 acres on 
section 7, Geneseo township. Henry M. 
was born January 10, 1855, and died No- 
vember 20, 1870. Mary M. was born on 
the 17th day of March, 1857, and stayed 
with her father until June 16, 1881, when 
she was married to H. B. Griffin, who 
now resides on section 17, Geneseo town- 
ship. George P., the youngest son, died 
the 27th of October, 1870. 

Another early settler in the northwest- 
ern part of Geneseo township, Samuel P. 
Maynard, came here in 1868, and pur- 
chased wild land on section 7, where he 
has since resided. His farm is now under 
good cultivation, and in 1871, he erected 
his present dwelling-house. He was born 
at Granville, in Washington county. New 
York, August 15, 1828, and received his 
education in the public schools of that 
place. In 1846, his parents removed to 
Walworth county, Wisconsin, and Samuel 
continued to make his home with them 
until 1852, when he, in company with his 
brother Nathan and several others, started 
across the plains to California, carrying 
provisions, cooking utensils, etc., with 
them, and camping out on the way. They 
left their home on the 15th of April and 
arrived at Hangtown, California, on the 
15th of August. Mr. Maynard engaged 
ill mining near the latter place eight 
months and then went north to Sierra 
county, where he followed the same oc- 
cupation five years. From there he pro" 
ceeded to the Santa Clare Valley, where 
he engaged in farming until 1865, when 



he started for New York by way of the 
Isthmus. He stopped in the State of 
New York long enough to vi-it friends 
and then started for Minnesota, spending 
the following winter with his father and 
brother at Saratoga, in that State. In the 
spring of 1866, he came to Iowa, first lo- 
cating in Clinton county, where he spent 
two years and then made his settlement in 
Geneseo township, of this county. In 
1871, he was joined in marriage with Miss 
Sarah Tallett, a native of England. They 
have three children: Chloe, May and 
Ralph. Mr. Ma3-nard's brother, who went 
to California with him, started on his re- 
turn in 1857, taking passage on the steam- 
er Central America, which was lost, and 
he, with a greater part of the crew, per- 
ished. 

Charles Jameyson was born November 
IS, 1828, in the province of Ontario, Can- 
ada. His early life was spent in school 
and on the farm. In 1843, he, in company 
with his parents, who were Quakers, came 
to the States and settled in Medina county, 
Ohio, where he learned the carpenter's 
trade. During 1849, Mr. Jameyson re- 
moved to Walworth connty, Wisconsin, 
where he resided two years and then came 
to Iowa, making his first settlement in tlie 
State in Hampshire township, Clinton 
county, where he was one of the first set- 
tlers. There he resided until 1864, and 
then entering Company F, 10th Iowa Vol- 
unteers, went South and joined Sherman's 
command at Atlanta, Georgia. He was 
with that general in his triumphant march 
to the sea and afterwards went to Wash- 
ington with him, where he was honorably 
discharged from service, May 30, 1865. 
He then returned to Clinton county and 



-^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



737 



ill 1868, sold his property there and came 
to Tama county, settling on land which he 
purchased in the northeast quarter of sec- 
tion 30, Greneseo township. Mr. Jamey- 
son was married, in 1855, to Miss Caroline 
M. Maynard, of Washington county, New 
York. They have five children: Alice 
M., Champa O., Mary L., Elmer C. and 
Courtney R. 

Gilbert J. Monroe settled in Geneseo 
township in 1870, and upon his arrival pur- 
chased wild land on section 2S. Since 
that time he has thoroughly cultivated the 
land, set out trees and erected the com- 
fortable farm house in which he now 
lives. He is a native of New York, hav- 
ing been born in Delaware county in that 
State, April 14, 1835. His early life was 
spent in school and on the farm, and at 
eighteen years of age he was apprenticed 
to a carpenter to learn the trade. In 1857, 
lie removed to Ogle county,Illinois, where 
he followed his trade until 1869, when he 
came to Geneseo township. December 5, 
1861, he was joined in wedlock with Miss 
Jane Anderson, who also was born in Del- 
aware county, New York. They have 
been blessed with eight children, seven 
of whom are now living: Jessie, William 
A., John, Guy, George, A. Archie and 
Gertrude M. Their daughter Nettie died 
when eighteen months old. 

George A. Edwards is a native of Illi- 
nois, having been born in Putnam county, 
of that State, April 22, 1838. lie is a son 
of William and Mary Edwards who were 
among the very first settlers of that county. 
He attended the district schools of his na- 
tive county, subsequently completed his 
education with two terms at Mt. Palatine 
College, situated in Putnam county. Dur- 



ing 1860 he was united in marriage with 
Miss Elizabeth Mullin, a native of War- 
ren county, Ohio. Six children bless their 
union, Estella, Hattie, Charlie, Oscar, Wal- 
ter and Clarence. In 1869, Mr. Edwards 
came to Tama county, and settled in Gen- 
eseo township, on land entered in 1854 by 
George Dent, an Illinois neighbor of his. 
Soon after the land was entered, it was 
purchased by Mr. Edwards' father for 
11.75 per acre. Since his settlement here, 
Mr. Edwards has improved the land and 
erected on it a good set of farm buildings. 
The house in w'hich he now lives was 
built in 1870. 

George M. Life is a Virginian by birth, 
was born in Highland county, that State, 
February 14, 1830. He received his early 
education under a private tutor, and in 
1854 entered the Tuscarora Academy at 
Tuscarora, Pennsylvania, from which he 
graduated in 1855, and in 1859 grad- 
uated from Washington College at Lex- 
ington, Virginia. He then entered the 
Union Theological Seminary in Prince 
Edward county, Virginia, but at the 
openingof the war came north to finish 
his studies, and entered the Princeton 
Seminary at Princeton, New Jersey. His 
first pastorate was at Nichols, in Tioga 
county. New York, where he had charge 
of the Presbyterian church seven years. 
From there he came to Iowa and located 
at Dubuque, where he preached one year, 
and then came to Tama county and set- 
tled on land which he had previously pur- 
chased, on section 17, of Geneseo town- 
ship. Since that time Mr. Life has devoted 
his attention exclusively to the cultiva- 
tion of his land. He was joined in the 






56 



IV* 



--k 



738 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



holy bonds of matrimony, in 1863, with 
Miss An«a E. C. Smith of Montour, Penn- 
sylvania. 

llomanzo Nutt made his first settlement 
in this State in 1864, locating in Eagle 
township, of Black Hawk county, where 
he rented land and lived until 1870, when 
he bought and removed to section 1. He 
also bought on section 11, Geneseo town- 
ship, Tama county. In 1872, he erected, 
on section 11, the house in which he now 
resides. Mr.Nutt was born in Tioga county, 
New York, on July 14, 1819. He received 
his education in the common schools of 
his native county, and when of sufficient 
years, was employed in farming during 
tiie summer season, and followed lumber- 
ing the remainder of the year. In the 
spring he took rafts of lumber down the 
Susquehanna to Harrisburg and other 
points on the river. In 1844, he removed 
to Lake county, Indiana, where he lived 
two years and then returned to New York 
and purchased a farm in Broome county, 
of that State. Three years later, he 
sold it and bought a piece of timber land, 
which he cleared, and sold just before his 
removal to this State. His wife, to whom 
he was married in 1842, was Miss Caroline 
Goodnow, of Broome county, New York. 
Tliey have five children — David, Elijah, 
Charles, Martha and Frank. 

John lluey was born near Londondery, 
Ireland, in 1830. Four years after his 
birth, his mother died. When eighteen 
years of age he came to America, and from 
IJoslon (his landing place) proceeded di- 
rectly to Ilolyokc, Massachusetts, and one 
year later removed to Chicago, where he 
was employed in the Broomer & Chap- 
man car works one and a half years. He 



then worked in the Rock Island Railroad 
Company's shops for nine years; after 
which, he removed to Wisconsin, where 
he engaged in farming near Whitewater 
one year, and then returned to Illinois, and 
followed the same occupation in the vi- 
cinity of Rockford until 18G8. At that 
date he came to Iowa and located in Black 
Hawk county, where he lived three years, 
and then settled in Geneseo township, of 
Tama county, which place has since been 
his home. In 1880, he purchased an im- 
proved farm on section IS and immediately 
removed his family to it. Mr. Iluey 
was married October 22, 18.56, to Miss 
Margaret McNeill, a native of Chicago, 
where she was born in 1839. They have 
been blessed with six children, five of 
who are now living — Flora I., Joshua C, 
Esther C, Mary J. and Lizzie B. 

David Taylor is a native of Delaware 
county. New York, where he was born in 
July, of 1844. His education was re- 
ceived in the district schools, and at 
Andes' Collegiate Institute, Delaware 
county, which latter place of learning lie 
attended two and one-half terms. In the 
spring of 1869, the subject of this sketch 
made his first trip to Iowa, visiting Cedar 
and Tama counties, and returning home in 
the fall. In September, 1871, he again left 
his native State for Iowa. Tama county 
was again visited, and after purchasing 
land on section 27, of Geneseo township, 
Mr. Taylor went to Cedar county, where 
he spent the winter. The ne.xt spring he 
returned to this county, broke 80 acres of 
his land, and then went to Minnesota and 
spent the winter of 1872-3 in Redwood 
county, of that State. The following 
spring he retuVncd to Gew seo townshi]), 



e' 



'k. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



739 



wliicli has since been his home. In 1870, 
he erected the house in which he now 
lives with his sister, Christina. During 
the year of 1882, he erected on his farm, 
a barn 40x60 feet. 

Tillotson C. Temple settled in Geneseo 
township, on section 16, in 1874. When 
four years of age his parents moved to 
Hartford county, Maryland, where iiis 
father died 'in 1823, and the family soon 
after returned to Pennsylvania. When 
lie was .sixteen, he began to learn the 
carpenter's trade, and four years later, 
moved to Cincinnati, where he was mar- 
ried, April 9, 1839, to Miss Ann Eliza 
Carsner, of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. 
They soon after removed to Vicksburg, 
where he worked at his trade three years, 
then returned to Cincinnati. After a short 
stop there, they went to Louisana, and 
made that State their home for five years. 
In 1843, Mr. Temple and family settled in 
Rock Island county, Illinois, where they 
were among the early settlers. Mr. Tem- 
ple here engaged in farming for six years, 
and from there removed to Port Byron, 
where he embarked in the mercantile bus- 
iness. He also built a saw and flouring 
mill and continued in business until the 
breaking out of the Rebellion. August 
14, 1862, Mr. Temple enlisted in the 126th 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry; went south 
and participated in several engagements, 
being present at the siege and capture of 
Vicksburg. He was honorably discharged 
Augu.st 27, 1864, on account of physical 
disability, and al once returned to Illinois. 
He worked at his trade as much as his 
health would permit, and in 1872, 
he came to Iowa, living one year 
at Vinton; then spent one year in 



Waterloo, and in 1874, came to Tama 
county, as above stated. Mr. and Mrs. 
Temple have but one child living — 
Edgar W. Charlie, born March 17, 18.55, 
died, February 24, 1856; Frank, born Oc- 
tober 29, 1859, died, February 25, 1856. 

Edgar W. Temple was born at Tibcdor- 
ville, Louisiana, November 28, 1838. He 
received his early education in the district 
schools, and completed it at the Rock 
River Seminary, in Ogle county, Illinois. 
When twenty-one years of age, Edgar 
took charge of a ferry boat, which he run 
six years. He then opened a grocery .store 
at Port Byron, Rock Island county, Illi- 
nois, in company with G. D. Comstock, and 
continued in business two years, when he 
sold his interest and engaged in farming in 
the same county until 1872. That year he 
came to Iowa, spent two years in Benton 
county, then came to Tama county, settling 
on section 16, Geneseo township. In 1882, 
he erected a frame house into which he 
moved and where he now lives. Decem- 
ber 19, 1862, Mr. Temple was married to 
Ellen C. Durnan. Mrs. Temple died, and 
Mr. Temple was again married in 1880, to 
.Mrs. Martha E. Wales, of Hastings, New 
York. They have two children — Lincoln 
E. and Lewis P. 

Robert N. Kigg was born in Lawrence 
county, Penn,sylvania, September 11, 1845. 
At the age of fourteen Robert, with his 
parents, moved to Indiana. He engaged 
in farming and married Miss Emma 
Carbon, of Wayne county, Ohio, April 15, 
1869. In 1876 he moved from Indiana to 
Tama county, Iowa, and bought land on 
section 1, Geneseo township, his present 
home. 






^ 



740 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



()R(;anu-. 

This township assumed its present 
Ixnindaries in 1856. The first election 
was ordered at the house of Nathaniel 
Spencer. At this time Chauncey B. Slade 
was elected Town Clerk; John L. Tedford 
was elected as one of the first Trustees. 
'I'lio records are lost, and it is impossible 
to tjive a full list of the first town officers. 

An election was held at John L. Ted; 
ford's house, in the fall of 18.56, to vote 
for presidential electors. There were 
ciyhteen votes cast, seventeen for the 
Willy candidate and one for the Demo- 
cratic. 

At the annual election in November, 
I8S2, held at the (ieneseo Centre school 
house, the following oflicei's were elected : 
.Instices of the Peace : C. A. Williams 
and G. H. Grover ; Township Clerk, G. 
M. Tedford ; Constables, F. L. Leslie and 
R. 8. Anderson ; Assessor, Jacob Sirine, 
Trustee, T. R. Mcllhinney. The Tru.stees 
liolding over are D. F. Campbell and 
Robert Speer. 

George H. Grover, one of the Justices 
of the Peace of Geneseo township, came 
liere from Clinton county in 1865. He 
first pui'chased wild land on section 5, 
which land he continued to improve for 
three years, and then bought a farm on 
section 7, where he has since resided. He 
now has a large barn, besides other build- 
ings necessary for the shelter of stock and 
grain, and in 1869, erected his present 
residence. He is a native of Ocean county. 
New Jersey, where he was born August 
18, 18.34. When twenty years of age he 
went to Philadelphia, and there, in com- 
])aiiy with his brother, spent two years in 
horse dealing. He then located at Daven- 



port, Iowa, but after a few months spent 
in a store in that place, removed to the 
country, where he was engaged in break- 
ing prairie land. He was also married 
there, in 1857, to Miss Catherine Fullmer, 
a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. 
In 1860 he went to Pike's Peak, where he 
spent several months engaged in mining, 
then returned to Scott county, and in the 
.spring of 1861, removed to Clinton county, 
where he tilled the soil until his settle- 
ment in this county in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. 
Grover have eight children : Angeline C , 
Charles H., William I., Robert E., Alice 
S., George E., Mary N. and Curtis I. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

School matters here have received their 
share of public attention. In 1874 all the 
districts were made independent and so 
remain at the present time. There are 
now six districts, and following is a record 
of each : 

School District No. 1 — The first house 
in this district was built in the spring of 
1858, and was constructed of logs fur- 
nished by the neighborhood. The peopk' 
of the vicinity turned out, made a "bee," 
and put up the building on the southwest 
quarter of section 2 1 . Miss Frank Eaton 
was the first teacher in this house when 
completed. This building was used for 
school purposes until 1863, when the 
present house was erected on the old site. 
It is a neat frame building. Miss Mary 
Slade was one of the first teachers in this 
building. This is called the Geneseo 
Centre District. 

District No. 2 — The first school in this 
district was taught in Phineas L. Sher- 
man's house on section 10, by his son, 
Eugene, in 1856. It was a select school. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



iffe 



In the fall of 1858, the present school 
house was finished. It is a stone building. 
The stone was quarried at Camp quarry, 
Black Hawk county. It is located on the 
northwest corner of the southwest quarter 
of section 10. Miss Lottie Baker from 
Black Hawk county is the present teacher. 

District No. 3 — The first school in this 
district was taught by Sardis V. R. Slade 
in the winter of 1856-57, in Nathaniel 
Spencer's house on section 14. The next 
school was taught in John Riley's house 
on .section 13. Jacob Parmenter was the 
teacher. In 1860 the district bought a 
stone building on the northwest quarter of 
section 24. Miss Morton was the first 
teacher in this building. It was used until 
1860, when the present building was erect- 
ed on ihe southwest quarter of section 12. 
It is a frame building and cost about $500. 
Miss Elizabeth Landis, from Waterloo, 
was the first teacher in this school house. 
Miss Ida Estle, of Crystal, is the present 
teacher. 

District No. 4 — In 1862 the first house 
wa.s erected in this district. It is located 
im section 31. Miss Lizzie Klingaman 
was the first teacher. Miss Mary Tallet 
is the present teacher. This is called 
Excelsior district. 

District No. 5 — There are at the pres- 
ent time two school houses in this district. 
The first school was taught in Jared 
Cheasboro's house on section 26, in 1864. 
His wife was the first teacher. The first 
school house was built in 1866, on the 
northwest quarter of section 16, and in 
this house, Elder Beach was the first 
teacher. In 1867, the building was moved 
to the northwest quarter of section 36. 
The second school house in the district 



was built at Mooreville, and in it E. A. 
Pine was the first teacher. The present 
teacher is A. L. BelL This i.s called the 
Mooreville district. 

District No. 6 — The first and only house 
built in this district was erected in 1868, 
and is located on the southwest corner of 
the southwest quarter of section 8. Miss 
Jennie Hayward was the first teacher. 
Miss Ida Redfield is the present teacher. 
It is called Mt. Pleasant district. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first religious service held in this 
township was at the house of William 
Tedford, on section 21,duringthe summer 
of 1855, by Elder Kern, a preacher of the 
United Brethren denomination. As soon 
as the school house, on section 21, was 
erected, meetings were held there once 
in two weeks. A society was organized 
here by Elder Kern, who continued to 
supply the pulpit. The members of this 
church have mostly removed or died, 
and the meetings were discontinued some 
years ago. 

The Methodists held meetings in 
Phineas L. Sherman's house in 1857. 
George Wilson who lived on section 13 
preached. Meetings were afterward held 
in the stone school house on section 10, 
and a society was organized there by Elder 
Donaldson, in 1858. Peter Cromhurst 
was class leader. In connection they had 
a Sabbath school with quite a large attend- 
ance. Harvey Wager was Superintend- 
ent. In 1869, they built a church on sec- 
tion 10, which is a neat frame structure 
and cost about $2,000. Elder B. C.Barnes, 
of Dysart, is the present pastor, and W. C. 
Best, class leader. There is a membership 
of seventy-six. Meetings are held once 



'*5j^ 



r 



, 4^ — «^ 



l!^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



every two weeks. Sabbath school weekly, 
with T. J. Merritt as present Superintend- 
ent. 

Tiieodore J. Merritt is a native of War- 
ren county, Pennsylvania, where he was 
liiirn Oetolier 8, 1842. Two years after 
his birth his father died, and his mother 
s()(in after removed to McKean county, 
Pennsylvania, where she was subsequently 
married to Isaac Smith. In 1853, two 
years after, the family removed to Kala- 
mazoo county, Michigan, where they 
remained until 1858, and then came to 
Iowa and settled on section 16 of Gene- 
seo township. The subject of this sketch 
received his education in the public 
school. He was married March 13, 1867, 
to Eliza J. (Simons) Spencer, widow of 
N. K. Spencer. They have been blessed 
with five children, four of whom are now 
living: Oliver, Dell, Cora and Ida. One 
child died in infancy. Mrs. Merritt has 
one son living, by her first husband — 
Lyman. 

Keligious meetings were held in the 
school house in district No. 6 soon after 
the house was built. J. L. Leisher, a 
I''ree Will Baptist, was one of the first 
preachers here. A Protestant Methodist 
society was organized by Elder Griffith, 
with George H. Grover as class leader. 
There was a Sabbath school organized 
soon afterward with Russell Richards for 
Sii])crintendent. Church services were 
held once in two weeks, and every week, 
sabbath school, during the summer. 
Ministers of different denomination.s have 
preached here frequently since that time. 
At present there are no regular meetings 
there, the people attending at Geneseo 
church. 



There was a Methodist class organized 
at the school house in district number five 
in 1867, with N. P. Wheeler as class 
leader. Meetings were held regularly 
every Sabbath, and preaching every two 
weeks. This organization still continues- 
to exist and meets to worship in Moore- 
ville. Lorenzo D. Hall is class leader ; 
B. C. Barnes, pastor in charge. There' is 
a membership of twenty-six. 

The Free Will Baptists held their first 
meetings, in 1864, in the school house in 
district No. 1. C. B. Messer, who lived 
on section 15, was the preacher by whom 
a society was organized with ten mem- 
bers. Nathaniel Spencer and Luther 
Wheeler were the first deacons. Meet- 
ings were held once in two weeks. In 
1870 they built a church edifice at Moore- 
ville. There is now a membership of 
twenty-eight. J. L. Leisher is the pastor. 

HISTORICAL EVENTS. 

The first blacksmith shop in the town- 
ship was started by Theodore Moore in 
1855 on the northwest quarter of section 
1 1 . He put up a log building and cov- 
ered it with "shakes." About two years 
afterward this building was burned. He 
then erected a frame building which is 
still standing. He was a horse shoer and 
did all kinds of work in his line, having 
at that early day considerable trade from 
adjoining counties. 

Theodore Moore was born at Mooresburg 
in Montour county, Pennsylvania, July 11, 
18-26. When he was nine years of age 
his parents removed to Kalamazoo county, 
Michigan, where they were among the first 
settlers. He made his home with his par- 
ents until in his twentieth year, and was 
then apprenticed to a blacksmith. lie 



'f 



r 



♦jj^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'k. 



served one and a half years and then era- 
barked in business for himself at Flower- 
field. Mr. Moore worked at his trade in 
that State until 1854, when he came to 
Iowa in search of a good location for a 
future home. Upon visiting Tama county, 
he selected land on sections 10 and 11, of 
Geneseo township, and in the fall of 1855, 
removed his family here. Since that time 
he has divided his time between farming 
and working at his trade. He was mar- 
ried, in 1848, to Miss Eliza A. Brown, a 
native of Monroe county. New York. 
They have been blessed with four chil- 
dren, three of whom are now living — 
Charles, Frank and Harriet. Their young- 
est son, John Hamilton, was born Decem- 
ber 20, 1801, and died June 15, 1872. He 
was thrown violently from a horse, and 
when taken from the ground was uncon- 
.scious, in which state he remained five 
days and then died. 

Among the earliest births in this town- 
ship were the following: 

Henry, son of John L. and Elizabeth 
Tedford, born March 30, 1857. 

Byron, son of Harvey and Betsy Ann 
Wager, born August 4, 1857. He yet lives 
with his father. 

America Hill, son of William II. H. and 
Charlotte Hill, l)orn December 28, 1854. 
He now lives in Nebraska. 

Louisa, daughter of John and Charity 
Kiley, born March 10, 1854. She is now 
in Missouri. 

Chester L., son of Elijah and Caroline 
(Guernsey, born November 0, 1855. He 
now lives on his farm on section 23. 

During the summer of 1805, a tornado 
swept over this township, striking first in 
tiie southern part, and demolishing a house 



belonging to .John LeHer; passing thence 
north, it unroofed Andrew Mcllhiuney's 
barn, and blew down a house belonging to 
Mrs. VVilliam Tedford; passing thence in 
a northeasterly direction it blew down the 
house of Newton Spencer, passed across 
the grove and on to Benton county, where 
it did but little damage. 

The first marriage was that of Alpheus 
Goodpasture to Mary Hill, in April, 1854. 
They have two children now living and 
now reside in Bourbon county, Kansas. 
The second child born to them (Arthur) 
died of hydrophobia at his grandmother's 
in this township, while here on a visit, in 
July, 1882. He had been bitten by a mad 
dog si.x weeks previous. His remains were 
taken back to Kansas and buried. 

Alexander H. Price, from Ohio, came 
here in September, 1856, and put up a 
building on the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 24, and opened a general stock of 
merchandise, with whisky in connection. 
Here he continued in business about three 
years, when he sold out his goods and dis- 
posed of the building for a school house. 
It has since been torn down. 

Among the early deaths in this town- 
ship are the following: 

James Riley died May 3, 1855, of ty- 
phoid fever, at eighteen years of age. He 
was a brother of John Riley. His was 
the first burial in the Hill Cemetery. 

Joseph Hill died the 28th day of June, 
1S55, after an illness of four days, at the 
age of fifty-one years. He was also burled 
in the Hill Cemetery. 

Smese Hulse, came here from Illinois, 
with his brother and cousin, and were 
camping out on their claim, on section 
24, when he was taken sick in the camp. 



*^« r- 



rjv^ 



,^1 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



This was during the fall of 1855. Mrs. 
Joseph Hill look him to her house, where 
he died in a few days of typhoid fever. 
He was buried on the northeast quarter of 
section 24, across the road from the Hill 
Cemetery. 

George Busier died in the spring of 
1856. He was buried in the Hill Cem- 
etery, but his remains have since been re- 
moved to Black Hawk county. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The first postotfice in the township was 
established in 1861, and was called Fork 
Postoffice Andrew Mcllhinney was the 
first postmaster, and the office was kept at 
Ills house on section 21. Mail was received 
once a week, it being on the route between 
La Porte City and Tama. After a few 
years this office was discontinued. 

Evergreen postoffice was established 
in IsVO, withDewitt Hayward postmaster, 
and the office was kept at Joel Hayward's 
house, on section 21. Andrew D. Mcll- 
hinney is the present postmaster, with the 
office at his residence on section 28, with a 
daily mail from Dysart. 

Andrew Mcllhinney is a native of Ire- 
land, born in March, 1829. He made his 
homo in his native land and with his par- 
ents until lie attained his majority, and 
then came to America, and settled in the 
State of Pennsylvania. His marriage 
with Miss Nancy A. Smith occurred in 
1 859, and the same year they came to Iowa, 
and settled in Geneseo township, on 
land which Mr. Mcllhinney had previously 
entered. They have four children living 
— Estella J., Fayette F., Byron W. and 
Theressa O. 



VILLAGE OF MOOREVILLE. 

This place was staked out in 1869, by 
Henry Beach, a Methodist preacher. The 
same year William Davidson built a store 
and opened a stock of goods. He con- 
tinued this business here about two years ' 
and sold to Mr. Greenleaf, who ran it 
eleven months and sold to C. B. Messer, 
who continued only a few weeks when it 
again changed hands, C. A. Williams, the 
present proprietor, being the purchaser. 
He afterward erected a larger building 
and has a good trade. He is a native of 
Niagara county, New York, and came here 
from LaPorte, where he had been clerk- 
ing in a drug store. 

In 1869, Livermore & Beach started the 
building of a mill, which was completed 
in 1871. Captain Moore, a native of New 
Jersey, bought Livermore's interest, and 
in company with Beach, ran the mill a 
short time. Then Moore bought Beach's 
interest. He soon after sold a half in- 
terest to his nephew, Charles Moore, 
and later sold the other half interest to 
Thom.as Carter, who soon bought Charles 
Moore's interest. In 1879, Captain Moore 
took his half interest back, and Ben- 
jamin Bruner bought the other half and in 
company they ran it a few months, when 
it was burned. Mr. Bruner's wife bought 
Captain Moore's interest and the mill was 
rebuilt in 1880. It is two an'i one-half 
stories high, with a basement 30x37 feet. 
There are three runs of buhrs and machin- 
ery for making firsl-class flour. It is now 
run by Benjamin Bruner. 

Benjamin Bruner was born November 
24, 1841, in Sandusky county, Ohio. His 
parents were Christian and Sophia Bruner. 
In the fall of 1S51, the family came to 



T 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



745 



Iowa and after spending the winter in 
Iowa City, came the following spring to 
Tama county. They first settled in How- 
ard township, and were one of the first 
families in the county. Mr. Britner was 
married, September .30, 1S63, to Miss Mary 
E. Ilarbaugh, a native of Medina county, 
Ohio. Immediately after marriage Mr. 
Bruner settled in the village of Monticello 
and, in company with his brother, bought 
his father's mill at that place. In 1869, 
they sold the mill and Mr. Bruner pur- 
chased a farm in Howard township, on 
wiiich he lived until 187.5, when he sold, 
and bought, in connection with his broth- 
er, a Hour mill in York township. Four 
years later, he sold his interest in that 
mill and bought a half inte:est in the mill 
at Mooreville, which he still operates. He 
has three children: Carl F., John ft. and 
Robert J. 

The only practicing physician in Moore- 
ville is Dr. C ,W. Knotl. See Medical 
chapter. 

Ths first postofiice was established here 
about 1870, as Mooreville, and Captain 
Moore, who named the ottice, was the first 
postmaster. William Davidson, as depu- 
ty, had charge of the office until J. R. 
Williams succeeded Captain Moore. Since 
that time Mr. Williams has held the oftice. 
There is a daily mail from Dysart. 

A shop was started in this village about 
1870, by John and William Tiller. There 
have been several blacksmiths in town 
since that time. The present shop is con- 



ducted by Daniel Mclntire who came in 
1880, and in 1882, purchased the black- 
smithing business of C. A. Williams. Mr. 
Mclntire is a native of Lancasterhire, Eng- 
land, born March 22, 1840. When but 
twelve years of age he was apprenticed to 
a blacksmith in Scotland, and after serving 
six years, went to Dublin, Ireland, where 
he worked at his trade three months. He 
then returned to England and was em- 
ployed in a machine shop at Liverpool 
a number of years. During his residence 
in that city, he spent three years in the 
employ of the Guion Steam Ship Com- 
pany. On the 12th day of April, 1875, he 
started for the United States, and upon 
landing in New York City, proceded to 
De Soto, Wisconsin, for the purpose of 
visiting a brother, who resided there. 
From De Soto, he came to Traer, Tama 
county, where he followed his trade two 
years, m company with S. Hyde, and then 
located at Reinbeck, Grundy county. 
There he engaged as a journeyman a short 
time and then opened a shop of his own, 
which he run about two years. At the 
expiration of that time, he returned to 
Traer, where he resided until 1880, and 
then settled at Mooreville, where he ran 
the blacksmith shop for C. A. Williams 
two years, and then purchased the stock 
and has since carried on the business him- 
self. Mr. Mclntire was married in 1804 
to Miss Margaret Bootle, who has borne 
him five children — Robert, Daniel, Mar- 
garet A., Janet G. and Peter. 



9 



746 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXVI I. 



GRANT TOWNSHIP. 



This territory comprises all of Con- 
gressional township 80 north, range 15, 
west of the fifth principal meridian. The 
surface is quite rolling, with many deep 
lavines in the southern part. The soil is 
a rich, dark loam, inclined to sandiness, 
in places. The township is well watered. 
Twelve Mile creek rises on section 18, 
and flowing through sections 8, 9, 10, 15, 
14, 23 and 24, makes exit at the northeast 
corner of section 25. Given creek 
enters the township on section 1, and run- 
ning in a southerly direction through sec- 
lions 12 and 13, makes confluence with 
Twelve Mile creek on section 24. Four 
Mile creek enters on section 30, and run- 
ning in a southeasterly direction through 
sections 29, 28 and 23, leaves the town- 
ship on the southwest quarter of section 
:!4. Along these streams there are rich 
bottom lands. There is but little timber 
in the township. "Five Mile Grove," on 
section 23, originally contained about 
eighty acres, consisting of oak, cherrj'and 
poplar mainly, but in an early day this 
was mostly cut off. It remains at present 
about its original size and is covered with 
a thrifty growth of young timber. There 
is also a small grove on the southwest 
quarter of section 32. This is all the 
native timber in the township. 



The township is mostly settled by a 
class of people born in Scotland or of 
Scotch extraction. They are an indus- 
trious, enterprising class of citizens, having 
good farms, comfortable homes, and well 
improved lands. 

The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & North- 
ern railroad cro-sses this township, entering 
on the northeast corner of section 25, run- 
ning thence northwest through section 24, 
and traversing the west half of sections 
13 and 12, leaves from section 2. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first persons to settle in this town- 
ship were Conklin and Cornelius Gay. 
They came in 1855 and located on section 
23, where they built a small cabin and re- 
mained until 1857, when they removed to 
Buckingham township, where Cornelius 
died in 1865. Conklin, with the family 
of Cornelius, are now residents of Hum- 
bolt county. 

The next to arrive in the township was 
Kvander Murdock, who arrived in 1857, 
and settled on the southeast quarter of 
section 33. Ue was from New York 
State, was a married man and their son 
Clarence was the fir.st white child born in 
the township. ^ They now live at Cedar 
Falls. 






Lull 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



747 



The next settler was Jasper H. Scott, who 
came with his family in 1859, and built his 
cabin on the northeast corner of the north- 
west quarter of section 36, where he still 
resides. 

In 1850, David Heath and Lorenzo Hall 
arrived and lived in the house formerly 
occupied by Olleslaugher and Butler, on 
section 23. They remained about seven 
years when they removed to Kansas, where 
Heath was shot by his step-son. Hall 
now lives in Wright county. 

In 1858, John Fleming, from Pennsyl- 
vania, purchased a tract of 400 acres of 
land. He was never an actual resident, 
but improved his farm and took an actual 
interest in church and township affairs. 
He died here May 25, 1868. 

In 1861, William and Walter Kline 
came ; the former finally settled on sec- 
tion 29, where he yot resides, the lattei- 
settl d on section 34, and is still living in 
the township. Andrew Dodd came the 
same year and settled on section 34, where 
he still remains. 

William Kline is a Pennsylvanian by 
birth, as were also his parents. They 
had nine children ; William being the 
eldest, born in October, 1826. When he 
was sixteen years of age his parents emi- 
grated to the then new country of Ohio, 
settling in Wayne county, here they en- 
gaged in farming. Here William assisted 
his father until attaining his majority, and 
at this time entered a mill to learn the 
miller's trade. After mastering this trade, 
he leased a mill, and getting married com- 
menced business for himself. He re- 
mained in his business until 1853, when 
he engaged in farming for one year. In 
1 854, he removed to Johnson county, Iowa, 



and engaged in farming until 1861, then 
came to Tama county, locatnig in Crystal 
township, where he remained until March, 
1865, at which time he located on his present 
farm on section 29, Grant township. Mr. 
Kline takes an active interest in educa- 
tional matters both in the township and 
his own district, and on the organization 
of the township was elected a member of 
the first School Fioard. At this election he 
was also given the office of Justice of the 
Peace, which office he still holds, and has 
held since his first election, with the ex- 
ception of one year. August 22, 1850, 
Mr. Kline was joined in wedlock with Miss 
Sarah Ellen McVicker, born in Wayne 
county, Ohio, in 1829. Her parents moved 
from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1826. Mr. 
and Mrs. Kline have had nine children : 
John, Catherine Ann, VVilliam Penn, Vii- 
gil A., Byron C, Jane Adaline, Agues A., 
Ida Belle and Mary Estella. 

Walter Kline was born in Franklin 
county, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1829. 
When twelve years of age he removed 
to Wayne county, Ohio, where he grew 
to manhood and received a common 
school education. In 1853, he came to 
Iowa, first stopping in Johnson county 
and afterwards going to Muscatine and 
other places in the State. In lisui he 
came to Tama county where he has since 
resided. In 1864, on the 27th of October, 
he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Eld ridge, 
a native of Franklin county, Ohio. She 
was the widow of Ely Eldridge to whom 
she was married in 1861, in Crystal town- 
ship, by Kev. David Donaldson, of the M. 
E. Church. The fruit of this union was 
one child — Henry E. September 15, 1861, 
Mr. Eldvidgc, through patriotism, CTilist('<l 



\ Q_ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



in the 28tli Iowa Infantry, serving until 
Ills death on June 30, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kline are parents of six children, Clara 
M . and Amra J., (twins), Ely L., John 
VV., Wesley S., and Majory E. Mrs. Kline 
is a member of the Methodist Episcojial 
C'hircli, which siie joined in I860. 

In 1864 L. P. Dinsdale arrived and se- 
lected a farm on section 24. He is still liv- 
ing in the township. 

The selllenient of this township was not 
very rapid. The next year, 1865, the 
Whannell family came and settled in this 
neighborhood, mostly in Crystal town- 
ship. Thompson Weir was also one of 
the settlers of this year. 

Robert Whannell is a son of .John and 
Margaret (Kelley) Whannell, who were na- 
tives of Scotland. They came to America in 
18.57, and settled in Knox county, Illinois. 
His father died at that place July 29, 1864, 
from the effects of an injury received at 
Dixon, Illinois, while returning from a trip 
to Iowa. The family consisted of the par- 
ents and five children, — Peter, now a resi- 
dent of Crystal township ; Thomas also 
living in that township; Jane, deceased; 
John and Robert. The two latter named 
are residents of Grant township In 1865, 
the mother, with Thomas, John and Robert, 
removed to lama county, settling in 
Crystal townshi]), where Peter had pre- 
ceded them ; she made her home with her 
children until her death on June 29, 1869. 
Robert was born in Scotland on the first of 
March, 1 842, and came with his parents to 
the United States. He was reared on the 
farm and has since made farming his busi- 
ness with good success. His education 
was acquired in the common schools of 
Scotland and Illinois. He came to Iowa, 



as above stated, with his mother and set- 
tled in Crystal township where he re- 
mained until 1873, when he moved upon 
the land where he still resides in Grant, 
which he had previously purchased. Politi- 
cally, Mr. Whannell is an advocate of Re- 
publican principles, and has held various 
local offices. On the 23d of January, 1873, 
he was married to Miss Jane Wilson, a 
native of Connecticut, born December 20, 
1847. She is of Scotch extraction, her 
parents. West and Margaret (Dryman) 
Wilson being natives of Scotland. They 
came to the United States in July, 1846, 
and settled in Connecticut where they re- 
mained until April, 1856, when they re- 
moved to Tama county, Iowa, and located 
in Crystal township. Here the mother died 
in March, 1860, and the father, who has 
since married again, is still a resident of 
the township named. The result of the 
first marriage was nine children. Mr. and 
Mrs. Whannell are the parents of one child, 
Westina Maggie. They are members in 
good standing of the United Presbyterian 
Church, and are highly respected aiid 
esteemed by all who know them. John 
Whannell is one of the enterprising and 
thrifty farmers of Grant township. He 
was born in the parish of Colmonel, Ayr- 
shire, Scotland, August 4, 1839. In ISST' 
he came with his father's family to Knox 
county, Illinois, where they engaged in 
farming. Here John grew to manhood, 
receiving a common school education. On 
August 5, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, 
102d Illinois Infantry, his captain being 
Edwin H' Conger, the present State Treas- 
urer of Iowa. With his regiment he took 
part in many of the hard battles of the war, 
including Re'ssaca, Peach Tree Creek, 



^5-_^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



V49 



Kenesaw Mountain and New Hope Church, 
South Carolina, where he was slightly 
wounded. He was also with Sherman on 
his successful march to the sea, and at the 
fjrand review at Washington, where he re- 
ceived his discharge dated June 6, 1865, 
and was mustered out in Chicago. He 
then returned to his ho-ne, and in July 
came to Tama county, settling in Crystal 
township, where he engaged in farming 
with his brothers' Peter, Thomas and 
Robert. He was married November 5, 
1870, to Miss Ann Preston, a native of 
England, born August 12, 1847. When 
five years of age her parents emigrated to 
Canada, and her mother died a few years 
later. Her father died when she was 
fifteen, and at the age of seventeen she 
came to Tama county, Iowa. nMay, 1871, 
Mr. Whannell removed with his family to 
their present home, on section 31, Grant 
township. His farm contains 240 acres 
under a good state of cultivation. Mr. 
and Mrs. Whannell are respected members 
of the Amity congregation of the United 
Presbyterian* hurch. Their children are : 
William J., Margaret J., James K., Eliza- 
beth A.. Robert C. and Thomas Garfield. 

Thompson Weir is a native of Renfrew- 
shire, Scotland, bor > in 1820. In 1854, he 
came to New York city, thence to Con- 
necticut, and in the spring of 1855, went 
to Chicago, where he remained until 1865, 
when he came to Tama county, and has 
since been one of her most respected cit- 
izens. In 1869, he removed to his present 
home on section 32, Grant township. His 
wife was formerly Miss Margaret Sloss. 
She is a native of Ayrshire, Scotland. 

Andrew Dodd was a settler of 1866, 
and is one of the representative men of 



Grant township. He was born in Ayr- 
shire, Scotland, in 1816. His father was 
a native of Cumberland, England, and 
when a young man went to Scotland, 
where he was married to Mary Wright, 
a native of Wigtownshire. They then en- 
gaged in farming, making Scotland their 
home until their death, the father dying 
in 1857, aged seventy -two years ; the 
mother in April, 1882, at the advanced 
age of eighty-si. X. They reared a family 
of eleven children, Andrew being their 
second. He grew to manhood in his na- 
tive shire, receiving a common school ed- 
ucation. At the age of twenty-four he 
married Miss Alexander, of Ayrshire, who 
died in 1841. He was again married, May 
12, 1846, to Miss Christina Wilson, a na- 
tive of Ayrshire. In 1853, they left their 
native land and came to the United States, 
stopping the first winter in Perry town- 
ship, this county, and in the spring rented 
a farm in Crystal township, where they 
resided until 1866, then purchased their 
present home on section 34, in Grant 
township. In politics Mr. Dodd is a Re- 
publican and has held the office of Town- 
ship Assessor for many years. He and 
his wife are active members of the Amity 
congregation of the United Presbyterian 
Church. They have had thirteen chil- 
dren : Henry, deceased, James W., Rob- 
ert H., Andrew W., West, Thomas, de- 
ceased, John, deceased, William, Edward 
H., Jane L., Mary S. and Maggie J., de- 
ceased. 

In 1867, the settlement of Grant town- 
ship was increased by the arrival of William 
Keown, George Barker and John How- 
ard, who are still prominent citizens. 



750 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



William Keown was born in the county 
of Down, Ireland, in 1837. His parents 
were natives of that county and remained 
there until their death. When seven- 
teen years of age, William left his native 
land to seek a home in the United States, 
first stopping in Pennsylvania, remaining 
until lSG7,then coming to Tama county and 
settling n])on his present farm, on section 
14, in Grant township. He was married, 
February 18, 18G1, to Miss Aseneth 
McAlevy, a native of Pennsylvania, born 
in 18.36. They have had nine children, 
five of whom are now living: Elizabeth, 
Aseneth, Nancy, Charlotte and Sarah. 
Mrs. Keown is a member of the Old 
School Presbyterian Church. Mr. Keown, 
when he came to this country, was a mere 
boy with no means, but by industry and 
hard work has succeeded in accumulating 
a fine property, his farm containing 200 
acres of well improved land. He has been 
successful in liis farming and now has a 
pleasant home. 

George Barker is the oldest settler in 
the northern part of Grant township, where 
he settled, on section 2, in 1867. lie is a 
native of Canada, born in 1821, there re- 
ceiving a good common school education. 
When he was sixteen years of age he 
shipped as a sailor on the lakes between 
Buffalo and Chicago, which occupation he 
followed until 1838, when he was hired to 
run an engine in the construction of the 
Illinois and Michigan canal. He remained 
on this work until 1841, then returned to 
New York State, where he stayed until 
1 843, when he again went to Canada and 
engaged in the lumbering business in con- 
nei'tion with farming, which business he 
followed until he came to Tama countv. 



He was married on the 10th of January, 
1844, to Lydia Comstock, a native of Can- 
ada, born December 10, 1819 ; died in 
April, 1878. This union was blessed with 
five children : Eliza J., George F., Sarah 
A., John C. and James A. (deceased). Mr. 
Barker was again married on the 22d of 
November, 1882, to Mary Hodge, a native 
of Ireland. She is a member of the Pres. 
byterian church. Mr. Barker has seen- 
many changes since his settlement in 
Tama county. When he came, his neigh- 
bors were distant from him, four, five and 
six miles, and the nearest trading points 
were Cedar Falls and Waterloo ; now, the 
cars run through his township, and his 
market is at the railroad towns, but little 
farther from his home than were the 
houses of the first neighbors. George's 
father, John Barker, was a noted ship- 
builder of Yorkshire, England. In 1812, 
at the time of the American war, he came 
to Montreal, in the employ of the British 
Government, to take charge of the con- 
struction and repairing of vessels. After 
a time, he engaged in business for himself, 
and died at Montreal, in 1856. 

John Howard was born November 8, 
1840, in Montgomery county, and was 
brought up in Broome county. New York, 
where he received a common school educa- 
tion. He enlisted August 19, 1862, in 
Company E, 137th Infantry, New "\ork 
Volunteers, and served as a non-corami.s- 
sioned officer until June 9^ 1865, when lie 
was discharged by reason of the close of 
the war. He took part in many a hard 
fought battle, including Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Mission 
Ridge, Ressaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and a 
host of other battles. He was also with 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



751 



Sherman on bis famous " March to the 
Sea," and at the grand review at Wash- 
ington. On receiving his discharge he 
returned to his home in New York. In 
March, 1867, he started for the far west, 
and, after stopping a few months in Illi- 
nois, came to Tama county, arriving Sep- 
tember 25, at which time he purchased bis 
present farm, returning in December to 
New York. On the 25th of February, 
1868, he married Miss Lucina Giffen, a 
native of Pennsylvania, and in the spring 
came to their new home. In politics Mr. 
Howard is an Independent and has held 
various local offices. He owns 320 acres 
of land located in Grant, and 160 acres in 
Buckingham townships. He moved to his 
farm in Buckingham township in March, 
1883. 

Among the arrivals in 1868 were Wil- 
liam and John Young, James Murray 
and James C. Fleming. 

William and John Young are natives of 
Ireland, but the family, at an early day, 
emigrated to Clinton county, Iowa. Wil- 
liam settled upon the place he now occu- 
pies in Grant township in 1868. They 
are large land owners and prominent 
farmers. William has been a member of 
the School Board for many years. 

Among the arrivals in 1869, were Eli S. 
Bennett, William Brown and Hugh Brash, 
all of whom still remain here. 

Eli S. Bennett was born in Fairfield 
countj', Connecticut. He grew to manhood 
in bis native State, and received a common 
school education. He learned the ma- 
chinist's trade and followed it for five 
years at Pine Meadow, Litchfield county. 
In 1858 he went to ElKhorn Grove, Car- 



roll county, Illinois, and engaged in mak- 
ing shovel plows in connection with farm- 
ing. He came to Tama county in 1869, 
and settled in Grant township. He was 
married on the I7th of September, 1859, 
to Miss Mary E. Thorp, a native of New 
York. They have been blessed with 
seven children — Lucius C. ( deceased, ) 
Charles E., George C, Frank R., Aura, 
Mary E. and Viva A. (deceased.) In 
politics Mr. Bennett is a Republican, and 
has held the ofHces of Township Trustee 
and Treasurer, and has also been a School 
Director and a member of the grand 
jury. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are members 
of the Baptist Church. 

Another of the prominent farmers in 
Grant township, is William Brown, born 
in Wigtownshire, Scotland, in 1845. His 
father was a native of Ayrshire, Scotland, 
born in 1815; his mother was born in 
1816, in Wigtownshire, where they now re- 
side. William received a common school 
education in his native land, and when 
seventeen years of age, learned the black- 
smith's trade, which business he followed 
until 1869, then came to Tama county, en- 
gaging at his trade in Crystal township. 
In 1876, he removed to Grant township, 
and commenced farming on land that he 
had previously purchased, making it his 
permanent home. His farm contains 320 
acres. Besides farming he is largely 
engaged in raising stock. He was married 
in 1871, to Miss Margaret Wilson, a native 
of Connecticut, born December 20, 1847, 
and a twin s-ister of Mrs. Robert Whan- 
nell. Four children have been born to 
them, three of whom are now living — 
John VV., Mary and Janie. Jessie died 



^P7^ 



■ijra »^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



when nine months and two days old. Mr. 
and Mrs. Hrown are members of the 
United Presbyterian Church. 

Hugh Brash, in 1837, camewitli his ]iar- 
ents from Scotland to Western Canada, 
where he gre f/ to manhood and received 
a common school education. He was born 
in Scotland in 1832, was reared on the 
farm and followed farming until 18()9, 
then came to Tama county, settling on 
section 19, Grant township. His marriage 
to Miss Isabella McKeligan, a native of 
Canada, took place in 1855. They have 
had eight children, seven of whom are 
still living — Elizabeth, Jessie, Agnes, 
Mary, Maria, Ida Jane and Katie Bell. 
In politics Mr. Brash is a staunch Repub- 
lican, and has held various local offices. 

Since 1869, a number of settlers have 
arrived, who have been or are now repre- 
sentative men and prominent citizens of 
Grant township. Among these may be 
mentioned: W. H. Slessor and his two 
sons, James and W. T., James Davidson, 
William Mitchell, Alexander McCracken, 
William F. Fleming, James McCreath, 
James Sloss, James Watson, James Innes, 
James Mutch, Thomas Watson, Allan 
Sloss, James Murray, James Stewart, Peter 
Swan, Newell H. Adams, Samuel Reid, 
Samuel D. Long, James Davidson, J. R. 
Davis, Andrew Dodd, \V. Kline, William 
Dodd, John Harrison and others. 

William Hardy Slessor, one of the 
prominent farmers of Grant township, 
was born in the parish of Cruden, Aber- 
deenshire, Scotland, February 20, 1817. 
His parents were natives of the same 
shire, his father being born in 1789; his 
mother, Jane (Gray) Slessor, born in 1792. 



His mother descended from a very old 
family, her ancestors having lived in that 
vicinity for two hundred years, and it is 
said of them that they were a family of 
stone-cutters, one of whom built Old-deer- 
Kirk, in Old Deer parish, which kirk is 
still in a good state of preservation, after 
standing for two hundred years, and at 
present is being used for church purposes. 

The father of William H. by trade was 
a stone-cuttter, of whom William learned 
the trade when nineteen years of age, and 
followed it for eight years, when he en- 
listed in the Light House department of 
the Civil Service, remaining twenty years, 
and then turned his attention to farming 
for three years in his native parish. June 
25, 1867, he left his native country to seek 
a home in America, first locating at Lyons, 
Ohio, remaining three months and then re- 
moving to Rock Island, Illinois, where he 
remained until January, 1870, at which 
time he came to Tama county, and settled 
in Grant township, on section 17, his 
present residence. Mr. Slessor received 
his education at the Perocel school in 
Cruden parish, and also at the Architec- 
tural Drawing School at Peterhead parish, 
where he attended for three winters. 
While in the light house service, Mr. • 
Slessor devoted the most of his leisure 
time to reading the works of some of the 
best authors, thereby becoming well in- 
formed on most subjects. He was mar- 
ried in November, 1845, to Mjss Catherine 
Mess, born February 27, 1827, in Old-deer 
parish, Aberdeenshire. Nine children 
have been born to them — William T., 
James, Sarah A., John M., Isabella J., 
Margaret J., Victor A. A., A. E., O. C. 




'^'m 



',t^.Q:C^^ 



-^ K 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



755 



and Catherine (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. 
Slessor are members of the Amity congre- 
gation of the United Presbyterian Church. 

W. T. Slessor was born on the Isle of 
Man, in 1848, his parents afterwards re- 
moving to Aberdeen, where he received 
his education. After leaving the common 
schools he attended the academy at Aber- 
deen for five years, and then learned the 
stone-cutter's trade, which business he has 
followed a number of years in this country, 
having worked from Minneapolis to the 
Gulf. In 1873, he gave up working at his 
trade and engaged in farming, which oc- 
cupation he still follows. In 1865, he 
came with his parents to the United 
States, and after stopping for a time in 
Ohio, went to Rock Island, Illinois, and in 
1870, came to Tama county, where he 
purchased the farm on section 8. in Grant 
township, where he now resides. He has 
a farm of 160 acres, and is largely en- 
gaged in raising stock. He was married 
on the 18th of March, 1875, to Miss Mary 
E. Aldrich, a native of Ohio, born in 1854. 
Miss Aldrich after leaving the common 
schools, attended the High school at Mar- 
shalltown for six months, and also spent 
two months in taking a normal course at 
Vinton, after which she taught school five 
terms. Mr. and Mrs. Slessor have been 
blessed with four children — Florence N., 
William O., Sarah L. and Estella B. Wil- 
liam O. when eighteen months old had a 
severe attack of spinal fever, which set- 
tled in his limbs, crippling him for life. 
The parents are both members of the 
United Brethren Church. 

Alexander McCracken is a native of 
Wigtownshire, Scotland, born in 1837. He 
was married in 1863 to Miss Williamina 



McCosh, who was born in Ayrshire in 
1836. In 1870 he left his native land and 
came to Tama county, Iowa. In 1876, he 
purchased and removed to his present 
home, on section 34, in Grant township. 
His farm contains 160 acres. Mr. and 
Mrs. McCracken are Presbyterians in 
faith. 

Wm. F. Fleming is one of the leading 
farmers of Grant township, owning a farm 
of 800 acres of well improved land, with 
comfortable buildings for his stock.. He 
has two hundred head of cattle and is 
also largely engaged in raising hogs. He 
resides on section 24, where he settled in 
June, 1871. Mr. Fleming is a native of 
Pennsylvania, born in 1838. While young 
he worked out on neighboring farms until 
he had accumulated a few dollars, with 
which he purchased cattle and sheep, and 
sold them to buyers and butchers in 
the vicinity, thus making some money. 
On the outbreak of the Rebellion he con- 
tracted to buy stock for the Government 
and made considerable money. He was 
married in December, 1870, to Rebecca 
Williams, a native of Pennsylvania, and 
the June following came to Tama county, 
where he has since resided. His wife 
died December 5, 1876, aged thirty-two 
years, eight months and two days, leaving 
four children: John,' Mary E., Sarah J., 
and Rebecca W. December 26, 1878, he 
married Miss Matilda Yeigh, a native of 
Pennsylvania,born November 14, 1844. Mr. 
Fleming received a common school educa- 
tion, and is a supporter of the Democratic 
party. 

James McCreath is a son of James and 
Margaret (Logan) McCreath, natives of 
Ayrshire, Scotland, the father being 



•<» a r- 



1^ 



•I: 



756 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



born in HSO, the mother in 1787. In 
March, 1853, James accompanied his par- 
ents to Ireland, where they rented a farm 
and engaged in farming. Here his mother 
died. May 17, 1861. James was married 
November 25, 1856, to Miss Sarah Beck- 
ett, a native of the county of Antrim, Ire- 
land, born October 28, 1831. They made 
Ireland tlieir home until 1864, when they 
came to the United States, landing at New 
York city. After remaining here about 
eight months, they removed to Cook county, 
Illinois, and there followed farming until 
1871, then came to Tama county and set- 
tled on section 22, in Grant township, 
where they still reside. I'heir farm con- 
contains 160 acres of well improved land. 
Mr. McCreath is also largely engaged in 
raising stock. He was born in Ayrshire, 
August 31, 1824. His education was ac- 
quired in the common schools. In poli- 
tics he is a staunch Republican and has 
held various local offices. He was 
Justice of the Peace for six years and a 
member of the Board of School Directors 
for five years, Mr. McCreath and wife 
are members of the Amity congregation 
of the Presbyterian Church. They have 
had nine children: Alexander B., James, 
iJilbert Maggie I.., Grace A., (deceased), 
Anna., Mary E. B., Jane and Georgie A. 
James Slessor, one of the substantial 
farmers of the township, is a native of 
Aberdeen, Scotland, born in 1850. He 
was given the advantages of a common 
school education in his native country. 
In 1868, he accompanied his parents to 
the United States, stopping two months 
in Ohio, then three years at Rock Island, 
Illinois, an<l from there came to Tama 
county, where he settled in Grant town- 



ship, on section 8, his present home. He 
was married, in 1876, to Miss Sarah Brush, 
a native of Iowa, born in 1857. She has 
borne him three children: Daisy, James 
and Charlie. Mr. and Mrs. Slessor 
are members of the Methodist Church. 
Mr. Slessor owns a fine farm containing 
240 acres, and makes stock-raising a spe- 
cialty. 

James Sloss is a native of Scotland, 
born in October, 1830. He was reared on 
a farm and received a good common 
school education. In 1852, he left the 
land of his birth and came to the United 
States, locating first in Chicago, Illinois, 
where he remained for five years. The 
outbreak of the rebellion found him in 
Arkansas, and being a Union man and 
outspoken in his views, he incurred the 
ill-will of the rebels, which displeasure 
they manifested by forcibly marching him 
upon a steamer, instructing him to "put 
for the north." He went, landing at St. 
Louis, Missouri, where, through love for 
his adopted country, as well as a desire to 
get a little satisfaction out of the South- 
erners for their treatment of him, he en- 
listed, December 1, 1861, in the 1st Illi- 
nois Artillery, for three years, or during 
the war. He participated in many l)at- 
tles and engagements, coming out without 
a wound, and was honorably discharged 
June 5, 1865. Shortly after receiving his 
discharge Mr. Sloss came to Tama county, 
locating first in Perry township and re- 
maining until 1871, when he purchased his 
present home in Grant township. In 1875, 
he was married to Miss Jeaniiette Wilson, 
a native of Scotland. They have been 
blessed with four children, two of whom 
are now living-: Herman ''\'ost and an in- 



'^' 



-r- 



^1 



eU 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



757 



fant named Flora Wilson. John and Al- 
lan are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. 
Sloss are members of the Amity congre- 
gation of the Presbyterian Church. Their 
farm consists of 100 acres of land, all un- 
der good improvements. 

James Watson was born in Perthshiie, 
Scotland, in 1830. He grew to manhood 
in his native country and was given a 
common school education. When sixteen 
years of age he went to a neighboring 
town, Lunearty, and worked at bleaching 
cloth, which business he followed until 
18.52, at which time he came to Lyons, 
Clinton county, Iowa, where he purchased 
a farm. He made this his home until 
1872, when he moved to Tama county and 
settled on section 10, in Grant township, 
where he has since lived. Their farm 
contains 320 acres of well improved land. 
Mr. Watson was married, March 27, 1857, 
to Miss Margaret Young, a native of Ire- 
land, born in 1830. Eight children have 
been born to them, five of whom are now 
living: Mary J., Agnes, John, William 
and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are 
members of the Amity congregation of 
the United Presbyterian Church. 

.lames Innes, one of the representative 
farmers of Grant township, was born in 
IJanffshire, Scotland, January 6, 1830. 
His parents were natives of the same shire, 
his father being born in 1795, his mother 
Margaret (Adam) Innes, in 1805. In 
1846 the parents emigrated to the county 
of O.xford, province of Ontario, where 
they engaged in farming until their death, 
the father dying June 22, 1879; the 
mother July 6, 1882. James, the subject 
of this sketch, assisted his father on the 
farm, and is proud to say that he remained 



under the parental roof and under the 
guidance of his father long after reaching 
his majority, even one year after his mar- 
riage, not going for himself until thirty 
years of age, at which time he engaged in 
farming. Mr. Innes came to Tama county 
in November, 1872, and settled in Grant 
township, on section 16, where he still 
resides. Since becoming a resident, he 
has taken an active part in county and 
township affairs, and has held several 
local offices. On the 25th of Mar.ch, 1859, 
he was married to Miss Elizabeth Monroe, 
a native of Glasgow, Scotland, where she 
was born in 1838. In 1841, her parents 
emigrated to Oxford county, province of 
Ontario. The father lived there until his 
death, March 12, 1881 ; her mother is still 
living. Mr. and Mrs. Innes have had 
born to them ten children — Robert G., 
James A., Katie E., John W., Maggie A., 
George (deceased), George, Willie and 
Alexander, twins, the latter deceased, and 
Mary M. Mr. and Mrs. Innes are mem- 
bers in good standing of the Amity con- 
gregation of the United Presbyterian 
Church, of which he is an elder. As a 
farmer Mr. Innes has been very success- 
ful, and may well be classed among the 
leading farmers, notonly of his township, 
but of the county, having a fine farm of 
640 acres in a good state of cultivation. 
He deals quite extensively in stock. lie 
is a conscientious Christian, a good neigh- 
bor, strictly honest in his dealin.s and 
well liked by his neighbors and friends. 

James Mutch was born in 183S, in the 
parish of Cruden, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. 
His parents were natives of the same shire 
and are both dead ; the father dying there 
in 1874, the mother in 1877, at Edin- 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



burgh. James was reared on a farm, 
receiving advantages 'or a common school 
education. In 1866, he crossed the Atlan- 
tic and went to Oxford county, province 
of Ontario, where he remained until 1873, 
then came to I'ama county, purchasing land 
in Grant township. He worked among 
his neiglibors as a farm hand until 1876, 
wlicn he returned to the land of his birth, 
aiid while there, on the 9th of February, 
1877, was married to Miss Mary Gray, 
also a native of Cruden parish. They im- 
mediately set out on their wedding tour, 
spending their honey-moon on the ocean, 
on their way to their new home in 
Iowa. Arriving in due time, they went 
to liousekeepiiig on the farm where they 
now reside. Four children have been 
born to them —Lizzie, Alexander, Jimmie 
and an infant not named. Mr. and Mrs. 
Mutch are members of the United Presby- 
terian Church. In a financial way Mr. 
Mutch has been very successful. Coming 
here poor, by industry and hard work he 
lias succeeded in buying and paying for his 
large farm of 440 acres. He has improved 
liis land and is at present engaged largely 
in stock raising. 

Thomas Watson was born in Perthshire, 
Scotland, in April, 1850. When he was 
about one year of age his parents emi- 
grated to the United States and settled in 
Clinton county, Iowa, where they engaged 
in farming; here Thomas grew to man- 
liood on the farm, remaining until his 
father's death, when he went for himself 
and in 187:5 came to Tama county, Iowa. 
His farm consists of 160 acres, located 
on section 1 1, where he still resides. Sep- 
tember 14, 1881, he was joined in mar- 
riage to Miss Ida O. Feller, born in Buck- 



ingham township, Tama county, October 
1, 1858. Her father was a native of New 
York, and came to Buckingham township 
in 1856, where he married Miss Charlotte 
Thomas, a native of Preble county, Ohio. 
She died in 1866. The father died in 
the winter of 1881-82. Mr. and Mrs. 
Watson are the parents of one child- 
George. 

Allan Sloss, one of the prominent farm- 
ers and a member of the present board of 
Township Trustees, of Grant township, 
was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1833. 
His parents were natives of Scotland, 
where they lived until their death. The 
father died in 1847 ; the mother in 1873. 
Allan attended the common schools until 
his father's death, after which he learned 
the millwright trade, serving four years. 
In 1856 he left his native land first stop- 
ping at Chicago, Illinois, here he engaged 
at his trade and in different parts of the 
State, also in Tennessee »vhere lie was in 
the Government employ. In 1873 he 
came to Tama county, purchasing a farm 
on section 11, in Grant township, and en- 
gaged in farming which he still follows. 

Mr. Sloss has been twice married, first 
in 1863 to Miss Jeannette Shanks, a native 
of Scotland, born in 1840. She died in 
1869 leaving three children, Mary E., 
Andrew and John, now deceased. February 
19, 1873, he was again married to Ellen M. 
Carson, born in Cook county, Illinois. 
Three children bless this union — Ellen .M. 
and Annie B., twins, and Jeannette. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sloss are members of the Amity 
congregation of the United Presbyterian 
Church. Their farm contains 400 acres of 
well improved land. They make stock 
rasing a speciality. 



,^! 



^Ii^* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



James Murray is a native of Oxford 
county, province of Quebec, born Novem- 
ber 23, 1845, and is of Scotch descent, his 
fallier, William Murray, being born in 
Southerlandshire ; his mother, Elizabeth 
(Ross) Murray, in Rosshire, Scotland. In 
1S40 they emigrated to Canada, and, after 
remaining at Montreal for eighteen months, 
removed to Oxford county, where they yet 
remain. James, the subject of this sketch, 
was reared on his father's farm, and attend- 
ed the common schools. In 1869 he left 
his home, came to Tama county and stopped 
near Traer. He spent the first winter 
with Dr. Daniel, of Buckingham town- 
ship, and the next spring entered the em- 
ploy of Mr. Hartshorn to work on a farm, 
remaining for two years While here he 
purchased the farm where he now lives, on 
section 16, in Granttownship. He worked 
for different parties until 1873, when he 
concluded to improve his own farm. No- 
vember 8, 1877, he was married to Miss 
Addie Stanley, a native of Johnson county, 
Iowa, born October 11, 1856. Her pai- 
ents were natives of Butler county, Penn- 
sylvania, where they were married, and in 
1852, emigrated to Johnson county, Iowa. 
Mr. and Mrs. Murray are the parents of 
three children — Mary Omie, Ilattie and 
William. Mr. and Mr. Murray are mem- 
bers of the United Presbyterian Church. 

James Stewart was born in 1810, in 
Perthshire, Scotland. His early life was 
spent on a farm, receiving advantages for 
the acquirement of a common school edu- 
cation. In lti65, he came to the United 
States and first settled in Clinton county, 
Iowa, where he remained engaged in farm- 
ing until 1875, then removed to Tama coun- 
ty, and located on section 0, Grant town- 



ship, where he now owns a well improved 
farm of 160 acres. He was married in his 
native land on the 22d of December, 1853, 
to Miss Jeannette Rodgers, also a native of 
Perthshire, Scotland. Eight children 
bless their union : John R., James, Peter, 
Agues, Maggie, Alexander, Jessie and 
Janie. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart are mem- 
bers of the Amity congregation of the 
United Presbyterian Church. 

Peter Swan, a native of Scotland, was 
born October 17,1846, and grew to manhood 
in his native county, receiving a common 
school education. His early life was spent 
as a laborer on the neighboring farms, and 
in February, 1868, he left Scotland, came 
to New York city, and first got employment 
as porter in a hotel in Delaware county. 
Here he remained until the spring of 1875, 
when he came to Tama county and pur- 
chased a farm qn section 35, in Grant 
township, his present residence. His farm 
contains eighty acres of good land. His 
parents were natives of Scotland, where 
his father died in 1851; his mother is still 
living. 

Samuel Reid is among the pioneers of 
Tama county, as he settled in Crystal 
township, in 1856. He is a native of 
county Down, Ireland, where he was born 
in 1830. His parents died when he was but 
eleven years of age when he went to Scot- 
land and there remained until 1852. He 
then crossed the ocean to New Brunswick 
and engaged at lumbering in connection 
with carrying on a farm. In 1854, he 
went to Greenville, Connecticut, where 
he remained until 1856, when he came to 
Tama county as above stated. He made 
his home in C'rystal township until 1877, 
when he removed to his ])resent home on 



ili 



.1 



760 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



section 26, of Grant township. lie has 
327 acres of land in this and Crystal town- 
sliip, and makes stock raising a specialty. 
In the spring of 18.59 Mr. Reid was mar- 
ried to Miss Jane Ellen Quinn, who was 
horn in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1842, 
and seven clildren have blessed the union: 
Abraham M.. Emily A., Thomas L., Al- 
mina M., Sarah J., John G. and William 
Garfield. Mrs. Reid is a member of the 
Ignited Presbyterian Church, belonging 
to the Amity congregation. In political 
matters Mr. Reid is a Republican and has 
ludd various local offices. 

Newell H. ll. Adams settled upon his 
present farm on section 35, containing 240 
acres, in 1880. He is a native of Orleans 
county, Vermont, where he was born in 
June, 1841. He is a son of Abial A. and 
Irena (Gray) Adams, both natives of Ver- 
mont, the father being born in 1803, the 
mother in 1805. The father died in 1882, 
in Vermont, where the mother is still liv- 
ing. Newell was reared on a farm and 
received a good common school education. 
In 1861, he enlisted in Company C, 8th 
Infantry, Vermont Volunteers, serving 
until June, 1864, when he re-enlisted in 
Carapany F, Ist Vermont Cavalry, and 
served until the close of the war. He 
took part with his regiment in many bat- 
tles and was wounded June 10, 1863, at 
Port Hudson, Louisiana, from the effects 
of which he now draws a pension. On re- 
ceiving his discharge he returned to his 
home in Vermont, and in 1868, went to 
.Montcalm county, Michigan. After re- 
maining there one season he went to 
Sieplienson county, Illinois, where he spent 
three years and then returned to Michigan. 



In 1875 he came to Tama county and 
rented land in Grant township, engaging 
in farming. In 1880 he removed to his 
present home as stated. Mr. Adams has 
been twice married, first to Miss Mary 
Whilney, a native of Vermont ; she died 
in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1871. By this 
marriage there were four children, one of 
whom, Abel D., is still living. On May 
23d, 1872, he was married to Miss Lenora 
McKinney, a native of New York, where 
she was born in 1853. Five children have 
blessed this union, three of whom are still 
living : Frankie D., Bertha and Bowen C. 
Politically, Mr Adams is a staunch Re- 
publican and has held local offices both 
here and in Michigan. 

Simeon D. Long was born in Somerset- 
shire, England, in 1845. His parents were 
natives of the same shire and both were 
born in the year 1823. His mother died 
in 1855 ; his father in 1879. The fatlier 
was a miller, of whom Simeon learned the 
trade and followed .that business until he 
left England to seek a home in the new 
world. He first located at Fulton, Illi- 
nois, remaining four years engaged in 
farming, then came to Iowa and followed 
farming four years in Clinton county, 
after which time he removed to this 
county and settled in Grant township, 
where he now lives. Mr. Long has been 
twice married. His first marriage was to 
Miss Sarah Link, a native of Lake City, 
Minnesota, on the 12th of October, 1877. 
She died in 1878, leaving one child, IMary 
E. His second marriage took place Febru- 
ary 12, 1880, and was with Miss Marjory 
Durwood*, a native of Scotland, born June 
6, 1824. She has borne him one child. 



r 



♦J^ 



=t^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



?61 



*^« 



Simeon E. Mr. Long is a member of the 
Church of England ; Mrs. Long of the 
Presbyterian. 

ORGANIC. 

Grant township was organized in June, 
1868. The first election was held in the 
following October, and resulted in the 
election of J. W. Fleming, Supervisor ; 
J. C. Fleming, Clerk ; J. H. Scott and L. 
D. Hall, Trustees ; William Kline, Jus- 
tice of the Peace. 

Township matters have been managed 
efficiently, and nothing has occtirred to 
disturb the usual tran(juility. Among those 
who have been prominent in township af- 
fairs, and have held office, are Jasper 
Scott, Alexander Mitchell, J. J. Allen, 
.Tames Young, L. P. Dinsdale, James C. 
Fleming, James Stanley, William Kline, 
W P. Seelye, E. Bennett, Andrew Dodd, 
William Krouse, John Kline, William 
Mitchell, Robert Whannell, James Wat- 
son, J. Nichols and James Weir. The 
present officers are : Trustees, Robert 
Whannell, Allen Sloss, James Davidson ; 
Clerk, J. R. Davis ; Assessor, Andrew 
Dodd ; Justices, William Kline and Wil- 
liam Dodd ; Constables, John Kline and 
W. John Harrison. 

At the election held June 27, 1882, there 
wore sixty-one votes polled in favor of 
the Constitutional Amendment and eight 
against. 

This township was originally a part of 
IJuckingham. When it was set off and 
assumed its present boundaries, it was 
named "Crant" in honor of Gen. U. S. 
(4rant. 

Jasper H. Scott, in company with oth- 
ers, was instrumental in the organization 
of Grant township and one of the first 



Trustees elected. He is the oldest settler 
now in Grant. He is a native of Hills 
boro. Highland county, Ohio, born May 
16, 1820, and is of Scotch extraction on 
his father's side. In 1822, his parents 
moved to Columbus, Indiana, where he 
spent his boyhood days. In 1840, he was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Hawkins, a na- 
tive of Fayette county, Kentucky. In 
1853, Mr. Scott removed to Ogle county, 
I linois, and engaged in farming. He re- 
mained there until 1859, when he came 
west and settled on section 26, Grant 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, hav- 
ing joined in 1840. They have had born 
to them thirteen children, ten of whom are 
now living. 

James Mitchell, for many years Town- 
ship Clerk and the present Secretary of 
the School Board, is a native of New Jer- 
sey, born in 1837. When sixteen years 
of age he went to Canada, where, in 1863, 
he married Miss Margery Davidson, a na- 
tive of Scotland. In 1870, they came to 
Tama county, settling on section 10, Grant 
township, where they still reside. They 
are members of the United Presbyterian 
Church. They have had eight children, 
seven of whom are now living. 

John Russell Davis, present Clerk of 
Grant township, is a native of St. Joseph 
county, Michigan, born April 3, 1848. In 
1856, his parents removed to Tama county 
and settled in Crystal township, on sec- 
tion 30, where they now reside. His father, 
a native of Connecticut, when quite young 
went to New York State and later, mar- 
ried Miss Polly A. Thorp, remaining in 
New York until 1844, then removed to St. 
Joseph county, Michigan, where the sub- 



f' 









762 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ject of this sketch was born. John R. 
was reared on a farm and received a com- 
mon school education, with a course of 
book-keeping. He is a staunch Republi- 
can and besides his present office he has 
been Justice of the Peace. He resides on 
section 4, and owns 160 acres of fine land. 
On the '22d of November, 1881, he was 
married to Miss Jennie Spicer, born in 
Marquette county, Wisconsin, February 
1, 18G0. Her father is a native of Che- 
nango county, New York, her mother of 
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where they 
were married in January, 1856. They 
came west the same year, first stopping in 
Marquette county, Wisconsin, until 1861, 
when they went to Illinois, and in 1864, 
removed to Tama county, settling in In- 
dian Village township, where they yet re- 
side. Mrs. Davis, after finishing her stud- 
ies in the common schools, attended the 
Normal course at Toledo for two terms, 
and at Marshalltown one term, thus qual- 
ifying herself for her profession. Previ- 
ous to her marriage she followed the pro- 
fession of a school teacher, teaching al- 
together seven terms. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first school in this township was 
taught during the summer of 1860, in a 
building 8x10 feet, built by J. H. Scott 
for a summer kitchen. John Hopkins was 
the teacher, a young man who lived with 
his parents in Buckingham township. He 
is now married and lives in Perry town- 
ship. The first school building was erect- 
ed in 1805, on the northeast corner of the 
northeast quarter of section 25. It was a 
frame building 20x30 feet and cost $210. 
It was used for school purposes until 
1874, when it was sold at auction and pur- 



chased by William C. Seelye for $75. It 
is now used on his farm for a granary. 
There are now eight school buildings in 
the township, and opportunity is furnished 
every child to obtain an education. 

VARIOUS ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first marriage was that of John II. 
Scott, son of Jasper H., to Miss Sarah 
Belknap on the 12th of December, iso'.i. 
The ceremony was performed by Rev. 
Baker, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The parties to this transaction are now 
living in Nobles county, Minnesota, and 
are the parents of six children. The first 
birth was that of Clarence Murdock, born 
in 1858 The first death was that of 
William Stopp, who was murdered. The 
first and only blacksmith shop in the 
township was located on the southeast cor- 
ner of section 16. It was 16x20 feet. The 
first work done was for Campbell & 
Evans, November 25, 1870. Mr. David- 
son continued in this business in connec- 
tion with his farm work until 1876, when 
the shop was closed and he devoted his 
entire time to his farm. James Davidson 
is a native of Scotland, born in Banffshire, 
July 18, 1836. His father, Thomas Da- 
vidson, was a native of Aberdeen and when 
eight years of age went to Banffshire 
where he was afterward married to Miss 
Jane Morrison. They were residents of 
Banffshire until their death. Six chil- 
i dren were born to them, only two of whom 
are now living : James, the subject of this 
sketch, and May, now wife of William 
Mitchell, both residents of Grant town- 
ship. James attended the common schools 
until seventeen years of age, then he was 
apprenticed to John Bagrie to learn the 
blacksmith trade, serving three and a 



•i'le- 



-• sf"! 





y^^^Z€^ 




'^^^. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



765 



half years. In 1855, in company with his 
employer, he left his native hills for the 
Western World. They first stopped in 
Middlesex county, Canada West, where 
they worked at their trade about eighteen 
months: then went to Oxford county, and 
engaged in blacksmithing until 1870. At 
this time they dissolved partnership, Mr. 
Davidson t.akinghis share and coming to 
Tama county, Towa, locating on section 16, 
Grant township, where he erected the first 
blacksmith shop, and engaged in black- 
' smithing with tools which he had brought 
from Canada. Mr. Davidson was married 
May 27, 1869, to Miss Mary Ann Murray, 
native of Oxford county, province of On- 
tario, born Novembers, 1847. Her father 
is a native of Southerlandshire, Scotland; 
her mother of Rosshire. Her parents emi- 
grated to Montreal, Canada, in 1840, re- 
mained eighteen months and then re- 
moved to Oxford county, where they still 
reside. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have 
been blessed with six children, four of 
whom are living : Willie J., Thomas, 
Elizabeth J., and May. Mr. Davidson, by 
hard work and industry has accumulated 
a large property, his farm containing 320 
acres of well improved land, and is.classed 
among the leading farmers of his town- 
ship. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are active 
members of the United Presbyterian 
Church, and are highly respected by all 
who know them. Mr. Davidson takes an 
active interest in educational affairs, and 
has held the office of School District 
Treasurer six years. In politics he is a 
staunch Republican, and is a member of 
the present Board of Trustees. 



"711 



The particulars regarding the first death 
and first house erected in Grant township, 
will be found in the Chapter upon "Events 
of Interest." 

CEMETERY. 

Grant township cemetery w^s surveyed 
by W. H. Holstead, County Surveyor, in 
May, 1877, and is located on the south 
side of the north half, and the north side 
of the south half, of the southeast quarter 
of section 16. The first interments on 
these grounds were the remains of Maggie 
A., Elizabeth M. and James S., children of 
J mes and Margaret Watson, all being 
buried during the same month. 

THE CHURCH IN GRANT TOWNSHIP. 
liy a Local n'Htcr. 

The first religious services in Grant 
township were held in the Seelye school- 
house in 1861, by Rev. Mr. Upton, Con- 
gregationalist, of Buckingham. He was 
followed by Rev. Mr. Roberts, Congrega- 
tionalist. Ne.xt came Rev. Mr, Baker, a 
Methodist minister. Then Rev. Mr. Dodd, 
Presbyterian from Salem. None of these 
effected an organization. 

"The United Presbyterian Congregation 
of Amity" is the only Church organiza- 
tion in the township-. It is under the care 
of the U. P. Presbytery of Cedar Rapids. 

This congregation was planted in the 
summer of 1873, in the Bennett school 
house, by the preaching of Rev. J. H. 
Turnbull, pastor of the Tranquility U. P. 
Church, ten miles southeast of here. It 
was partially organized December 29, 1874, 
by the enrollment of seventeen members. 
Rev. P. H. Drennen officiating. It was 
fully organized February 27, 1875, Rev. 
J. H. Turnbull and Elder Peter Whannell 
from Tranquility, officiating. The origi- 

59 ^'^ 



r 



-u« 



•^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



nal members were twenty — John Porter, 
Rebecca Porter, William Creswell, Cathe- 
rine Creswell, James Watson, Margaret 
Watson, Mary Jane Watson, James 
Davidson, Elijah Fletcher, Jannet Fletch- 
er, W. H. Slessor, William Watson, Wil- 
liam Mitchell, Margery Mitchell, John 
Galloway, Agnes Galloway, John Young, 
John Dalglish, Isebella Dalglish, and 
James Innes. James Innes and James 
Watson were elected ruling elders. John 
Galloway, John Dalglish and Wra. 
Mitchell were elected trustees. 

The following ministers filled appoint- 
ments here for a longer or shorter 
lime, before the present pastorate — Revs. 
J. H. Turnbull, J. L. Bull, P. H. Drennen, 
J. D. Whitham, J.R. Doig, D. D., James 
Duncan, D. D., Andrew Gordon, J. H. 
Gibson, J. P. Black, G. W. Hamilton, 
Thomas Park, J. A. Ferguson, R. A. Gilfil- 
lan, Reid, S. T. Herron, W. J. McAllister. 
These ministers are held in grateful 
remembrance by the people. 

Rev. J. H. Turnbull, the founder of this 
congregation, was born July 1, 1842, at 
Hindley, Roxboroughshire, Scotland; edu- 
cated in Monmouth College, at Mormouth 
Seminary ; pastor of Tranquility congre- 
gation 1872 — 1875 ; and pastor at Fall 
River, Mass., since 187G. 

Rev. W. J. McAllister was stated .sup- 
ply at Amity, for two years previous to 
the present pastorate. He was born, 
March 25, 1832, in VVashington county, 
X. Y. ; graduated at Monmouth College, 
in 1870, and in Monmouth Seminary in 
1872; pastor of Wheatland, Illinois, for 
two years; stated supply at Amity, 1876 — 
1878, and died, February 9, 1879, at Traer, 
Iowa. He was a tine scholar, a faithful 



preacher, and a man of blameless life. 
He will be held in everlasting remem- 
brance. Rev. David Livingston, of Traer, 
has always helped this congregation by 
neighborly sympathy and co-operation. 

The present pastor, Rev. J. M. Ham- 
ilton, is of Irish descent, and was 
born June 5, 1852, in Guernsey county, 
Ohio ; third son of John and Elizabeth 
Hamilton came to Iowa in 1858; gradua- 
ted at Monmouth College in 1876, and at 
Xenia Seminary in 1878. Preached first 
at Amity, October 11, 1878 ; was called as 
pastor December 17, 1878; began regular 
work January I, 1879, and was ordained 
and installed May 14, 1879. Was married 
June 5, 1879, to Miss Anna liofl:man, of 
German descent, a graduate of Simpson 
Centenary College, and third daughter of 
Thomas and Maria Hoffman, of East Des 
Moines, Iowa. Two children have blessed 
their home — William James, born March 
.3, 1880, still living, and David Livingston 
born October 13, 1881, and died, June 1, 
1882. 

Amity Church is located on the i-outhwest 
corner of section 16, and was built in 1879, 
at a cost of $2500. It is a frame building 
54 .X 34 ; fine steeple seen for miles ; 
recess for pulpit, large entry, two Sabbath 
school rooms, a gallery, seats over 300, 
and is well tilled from Sabbath to Sabbath. 
The parsonage, a neat, convenient build- 
ing of eight rooms, is near the church and 
was built in 1882; cost 11500. Present 
membership, 125. Enrollment since or- 
ganization, 160. Have lost only one mem- 
ber by death, the venerable and respected 
John Young, Sr. Members of session 
are — James Innes, James Watson, James 
Young, Peter Whannell, Wm. Brown and 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



767 



John Brown. Trustees are — James Mc- 
Whirter, John Nicoll and Wni. Todd. 
Will (-1. Brown has led the singing accept- 
ably for years. 

Preaching every Sabbath at 11 A. M. 
Sabbath school at 12 M. Young peo- 
ple's prayer meeting Sabbath evening. 
General prayer meeting each Wednesday 
evening. Ladies Missionary Society, third 
Wednesday of each month. 

They have a good Sabbath school; enroll- 
ment, 256. Average attendance, 120, and 
the following officers: Superintendent, 
Peter Whannell; Assistant Superinten- 
dent, V\ni. Mitchell; Secretary and Treas- 
urer, J. A. Innes. Mr. Whannell has 
served very acceptably as Superintendent 
since the organization. There are thir- 
teen classes with the following teach- 
ers : John Brown, J. M. Hamilton- 
Wm. Mitchell, Alex. Southerland, James 
Innes, Mrs. James Young, Wni. Dodd, 
Alex. Brown, John Nicoll, Mrs. P. Whan- 
nell, Lizzie Brown, Maggie Weir and Belle 
Young. 

We have a new library of 200 vol- 
umes. The Ladies' Missionary Society of 
Amity was organized in June, 1881. Ol- 
ficers: President, .Mrs. J. M. Hamilton; 
Vice Presidents, Mrs. James Davidson, 
Mrs. John Brown, Mrs. .James Stanley, 
Mrs. Peter VVhannel and Mrs. James Wat- 
son; Secretary, Mrs. Will Brown; Treas- 
urer, Mrs. James Young; Collectors, 
Mrs. Thomas Becket, Misses Janie Whan- 
nell, Maggie McWhirty, Katie Innis and 
Sadie J. Watson. Society meets monthly. 
Programme: Business, Missionary Exer- 
cises, Essays, Readings, Conference, 
Prayer meeting. The society attends to 



collecting funds for missions, raising about 
$200 annually. It is a blessing to its mem- 
bers, to the community and Christ's cause. 
We have two prayer meetings. A cot- 
tage prayer meeting, well attended from 
house to house, on Wednesday evenings, 
and a young peoples' prayer meeting in 
the church on Sabbath evening, with a 
large attendance, and commendable devo- 
tion. The young people of the congre- 
gation are intelligent, earnest Christians; 
a number are teachers, and many of them 
are seeking a liberal education in the 
higher schools and colleges. 

The congregation is in good order, 
spirtually, socially and financially. It is 
alive to every good work, supporting the 
work well at home, and contributing lib- 
erally to the Mission Boards and in- 
stitutions of the church. During the 
present pastorate it has paid to all objects 
over $2,100 annually, an average of about 
$20 dollars per member annually. We trust 
it is only entering upon its usefulness. 

"I therefore wish that peace ma3' still 
Witliiu thj' walls remain, 

And ever may thy palaces 
Prosperity retain." 

John Fleming organized the first Sab- 
bath school in Grant township, in 186.3, 
at the school house on section 25. This 
was called the Jasper Sabbath school. 

John Fleming was born June 29, 1800, 
and was married to Miss Mary Wills, 
April 26, 1826. They had eight children, 
one daughter and seven sons, the youngest 
of whom died in infancy. Mr. Fleming 
came to Iowa in 1854, to look after land, 
and every year until 1861, made a sumiiur 
trip to Tama county. In 1S6I, his son, 
James C, came with him, and together 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



they completed their house on section 23, 
Buckingham VVest, Tama county. About 
1863, Mr. Fleming organized the Jasper 
Sabbath School, as stated above, it being 
llie first organized in Buckingham West, as 
that region was then called. Mr. Fleming 
was Superintendent of the school until 
his death, which occurred May 25, 1868. 
J. C. Fleming was then in the county for 
the purpose of building on his farm, but 
was delayed in his improvements by the 
death of his beloved father. The remains 
were placeiin a metalic cofiin, shipped to 
I'cnnsylvania, and buried in the Kishaco- 
quillas Cemetery, in Mifflin county. His son, 
John W. and wife, came to Tama county, 
in March, 1866, and located in Bucking- 
ham West, on section 23. In 1869, James 
C. Fleming came to Grant township, Tama 
county, to improve his farm on section 24. 
He erected a, house and returned to Penn- 
sylvania. James C. was married in Penn- 
sylvania, on the 23d of December, 1869, to 
Miss Tillie R. Wilson, of Mifflin county, 
of that State, and in March, 1870, perma- 
nently located in Grant township, lama 
county, Iowa, on section 24. 

Religious services have been held in the 
Weir school house at diiferent times, and 
preaching had by ministers of various de- 
nominations. The first to preach here was 
Rev. Roberts, a Congregationalist, and 
afterwards the Rev. Mr. McAllis er,of the 
United Presbyterian Church, and Henry 
Baldwin, now one of Grundy Centre's law- 
yers. The latter gentleman organized the 
Sabbath school here with a membership of 
thirty or forty, and Fernando Kelly as 
Superintendent. This school continued in 
active operation for a few years, then sus- 
pended for a time, to be revived by James 



Weir, a member of the United IJrethrtn 
Church. This Sabbath school was kept up 
until the Union Presbyterian Church was 
erected. 

ALLENDALE STOCK FARM. 

This place is located on the southeast 
quarter of section 24. L. P. Dinsdale & 
Son, proprietors. In 1875 they commenced 
the business of raising shorthorn Durham 
cattle. Their first purchase being Master 
of Arts, No. 20,372, for |;335, and Lady 
Thompson, second. To these two magnifi- 
cently bred animals were added a number 
more from the best herds in the United 
States. Their herd now contains repre- 
sentatives of the best in the country, and 
the notable improvement in the stock of 
Tama county is largely due to the enter- 
prise of this firm. They have annual sales 
of full blooded stock. The last one was 
held in the fall of 1882. 

L. P. Dinsdale, one of the substantial 
farmers in Grant township, and senior 
member of the Allendale stock farm com- 
pany, is a native of Yorkshire, England 
born January 16, 1817. His parents were 
natives of the same shire, his father being 
born November 14, 1791, his mother, Jane 
Parker, in 1794. They lived in their na- 
tive shire until their death, the father dy- 
ing October 12, 1857 ; the mother May 4, 
1840. L. P. was reared on the farm, re- 
ceiving a limited common school educa- 
tion. When he was fourteen years of age 
he was apprenticed to learn the shoe- 
maker's trade, remaining until twenty-one 
years of age. In the spring of 1845, he 
left his native land, came to Canada and 
settled in Petersborougli county, where he 
purchased a farm and followed farming 
until 1864, at which time lie removed with 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



liis family to Tama county, settling on sec- 
tion 24, in Grant township, where he has 
since resided. He was married in July, 
18.36, to Miss Martha Birtch, born in York- 
shire, in 181 1. She died in Grant township, 
July 22, 1873. This union was blessed 
with seven children — Jane, Elizabeth, 
James, John, now deceased, Ellen and 
Alice. In politics, Mr. Dinsdale is a warm 
supporter of Republicanism. In his farm- 
ing operations, Mr. Dinsdale has been very 
successful, owning 840 acres of good land 
in Grant and Buckingham townships. He 
takes quite an interest in horticulture,' and 
has an orchard containing over 800 fruit 
trees of the different varieties adapted to 
tliis climate. But he may justly take pride. 



as he does, in his herd of short horn cattle, 
which have been selected by himself with 
great care, from the best herds in different 
parts of the Union. 

PCST OFFICE. 

Connell postoffice was established in 
May, l.'?72, and Alexander Mitchell was ap- 
pointed postmaster, with James Davidson 
as assistant, the office being kept at his 
house. The first two years mail was 
carried by the neighbors from Buckingham. 
In 1874 a mail line was established from 
Buckingham, by way of this office, to Cole- 
ville. This route was discontinued in Sep- 
tember, 1879, when the office soon ceased 
to exi.st. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP. 



This is the southwestern corner town- 
ship of Tama county, embracing the terri- 
tory of township 82, range 16, west of the 
fifth principal meridian. The surface of 
the township is quite rolling, is well wa- 
tered and the soil very rich. The attention 
of the inhabitants is given entirely to 
stock-raising and general farming. The 
only reason that HiL'hland does not rank 
first among Tama county's sub-divisions 
is that a large portion of its lands are 
owned by non-residents, and therefore 
are not so much improved as they other- 
wise would be. There are, however, sev- 



eral large stock farms hereupon which the 
improvements are among the best and 
most convenient in the county. 

The surface is almost wholly a rolling 
prairie, the only natural timber being on 
sections 5, 15 and 22. The principal 
stream in the township is Richland creek. 
The two forks which form the main stream 
unite on section 21, and thence flow 
through sections 16, 15, 22, 23 and 24 and 
pass into Columbia township. Raven 
creek enters the town.ship on section 6, 
crosses sections 5 and 4, and leaves the 
township by way of the northwest corner 



^ '^ — - 



770 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of section 3. Bennett creek is formed by 
two forks, which both rise in this township 
and unite on section 1. A branch of Rich- 
land creek touches section 36. 

The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
railway crosses the west half of Highland, 
but there is no station on the line in this 
township. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT 

Only about a quarter of a century has 
passed since this section of country was 
uninhabited except by ihe Indian. The 
first advent here of the white man is yet 
remembered by many now living. Through 
dense forests and over trackless plains 
came the early pioneers, making selection 
of lands, establishing homes, turning the 
virgin sod, planting the fields with grain, 
reaping the golden harvest, and thus toil- 
ing on from year to year, subduing the 
land and accumulating property, until now 
one may see a beautiful country, contain- 
ing the homes of a contented, happy 
people. 

The first person to effect a permanent 
settlemen' in what is now Highland town- 
ship, was James B. Merritt, who located 
on section 16, on the llth of March, 1855. 
He at once purchased that section, erected 
a cabin and busied himself making neces- 
sary improvements. In May, his family, 
consisting of wife and three children, ar- 
rived fo join him and participate in the 
struggles of pioneer life. .Tames B. Mer- 
ritt was born in Orange county, New 
York, August 5, 18U. Ilis father, Daniel 
M. Merritt was a native of Westchester 
county, New York ; and his mother. Char- 
ity (Hultz) Merritt, of New London Con- 
necticut. James B. was the seventh of 
ten children, three of whom are living. 



James lived with his parents, attending 
the common schools and helping on the 
farm until he was nineteen years old, 
when he learned the trade of mason. Mr. 
Merritt was married in 1839, in Litchfield 
county, Connecticut, to Miss Laura C. 
Wing, a native of Schenectady, New 
York. They made New York State their 
home until 1855, when Mr. Merritt con- 
cluded to go west and obtain some land 
on the frontiers. He traveled by railroad 
to Rock Island, Illinois; then by stage to 
Jlarengo, Iowa, where he obtained a pri- 
vate conveyance to take him to Eureka. 
From here he started out on foot, and on 
the 10th of March arrived at the residence 
of James Magee in Tama county, where 
he rested for the night. On the day fol- 
lowing he located where he now resides, 
owning one of the largest farms in the 
county. After making the first payment 
on his land, Mr. Merritt had -*i400 left, and 
thus the family lived quite well until 
1858, in wliich year the wheat crop was a 
failure on account of wet weather. Mr. 
Merritt han-ested ten acres, but only 
got forty bushels. This furnished the 
family with bread stuff ; but they had to 
manufacture their own flour, which they 
did by grinding the wheat in a coffee mill. 
In the spring of 1859, Mr. Merritt sowed 
what wheat he had left and the family 
then lived on corn meal and water until 
the next harvest. Since that time, how- 
ever, they have had no serious hardshijis. 
Mrs. Merritt died, June 21, 1876. She had 
borne her husband ten children, three of 
whom are now living : Frances, now 
Mrs. D. E. Wing; James A. and Earnest 
A. Mr. Merritt was again married in 
April, 1882, lo Miss Mary E. Gaffeny. 



J^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



7Vl 



He is a staunch Republican, and has held 
various offices of trust. He is a good citi- 
zen and is respected by all. He has been 
very successful in his farming operations, 
and is one of the most well-to-do farmers 
of the county. 

Soon after James B. Merritt had ef- 
fected a settlement, Samuel Clark arrived 
and, erected a cabin on the south-west quar- 
ter of section 3, which was soon afterward 
destroyed by fire. He erected another, 
however, and in the spring of 1856, moved 
here from Indiantown where he had been 
stopping, and thus became a citizen of 
Highland. 

In .July, 18.56, David Babb arrived and 
entered the southeast quarter of section 
8, which he at once began improving. The 
family lived with .James B. Merritt until 
October, then with .James Bradley, of In- 
dian Village townshij), until the following 
s|)ring, when they permanently settled 
upon the land which had been entered. 
David Babb lived here until his death, 
which occurred on the 24th of December, 
1877. His widow still resides on the old 
homestead. Mr. Babb was a native of 
Berks county, Pennsylvania, born Decem- 
ber 1, 1812. His parents, David and Su- 
san Babb, moved with their family to 
Ohio at an early day, and here David, jr., 
was married to Miss Elizabeth Boughart, 
a native of Northampton, Pennsylvania, 
born June 17, 1816. This union was 
blessed with six children, four of whom 
are now living: Mary C, now Mrs. H. I. 
Reed; Anthony E., Quincy W., and Mar- 
tha E., now wife of W. P. Kellogg. In 
1856, Mr. Babb, with his family, left Ohio 
and came to Tama county, being the third 
settler in Highland township. The jour- 



ney was accomplished by teams and they 
were twenty-eight days on the road, arriv- 
ing hereon the 10th of July. Mr. Babb 
had but $37 when he arrived here and 
therefore experienced all the hardships of 
pioneer life. 

Quincy Babb, son of David Babl), came 
with his parents to Highland township, 
where he has since resided. He now has 
charge of the old homestead. Mr. Babb is 
a native of Summit county, Ohio, born 
February 2.5, 1848. In politics he affiliates 
with the National Greenback party; 
and his religious connections are with the 
M. E. Church. 

Anthony L. Babb, oldest son of David 
Babb, was born in Summit county, Ohio 
February 25, 1841. He came with his 
parents to Iowa in 1856, and has since been 
a resident of Highland township. In 
August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F, 28th 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served three 
years. He was married in 1869, to Miss 
Milly A. Richards, of Marshall county, 
and they have now six children: Alma L., 
Emma L., David R., Clarence E., Linna L. 
and Laura E. Mr. Babb was a member of 
the M. E. Church from 1860 till 1882, 
since which time he has been connected 
with the U. B. Society. In politics he is 
a National. 

In the latter part of July, 1 856, A. Hull 
made his appearance and settled upon the 
west half of the south-west quarter of 
section 12, while his son, Samuel Hull, set- 
tled just across the township's line on sec- 
tion 13. 

In 1857, Jacob Korns broke thirty-four 
acres on section 27, where George G. 
Walker had entered land for him in 1856. 
Mr. Korns did not move his family to the 



-r 



A^=^ 



772 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



county, however, until the spring of 1858, 
at which time Joliii Korns also settled in 
the townshi]). 

Then foHowed K. Johnson, Arthur 
Manful!, John and Quincy Manfull, 
Franklin Hubbard, E. M. Poyneer, A. N. 
Poyneer, C. W. MofFatt and others. The 
most of those named are mentioned else- 
where in this volume. Later came James 
11. Smith, Ilirara Winders, C. A. Wilson 
and S. W. Snyder. 

James H. Smith came to Tama county 
in 1861. He resided at Indiantown until 
18(34, when he located on section i. High- 
land township, where he has since resided. 
He now owns about 300 acres of land, and 
is principally engaged in raising stock. 
Mr. Smith is a native of Washtenaw 
county, Michigan, born September 1, 1827. 
His parents were James C. and Sally 
(Dickerson) Smith. He was left mother- 
less when only four years of age, but his 
father subsequently married again. James 
II. Smith was brought up on a farm, and 
resided with his father until eighteen 
years of age, when he removed to Boone 
county, Illinois. On December 31, 1848, 
he married Miss JuliaLinderman, a native 
of the State of New York. He continued 
farming in Illinois until he came to Iowa 
in 1861. Mr. Smith does not belong to 
any sect, party or creed, but is what may 
l)e strictly called a free thinker. He voted 
the Republican ticket for many years, but 
now votes the National. Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith have eight children— Julius B., 
Carrie, Josephine, Ida, Sarah, Frank, Em- 
ma and (4ertie. 

Among the large stock farmers of the 
county is to be found Hiram Winders, who 
resides on section 14, Highland township. 



His farm consists of 560 acres on section 
14, and 160 acres on section 15. This 
land has been well improved and the farm 
is second to none in the township. Mr. 
Winders is a native of Maryland, born on 
the 6th day of June, 1826. His father, 
George Winders, was a native of Ohio; his 
mother, Jane Winders, a native of Mary- 
land. Hiram worked for farmers in his 
neighborhood until he reached liis major- 
ity, then he worked at wagon making one 
year, at the end of which time he emigrated 
to Ogle county, Illinois, where he followed 
the trade of carjientering. In I860, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Hettie 
M. Tice, a native of Ohio. They followed 
farming in Ogle county, Illinois, until 
1868, when they emigrated to Iowa, and 
have since lived in Highland township. 
In politics, Mr. Winders was formerly a 
Democrat, but of late years he has voted 
the National Greenback ticket. His re- 
ligious connections are with the Christian 
Church. There are eight children — 
Charles L., Lucy J., William R., Carrie 
B., Samuel W., Chauncy, Blanche and 
Earl. 

OBGANIC. 

Highland township was organized Oc- 
tober 9, 1860, and the first election held at 
the house of James Adair, on the 5th of 
November following. C. W. Moffatt was 
chosen Chairman; Franklin Hubbard, Ja- 
cob Korns and J. B. Merritt, Judges; and 
Robinson Johnson and C. W. Moffatt, 
Clerks of the election. Isaac Toland, 
Esq., administered the oath to the 
above named. The following is a roster 
of the officers as copied from the records: 

Officers elected at first election : Jacob 
Korns, Arthur Manfull and David Babb, 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



773 



Trustees; Robinson Johnson, Clerk; 
Franklin Hubbard, Assessor; S. J. Alden 
and Arthur Manfull, Justices; Edward 
Hull and David Babb, Constables; C. W. 
Moffatt, Itoad Supervisor. 

1801 — David Babb, Jacob Korns and J. 

B. Merritt, Trustees; Robinson Johnson, 
Clerk; E. M. Poyneer, Assessor; C. W. 
Moffatt. Justice; David Babb, Constable; 

C. W. Moffatt, Road Supervisor. 

1862 — J. B. Merritt, Jacob Korns and 
David Babb, Trustees; R Johnson, Clerk; 

E. M. Poyneer, Assessor; A. N. Poyneer, 
C. W. Moffatt, Justices ; Charles Mc- 
Laughlin, J. G. Cronk, Constables; C. \V. 
Moffatt, Road Supervisor. 

1863— David Babb, J. G. Cronk, R. 
Moffatt, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk. 

18(54 — A. H. Cowles and Quincy Man- 
full, Constables. There was a tie on all 
the rest of the candidates, and on the 17th 
of November the matter was decided by 
drawing lots with the following re.sult: 
David Babb, S. T. Leach, J. G. Cronk, 
Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk; R.John- 
son, Assessor; C. W. Moffatt and Ed- 
ward Phillips, Justices. 

18(i.5— David Babb, C. W. Moffatt and 
John Roberts, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, 
Clerk and Assessor; J. H. Smith, Justice; 
.John Manfull, Constable; R. Johnson, Sol- 
omon Korns and J. G. Cronk, Supervisors. 

1866— C. W. Moffatt, John Roberts and 

F. M. Clark, Trustees; E M. Poyneer, 
Clerk and Assessor ; David Babb and F. 
M. Clark, Justices. 

1867— David Babb, E. R. Moffatt and F. 
M.Clark, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk 
and Assessor. 



1868 — Levi Snyder, J. G. Cronk and 
David Babb, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, 
Clerk; C. VV. Moffatt, Assessor; C. B. Cro- 
futt and C. W. Moffatt, Justices. 

1869— J. G. Cronk, H. J. Reed and D. 
Babb, Trustees; E. M. Poyneer, Clerk; 
E. J. Jenks, Assessor; C. W. Moffatt and 
J. B. Merritt, Justices. 

1870 — R. Johnson, John Ramsey, and J. 
G. Cronk, Trustees; A. N. Cowles, Clerk. 

1871— R. Johnson, E. L. Fish, and V. 
Smith, Trustees; A. N. Cowles, Clerk; J. 
G. Cronk, Assessor. 

1872— E. L. Fish, E. R. Fish, and V. 
Smith, Trustees; A. N. Cowles, Clerk; E. 
M. Poyneer, Assessor; C. W. Moffatt and H. 
Vosburg, Justices. 

1873— H. J. Reed, J. H. Smith, and John 
Ramsey, Trustees; F. B. Sanborn, Clerk. 

1874 — H. J. Reed, Hiram Winders, and 
CW. Moffatt, Trustees; F. B. Sanborn, 
Clerk; Isaac Smith, Assessor; W. Stewart, 
Justice. 

1875— E. L. Fish, Henry Vosburg, and 
Ovid Vandyke, Trustees; D. E. Wing, 
Clerk; C. A. Wilson Assessor; C.A.Wil- 
son, C. W. Moffatt, Justices. 

1876 -Ovid Vandyke, A. J. Vosburg, 
and E. L. Fish, Trustees; D. E. Wing, 
Clerk; C. A. Wilson, Assessor and Justice. 

1877— A. J. Vosburg, E. L. Fish, and 
Ovid Vandyke, Trustees; D. E. Wing, 
Clerk; C. A. Wilson, Assessor; C. W. 
Moffatt, Justice. 

1878 — Hiram Winders, 1 year ; Jonas 
Kellogg, 2 years, C. W. Moffatt, 3 years; 
Trustees; T.A. Dunlava, Clerk; James H. 
Smith, Assessor; A. J. Vosburg, Justice. 

1879— E. L. Fish, Trustee; D. E. Wing, 
Clerk; C. A. Wilson, Assessor. 






60 



spr' 



^! 



« k. 



774 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1880 — A. J. Vosburg, Trustee; C A. 
Wilson, Clerk; D. E. King, Assessor; J. 
C. McClure, Justice. 

1881 — J. D. Sanborn, Trustee; C. A. 
Wilson, Clerk; D. E. Wing, Assessor; C. 
A. Wilson, and J. Speaker, Justices. 

1882— A. L. Franz, Trustee; C. A. Wil- 
son, Clerk; F. B. Sanborn, Assessor; and 
Levi Snyder, Justice. 

Levi Snyder, Justice of the Peace of 
Highland township, is a native of Mifflin 
county, Pennsylvania, and was born May 
1, 1828. He was left motherless when 
but an infant. His father subsequently 
married again, and Levi was brought up 
on the farm. February 16, 185.5, he mar- 
ried Miss Hannah Beoth, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and in 1857, emigrated to Ogle 
county, Illinois, from thence, in 1866, 
moved to Iowa, since which time he has 
been a resident of Highland township. 
Mr. Snyder is a Republican, in politics; 
in religion, a Congregationalist. His fam- 
ily consists of three children: Samuel W., 
Mary and Mamie. Mr. Snyder is one of 
the leading farmers of Tama county. He 
has made good improvements on his land, 
and he may truly be called a well-to-do 
farmer, who is prompt in fulfilling all his 
obligations. 

The present Clerk of Highland town- 
ship, C. A. Wilson, came to the coun- 
ty in 1872, and in 1873, located on his 
present farm, which he had purchased in 
1869. He was born in Pennsylvania, 
March 9, 1839. His parents were A. C. 
and Cloey E. ( Bowen ) Wilson, the for- 
mer of Vermont and the latter of Pennsyl- 
vania. In 1845, the family moved to Car- 
roll county, Illinois, where, in 1861, Mr. 
Wilson enlisted in Company K, 15th Illi- 



nois Volunteer Infantry and served one 
year, when he was discharged on account 
of physical disability. In December, 1861, 
while in the service, he came home on a 
furlough and married Miss Miriam A. 
Rice, a native of New York. After being 
discharged from the service, he followed 
farming in Ogle county, Illinois, until he 
came to Iowa. He is a Republican, has 
held all the township offices except Trustee 
and was census enumerator in 1880. Mr. 
Wilson is a member of the M. E. Church. 
The children are : Lettie, Nora, now Mrs. 
R. Anderson; and Minnie. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first birth in the township was Wil- 
liam, a son of James B. and Laura C. 
Merritt, born in October, 1856. In the 
same month, James, son of Samuel and 
Amanda Hull, was born, and, it is thought 
by many, that this was the first birth. 

The first death in the township was an 
infant son of James B. and Laura C. Mer- 
ritt, named William, who died in August, 
1857. The remains lie buried on section 
16, but there is nothing to mark the spot. 
On the 14th of April, 1859, the first 
marriage was solemnized at the residence 
of David Babb, by Isaac Butler, Esquire. 
The contracting parties were H. I. Reed 
and Mary Babb. This was the first wed- 
ding that was celebrated in the township. 
The couple resided in Highland township 
until the spring of 18s:i, when they moved 
to Nebraska. 

EDUCATIONAI.. 

The first school building in Highland 
township was erected in 1861, near the 
center of the township, on the site now 
ocoipied by Center school house, district 
number 5. IVHss Lucy Clark, of Grinnell 



g - 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY, 



115 



taught the first school — a term of three 
months — receiving 125 per month as com- 
pensation. There were only ten or twelve 
pupils present. The second school house 
was erected in district number 2. 

There are now nine school houses in the 
township, valued at about $800 each, and 
educational facilities are on a par with 
any township in the county. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first religious services in the town- 
ship were held at the house of Jacob 
Korns, with Rev. Daniel Long, a minis- 
ter from Pennsylvania, presiding. 

There was preaching at the school 
houses occasionally for many years, but 
no society was permanently organized un- 
til June, 1881, when Rev. G. P. Fisher, of 
Grinnell, organized what is known as the 
Tama Mission of the United Brethren 
Church. The society started out with a 
membership of twenty-five, as follows: 
I. Speaker, Martha Speaker, F. Nichols, 
Elizabeth Nichols, R. Martin, Margaret 
Martin, A. L. Babb, Milla Ann Babb, Fan- 
nie Ireland, Maggie Martin, Mary Martin, 
Joseph Martin, Thomas Speaker, Allie 
Speaker, May Nichols, Laura Nichols, 
Carrie Nichols, Charley Drew, Nora 
Spickler, Reuben Spickler, Albert Spick- 
ler, Charles Hamil, Carrie Ilamil, Eddie 
Hamil and Claretta Honeywell. 



I. Speaker was chosen class leader, and 
F. Nichols, steward. Rev. G. P. Fisher 
was succeeded as pastor by Rev. Richard 
Swaim, the present minister. 

Services were held at the school house 
of district number 6 until 1883, when the 
present church edifice was erected near 
the school house. The church is a frame 
structure, 28x40 feet in size, with a seat- 
ing capacity of 16-5, and cost |!1,:^00. The 
membership of the society now numbers 
thirty-four. 

A Sabbath-school was organized in 
April, 1880, with J. Speaker, Superintend 
ent. The school is now in flourishing- 
condition and has an average attendance 
of about thirty-five. 

POSTOFFICES. 

Highland township has never had a 
postoftice within its boundaries. The cit 
izens hare always been obliged to patron- 
ize neighboring villages for mail. 

CEMETERY. 

There is one cemetery in Highland town- 
ship, located on the southeast quarter of 
section 22. It contains a fourth of an acre, 
which was donated to the township for 
burial purposes by John Korns, in 1870. 
The first body interred here was Louisa 
Korns, wife of the donor. 




*q= 



*. € W 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXI X 



HOWARD TOWNSHIP. 



Howard townsiiii) is six miles square, 
consisting of Congressional township 84, 
range 15. It is bounded on the north by 
Crystal, on the west by Carlton, on the 
south by Toledo, and on the east by Car- 
roll townships. Along its western bound- 
ary is a heavy body of timber, six miles 
in width, which extends into this territory, 
which is of an excellent quality consisting 
mostly of white and red oak. On the 
eastern side of this timber runs a rapid 
stream, called Deer creek. On the east 
side of this creek there is a beautiful val- 
ley, averaging about three-fourths of a mile 
in width, and extending along with the 
stream easterly through the township. On 
the eastern boundary of this valley, com- 
mences the beautiful rolling prairies, which 
extend on eastward to the township line. 
On these prairies rise a number of small 
streams which empty into Deer creek. 
There is another stream running through 
the centre of the township called Jordan, 
« hich receives its water from a number of 
smaller streams, and has along its banks 
several small groves. These lands are 
very fertile, the soil being a dark sandy 
loam about two feet in depth. There are 
some bluffs and hills, but good soil may be 
found well toward the top of the highest. 



There are a good many springs in this 
township. There is a large mill, at pres- 
ent owned and operated by Sol. Bruner, 
which was erected by Christian Bruner. 
his father, in 1854. Three miles south of 
the southern boundarj^ line, is the beauti- 
ful and thriving town of Toledo, the 
county seat of Tama county. Nearly the 
whole township is under fence and in a high 
state of cultivation. It is settled by a good, 
honest and industrious class of people, who 
by hard toil have accumulated good com- 
fortable surroundings. In 1880 the popu- 
lation was 900. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settlers in Howard township 
were the Giger's, who came in the spring 
of 1852. The head of the family was 
Samuel Giger, and there were several 
grown sons. 

Samuel Giger emigrated to Iowa in the 
fall of 1851, spending the first winter in 
Benton county. In the following spring 
he came to Tama county and located in 
Howard township. He was born in Wal- 
nut, Fairfield county, Ohio, in October, 
1811. His father, Martin Giger, married 
M. Hite, by whom there were five children 
born. Mrs. Giger died in 1812, and his 
lather married Nancy Montgomery, by 



1-^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



j> L> 



whom he had thirteen children. Making 
him the father of eighteen children — nine 
sons and nine daughters. The subject of 
tliis sketch was married December, 183-2, 
to Miss Fannie Haudeshill, a native of 
Virginia. By this union there were nine 
children, six of whom are living — Mary 
.!., Sarah C, John H., Isaac F., Rebecca 
and Aaron'M. Mr. Giger has been identi- 
fied with the county for thirty years. 
Coming to the county poor, he went to 
work to make a home, and by hard work 
has accumulated a competency, and to-day 
is one of the well-to-do farmers of Howai-d 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Giger have 
passed their fiftieth marriage anniversary, 
and all those years have been active mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
r. F. Giger was born in Perry county> 
Ohio, December 12, 1842. His parents 
were Samuel and Frances ( Houdeshell ) 
Giger, who emigrated to Tama county in 
1852, locating in Howard township. I. F. 
was reared on his father's farm, receiving 
his preparatory education in the common 
schools. In 1863, he attended Cornell Col- 
lege, where he graduated with the class of 
1869. In October of the same year he 
was married to Miss Mary Winset, a 
daughter of Benjamin Winset, a native of 
Maryland, and Mary (Davis) Winset, of 
Ohio. Mrs. Giger was born in Delaware 
county, Indiana, January 6, 1847, and emi- 
grated to Black Hawk county, Iowa, with- 
her parents in 1852. This union is blessed 
with one child — Regina, born in Bates 
county, Missouri, August 28, 1872. In 
politics, Mr. Giger is a staunch Republi- 
can. In 1872 he was nominated for the 
office of County Superintendent of schools, 
bj- the Anti-Monopoly party. Not wish- 



"^Tli 



ing the office, he took no interest in the 
canvass and was finally beaten by a few 
votes. In 1864, he enlisted in the 44th 
Iowa Volunteers, Company D, in the one 
hundred days service, Mr. Giger lius a 
farm in Howard township, consisting of 
160 acres, all under good cultivation, 
valued at $45 per acre. For the past eight 
years he has turned his attention to teach- 
ing. 

John H. Giger, another sou of Samuel 
Giger, came to the county with his parents 
in 1852. In 1864 he was married to 
Rhoda E. Hamraitt, a daughter of Benja- 
min Hammitt, who was one of the pioneers 
of Tama county. By this marriage there 
are five children living — Mary A., Estella 
F., Louis K., Ella Leota and Samuel A. 
Mr. Giger is a Republican in politics, has 
held the office of Township Clerk for 
seven years and has also been elected to 
several other local offices of trust within 
the gift of the people. 

The next settler within the limits now 
comprising Howard, was Christian Bru- 
ner, who erected a cabin on section 33. 
The interesting details connected with the 
settlement of this party, will be found in 
connection with the history 'of Toledo 
township. 

Peter Overmire was one of the Bruner 
party coming from Ohio. He first settled 
on section 6, Toledo township, and was 
the first settler in that township. Later, 
he moved into Howard township, and is 
still one of her citizens. 

Peter Overmire was born in Perry 
county, Ohio, February 1, 1814. He is a 
son of Jacob and Mary (Guinn) Over- 
mire, who emigrated to Ohio in 18T6, be- 
ing among the early settlers of Perry 



-* pv 



Jl 



11^ 



778 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



county. Here Peter grew to manhood, re- 
ceiving his education in the pioneer 
schools. When eighteen years of age he 
went to Sandusky county, where he be- 
came acquainted with and married' Miss 
Elizabeth Hill, June 24, 18.38. Five chil- 
dren have blessed this union — Eve, John 
F., Levi W., Silas and Mary C. Mr. Over- 
mire left Ohio and went to Indiana, and 
in the summer of 1851, emigrated to Iowa 
City, where he spent the winter, and in the 
spring of 1852, came to Tama county, set- 
tling in Toledo township, on section 6. 
He built a log cabin, the first erected in 
the township, and remained three years, 
when he removed to the vicinity of Mon- 
ticello. In the spring of 1860, he re- 
moved to his present home, in Howard 
township, where he has since resided. 
Mr. Overmire has a farm of eighty acres on 
section 19, under a good state of cultiva- 
tion, valued at $40 per acre, and also owns 
twenty acres of timber. Mr. Overmire is a 
member of the Baptist Church, and his 
wife of the Lutheran Church. 

R. A. Rundle came here in the fall of 
1 852, from Ohio, stopping for some time 
ill Carlton township, and finally settled 
on section 29. He remained there until 
1873, when he removed to Ohio, where he 
died shortly afterward. 

E. G. Moler came to Howard township 
in 1852, and took a claim. He is still a 
resident of the township. 

In the spring of 1853, Benjamin Ham- 
mitt, a native of Ohio, arrived, and made 
selection of land by taking the southeast 
(|uarter of section 20. Here he lived un- 
til the time of his death. His widow and 
(laughter still occupy the old homestead. 
I>njamin Hammitt was born near Wheel- 



ing, Virginia,July 29, 1805. He removed soon 
after with his parents to Ohio, where he 
lived until 1853, when he again removed 
to Howard township, Tama county. He 
was married to Miss Mary Overmire, May 
14, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Hammitt were the 
parents of twelve children, four sons and 
eight daughters. He joined the Baptist 
Church in 1840, since which time he led 
a consistent and exemplary Christian life. 
He served as Justice of the Peace for 
several years in Ohio, and for six years in 
Howard township. He was highly re- 
spected forhis trustworthiness and integrity 
by all who knew him. After a severe and 
painful illness, he died Monday morning, 
July 19, 1880, leaving an aged widow and 
seven children to mourn his death. 

L. F. Hammitt came to Howard town- 
ship with his parents in 1853. He is still 
a resident, living on the northwest tjuar- 
ter of section 29. 

David Miller came with the Hammitt 
party, in 1853, and settled on the south- 
west quarter of section 19. He now lives 
on the southeast (piarter of the same sec- 
tion. 

Jacob Reedy, from Ohio, came in 1853, 
and settled on section 29. He lived there 
until 1871, when he removed to Monti- 
cello. He is now dead. 

His son, S. C. Reedy, who is still a res- 
ident of this township, was born in Fair- 
field county, Ohio, on the 1 2th day of Feb- 
ruary, 1846. In 1858, his parents emi- 
grated to Tama county, where he grew to 
manhood. His education was received in 
the pioneer schools of his adopted county. 
He attended his first school in a log cabin, 
his teacher beinw a Mrs. Skinner. S. ('. 



r 



^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



:^=ik. 



was married on the 25th of February, 
18G9, to Miss Julia Hammitt, a daughter 
of Benjamin Hammitt, one of the early 
settlers of this county. She was born in 
Sandusky county, Ohio, November 26, 
1849. By this union there were five chil- 
dren, four of whom are now living: Carl 
R., born April 29, 1873; Winfred N., born 
March 1, 1875; Florence M., born Octo- 
ber 23, 1880; Roscoe R., born August 17, 
1882. Mr. Reedy has a very comfortable 
home on the southeast quarter of section 
20, Howard township. 

Robert Ray made his appearance also 
in 1853, coming from Michigan. He set- 
tled on the northeast quarter of section 
29, where he lived until 1878, and then re- 
moved to Kansas. In 1882, he returned 
to this township and settled on section 15. 

In 1854, Frederick Spayde, a German, 
came and settled on section 32. Here he 
remained until the time of his death in 
1880, when his family returned to Ohio. 

Jacob H. Tindall, a native of New Jer- 
sey, who came here from Ohio, entered 
the southwest quarter of section 18, in 
1854. He built a cabin and remained one 
year, then went to the timber one year, 
spent a few months in Kansas"! and Mis- 
souri, and finally returned to Howard and 
settled on section 27, where he still re- 
sides. 

Philip Otterman was also a settler of 
1854. He was born in "West "V^irginia, 
June 24, 1818. His parents were Lewis 
and Glory (Null) Otterman, both natives 
of Pennsylvania. In 1831, they emigrated 
to Montgomery county, Indiana, and set- 
tled in a heavily timbered region. This 
move was made with one team of horses 
and a wagon, which were sold upon their 



arrival in Indiana for HOC. With this 
money Philip's father purchased eighty 
acres of land. Here he remained a short 
time, then sold and purchased 160 acres of 
a farm and remained here till his death. 
Philip was reared on his father's farm, re- 
ceiving his education in a school which 
was supported by subscriptions. Mr. Ot- 
terman was brought up to hard work. 
When fourteen years of age he worked 
out by the month through the summer 
season to help support the family. His 
forte seemed to be in the use of the axe, 
and he has split one thousand rails be- 
tween sun and sun. There was no man 
that could drop a log quicker than he. In 
1842, he was married to Miss Nancy Da- 
vis, of North Carolina. In September, 
1854, he left Indiana in company with his 
brother Elisha, John Cross, L. Harrington 
and Ferdinand Utterback, and started out 
with teams for Iowa. Stopping in Bru- 
ner's timber, they camped out until they 
erected log cabins in which to spend the 
winter. During this winter Mr. Otterman 
hauled and prepared timber for a house 
and to fence his farm. In May, 1855, he 
moved on the place where he now resides. 
Mr. and Mrs. Otterman are the parents of 
ten children, seven of whom are living: 
Thomas, George, John, Martishia, Jose- 
phine, Sarah and Albina. Mr. Otterman 
has owned 600 acres of land in the town- 
ship, but has divided it among his children. 
In his homestead there are 320 acres with 
fine and substantial buildings, plenty of 
fruit and valued at $45 per acre. In pol- 
itics he is a strong Democrat. He and his 
wife are members of the Christian Church. 
George W. Otterman has been identi- 
fied with Tama county for a quarter of a 



^. 






- 4« — "^ 



-!^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



century. He was born in Montgomery 
county, Indiana, February 17, 1847. When 
seven years of age his parents moved to 
Tama, where he grew to manhood. He 
was married in 1868 to Miss Mary E. 
I'eugh, a daughter of Samuel Feugh, of 
Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Otterman are the 
parents of two children, Franklin J. N. 
and P. Roy P. Mr Otterman has a farm 
of eighty acres under good cultivation, 
valued at -^45 per acre. 

.lohn Sclimitt, one of the "1854 settlers" 
of Howard township, was born in the 
kingdom of Bavaria, nearthe river Rhine, 
on the -id day of February, 1816. When 
twenty-one years of age he came to Amer- 
ica, landed at New York and from there 
went to Pennsylvania, where he remained 
a few months and then came to Muscatine 
county, Iowa. In 1843, he returned to his 
native country, remaining but a short 
time, and then returned again to Iowa. 
In 1844, he was married to Sarah Acker, 
who bore him two children, Edwai-d and 
Augusta He went to California in 1849, 
and followed mining for eighteen months 
and then returned to Iowa, when he and 
his wife separated. In 1854, he came to 
Tama county, and purchased his farm in 
Howard township and kept "bach" for a 
couple of years. In 1858, he married Mrs. 
Eliza Emerson, widow of John Emerson, 
by whom he had four children : Mary P., 
Phd'be, Lyman and Margaret. Mr. and 
Mrs. Schmitt are the parents of six chil- 
dren : Harriet, William T., Emily, Frank- 
lin, George E. and John C. Mr. Schmitt 
has a fine farm of 320 acres in Howard 
township, valued at $45 per acre. In pol- 
itics he is a Democrat. 



D. K. Gallagher settled in Howard town- 
ship in 1854, and is still here. He was 
born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, De- 
cember 16, 1831 ; was raised on a farm, 
receiving a common school education. 
When fourteen years of age his parents 
moved to Whitley county, Indiana, and 
in 1854, came to Tama county. In Febru" 
ary, 1878, D. K. was married to Miss 
T. J. Sellers, a native of Ohio, born Jan- 
uary 5, 1843. By this union they have 
had four chidren, three of whom are now 
living : Lizzie M., Charles L, and Edith. 
In politics Mr. Gallagher is a Republican 
and cast his first vote for Gen. Fremont. 
Mr. Gallagher has held several local offices 
of trust in the township. 

Among others who settled here at a 
very early day were : P. J. Hartman, IL 
Howdyshell, R. Blake, E. Meyers, A. 
Harbaugh, D. Miller, G. Zehrung, P anil 
L. Otterman, William Gallagher, N. Hill, 
S. Bird, S. Peer, J. Strain, C. R. Ward, A. 
Leonard, W. C. Granger, J. Davis, B. C. 
Trust and others. 

Captain William Gallagher settled in 
Howard in 1850. He was born in Ches- 
ter county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 
1803.' William was reared on a farm and 
received his education in a school which 
was supported by subscription. He was 
married to Miss Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, 
December 23, 1830. Eight children have 
been born to them: Dan. K., William, who 
enlisted in the 14th Iowa Volunteer In- 
fantry, was elected Lieutenant and after- 
wards was promoted to the Captaincy. He 
was taken prisoner at Shiloh, and lay in 
prison for six months. He was here ex- 
posed to all kinds of weather, and con- 
tracted diseases, from the effects of which 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



781 



he died at Denver, Colorado, in Decem- 
ber, 1871; Hannah J., James S., also a 
soldier of the Union army, died January 
24, 1866; Francis S., who died August 10, 
1846; John, who died August 25, 1846; 
Rebecca E., who died January 10, 1803; 
and Randolph Lu. In 1845, Mr. Gallagher 
emigrated to Whitley county, Indiana, 
where he remained ten years. In 1855, he 
removed to Linn county, Iowa, and in the 
spring of 1856, came to Howard township, 
where he entered a large tract of land 
and opened a good farm. Mr. Gallagher 
has been identified with the interests of 
Tama county for over a quarter of a cen- 
tury. In December, 1876, Mrs. Galla- 
gher died, leaving her husband and chil- 
dren to mourn the loss of a dutiful wife 
and a kind mother. 

Another settler in 1856 was Samuel 
Bovennyer. He was born in Cumberland 
county, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1826. 
Hs parents were Philip and Hannah 
(Gohun) BoTennyer, who were married in 
Pennsylvania, where four of their chil- 
dren were born. Samuel was brought up 
on his father's farm. He was married in 
York county, Pennsylvania, January 14, 

1855, to Miss Mary Huffman, a daughter 
of George and Sarah (Bowen) Huffman. 
In 1855, they left their home in Pennsylva- 
nia for the then far west, coming by rail 
to Rock Island, then the terminus of the 
railroad. There they purchased a team 
and came to Tama county, by the way of 
Iowa City, where he purchased land of Ru- 
fus Clark, now owned by Mr. Gaily. In 

1 856, he sold out and removed to his present 
farm in Howard township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bovennyer are the parents of five children, 
four of whom are living: Sarah N , wife 



Vlcr 



of Emanuel Merede: Andrew J., Ulysses 
G., and Samuel, jr. Mr. and Mrs. Boven- 
nyer are hard working, honest and up- 
right people, and, by hard work and atten- 
tion to business, have accumulated a line 
property, and are classed among the well- 
to-do farmers of the county. They have 
280 acres of land in a high state of culti- 
vation, valued at $40 per acre, and forty 
acres of timbered land valued at $20 per 
acre. 

Joseph Matern, one of the early set- 
tlers and prominent f.armers of Howard 
township, was born in Alsace on the 2d 
day of April, 1836. When he was seven 
years old his parents emigrated to America, 
coming in a sailing vessel and being 
thirty-five days upon the water. They 
located in Muskingum county, Ohio, and 
in the spring of 1857, came to Tama 
county and settled on section 20, in How- 
ard township, where Joseph's father re- 
mained until his death, which occurred 
January 20, 1881. Joseph was married 
in 1879 to Miss Augusta Brecht, at Cedar 
Rapids. She was born in Baden, near the 
river Rhine, August 17, 1839. They have 
had born unto them, fifteen children, 
twelve of whom are now living — Rachel 
M., wife of H. Atkinson ; Franklin L., 
John P. T., Henry, Mary, Joseph J., 
Albert, PhilomeniaE., Edward A., George 
Otto, Maggie A. and Gracie H. Mr. 
Matern has 245 acres of land, valued at 
$45 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. Matern are 
members of the Catholic Church. In 
politics, Mr. Matern is a Democrat. 

Alanson H. Bailey settled in Howard 
township in 1858. He was born in Fort 
Ann, Washington county, N. Y., January 
23, 1827. He is the son of Howard and 



61 



782 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Mary (Cutter) Bailey. When a young 
man he learned the wheelright's trade of 
his father and followed it for a number of 
years. November 27, 1851, he was mar- 
ried at Glens Falls, N. Y., to Miss Frances 
A. Patter, daughter of David Patter, of 
Hebron, Washington county. New York. 
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of one 
child — Mary A., now the wife of O. A. 
Hulett. In October, 1853, Mr. Bailey left 
northern New York and moved to Ogle 
county, Illinois, where be remained three 
and a half years, engaged the greater 
part of the time in working on the Rock 
River Seminary at Mount Morris. He' 
helped make the sash by hand for 120 
windows and bought some of the material 
that was left from the building, at the 
rate of five cents per foot. He hauled it 
to Tama county, Iowa, and used a part of 
it to make sash for his dwelling house. 
Inthespringof 1857 he cametoMaquoketa, 
Jackson county, Iowa, and from there to 
Tama county in June of 1858. He set- 
tled in Howard township, took up land 
and began making a home. At the time 
of his settlement here, for a distance of 
eleven miles from Traer to Philip Otter- 
man's, there was but one house, which was 
at Baker's Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey 
came to the county in rather limited 
circumstances, but, by close attention to 
business, fair dealing, and living within 
their means, have accumulated consider- 
able property, and to-day rank among the 
most prosperous farmers of the county. 
They now own 240 acres of land, most of 
which is under cultivation, valued at ^4o 
per acre. They know by experience what 
l)rivations may be met in a new country ; 
for one year after coining to Tama county 



they had but one ajiple, and also in that 
time they used but fifty cents worth of 
sugar. Mr. Bailey i.s a Republican and 
has trained in that party since its organi- 
zation. He has held several local offices 
of trust in the gift of the people. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bailey are members of the M. 
K. Church. 

In 1850, John F. McCormick came, and 
is now one of the most enterprising farm- 
ers in Howard township. He was born in 
Fairfield county, Ohio, October 3, 1833. 
When he was still very young, his parents 
moved to Perrj- county, Ohio, where he 
grew to manhood. In 1857, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Jane Giger, a daugh- 
ter of Samuel Giger's, who was 
one of the pioneers of Howard township. 
This union has been blessed with ten chil- 
dren, nine of whom are still living: Na- 
than E., born March 14, 1858; Samuel L., 
born July 20, 1859; James A., born March 
8, 1861; John II., born December 3, 1863; 
Isaac S., born March 14, 1865; Frances E., 
born July 2, 1867; Mary C, born Febru- 
ary 7, 1869; Charles A., born August 1, 
1871; William F., born September 3, 1873, 
died February 17, 1879, and Sarah M , 
born May 8, 1879. In 1856, Mr. 
McCormick came to Tama county, and in 

1859, settled on his present place, where 
he has .since resided. When he came to 
the county he was poor, but by hard work 
and economy, has succeeded in securing 
comfortable surroundings, a valuable 
property, and to-day is one of thi> well-to- 
do farmers of the townshij). He now 
owns 240 acres of prairie land, all fenced 
in and valued at >i45 peracre. In politics, 



»1V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Mr. McOormick always votes with tlie 
Republican party. He and his wife are 
both members of the M. E. Church. 

Among the arrivals during the decade 
between 1860 and ISVO, may be mentioned 
the following, who are still prominent cit- 
izens and representative men: Adam 
Breclit, F. Goodenow, Madison Scliroeder, 
C. A. Baxter, Dennis B. Gregory, H. H. 
Witliington, A Cuthbertson and .1. M. 
Gran. 

Adam Brecht, an enterprising farmer of 
Howard township, was born in Baden, 
near the river Rhine, July 11,1835. When 
a young man, seventeen years old, his 
parents emigrated to this country, landing 
at New York city. They went from there 
to Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained 
one year. In 1858, Adam's father removed 
to Iowa county, Iowa, where he is living 
at present. At the time he landed in 
Cleveland, Ohio, he had but $5 in ready 
money and had a family of eleven chil- 
dren to support; to-day, he has a fine farm 
of 240 acres, with good buildings. Adam 
Brecht was married in October, 1860, to 
Miss Nanoy Matern, a daughter of John 
Matern. She was born on the •22d day of 
May, 1840. By this union there were 
eleven children, nine of whom are living: 
John H., born June 24, 1861; Edward, 
horn October '-U, 1862; Anna M., born 
June 1, 1864; Marcella, born October 16, 
1SC5; Mary A., born March 12, 18*70; 
William S., born April 9, 1872; Law- 
rence, born July 3, 1874; Clarence C, 
born July 18, 1876, and Mary T., born 
June 22, 1880. In 1861, Mr. Brecht came 
to Tama county a poor man, but he went 
to work with a will, and by good manage- 
ment has accumulated a fine property. He 



has 290 acres of land, 240 are under culti- 
vation, valued at |45 per acre. The family 
are all members of the Catholic Church, 
one daughter is in the St. Francis Convent 
at Dubuque. In politics, Mr. Brecht is a 
Democrat. 

Fitch Goodenow was born May 22, 1834, 
in Livingston county. New York. His 
parents were Enos and Abagail (Cole) 
Goodenow. Fitch was one of a family of 
three sons and eight daughters, and when 
he was eleven years of age his parents 
moved to Potter county, Pennsylvania. 
At seventeen he came with a brother to 
Sterling, Whiteside county, Illinois, and 
hired out to work by the month on a farm. 
He worked at one place three years, then 
was engaged in breaking prairie in the 
summer and running a threshing machine 
in the fall until he had earned $700. He 
went into partnership and lost every cent 
of his earnings. In 1863, Mr. Goodenow 
came to Tama county, Iowa, and located in 
Howard township, where he bought eighty 
acres of land on ten years time. He broke 
his land and fenced it, going twelve miles 
for the posts and rails. March 13, 1800, 
Mr. Goodenow was married to Miss Ann 
C. Thompson, a native of Lee county, 
Illinois, born April 22, 1839. She was a 
daughter of John M. and Ra,chel Thomp- 
son. This union has been blessed with 
five children, three sons and two daugh- 
ters: Florence E., Annette R., Charlie 
F., Ira E. and John T. Mr. Goodenow 
has been a hard working man and now has 
160 acres of land, all under good cultiva- 
tion and valued at *40 per acre. Mr. 
Goodenow is a supporter of the Demo- 
cratic party, and has for his motto, do 
right and fear not. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Madison Schroeder was born in June, 
1835, in Prussia, Germany, where he was 
reared on a farm. In 1854, he came to 
America, stopping in Pennsylvania, where 
he worked on a farm for four years. In 
185S, he came to Tama county. He was 
joined in marriage with Miss Margaret 
Matern in November, 1801. She was born 
in Ohio, on the 28th day of August, 1843, 
and came to Tama county with her par- 
ents when she was fourteen years old. By 
tliis union there were seven children, five 
of wliom are living: Martha S., born 
November 29, 1863; William U., bom 
April 24, 1865; Delbert, born October 19, 
1871; Ap])elona C, born December 19, 
1873; and Mary L., born February 6, 1881. 
Their first winter was spent in Toledo, 
where Mr. Shroeder sawed wood, and 
Airs. S. did washing, by which means 
ihey raised money enough to buy the rough 
lumber to build their first cabin, now a 
portion of their comfortable home. In 
1864, Mr. S. purchased his present place, 
lie now owns 200 acres of prairie land 
valued at $45 per acre. He began at the 
foot of the ladder and has steadily gone 
uj). During the war when prices were 
liigh, they used to grind wheat to make 
wheat coffee; and for three years they 
had only fifty cents worth of sugar in 
their house, using sorghum for sweetening 
purposes. They thus kept within their 
means. All of the family are members of 
the Catholic Churcii. 

C. A. Baxter was born in Chenango 
county, New York, October 29, 1842. His 
father, Augustus Baxter, was a native of 
Scotla'nd ; his mother, Hannah Padgett, of 
New York. His parents were married in 
Chenango county, where three of their 



children were born. The father, for many 
years, was engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness, and just previous to his death he 
followed farming. The subject of this 
sketch enlisted in April, 1861, in the 13th 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry for three 
months, being discharged at the expiration 
of his time of service. He again enlisted 
in the 8th Illinois Cavalry, and participated 
in the- battles of Ball Bluff, Warrenton 
Junction, seven days tight before Rich- 
mond, Malvern Hill, second battle of Bull 
Run, South Mountain, Anteitam, Martins- 
burg, Chancellorsville, Fredericks'urg, 
Gettysburg, where he was severely 
wounded, Spottsylvania Court House, and 
Coal Harbor, where he left the command 
and was detailed at General Wilson's 
headquarters, as head blacksmith, receiv- 
ing a commission as Second Lieutenant. 
He also participated in Wilson's Raid and 
the battle of Stone River, where he was 
again wounded, lying for five days without 
food and surrounded by rebels. When he 
was relieved he went to City Point. He 
was discharged at Chicago, September 28, 
1864. The following fall he was married 
to Miss Mary J. Smith, of DeKalb county, 
Illinois. They have a family of five chil- 
dren — Henry A., Ettie M., Clara A., Cora 
E. and Jessie A. In the spring of 1865, 
Mr. Baxter came to Tama county, where 
he purchased land and made a home; He 
has 160 acres valued at §45 per acre, and 
nine acres of timber land valued at |15 per 
acre. In politics he is a Republican, and 
is a member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic. 

Dennis B. Gregory was born in Fairfield 
county, Connecticut, January 25, 1820. 
His parents were Miles and Annie (Bron- 



Tjd ** 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



son) Gregory. His father was a soldier in 
the war of 1812, and his grandfathers, on 
both sides were participants in the Revolu- 
tionary war. Dennis B. when eighteen, 
left home and went to Winnebago county, 
Illinois. He was married at Rockford, in 
1841, to Miss Harriet N. Bunker, who was 
born in Chenango county, New York, 
April, 1820. In 1856, he moved to Mc- 
Henry county, Illinois, where he engaged 
in farming. In 1859 he went to Mercer 
county, Missouri, and in 1861, enlisted in 
an independent regiment, known as Mer- 
rill's Horse Regiment. While in the stam- 
pede at St. Charles, Missouri, he was dis- 
abled and discharged June 21, 1862, on ac- 
count of disabilities. In May, 1865, he 
came to Tama county and located on the 
place where he now resides, in Howard 
township. He now owns 138 acres of land 
valued at $45 per acre. In early life Mr. 
CTregory supported the Democracy, but at 
the commencement of the war he went 
over to Republicanism, and has affiliated 
with that party ever since. Mr and Mrs. 
Gregory are members of the M. E. Church. 
H. H. VVithington, of the firm of H. 
II. Withington & Son, proprietors of the 
Ridgeland farm, and feeders of Holstein 
cattle and Merino sheep, was born in Graf- 
ton county. New Hampshire, on the 21st 
day of January, 1829. His father, Robert 
Witiiington, was born in Hillsboro, now 
Merrimac county,New Hampshire, in 1807; 
hismother,Sally (Putney) Withington, was 
born in Grafton county, in 1806. They were 
the parents of eight children, six of whom 
lived to be adults, but only four are now 
living: Lucinda A., wife of J. A. Hurlbert, 
of Elroy, Wisconsin; Nathan II., of Smith 
county, Kansas; Emma L., wife of S. W. 



Durkee, Olatha, Kansas. Mr. Robert 
Withington is still living, at the advanced 
age of 76. Mrs. Withington died in 1879. 
The subject of this shetch, when four- 
teen years of age, was bound to Abraham 
Longfellow, who gave him a good educa- 
tion in the English branches, and also 
one hundred dollars when he reached his 
majority. lu 1857, Mr. Withington was 
married in Canaan, Grafton county. New 
Hampshire, to Miss Lydia Ann Fellows, a 
daughter of Peter Fellows. She was born 
in Bristol, Grafton county, September 23, 
1834. By this union there is one son, 
Wallace H., who was born in Hanover, 
Grafton county, August 20, 1858. In 
1865, Mr. Withington came to Tama 
county, locating in Howard township, 
where he turned his attention to farming 
and stock raising. Mr. Withington has 
a fine stock farm of 280 acres, valued at 
$45 per acre Mr. and Mrs. Withington 
are members of the Free Will Baptist 
Church, of Toledo. Mr. Withington, in 
politics, was a Democrat in early life, but 
at the time of the Kansas trouble he came 
over to Ii'epublicanism and has since affil- 
iated with that party. In 1876, he was 
elected County Supervisor and in Janu- 
ary, 1878, was chosen chairman of the 
Board of Supervisors, which office he held 
until the expiration of his second term. 

A. Ciithbertson, carpenter and joiner, 
was born in Orleans county, Vermont 
January 4, 1846. His parents were Bruce 
and Isabella Cuthbertson. Mr. Cuthbert- 
son when a small boy, learned the trade 
of a carpenter and joiner, his father being 
a mechanic before him. In December, 
1867, he left his native State and came to 
Iowa for the purpose of trapping. Being 



^2r 



780 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



])lc'asc(l with the State, he concluded to 
make it his home. He was married to 
Miss Martishia Otterman, a daughter of 
Philip Otterman, a prominent farmer of 
Ho^vard township. Five children have 
been born to them : Xancy S., Edda, 
Archie, George and Philip. Mr. Cuth- 
bertson is principally occupied with his 
trade, hiring men to work his farm, which 
consists of 120 acres under cultivation, 
valued at $45 per acre. 

.T. M. Grau was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, on the 29th of September, 1843. 
His parents were John and Mary (Bi.shop) 
Grau. His mother died when he was a 
small boy. From the age of seven to 
eleven he lived with an uncle. At the 
latter age he started out on his own hook, 
working by the month. In May, 1861, 
he enlisted in the 1st Iowa, Volunteer 
Infantry, Company C, for three months, 
lie served out his time and re-enlisted in 
the IGth Iowa, Volunteer Infantry, Com- 
pany F, and participated in the follow- 
ing engagements : luka, where he was 
wounded in the right shoulder, the bullet 
being e.xtracted several days later from 
near the spine, where it was wedged in 
between two ribs. The surgeon removed 
the bullet by cutting in and seizing it with 
a pair of nippers, pulling it out by main 
strength. He was sent to the hospital at 
Corinth, but was soon after removed to 
Keokuk, where he lay for six month.s, not 
being able to raise his head from the pil- 
low. After receiving his wound, he wa.s 
removed from the field and was placed in 
a room on the bare floor, with many of his 
poor comrades who were expected to die. 
There he remained until the last of his 
unfortunate companions had breathed 



their last, when he was found by a IMajor 
of his regiment and removed to better 
quarters. In 186.3, at the time the regi- 
ment veteranized, he joined it and was 
sent to the 17th army Corps, at Big 
Shanty, and participated in the caiiipaign 
to Atlanta, where a large portion of the 
command was captured, himself with the 
rest. He soon made his escape under very 
dangerous circumstances. He also parti- 
cipated in "Sherman's March to the Sea," 
ai.d in the Grand Review at Washington. 
He was discharged at Davenport, Iowa, 
and returned to Muscatine county, Iowa, 
where he had previously made his home, 
in 1853. In 1866, he was married to Miss 
Mary E. Burnside. By this marriage there 
were eight children, six of whom are liv- 
ing : Libbie J., born June 16, 1867 ; 
Laura A., born June 11, 1869; Frank A., 
born August 10, 1871, died October 17, 
1872 ; Ida May, born September 22, 1873 ; 
Emma A., born May 10, 1876; Lillie A., 
born March 16, 1878 ; Nellie, born March 
7, 1879, died August 13, 1879, and Mary 
E., born April 8, 1881. In the spring of 
1868, Mr Grau came to Tama county and 
located in Howard township on section 1, 
where he purchased his first land with the 
money saved from his army wages. Mr. 
Grau has a farm of 280 acres in a high 
state of cultivation, with good substantial 
buildings, and valued at ^3.5 per acre. In 
politics he is a Republican, and at present 
holds the office of Justice of the Peace. 
His first vote for President was cast for 
Abraham Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Grau 
are members of the M.E. Church. 

FIRST KVENTS. 

The first death in the township was Aa- 
ron Leonard, wlio died in the fall of 18.").'). 



HISTOHY OF TAMA COtTNTY. 



His remains were laid away in the cemetery 
oil section 33. It was the first burial in 
the cemetery. 

The first school in tiie township was 
taught at the house of Robert Ray, on 
section 29, in 18.54, by Miss Skinner. 

The first marriage in Howard was a 
double wedding, joining the destinies of 
W. T. H(5llen and Miss Sarah Bruner, and 
Joseph Davis and Miss Rebecca Bruner. 
The ceremony was performed by Benja- 
min Hammitt, Justice of the Peace, Sep- 
tember 17, 1854. 

ORGANIC. 

When Tama county was organized How- 
ard township embraced nearly half of 
the county, comprising the territory 
which now forms the townships of Colum- 
bia, Toledo, Tama, Howard, Carroll, Otter 
Creek, Richland, Salt Creek, York and 
Oneida. The first election was held -at 
the house of Rezin A. Redman, in April, 
1853. One by one the townships named 
have been set off, and organization au- 
thorized by the County Judge and Board 
of Supervisors, until Howard township 
of to-day is left, embracing congressional 
township 84, range 15. 

Following is given a list of those who 
have held the various offices, and been 
most prominent in township affairs : 

Justices : — Benjamin Hammitt, C. R. 
Ward, R. Ray, J. Fay, W. C. Granger, 
B. Rhoades, J. Stone, H. Dunn, W. Guil- 
ford, J. Rider, 6. Burke, J. Gray, C. 
Baxter, H. Snodgrass, E. Carpenter, and 
A. Whitley. 

Clerks :— D. F. Bruner, R. Ray, J. H. 
Granger, J. W. Rider, E. S. Beckley, D. 
K. Gallagher, C. C. (-Jranger and S. W. 
Hawke. 



Trustees :— W. C. Morrison, J. Ross, F. 
Davis, S. Giger, W. C. Granger, D. N. 
Hill, C. R. Ward, J. Stone, J. Fay, D. 
Miller, J. Rudy, F. Homan, H. Parker, M. 
Ross, J. Fuller, P. Otterman, R. Ray, G. 
W. McCallister, A. Harbaugh, J. H. Tin- 
dall,G. Burke, E. D. Rice, H. McAnulty, 
J. T. McCormick, H. H. Withington, G. 
T. Jones, J. Gray, .1. A. Richards and 
J. H. Giger. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first religious services in Howard 
township were held at the house of Chris- 
tian Bruner, on section 33, in 1853, by a 
Lutheran preacher from Iowa City. The 
next were held at the same place by Rev. 
Gamon, of the Methodist Episcopal faith, 
in the same year. In 1854, a society of 
this denomination was organized at the 
residence of Samuel Giger, on section 29, 
by Rev. David Pettefish, with quite a large 
membership. .Jackson Rindes was the 
first class leader. They continued to wor- 
ship at private residences and school 
houses until 18V5. when a neat church 
edifice was erected on section 20, which 
they still use. The present pastor is Rev. 
Hiram Bailey. J. H. Giger is class leader. 
A Sabbath school has been organized in 
connection with this society, which is now 
in a flourishing condition, and is working 
much good for the cause. Samuel Craw- 
ford is Superintendent. 

MONTICELLO VILLAGE 

This was one of the very first towns 
platted in Tama county. It was laid out 
during the summer of 1853, by Christian 
and David F. Bruner, and Joseph Brown, 
upon land entered and owned by Chris- 
tian Bruner and Adam Zehrung. The 
latter gentleman soon sold to D. K. Bru- 



J'=^ 



788 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ner and Joseph Brown. Forty acres were 
laid in lots and blocks, on section 33, How- 
ard township, on the banks of Jordan 
creek. The first lots built upon were 
given away, and the first building was 
erected by Samuel Bird who came there 
from Maquoketa. 

The first store was opened about the 
same time by Peter and James Brush, 
two brothers from Ohio. They kept a 
stock of general merchandise, and re- 
mained as long as the town was in exist- 
ence. Joseph A. Brown and Blackmau, 
from Marion, opened the next store and 
remained a long time. These were the 
main stores in Tama county for several 
years. The next store was opened in 1854, 
by Christian Mooney. He remained a short 
time, and then sold to Reedy & Company. 



John Matthews, now of Tama City, was 
in business here for some time running a 
shoe store. Theodore Shreffer was part- 
ner for some time. For a number of 
years Monticello was prosperous, and 
promised to become one of the lead- 
ing towns of the county, but after 
Toledo became the county seat, and the 
impossibility of getting a railroad became 
apparent, things changed, and gradually 
the embryo town dropped out of sight. 
The business mostly went to Toledo, and 
the houses were moved away to adjoining 
towns, or the country. 

A mill was built here in 1854, by Chris- 
tian Bruner, which is still being run by 
his son Solomon Bruner, who lives in 
Toledo township. A history of it will be 
found in that connection. 



CHAPTER XXX- 



INDIAN VILLAGE TOWNSHIP. 



This is in the western tier of townships 
comprising Congressional township 83, 
range 16, west of the fifth principal merid- 
ian. It derived its name from the large 
number of Indians living in the vicinity, 
at, and before its organization. It is 
among the wealthiest townships of the 
county. The Iowa river enters on section 
G and flowing toward the southwest 
traverses sections 1, 8, 9, a part of 16 and 
15, then 22, the southwest corner of 23, 
then 26, and makes exit on 25. Raven 



creek, having source in the south in Mar- 
shall county, flows toward the northeast, 
making confluence with the Iowa river on 
section 25. Sugar creek enters from t o 
north on section 5, and empties into the 
river on section 9. Indian creek flows into 
the river at Montour; so the township is 
abundantly watered. Along these streams 
is found a bountiful supply of timber, 
although it has been diminished consider- 
ably since settlement began. However, in 
I localities where the land has not been put 




^^0./ .^/< /c^^^i!^^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



791 



under cultivation aft' r clearing, a young 
growth springs up, matures rapidly and in 
a few years assumes proportions suitable for 
the many uses for which it is designed. 
The bluffs along the stream, through this 
township, contain an abundance of build- 
ing stone of excellent (piality, which is 
quarried to a considerable extent, and 
used for various purposes ; it is ca'led in 
market "Iowa Marble." The soil here is 
of the productive kind, consisting mainly, 
on the prairies, of a dark sandy loam, and 
on the timber lands, a clay mixed with de- 
cayed vegetable matter. The surface lies 
rolling, and in some places may be called 
hilly. Two railroads pass thj-ough this 
township, the Chicago & Northwestern 
and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. 
The former traversing the township from 
east to west, about the centre ; the latter 
the southern part. There are three towns, 
Montour, Le Grand Station, Indiantown or 
Butlerville, within its boundaries, which 
receive due attention elsewhere. 

It will be seen, th( refore, that this town- 
ship has many advantages ; and, having 
within its borders an enterprising class of 
citizens, her continued prosperity seems 
assured. " 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

Many interesting facts cluster around 
the first and early settlement of this town- 
ship, which will vividly be brought to mind 
by the mere mention of those pioneer days. 
The difficulties attending the first settle- 
ment of this country cannot be realized, 
or the hardships and privations undergone 
estimated, by any comparison with the new 
settlement in the west of to-day. Now, 
lines of railroads traverse the lands, 
markets for agricultural products are at 



hand for the settler, buyers of grain and 
stock appear upon the scene, and ready 
money is alway at hand for any and every- 
thing for which a demand exists, and the 
so-called " pioneers " of the west to-day 
have comparatively an easy time. Pene- 
trating the forests and wilds of this 
country thirty years ago, making the tire- 
some journey with ox teams, settling re- 
mote from railroad or trading point, with- 
out society and with but little shelter, 
means almost hermitage, and all honor is 
due those brave men and women who so 
nobly, in years gone by, endured these 
things, and set in motion a series of events 
which have developed so rich and goodly 
a land ; until Indian Village township 
stands forth to-day in all its beauty and de- 
velopment, with desirable homes and 
happy surroundings, well tilled farms and 
comfortable houses. 

The first settler to cast his lot within 
the borders of this township, was Isaac 
Asher, who was born in Tennessee, in 1795. 
He left his native State and removed to 
Selby county, Indiana, where, in 182-3, he 
married Miss Martha Greer, a native of 
South Carolina, born in 1806. In 1845, 
with his wife and family of nine children, 
he started for the western frontier, and on 
the last day of that year crossed the 
Mississippi river at Burlington. Here he 
remained about eighteen months, then 
again pushed westward, until he halted in 
Marshall county. Here, on the 13th of 
June, 1848, Elkanah Asher was born, the 
first white child born in that county. In 
November, 1849, Mr. Asher with his wife 
and six children left Marshall county and 
located on section 6, township 8-3 north, 
range 16 west, in what is now Indian Vil- 



62 



'ii 



792 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



lage township, and was thus one of the 
first settlers to permanently locate in 
Tama county. December 25, 1854, Mr. 
Asher moved to the west half of the 
southwest quarter of the southeast quar- 
ter of section 8, Indian Village township, 
where he remained until his death, which 
occurred in 1860. His widow yet lives on 
the old homestead. 

Mr. Asher was attracted to Indian Vil- 
lage township by its wonderful beauty. 
This was, at that time, the hunting ground 
of the Indian, and nothing had heretofore 
occurred to interfere with his pursuit of 
game. The virgin soil was still undis- 
turbed by the plow, and the wild Indian 
was naturally opposed to the advent of 
the white man, and at first they demanded 
that the Asher family return and not take 
possession of any claim in this vicinty, 
but after a time they were permitted to 
settle. This was the only settlement in 
the township until 1851, when Eli "W. 
Dailey, Anthony Bricker and John Dailey, 
with their families, settled on the west 
side of the river. 

In the fall of this same year, William 
Taylor and Newell Blodgett came and 
settled near Indiantown. 

In 1852, the settlement was increased by 
the addition of four families, Isaac Butler, 
.r. H. Voorhies, Wm. Martin and Wash- 
ington Abbott. 

The latter settled on section 20. Here 
he lived on a farm until his death, which 
took place in 1866. Mr. Abbott was born 
in Ohio, and there married Miss Mary 
Cruthers. In 1842, he removed to Miami 
county, Indiana, and from thence to Iowa, 
in 1844, settling in Tama county, in 1852. 
While living in Indiana, he had an attack 



of fever, which settled in one of his 
limbs and caused him to be a cripple for 
life. His wife died in 1880. They had 
seven children, four of whom are now 
living — .Tohn, Rachel, Benjamin and Solo- 
mon. 

John Abbott, son of Washington and 
Mary Abbott, was born in Licking county, 
Ohio, in 18.35. He came to this county 
with his parents in 1852, and in 1861, was 
married to Miss Jane Warner, daughter 
of John and Christina Warner. Out of a 
family of nine children there are but six 
living— George W., Allan C, Ellen M., 
Maggie M., Esther M. and Ida W. Mr. 
Abbott no^ owns 214 acres of land. 

In June, 185.3, came five families, con- 
sisting of twenty-eight persons: Allen 
Dingee, with his wife and six children; 
James Cronk, wife and si.x children; Wil- 
liam Cronk and wife; Wilson Voorhies, 
wife and four children; and RoUert Voor- 
hies, wife and two children. They had 
just completed their journey from Mor. 
row county, Ohio, having made it with 
seven two-horse teams and occupied thir- 
ty-two days. The party first halted at the 
residence of Hampton Voorhies, a rude 
building 14x16 feet. There Allen Dingee 
and family, Wilson Voorhies and familj-, 
and Robert Voorhies and family stopped 
for about two months, and as Hampton 
Voorhies family numbered six, it made 
twenty-two persons living in a house 
16x14 feet. This would seem at this day 
an impossibility, when two families can 
hardly live in a good two-story building, 
but this band of pioneers lived thus har- 
moniously, and soon each had a cabin of 
liis own. These very circumstances and 
necessities seemed to unite' them more 



"^i^i^" 



3 J- , 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



793 



closel}' together. They all located in the 
same neighborhood and all who had 
reached maturity had imited with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Thus they 
lived in peace and rejoiced in each other's 
prosperity. Their nearest trading point 
and grist mill was at Iowa City, a distance 
of seventy-one miles. Their postoflice and 
black-smith shop was Marengo, forty-two 
miles distant. At the present time one 
would hardly think any progress could be 
made under such circumstances, yet the 
rich fields and cultivated farms which 
now surround this ])eople are the result of 
such toil and privation. 

J. G. Cronk came in 18.53, and in 1860, 
settled on a part of his present farm. Mr. 
Cronk has been the architect of his own 
fortune and his present prosperity shows 
.him to be a successful worker and man- 
ager. He was born in Binghamton, 
Brome county. New York, December 22, 
18-33, his parents being .John and Sarah 
(Lane) Cronk. He was left fatherless 
whien only seven years of age and one 
year later bade his mother good-bye, and 
with his uncle, Samuel Cronk, emigrated 
to Ohio, where he tilled the soil until 
1856. During this time, about 1 853, he 
made a shoi't visit to his native town to 
visit his mother. In 1856, he came to 
Iowa, and being unable to start in busi- 
ness for himself he entered the employ of 
Myron Blodgett, who owned the farm 
which has since given site for the village 
of Montour. But Mr. Cronk was not the 
man to remain in the employ ol others. 
He desired to strike out for himself. He 
therefore, in 1860, married Miss Susan 
Butler, daughter of Isaac, and at once en- 
gaged in farming. He now owns 800 



acres of choice land and is extensively en- 
gaged in stock-farming. From 1878 to 
1882, he dealt in grain and live stock, 
being a member of the firm of Butler & 
Cronk. His mother now resides at Syca- 
more, Illinois, and as he frequently goes 
to Chicago with live stock, his visits with 
her are more frequent than in former years. 
Mr. Cronk is a man who attends strictly 
to business and therefore makes life a 
success. He is a member of Polar Star 
Lodge, A. F. and A. M., at Montour, the 
Chapter at Tama City and Commandery 
No. 14, at Belle Plaine. In politics he is 
a Republican. He hus four children: Del- 
la, now the wife of W. H. Black, Edward, 
Wilber and Nelson. 

Allen Dlngee settled on section 19, In- 
dian Village township, in 1853, as stated. 
Mr. Dingee was born in Westchester 
county. New York, September 19, 1806. 
His father, Stephen Dingee, was also born 
in that State. His mother, Betsy (Mar- 
vin) Dingee, was a native of Connecticut. 
Allen Dingee was reared on a farm, and 
on the 9th of December, 1829, married 
Miss Elizabeth Penny, a native of Putnam 
county. New York, born February 14, 
1808. In 1841, they emigrated to Ohio 
and settled in what is now Morrow 
county. In 1853, Mr. Dingee concluded 
to go farther west and he therefore joined 
the party spoken of in another place and 
came to Iowa, and soon located on the 
northwest quarter of section 19, Indian 
Village township, where he still resides. 
Mr. and Mrs. Dingee have had seven chil- 
dren, one of whom died in infancy. Two 
died after marriage, one being the wife of 
Martin ^\a,le and one the wife of C. J. 
Stevens. The four children living are 



•^ 



794 



HISTOKV OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Chelista, now Mrs. George Voorhies, Al- 
fred, Emma, now Mrs. A. C. Baxter, and 
Ettie, now Mrs. T. P.Smith. Mr. Dingee 
is Rei)ubliean in politics and has Ijeen a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Cluirch since 1824. He is ever ready to 
show his hospitality to all persons and es- 
pecially to ministers of the Gospel, of 
whom he has entertained over eighty since 
liis residence in the county. Of those, 
tifty-sixwere regular Methodist Episcopal 
pastors, ten presiding elders and the others 
were local preachers of the Methodist 
Episcopal, Congregational, United Breth- 
ren and IjUtheran denominations. 

During the next year, 1854, emigration 
increased steadily. Every new face was 
welcomed with hearty good-will. Willing 
hands from far and near assisted in erect- 
ing the log cabins. The fortunate pos- 
sessor of an extra bag of meal divided 
among his neighbors, and that true, genu- 
ine feeling of generosity prevailed. Envy 
and strife, hatred and jealousy, so preva- 
lent during these later days, were un- 
known to them, which fact enabled them 
to endure the hardships of that day more 
easily. Bound together by one true sym- 
l)athetic chord, they traveled on the jour- 
ney of life, and those who have not gone 
hence are now in the enjoyment of a com- 
petence, surrounded by the beautiful 
country their own hands have wrought 
out. 

Prominent among the settlers of 1854, 
were James Magee and his two sons, Rob- 
ert and James L., T. D. H. Wilcoxon and 
.lames M. Bradley. 

James Magee settled on section 26, and 
lived there until his death. Mr. Magee 
was a native of Ireland, and came with 



his parents to the United States in 1819, 
at which time he was twelve years of age. 
The family settled in Washington county, 
Pennsylvania, and here Mr. Magee was 
united in marriage with Miss Nancy 
Leech, a native of that State. James sub- 
sequently came to Ohio, and in 1853, 
came still farther west, to Iowa, and lo- 
cated land on section 26, Indian Village 
township, then returned to Ohio, and in 
November, 1854, he removed his family to 
their new home, where he remained until 
his death, which took place in 1858. His 
wife still lives on the old homestead. Mr. 
Magee left a family of four children: 
Elizabeth, now the wife of Isaac Arment, 
Robert, James L. and Mary, now Mrs. 
Charles E. Alden. 

Robert Magee, son of James and Nancy 
Magee, was born in Ohio, January 6, 1835. 
He came with his parents to Tama county 
in 1854, and has since devoted his time to 
farming. His marriage with MissManora 
Chase, daughter of Stephen Chase, took 
place on the 4th of April, 1867, and they 
now have four children: Lottie, Aiina, 
Jennie and Katie. Mr. Magee is, and has 
always been, a Democrat. 

Stephen Chase, his father-in-law, is a 
native of New York, was born January 
14, 1818. He went to Illinois at an early 
day, and when but a young man, com- 
menced trading with the Indians of Iowa. 
In 1853, he settled in Tama county, and 
resided here until 1870, when he removed 
to Pottawattamie county, where he now 
lives. His wife was Miss Olive Conner. 
They have had nine children, only one of 
whom is now living: Mrs. Robert Magee, 
now a resident of this county. 



-n^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ihL. 



James L. Magee was born in Ohio, Jan- 
uary 7, 1837. He came with his parents 
to Tania county, in November, 1854, and 
has since made farming his business. He 
now has about 500 acres of land, and is 
engaged quite extensively in stock 
raising. Politically, he is a Democrat, but 
takes no more interest in politics than mere- 
ly to attend the elections and cast his ballot. 
In 1873, he married Miss Sarah Gibbon, 
then of Tama county, but a native of 
Ohio, and they now have four children, 
three sons and one daughter. 

Another of the early pioneers who has 
figured conspicuously in the history of this 
county is T. D. H. Wilcoxon. He made 
his first visit to Tama county in the spring 
of 1854, at which time he entered a large 
tract of land, and then returned to Illinois 
to get his family. In the month of June, 
of said year, he came back to Iowa and set- 
tled at Indiantown. Here he commenced 
l)uriiing lime taken from a quarry which 
he had opened. He soon built the first 
patent lime kiln in Indiantown, continu- 
ing in this business for several years. 
During this time he also carried on a gen- 
eral store. Of late years he has directed 
his attention mostly to his stone quarries, 
of which mention is made in another part 
of this work. Mr. Wilcoxon was born in 
Portsmouth, Ohio, June 26, 1826. His 
father, George D. H. Wilcoxon, was a na- 
tive of South Corolina, and his mother, 
Anna ( Hopkinson ) Wilcoxon, of Virginia. 
In 1835, the family emigrated to Ogle 
county, Illinois. Here the subject of this 
sketch followed farming until he came to 
Iowa, in 1854. On the 22d of February, 
1852, Mr. Wilcoxon was married to Miss 
Betsy A. Torry, then of Buffalo Grove, 



Illinois, but a native of Erie county, Penn- 
sylvania. She died October 11, 1872, 
leaving six children: Herbert, Alice M., 
Lillie D., Charles D., Carrie B. and Eddie 
G. Mr. Wilcoxon is a courteous and 
genial gentleman, and has many friends. 
He is a Republican in politics and has 
held several local offices. He was a char- 
ter member of Polar Star Lodge, A. F. 
and A. M. 

James M. Bradley came to the county 
in June, 1854, and after paying the neces- 
sary fee for entering the southeast quar- 
ter of section 32, Indian Village township, 
he found his cash reduced to $12. He 
soon erected a log cabin, which, although 
a rude structure, was highly prised by 
his wife because it was nearly all built by 
himself. As soon as they became nicely 
situated in their cabin, Mr. Bradley com- 
menced making improvements about his 
new home, and in a few years his home 
and farm presented quite a different ap- 
pearance. In 1868, he sold his farm and 
removed to another; but nine years sub- 
sequently he was obliged to take back his 
first farm. He then erected a new resi- 
dence and made various other improve- 
ments and continued to till the soil until 
1883, when, as he found himself advanc- 
ing into old age, he sold out and is now 
living a retired life. Mr. Bradley was 
born in New Haven county, Connecticut, 
November 30, 1813. He emigrated to 
Illinois in 1838, and there in 1852 married 
Miss Lucy Helm, sister of Phineas Helm. 
She died in 1856. In June 1860, he mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth Humphrey, and by 
this union five children have been born, 
four of whom are now living: James M., 
Chester A., Walter A. and Bessie Belle. 



4^ — «^ 



796 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Mr. Bradley was one of the founders of 
the Congregational Church at Butlerville 
and is now a member at Montour. He has 
never associated himself with any other 
society. Politically he is a Republican 
and has held various local offices. He is 
honest and upright in all his transactions 
with his fellow men, and is accordingly 
highly respected. 

Josiah Paxson came to this county in 
April, 1866, and settled on section I'.l, 
Indian Village township, where he now 
resides. He is a native of Columbianna 
county, Ohio, born April .30, 1837. His 
father, Joseph Paxson, was born on the 
loth of August, 1804, and is a native of 
Loudoun county, Virginia. He received 
but few months schooling; but he was a 
man of strong will, and while pursuing 
his trade, as blacksmith, he was often 
found reading the Bible. Thus by con- 
stant application, he soon became well 
acquainted with the Holy Scriptures. He 
was ordained a minister in the United 
Brethren Church, and served in that ca- 
pacity for fifty-five years, when he was su- 
perannuated. He now resides in Columbi- 
anna county, Ohio. His wife died in Feb- 
ruary, 1878, leaving five children; Jessie, 
Hannah, John N., Josiah and Mary Jane. 
Josiah Paxson was reared on a farm, re- 
ceived a good common school education, 
and for some time was engaged in teach- 
ing. March 12, 1864, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Rebecca Hayes, daughter 
of William Hayes, one of the early pio- 
neers of Marsliall county. She was left 
motherless when only five years of age 
aiul was reared by her aunt, Sarah Heald, 
who also came to Iowa with Mr. Paxson 
and is now a member of the familv. Mr. 



Paxson is an earnest Christian, having 
been a member of the M. E. Church, and 
an active worker in the Sabbath school for 
over fifteen years. He is a Republican in 
politics and is in hearty sympathy with 
the cause of temperance. He has six chil- 
dren: William, John, Addison, Sadie, Fred 
and Charles. 

L. J. Dixon came to Fndian Village 
township and located in Montour in 1879. 
Mr. Dixon is a native of Ohio, and was 
born in Delaware county, on the 17th of 
April, 1835. His father, Archibald Dixon 
was born in Vermont, and his mother, 
Lois (Ingham) Dixon, in Utica, New- 
York. L. J., when twelve years of age, 
removed with his parents to DeKalb 
county, Illinois, where he helped till the 
soil until twenty years old. The family 
then moved to Iowa and settled in Black 
Hawk county, where the parents both 
died, in November, 1873. In 1854, Mr. 
Dixon was married to Miss Malinda Win- 
sett, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary 
Winsett, and pursued farming in said coun- 
ty until 1879, since whioh date he has 
been a resident of Montour. They had 
four children; Alice, Olive, George L., 
and Lettie. 

ORGANIC. 

This township was first organized in 
1852, comprising what is now Highland, 
Indian Village, Carlton, Spring Creek 
and Lincoln, or a strip of six miles by 
thirty, on the west side of the county. 
The first election was held at the house of 
E. W. Dailey, on the first Monday in Au- 
gust, 1852, at which time, William Tay- 
lor, E. W. Dailey and \j. Appelgate were 
elected Trustees. Other changes of bound- 
ary lines have been made, which may be 



Al 



•k. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



797 



found in the chapter on County Govern- 
ment, until it assumed its present liound- 
aries in 1855, and the following officers 
were elected: J. H. Voorhies and William 
Taylor, Trustees; Allen Dingee, Clerk. 
The following are the officers for I88ii : 

A. B. Toplin, A. B. Gage and J. M. Mills, 
Trustees; C. A. Stevens, Clerk; G. W. 
Paxton, Assessor. 1883— A. B. Gage, A. 

B. Toplin and J. M. Mills, Trustees; R. E. 
Everett, Clerk ; George W. Paxton, As- 
sessor. 

HISTORICAL ITEMS. 

The first marriage of residents of this 
township was that of Miss Anna Asher, 
daughter of Isaac Asher, to Samuel Da- 
vidson, of Marshall county. The cere- 
mony was performed by Esq. Furguson, 
and took place at the home of Mr. David- 
son, on the 18th of July, 1850. 

The first death was that of Maria 
Blodgett, in 1853. The first birth was 
Mary M. Blodgett, March 4, 1853. 

The first marriage in the township was 
that of Myron Blodgett and Sarah Cronk. 
The ceremony was performed by Judge J. 

C. Vermilya on the 14th of August, 1853. 
They now reside in Dakota. 

The first school was taught by Chauncy 
J. Stevens during the spring of 1856, in a 
small building erected for that purpose in 
Indiantown He taught a term of three 
months at a salary of $35 per month. 
There were about sixty pupils enrolled 
during the term. The following residents 
of the county were numbered among the 
pupils: Mrs. J. G. Cronk, Mrs. J. D. 
Haywood, Mrs. T. P. Smith and E. B- 
Asher. 



The first sawmill in the township was 
erected at Indiantown, in 1855. It was 
propelled by steam power and was owned 
by Jonas Dunham and Joseph Jack, but 
was first operated by P. M. Fisk and 
Woodhull Helm. It was subsequently 
run by various parties and finally sold to 
George Knox and A. C. Tenny, when it 
was moved across the river to section 9, 
where it still remains. 

The first religious service held in the 
township and probably in the county was 
in 1852, when Rev. Solomon Dunton, of 
Iowa City, established a Methodist Epis- 
copal Mission at the house of Washington 
Abbott. 

The first orchard in Tama county was 
setout at Indiantown in the spring of 1852, 
by Wm. Taylor. It contained about sixty 
apple, some cherry and other fruit trees. 
The trees lived to bear fruit, but as they 
were neglected they have since died. 

Mr. Taylor is a native of Ohio. He 
emigrated with his parents to Illinois,where 
he married Miss Betsy Chase, then came 
to Iowa, and in May, 1851, became one of 
the pioneers of Indiantown. Here he 
purchased some land and engaged in farm- 
ing. When Indiantown became in need 
of a hotel, he formed a partnership with 
E. B. Coffin, and erected a large building, 
but the cost was so great that he became 
financially embarrassed, and has never 
regained his footing. His wife died in 
the fall of 1880. She reared a family of 
fourteen children, nine of whom are now 
living. Mr. Taylor still resides at Indian- 
town, but usually spends the winter sea- 
son on the frontier in hunting and trap- 
ping, which sjjort he has always admired. 



-f 



,/ i* — i^ 



-— ^l^^ 



798 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



EDUCATIONAL. 

As elsewhere stated, the first school in 
the townsliij) was held during the spring 
of 18.')6, in ludiantown, the teacher being 
Cliaiincy J. Stevens. Educational facili- 
ties have kept pace with the settlement 
and improvement here, and there are now 
seven sub-districts in the township, and 
Montour independent district, with eight 
school houses, all in good repair. 

CEMETERIES. 

The first cemetery platted out in the 
township was on section 17, adjacent to 
Indiantown, and is still being used for 
burial purposes. Some years later there 
were bodies interred on section 8, some of 
which still remain, and some have been 
removed to other places. 

The Montour cemetery is located on 
section 27. It is nicely situated, and is 
kept in good shape. 

INDIANTOWN, OR BUTLERVILLE. 

Wm. Taylor located on the south half 
of the northeast (juarter of section 17, in 
what is now Indian Village township, in 
1851. He sold, in 1853, to Isaac Butler, 
who at once laid out a portion of the 
land into town lots and called it Butler- 
ville. Eli W. Dailey joined him on the 
north, and he also laid out some lots and 
called his addition Indiantown. N. J. 
Blodgett subsequently added an addition 
to Butlerville which was called Pleasant 
Hill. The village of Indiantown was 
well located, having good water power 
and the finest stone quarries in the State. 
However, it made but a slow growth, and 
after the completion of the Northwestern 
railroad, the business was removed to Mon- 
tour. At present, a postoftice, a small store, 
a blacksmith shop and several dwelings, 



mark the spot where the pioneers of that 
section once expected to see a flourishing 
town. 

In the spring of 1854, the people suc- 
ceeded in having a postoftice established 
here, under the name of Indiantown, 
and Isaac Butler was appointed first postr 
master. lie was succeeded by John 
Moore, and in July, 1856, the name of the 
oflice was changed to Butlerville. Mr. 
Moore served as postmaster until his death, 
in 1859, when E. Ruggles was appointed. 
He was succeeded by Hampton Voorhies, 
and since then Geo. H. Gamon, David 
Doty, C. D. Torrey, G. W. De Long and 
others, have filled the oflice. Mail is now 
received daily from Montour. 

Gibson W. DeLong, the present post- 
master of Butlerville, was born in Otsego 
county. New York, May 1 843, his parents 
being A. C. and Mary (Wilson) DeLong. 
He received a common school education, 
and in the fall of 1862 enlisted in Com- 
pany F, 121st New York Volunteer In- 
fantry, and served until 1863, when he was 
discharged on account of physical disa- 
bility. He subsequently re-enlisted in 
Company D, 3d New York Cavalry, and 
served until the close of the war. After 
being mustered out of service he clerked 
in a wholesale house in New York city 
for one year, and in 1867, came to Iowa, 
and settled where he now resides. He 
now owns over 200 acres of land, has a 
dairy of thirty cows, and manufactures a 
large quantity of creamery butter. Mr. 
DeLong is a Republican in politics, has 
held several local offices, and since 1877, 
has been postmaster at Butlerville. He 
was married February 24th, 1867, to Miss 
Mary F. Hendry, a native of Delaware 



7}. 



J,^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



county, New York, and they now have 
five children : — Arthur, Kittie, Charley, 
Mary and Eliza. 

The first hotel was erected by Phineas 
Helm, in 1854. He furnished food for 
the hungry and rest for the weary, for a 
short time, when the hotel changed hands. 
The building was used for hotel purposes 
for some time afterward. 

The second hotel was erected by Wil- 
liam Taylor and Ebenezer Coffin, in the 
fall of 1856, and was a building of good 
dimensions and design. It was subse- 
ijtiently removed to Montour, whei'e it 
was known as the American House 
and used for hotel purposes until destroyed 
by fire, in 1870. 

The first physician of Butlerville, was 
E. N. Whipple, who located there in the 
fall of 1855, and practiced in that vicinity 
until about 1860. Dr. Crenshaw, a young 
man, was located here in 1857 and 1858. 
In 1859, Dr. J. H. Stevens came to this 
place and prescribed for the sick until 
1862, when he entered the United States 
service. About the same time Dr. Cren- 
shaw came and also Dr. Shugart, who 
practiced for some time, but is now in 
California. 

Dr. John Doe, also practiced medicine 
and was engaged in mercantile pursuits 
for a number of years. He is now living 
in Texas. 

In the fall of 1856, Dr. E. N. Whipple 
and B. W. Fellows formed a partnership 
and opened a drug store in Indiantown. 
Mr. Fellows withdrew from the business 
in about 1859, and Dr. Whipple soon after- 
ward sold to J. II. Stevens. 



The first blacksmith to locate at Indian- 
town was William Eby, who opened a 
shop in 1854 or 1855. 

In 1855, .P. M. Fisk and Woodhull 
Helm erected a saw-mill, then associated 
Charles Gray as partner, and operated the 
mill under the firm name of Fisk, Helm 
& Gray. In 1856, this firm added flouring 
mill machinery, and continued under that 
firm name until about 1860, when Mr. 
Gray became sole proprietor. Mr. Gray 
soon sold the machinery of the saw-mill 
to parties in Belle Plaine, but the flouring 
mill is still owned and operated by him. 
The mill is located on the southwest quar- 
ter of section 9, on the south bank of the 
Iowa river, which stream, at this point, 
furnishes a six foot head of water. The 
building is two stories and a half in height, 
and 25 x 50 feet in size. It is equiped 
with three run of stone. 

Charles Gray, the proprietor, is a native 
of Greenfield, Hillsborough county, New 
Hampshire. He was the second of six 
children of Charles and Esther. (Wilson) 
Gray. Charles Gray was born on the 5th 
of September, 1823, and resided in his 
native State until 1842, when he emigrated 
to Illinois. Seven years later he went to 
California by the over-land route and is 
therefore one of the few surviving "forty- 
niners, " who, in that year, started for the 
land of gold. His health, however, did 
not permit him to follow raining, and in 
1852, he shipped as second mate on board 
a vessel bound for the Sandwich Islands. 
There, with others, he purchased a cargo 
of poultry, hogs, etc., which they disposed 
of at San Francisco. Subsequently he 
was engaged in the manufacture of lum- 
ber in different localities. He afterwards 



^: 



HISTORY OF TAMA COITNTY. 



became associated with WoodhuU Helm 
and P. M. Fisk, in the same business, but 
lie soon became sole owner and proprietor 
of the mill. In March, 1855, Miss Eliza- 
beth Sawyer, a native of Vermont, in com- 
pliance with Mr. Gray's request, left Provi- 
dence, Rhode Island, to meet him in San 
Francisco, where she became his wife. 
In 1856, Mr. Gray came to Iowa and set- 
tled at Indiantown. where he again became 
a partner of P. M. Fisk and Woodhull 
Helm, these gentlemen having located 
there in 1855, and engaged in the milling 
business. In 1860, however, he again 
purchased the interest of his partners and 
has since been sole proprietor of the 
Indiantown mills. Mr. Gray is highly 
respected by his fellow men as an honor- 
able gentleman. He is a Republican in 
politici?, but does not aspire to office. He 
was a charter member of Polar Star 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; a member of the 
Chapter of Marshalltown ;a charter mem- 
ber of the Commandary at Marshalltown, 
but now belongs to Commandary No. 14, 
at l>elle Plaine. 

One of the first secret societies organ- 
ized in the county was a lodge of the I. O. 
O. F. at Indiantown. It continued but a 
short time and all records have been lost. 

Polar Star Lodge No. 113 A. F. and A. 
M. was organized by dispensation at In- 
diantown, October 9,1857, with W. C. 
Salsbury, W. M. ; Charles Gray, S. W. ; 
Samuel Cronk, J. W. The first person in. 
itiated into the order by this lodge was 
Edward Ruggles. A charter was granted 
the lodge on the 11th of September, ^858, 
with the following named charter mem- 
bers; W. C. Salsbury, W. M. ; Charles 
(iray, .Tr., S. W. ; Samuel Cronk, J. W. ; 



Edward Ruggles, Secretary ; T. J. Sumner, 
Treasurer ; J. B. Moffatt, S. D. ; Chauncy 
Stevens, J. D. ; T. D. H. Wilcoxon, Tyler. 
The lodge was named by W. C. Salsbury- 
It was the first Masonic Lodge organized 
in the county. 

In the spring of 1873 the lodge was re- 
moved from Indiantown to Montour, then 
called Orford, and is now in good 
healthy condition. The total enrollment 
since organization has been about 100. 
The present membership is fifty-five. 
Meetings are held on Friday evenings on 
or before full moon. 

W. C. Salsbury, the first master of the 
lodge was born in Erie county, Pennsyl- 
vania, on the 22d of September, 1809. 
His father, Nathan Salsbury, was a na- 
tive of the State of Vermont, and his 
mother, Levira (Clark) Salsbury, of Sara- 
toga county, New York. He was reared 
on a farm and on the 25th of December, 
1834, was united in marriage with Miss 
Balara Wifder, a native of Henrietta, New 
York. In 1835, he emigrated to Ohio, and 
two years later to Illinois. Here he tilled 
the soil, aided in the organization of Ogle 
county, and soon became one of the lead- 
ing citizens. He was elected Justice of the 
Peace and served in that capacity for four- 
teen years ; he also served as County 
Judge for four years, in which ofMce he 
proved worthy the trust and suffrages of 
the people. In 1855, he emigrated into 
the State of Iowa, and located in Iowa 
City. Here he became associated with 
other parties, and, as Salsbury, Daniel & 
Co., erected the first warehouse at that 
place and was doing good business in 
grain, lumber,&c. In 1856, however, the 
cholera was quite prevalent at that place> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



803 



and a daughter of Mr. Salsbiiry became 
one of the victims. Mrs. Salsbury, there- 
fore, became discontented and urged her 
husband to locate elsewhere. He then sold 
out and came to Tama county and settled 
on section 18, in Indian Village 
township, where he still resides. Here he 
has likewise taken an active interest in the 
welfare of his county. He attended the 
first railroad convention held in Toledo, 
and although but little was accomplished 
at this time, it was the beginning of an 
important movement. He was subsequent- 
ly one of the Ajiprizers of the Cedar 
Rapids and Missouri River Railroad 
Company, and also one of the Directors. 
In 1857, he received the nomination for 
County Judge but declined to run. He 
has given his principal attention to farm- 
ing and has been very successful. His 
wife died November 5, 1864. She had 
eight children, five of whom are living — 
William B., Balara A., now Mrs. J. P. 
Fisher, Nathan, Martha, now Mrs. Charles 
Flannigan, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
and John. Mr. Salsbury cast hi.s first bal- 
lot for Andrew Jackson, and has since vo- 
ted the Democratic ticket at every Presi- 
dential election, with the exception of 
1872, when Horace Greeley was the can- 
didate. In local politics, however, he al- 
ways votes for whoever he considers the 
best fitted for the oftlce. He is a Royal 
Arch Mason, and was the principal worker 
in establishing the first lodge in Tama 
county, which he named the "Polar Star," 
and served as its first master. Asa citizeii, 
he is enterprising, public spirited, honest 
in his dealings and highly respected by 
all who know him. He has, in all the po- 



sitions given him by the people, shown 
himself well worthy of the confidence re- 
posed in him. 

LK6EAND STATION. 

LeGrand Station is located on the west 
half of section 18, Indian Village 
township. A side track was laid at this 
point and a town platted soon after the 
completion of the Northwestern railroad 
through the county. It was thought the 
business men of LeGrand, Marshall county, 
and Montour could be induced to move 
to this point, but in this the founders were 
not successful. There are only a few 
buildings on the site. It is the shipping 
point for LeGrand, Marshall county. 

POTTER. 

Potter is the name of a station on the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, 
on section 35. The Railroad Com- 
pany put in a side track at this point 
in the spring of 1882, and on May 1, com. 
menced receiving and delivering freight to 
this point. The principal shipments are 
of grain and livestock. L. R. Putnam is 
station agent. 

A postofiice was established here July 1, 
1382, with Mrs. Kate Putnam as postmis- 
tress. 

TOWN OF MONTOITE. 

This is among the most thrifty and best 
business towns in Tama county. It is 
beautifully located just south of the Iowa 
river, on the Chicago & Northwestern 
railroad, in Indian Village town- 
ship on sections 21 and 28. It 
is surrounded by an excellent farming 
country, which is settled by a class of 
well-to-do farmers, whose trade is valuable 
and permanent. 



-f, ^y 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



In 1863, when the Chicago & Northwest- 
ern railroad — then known as the Cedar 
Rapids & Missouri River railroad — was 
pushing through the western j)art of Tama 
county, Phlneas Helm, in company with 
Miron Kellogg, laid out a few acres of land 
(Ml section 21, into lots and blocks, 
and called it "Orford." Additions were 
made to this and a town built up. For a 
nuiiiber of years it was known under the 
name of "Orford," after the well known Or- 
ford, New Hampshire, but this was finally 
given up for Montour. The scenery around 
the town is truly beautiful. The bluffs here 
are tiie true mine of wealth. Not only 
does it add charms to the region, but they 
are composed of a formation which at no 
distant day will c.iuse Montour to become 
a place of no small note. To-day it Is a 
neatly built town of 500 inhabitants, doing 
a good business, and with a class of people 
that cannot be surpassed for enterprise 
and sociability. 

Phineas Helm, one of the founders of 
-Montour, was a native of New York, a son 
of Woodhull and Lucy (Ruggles) Helm. 
riio family at an early day moved to Illi- 
nois and became pioneers in Ogle county. 
Here Phineas united in marriage with 
Miss Caroline Moffatt. He was engaged 
in various businesses until 1853, when he 
came to Iowa, and settled at Indiantown. 
At tliat place he erected a hotel and was 
engaged as its landlord for some time; 
then followed farming until 1863, when he 
tr.uled his farm for land on section 21, 
and became one of the platters of 
Montour. He subsequently opened a stone 
quarry at Indiantown, and associated with 
I). I). Richardson built the mill at that 
place for dressing stone. Phineas Helm 



is now a resident of St. Louis, where he 

is engaged in business. He is remem- 
bered as a wide-awake business man, and 
an enterprising, energetic fellow. 

DEVELOPilENT. 

The first house on the site of Montour 
was erected by K. McCullen in 1803. It 
is now occupied by L. L. Fellows. 

The first store building was erected by- 
John Doe. 

The first lumber yard was opened by C. 
J. Stevens. This line — lime, lumber and 
fuel — is now represented by T. P. Smith 
& Brother. 

The first grain buyer in Montour was 
Charles Coy, the second, Edward Riiggles. 
Grain and live stock are now handled by 
Butler & Ulack. 

The first drug store in Montour was es- 
tablished by T. C, Shelley. The present 
druggist is Dr. J. H. Stevens. 

The first physician to locate here was 
Dr. H. C. Hutson. The profession is at 
present represented by Drs. J. H. Stevens 
and A. E. Peck. 

C. H. Roberts represents the legal fra- 
ternity. 

The first hardware store was established 
by J. L. Waggenor. The firms handling 
this line at present are B. W. Fellows & 
Bro. and Peter Roff. 

John Doe kept the first dry goods store 
on the present site of Montour. The gen- 
eral merchandise line' is at present repre- 
sented by J. C. Millard, Edward Ruggles, 
D. R. Way and J. W. Waggenor. 

Among the successful merchants at 
Montour, J. C.Millard stands conspicuous. 
He came to the place in 1871, and at first 
taught school and also gave instruction in 
music. Subsequently he clerked in a store. 



-■•— H 

T 



^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



but in 1876, he came to the conclusion that 
he would engage in business for himself. 
Starting with a capital of lilOO, he pur- 
chased the stock of Frank Pierce, which 
invoiced about $600, and with this opened 
up business. He was a young man and 
met with much opposition from older mer- 
chants; but he attended strictly to his 
own business, dealt honorably with all, 
and soon became the leading merchant in 
the town. He has enlarged his store 
room and now carries a stock which in- 
voices over $5,000. He does a large cred- 
it business, as his books show nearly 
|!6,000 in accounts. His success is due to 
his energetic abilities and fair dealing 
/vith his customers. Mr. Millard was born 
in Dane county, Wisconsin, on the 31st 
of October, 1845. His parents were J. P. 
and Catherine (Collins) Millard, both na- 
tives of New York. There were nine 
children in the family, seven of whom are 
now living: Susan, now Mrs. Joseph Em- 
erson; Mary, now Mrs. John O'Connor; 
Helen, now Mrs, H. S. Swift; Loretta, now 
Mrs. Walter Park; Q. C, W. A. and O. 
P. Q. C, while living in his native State, 
attended school at Albion Academy. In 
1868, he entered Alfred University at Al- 
fred Center, New York, where he gradu- 
ated in 18V1. On July 16, 187:i, at Tama 
City, Rev. L. Catlin solemnized his mar- 
riage with Miss Lydia Swift, daughter of 
A. B. and Mary Ann (Eastman) Swift. 
They have had four children, three of 
whom are now living: Omer, Lolo Maud 
and Isaac C. Mr. Millard is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church and for 
seven years has been Superintendent of 
the Sabbath-school. In March, 1883, Mr. 
Millard purchased the store building for- 



merly owned and occupied by L. Matthews, 
and now has one of the best store-rooms 
in Tama county. 

In 1854, Edward Ruggles and John 
Moore erecte,d a building, and about Oc- 
tober 1, opened the first general mer- 
cantile business in the township. They 
conducted the same under the firm name 
of E. Ruggles & Co., until the death of 
Mr. Moore, in 1859, after which Mr. Rug- 
gles continued alone until 1865. 

The second store was opened some years 
subsequently by Isaac Butler. 

Edward Rugglesis anative of Hardwick, 
Worcester county, Massachuetts, born 
September 18, 1828. His parents, Ira and 
Susan (Hathaway) Ruggles, were also 
natives of that State. He was left father- 
less when only three years of age, but 
continued to reside in his native State un- 
til he reached his nineteenth year. He then 
went to Bangor, Maine, and engaged as 
clerk in the mercantile business. In the 
fall of 1850, he went to Ogle county, Illi- 
nois, to visit friends. In 1852, he located 
in that county, and in 1853, formed a part- 
nership with John Moore, and, as E Rug- 
gles & Co. engaged in a general raercan 
tile business at Buffalo <-irove, and con- 
tinued the same until 1825, during which 
time they opened a store at Butlerville. 
The first goods for their latter store were 
haided from Rockford, Illinois, and until 
the railroads were built in Iowa, their 
nearest shipping point was Muscatine. 
Mr. Ruggles remained in business at But- 
lerville until the town of Montour, then 
Orford, sprung into existence, where he 
was the first to engage in business. Here 
he opened a store, and for a few years 
also dealt in grain, live-stock, etc., but for 



-" & v 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the last fifteen years has given his whole 
attention to general merchandise and 
stock raising. In politics, Mr. Ruggles 
was first a Whig, but when the Republi- 
can party sprung intoexistenqe, he at once 
joined its ranks, and has since affiliated 
with it. He has held local offices, but 
jirefers to take no more part in politics 
than to perform his duty as a citizen. The 
only secret society of which he is a mem- 
ber is the Masonic Fraternity. 

On the 5th day of July, 1860, at Grin- 
nell, Iowa, he married Miss Mary R. Grin- 
nell, and they now have three daughters: 
Julia, Mary and Mattie. 

D. R. Way came to Montour in 1 860, 
and opened one of the first general stores 
in that place, and has since conducted a 
general mercantile business. He erected 
his present store in 1874. Davidson R. 
Way was born in Seneca county, Ohio, 
in 1837. He was the oldest of the eight 
children of J. B. and Sarah I. (Davidson) 
Way. In 1855, the family emigrated to 
Iowa, and after living one year in Wash- 
ington county, settled in Decatur county, 
where the mother died in 1860. The 
father died at his native home in Penn- 
sylvania, in May, 1879. D. R. Way re- 
ceived a common school education, and 
then learned the tinner's trade, which he 
followed until he came to Iowa. Here 
he commenced mercantile life, as clerk in 
a general store. In 1865, he engaged in 
business at Montezuma, Powesheik 
county, from which place he came to Mon- 
tour. In 1862, he married Miss Sarah 

A. Hall, then of Decatur county, but a 
native of Illinois. They have had two 
children, one of whom is living — Charles 

B. Mr. Way is an active worker for the 



Republican party, but never aspires to of- 
fice, as his business requires his whole at- 
tention. 

The first grocery dealer in Montour was 
B. McCullen. At the present time E. 
M. Poyneer is the leading dealer in this 
line. He is a native of Salisbury, Litch- 
field county, Connc' ticut. He was born 
on the 20th day of August, 1829, and re- 
sided in his native town until May, 185-3, 
when he removed to Michigan. In 1854, 
he commenced a mercantile life in Ogle 
county, Illinois, and continued in that 
business until 1858, when he was married 
to Miss Elizabeth Blaine, of Kent county, 
Michigan. The winter of 1858-9 he spent 
in Connecticut, then returned to Illinois, 
and in the fall of 1859, came to Tama 
county, Iowa, where he has since been en- 
gaged in farming on section 3, Highland 
township. After the death of his wife, in 
February, 1874, he discontinued farming, 
and with his two daughters, Minnie E. 
and Hattie G., moved into the village of 
Montour, where he served for some time 
in the employ of the bank. In 1876, he 
married Miss Carrie Seward nee Peck, and 
since 1879, has been engaged in the gro- 
cery business. In politics he was first a 
Democrat, and as such voted for Franklin 
Pierce ; but since 1856 he has been a Re- 
publican. 

The only restaurant in the town of 
Montour at present is owned by R. E. 
Everett, who established the same in the 
spring of 1880. R. E. Everett, son of 
John and Nancy J. (Street) Everett, was 
born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April 
17, 1858. He was left fatherless in 1861, 
but his mother subsequently married F. 
T. Smith. R. E. Everett is the youngest 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



807 



of five children, and was reared on a 
farm. He received a good common school 
education, and subsequently taught three 
terras of school in Union county, in his 
native State. In 1880, he came to Iowa 
and has since been a resident of Montour. 
He is a Republican in politics, and is at 
present serving as Town and Village 
Clerk. On the 2d of October, 1882, the 
subject of this sketch was united in the 
bonds of matrimony to Miss M. Lou Ed- 
wards, daughter of Rev. G. G. Edwards. 

The first station agent was Phineas 
Helm. 

The present dealers in agricultural im- 
plements are B. W. Fellows & Brother, 
who also carry a large stock of hardware, 
and T. P. Smith & Brother. 

Buel Winslow Fellows, agricultural im- 
plement and hardware dealer, of Montour, 
was born in Lysander, Onondaga county, 
New York, on the 28th day of August, 
1832. Both his parents were also natives 
of New York, his father, Amos Fellows, 
being born in Otsego county, February 19, 
1S04 ; his mother, Ann (Cook) Fellows, in 
Van Buren, Onondaga county, March 17, 
1S06. She died January 4, 1849. His 
father married again and removed to Wal- 
worth county, Wisconsin, where he now 
resides. The subject of this .sketch re. 
mained with his parents until he was 
twenty-one years of age, when he, in com- 
pany with a brother, engaged in running 
a saw mill for a short time. Mr. Fellows 
then sold his interest to his brother, and in 
the fall of 185.5, came to Tama county, 
settling in Indian Village, where he en- 
gaged in the drug business with Dr. E. N. 
Whipple, in 1856. After remaining in this 
business for some four years, he sold out 



to his partner and then worked at carpen- 
tering and cabinet making until the fall of 
1864, when he entered the army as a 
soldier in the 2d Iowa Infantry, Co. D. 
He was with General Sherman in the 
famous " march to the sea," and during all 
his soldier life was continuously on 
duty, not losing a day from sickness or 
otherwise, until he was discharged in 1865. 
After leaving the service, he returned to 
Tama county, and engaged in selling 
agricultural implements in Montour, Indian 
Village township. In the fall of 1882, he 
formed a co-partnership with his brother, 
Luther L. Fellows, and added a general 
stock of hardware to the business. They 
carry a heavy stock and are doing a thriv- 
ing business. Mr. Fellows was married on 
the 8th of January, 1863, to Elizabeth E. 
Dunn, of Indian Village. She was born 
in Warren county, Ohio, December 5, 1 840, 
her parents being Martin and Lydia (Hy- 
ser) Dunn. Mrs. Fellows' father died Janu- 
ary 14, 1877 ; her mother is still living on 
the same place where she and her husband 
settled when they first came to Iowa, in 
1855. Mr. and Mrs. Fellows have been 
blessed with six children : 0. Scott Fel- 
lows, born December 16, 1863, died Octo- 
ber 24, 1876 ; Lottie L., born September 
30, 1867 ; Mary E., born September 12, 
1869; Medora B., born June 30, 1871, 
died August 25, 1872 ; Edna D., born 
June 1, 1874 and Lydia May, born Octo- 
ber 13, 1876. In addition to the hardware 
business, Mr. Fellows is engaged in farm- 
ing and is also in the fire insurance busi- 
ness, being agent for the Hawkeye and 
Oscaloosa, of Iowa, the Etna, Phoenix and 
Home of New York. Mr. Fellows ha.s 
held the office of Justice of the Peace for 



^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



six years, and has proven a very efficient 
officer. Mr. Fellows is a genial, warm- 
hearted gentleman, an energetic and 
thorough business man, and has been very 
successful in his financial operations. 

William P. Kellogg, City Marshal, came 
to Tama county in 1870, and has since re- 
sided in the vicinity of Montour. Since 
1879, he has been engaged in attending to 
Montour's harness business. Mr. Kellogg 
is a native of New York, born in Catta- 
raugus county. May 5, 1846. His parents 
were Levi and Eunice (Bishop) Kellogg. 
When William was but an infant his par- 
ents moved to Polo, Illinois, and live years 
later to Peoria, same State. Here Wil- 
liam received a common school education, 
and at nineteen commenced work at the 
harness makers trade. In 1871, he was 
married to Miss Martha Babb, daughter of 
David and Elizabeth Babb. They have 
four children — Mary, Tilla, Eunice and 
Charley. Mr. Kellogg is a Republican in 
politics. In 1862, Mr. Kellogg enlisted in 
Company H, 86th Illinois Volunteers and 
served two years and eleven months. 

II. S. Swift is running the Montour 
wagon and carriage shop. 

Mrs. H. C. Burgess attends to the milli- 
nery line. 

The meat marked is being satisfactorily 
mangaed by I'enny & Avery. 

The Montour Exchange Bank was 
founded in 187ii by O. B. Button & Son. 
August 12, 187.3, they sold to Chauncy 
J. Stevens, W. H. Harrison and G. H. 
Warren, who continued the business un- 
til .January, I 875, when Chauncy S. Stevens 
became sole proprietor. In August 1875, 
he associated himself with H. J. Stephens 
and the firm became C. J. Stevens- & Co., 



continuing until January, 1883, when L. 
Matthews and George D. Young pur- 
chased the institution and are now en- 
gaged in a general banking business un- 
der the firm name of Matthews & Young. 
Lewis Matthews, senior member of the 
firm, is. a native of Green county, New 
York, born November 6, 1827. His par- 
ents, Jared and Huldah ( Hemmingway ) 
Matthews, were both natives of Connecti- 
cut. Mr. Matthews resided in his native 
State, until twenty-two years of age, then 
emigrated to Walworth county, Wiscon- 
sin, where he engaged in farming. He 
subsequently farmed at Milton, thence, in 
1856, he removed to LeRoy, Minnesota, 
where he built a flouring mill ard operated 
it until 1866. He then came to Montour, 
purchased the stock of John Niman and 
engaged in general merchandise, which he 
continued until 1883. During this time 
in 1869, his stoi-e was destroyed by fire ; 
but he at once rebuilt. In 1849 Mr. Mat- 
thews was married to Miss Elizabeth B. 
Hubbard, then of Livingston, but a na- 
tive of Green county. New York. They 
have one daughter, Ella C. now wife of 
George D. Young. 

ELEVATORS. 

As soon as the railroad company agreed 
to put in a side track, Charles Coy, of Chi- 
cago, commenced buying grain at tliis 
point. The company, however, left the 
track, when put in, but a short time, and 
Mr. Coy was obliged to transfer some of 
his grain to Le Grand, to secure shipment. 
In 1805 E. Ruggles commenced dealing 
in grain and continued in the business 
some time. In the spring of 1866, Wal- 
lace and Be"ale commenced business in 
this line, and in 1868, erected the Beale 



HISTORY OF TAMA COtTNTY. 



809. 



Elevator which is now owned by Butler 
& Black. This elevator has a capacity of 
13,000 bushels and cost about $6,000. In 
1870, H. G. Wallace erected an elevator 
with the capacity of 11,000 bushel.s and 
operated the same until 1882, when he re- 
moved to Melbourne, Marshall county. 

FOUNDRY AXD MACHINE SHOP. 

In the fall of 1878, W. A. Downs opened 
a small shop and commenced business as 
a machinist. In the month of March, 
1880, he removed to his present location 
and one month later had the misfortune 
to have his shop destroyed by fire. He, 
however, soon rebuilt and in the fall of 
the same year added a foundry and is now 
able to make any casting, repair machin- 
ery and do any work in his line As soon 
as he can get things properly arranged, he 
expects to give most of his attention to 
the manufacture of stationary and porta- 
ble engines. 

W. A. Downs, is a man who may truly 
be called a natural genius. He always 
had more love tor machinery than for 
books. When he was only fifteen years 
of age he commenced to make toy engines 
and before nineteen years of age he built 
an engine capable of running considerable 
machinery. He spent nine months in the 
machine shops of Belle Plaine but he w-as 
not given much of a chance to learn any- 
thing new and he therefore engaged in 
business for himself and has learned 
what he knows by actual experience. 
He is highly respected by all who 
know him, as a person .can not help ad- 
miring his ambition. Mr. Downs was 
born at Indiantown, Tama county, Novem- 
ber 17, 18.58. His father, Thomas L. 
Downs, was a native of New York, and 



his mother, Cordelia ( Abbott) Downs was 
also born in the Empire State. Thomas 
L. Downs came to Iowa and settled at 
Indiantown, in 1856, and subsequently 
taught school at that place. In 1864, he 
was elected County Superintendent and 
served in that capacity for four years. 
His death took place in January, 1868, 
leaving a wife who now resides at Mon- 
tour, and three children of whom the sub- 
ject of .this sketch is thfe oldest. W. A. 
Downs was married in June, 1882, to Miss 
Lavina V. Gould then of Montour, but a 
native of New York. 

The first blacksmith shop at Montour 
was opened by Allen Voils, who contin- 
ued to ply the hammer here until 1881. 
The second shop was opened by O. P. Mil- 
lard, in 1868. The present blacksmiths 
are O. P. Millard, R. B. Montgomery and 
H. Ishbell. 

O. P. Millard, who opened the second 
blacksmith shop in Montour and is the 
oldest blacksmith in the place, is a son of 
I. P. and Catherine (Collins) Millard. He 
was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, May 
11, 1848. At the age of fifteen years he en- 
listed in Company I, 23d Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry and served until the close 
of the war. He then went to Janes- 
ville, Wisconsin, where he learned the 
blacksmith trade. In 1868, he came to 
Montour and has since been a resident of 
that place. He has, however, made five 
difPerent trips to the Rocky Mountains, 
and while there worked at his trade. On 
April 4, 1868, he was married to Miss Di- 
ana Swift, daughter of A. B. and Mary 
Ann Swift. Two children have been born 
to them: Frank B. and Jessie Belle. Mr. 



r 



k. 



810 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Millard is a straight Republican and 
is a member of the Q. L. of II. and the 
O. A. S. fraternities. 

The first furniture business was estab- 
lished here, in 1866, by William Calkins, 
who still remains in the trade. Mr. Calk- 
ins came here in June, 18.56, and is there- 
fore one of the pioneers of Indian Village 
township. L. White established a furni- 
ture store here which he sold to A. B. 
Swift. 

The Orford Lime Company is an insti- 
tution which is among the most promi- 
nent features of Montour. The stone 
quarry just west of Montour was opened 
more than twenty years ago for the pur- 
pose of burning lime. A. J. Blodgett was 
the first man to engage in this business at 
this point. In 1869, T. P. Smith & Bro. 
purchased a fourth interest in the concern, 
and, in 1878, they leased the remainder. 
They now manufacture over 25,000 bar- 
rels of lime annually. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The postoffice was established here in 
1865, and was known as Orford, but as 
this name, when not plainly written, bore 
such a close resemblance to Oxford and 
various other names, mail was frequently 
delayed by being mis-sent. Thus, at the 
request of many citizens, in 1873, the name 
was changed to .VJontour. Dr. John Doe 
was the first postmaster. He was suc- 
ceeded in turn by John Niman, Luther 
Bingham and J. B. Moffatt, the present 
incumbent. The office was made a money- 
order department in July, 1875, and the 
first order was drawn on the 5th of July 
l)y Luther Bingham in favor of Ehle & 
Coyler, Marshalltown, for nine dollars. 
Durins the first six months there were 



thirty-ore orders drawn, amounting to 
$974.5.3. Durin>^ the year 1882, there 
were 414 orders issued, amounting 
to *!2,390.49 and the amount paid out 
was about $4,500. Total number of orders 
issued to January 1, 1883, is 2,746. Pres- 
ent income of office is about $500 annu- 
ally. 

John B. Moffatt, the present postmaster 
at Montour, settled at Indiantown in May, 
1856, and worked at his trade — that of a 
mason — for two years; then clerked for 
E. Ruggles two years. In 1860, he set- 
tled on a farm which he had previously 
purchased, and tilled the same until 1873. 
At that time his only surviving child was 
married, and as his wife was in poor 
health, he sold his farm and moved into 
the village of Montour, where his time was 
mostly occupied in caring for his invalid 
wife, until her death in 1881, since which 
time he has held the position of postmas- 
ter at that place. Mr. Moffatt was born 
in Delaware county. New York, March 
13, 1822. His father, David W. Moffatt, 
was a native of Orange county. New 
York, and his mother, Patty (Moore) 
Moffatt, of Connecticut. In about 1824, 
the family removed to Chemung county, 
New York, and there engaged in farming 
until 1836. They then concluded to go 
west, and started across the country 
with teams. After meeting the many ups 
and downs incident to such a trip, they 
finally reached Olean. Here they waited 
nine weeks for the river to breakup, when 
David W. Moffatt, Nathaniel Dennison 
and Robert Miller purchased a raft con- 
taining 110,000 feet of lumber and taking 
their families on board, started for Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania, where they sold the 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



811 



lumber and took passage on a steamer for 
St. Louis. David W. Mofl'att had intend- 
ed to settle near Alton, Illinois, but he 
found much of the land wet and the 
country unhealthy. Not being satisfied, 
he started out in search of a better loca- 
tion and soon chose Aurora, where he 
settled with his family and again resumed 
farming. Here J. B. helped his father till 
the soil until reaching his majority, when 
he went to Ogle county, learned his trade 
and followed the same until 1851. He 
then engaged in general merchandise busi- 
ness, and continued at this until he came 
to Iowa in 1856. Mr. MofFatt has been 
twice married. His first wife, Miss Ellen 
N. Warner, to whom he was married in 
1848, was a native of Bradford county, 
Pennsylvania. She died in May, 1881. 
Mrs. Moffatt had three children, one of 
whom is now living — Mary E., wife of E. 
J.Wilcox In October, 188-2, Mr Moffatt 
was married to Miss Cornelia White, a 
native of New York. Mr. Moffatt has 
been a Republican in politics since the or- 
ganization of that party, and previous to 
that time was an Abolitionist. He has 
held the office of Justice of the Peace, 
and in 1880. took the census of his town- 
ship. He is a charter member of Polar 
Star Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and served as 
its master for eight years. He is a mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church. 

GAUE HOUSE. 

In 1867, Nathan Bartlett purchased the 
store building owned and occupied by 
John Doe, which he rented to Jacob 
Rogers, who converted it into a hotel. In 
18'74, Mr. Bartlett enlarged the same by 
erecting what is now the main part of the 
Gage House, — three stories in height, 



30x40 feet in size. In 18'75. A. B. Gage 
purchased the property, and acted as land- 
lord until 1881, when it was leased. In 
Marc'i, 1883, H. S. Swift became proprie- 
tor, refurnished the same, and the hotel 
now has the reputation of being one of 
the best on the C. & N. W. railroad line. 
H. S. Swift came to Montour, 1869, and 
since the spring of 1870, with the excep- 
tion of two years, which he spent on 'he 
Pacific slope, has been engaged in the 
manufacture of wagons. Mr. Swift was 
born in Vermont iu 1848, his parents being 
A. U. and Mary (Eastman) Swift, both 
natives of said State, and now residents 
of Montour, Iowa. He left Vermont with 
his family, in 1856, and went to Wiscon- 
sin, from thence he came to this county, in 
1869. There were ten children in the 
family, eight of whom are now liv- 
ing — Charles, Bessie, E. C, H. S., Diana 
May, Lydia and Azro. H. S. Swift was 
married in 1871, to Miss Ella Millard, and 
they now have two children — Charles and 
Dean. Mr. and Mrs. Swift are members 
of the M. E. Church. March 1, 1883, Mr. 
Swift became proprietor of the Gage House. 
He refurnished the house, and is now pre- 
pared to feed the hungry and rest the 
weary in good style. 

William Franks represents a number of 
substantial insurance companies. He is a 
son of Charles and Mary Franks, both na- 
tives of England, was born May 12, 1840, 
and is a native of Polo, Ogle county, Illi- 
nois. He is the fifth of nine children. 
Mr. Franks spent his younger days on a 
farm, but was given good educational ad- 
vantages and received an academic educa- 
tion. He remained in his native State 
until 1800, when he came west to Iowa, 



"1^?==^ 



=i=.|^ 



k. 



812 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and first located at Indiantown. lie is at 
present engaged in the insurance business. 
Mr. Franks is a National in politics, and 
lias held the office of Justice of the Peace. 
He is a member of the V. A. S. and the 
Q. L. of H. In 1863, he married Miss 
Hannah Hart, a native of Canada, and they 
now have seven children- — Howard, John 
E., C4eorgeLee, Estelle, Clyde, Lydia May 
and Charles Robert. 

The painting trade is represented in 
Montour by A. F. Colebaugh, who is a 
son of George and Mary (Lundry) Cole- 
baugh, and was born in Illinois, December 
■2, 18.55. In about 1858, his parents re- 
moved to Ohio, but in 1860 returned to 
Illinois. Here A. F. received a common 
school education and remained until 1867, 
when the family emigrated to Iowa and set- 
tled in Marshall county. In 1870, Mr.Cole- 
baugh came to Tama county and resided 
with his grandfather, N. Lundry. He after- 
wards ♦.aught school about three years, 
since which time he has worked at paint- 
ing. March 17, 1878, he was married to 
Miss Cecelia Dixon, daughter of Rev. H. 
S.. Dixon, and they now have two children: 
Arthur and Elmer. Mr. Colebaugh is a 
Republican, and is a member of the Ma- 
sonic Fraternity. 

OBGANIC. 

In- 1869, a petition was presented to the 
Circuit Court asking that the town of Or- 
fonl be incorporated. The territory to be 
incorporated was described as commenc- 
ing at the centre of the north line of sec- 
tion 28; thence 80 rods south; thence 160 
rods east, to the east line of said section; 
thence north on the line 240 rods, to the 
section line of 21; thence west on the 
line 200 rods ; thence south to the south 






line of section 21 ; thence east to the 
place of beginning, — township 8.3, range 
16. 

The petition was signed by J. Stevens, 
R. W. Dayton, J. W. Niman, A. A. Voiles, 
H. A. Burch. B. C. Johnson, R. B. Mont- 
gomery, J. O. Harrison, S. M. Bartlett, G. 
S. Rogers, W. W. Reed, J. E. Bell, C. J. 
Stevens, W. Martin, C. S. Bartlett, A. J. 
Blodgett, E. Warner, G. A. Bell,L. White, 
H. G. Southwick, Phineas Helm, M Pur- 
cell, A. T. Wooster, C. C. Gibson, L. G. 
Beale, D. R. Way, L. Matthews, W. M. 
Patrick, Amos Rouse, R. Oldham, II. D. 
Williams, H. C. Hutson, O. P. Millard, 
Thos. Smith, A. J. Dexter, M. M. Avery, 
T. C. Shelley, A. W. Bowers, Dennis 
Beale, Jeremiah'Smith. 

The Court consequently, on the 21st of 
October, 1870, ordered that Dennis Beale, 
C. J. Stevens, J. Brice, sr., H. G Wal- 
lace and John W. Niman be appointed 
commissioners to hold an elecion upon 
the question of incorporating said terri- 
tory. 

At an annual election held March 3, 
1873, the name of the town of Orford 
was changed to Montour. 

The following is a complete roster of 
officers, as copied from the records: 

1870. — Mayor, J. W. Niman; Recorder, 
J. R. Oldham; Councilmen, H. R. Win- 
chell, J. H. Stevens, S. Ellis, and S. 
White. 

1871. — Mayor, J. W. Niman; Recorder, 
J. R. Oldham; Councilmen, J. W. Beale, 
S. Ellis, E. Toplin, J. H. Stephens and II. 
R. Winchell.' 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



•>]v>> 



1872. — Mayor, T. P. Smith; Recorder, 
.1. \V. Beale; Councilmen, J. D. Heywood, 
.1. H. Stevens, H. D. Williams, J. L. Wag- 
genor and H. R. Wincbell. 

1873. — Mayor, Truman Pierce; Re- 
corder, C. J. Stevens; Councilmen, H. R. 
Winchell, G. T. Ward, Jacob Yeager, J. 
Smith and J. W. Niman. 

1874.— Mayor, C. J. Stevens; Re- 
corder, J. L. Waggenor; Councilmen, U. 
D. Williams, S. Ellis, R. E. Tewksbury, 
G. T. Ward and P. Long. 

1875. — Mayor, W. B. Mumbrue; Re- 
corder, J. L. Waggenor; Councilmen, P. 
Long, R. E. Tewksbury, H. R. Winchell, 
Thomas and Rouse. 

1876. — Mayor, H. C. Hudson; Recorder, 
J. W. Beale; Councilmen, H. G. Wallace, 
R. M. Tenny, T. S. Winchell, T. P. Smith 
and R. E. Tewksbury. 

1877.— Mayor, H. J. Stevens; Recorder, 
J. L. Waggenor, A. B. Toplin, R. E. 
Tewksbury, Hiram Avery and H. C. Hud- 
son. 

1878. — Mayor, H. J. Stevens; Recorder, 
J. T. Moore; Councilmen, J O. Harrison, 
A B Gage, J. H. Stevens, L. F. Kellogg 
and R. M. Tenny. 

1879. — Mayor, H. J. Stevens; Recorder, 
W. C. Burgess; Councilmen, T. P. Smith, 
H. C. Burgess, R E Tewksbury, A. B 
Gage, R. M. Tenny and .T. I/. Waggoner. 

1880. — Mayor, L. Bingham; Recorder, 
J. O. Clifford; Councilmen, R. E. Tewks- 
bury, A. B. Gage, R. M. Tenny, J. L. 
Waggenor, A. B. Toplin and J H. Stev- 
ens. 

1881 — Mayor, A. W. Berryman; Re- 
corder, F. A. Hotchkin; Councilmen, J. 



H Stevens, A. B Toplin, H. G. Wallace, 
I. C. Millard, R. M. Tenny and J. L. Wag- 
genor 

1882. — Mayor, Edward Helm; Recorder, 
R. E Everett; Councilmen, A. B. Toplin, 
J. H Stevens, I. C. Millard, P H. Butler, 
H. G. Wallace and Charles Tenny. 

188.3. — Mayor, O. P. Millard; Council- 
men, A. B. Swift, J Smith, I. C. Millard, 
P. H. Butler, IL G. Wallace and Charles 
Tenny; Clerk, John Harvey. 

FIRES. 

The first time the people of Montour 
were roused by the cry of "tire," was at 
the time the store of Jesse Dailey was laid 
in ashes. The property was insured for 
$6,000. $4,000 was paid by the company 
carrying the risk, that being the esti- 
mated loss. The cause of the tire was sup- 
posed to have been incendiary. 

The second and largest fire occurred on 
the 8th of June, 1870, at which time four 
store buildings were destroyed and 
a loss of $12,000 sustained. This confla- 
gration was caused by lightning striking 
the building occupied by Jacob Wag- 
genor, grocer, and igniting a tank of oil, 
thus causing the flames to spread imme- 
diately beyond control. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first religious service held in Li- 
dian Village township, as elsewhere stated, 
was in 1852, and it wa.s probably the first 
in the county. Li that year. Rev. Solo- 
mon Dunton, of Iowa City, established a 
Methodist Episcopal Mission at the house 
of Washington Abbott, with the follow- 
ing named persons as members: E. W. 
Dailey and wife, Hampton Voorhies and 
wife, William Taylor and wife, Mrs. 



ii1« 



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'Jl 



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814 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Murtj- and a young lad)- whose name can- 
not be remembered. Washington Abbott' 
and wife were formerly members of the 
Baptist Church. E. W. Dailey served as 
first Class Leader. He was succeeded in 
1853, by Allen Dingee, who served for a 
number of years. Rev. Solomon Dunton 
had charge of the Mission until the fall of 
1853, when he was succeeded by Rev. 
Stewart. In the fall of 1854, Rev. Wil- 
liam Armstrong took charge for one year. 
Then in 1855, came Rev. Allen Shinn, 
who was in turn succeeded by Rev. Sol- 
omon Dunton, the founder of the church, 
who remained one year. In 1857, came 
Rev. Babcock; in 1858, Rev. I. Haymond; 
in 1859, Rev. James Hawkins, and in 1860, 
Rev. D. C. Wartz, who was the first reg- 
ular pastor, and remained two years. In 
18C4, Rev. I. Haymond returned; in the 
fall of 1865, Rev. C. A. Hawn took charge 
and supplied for two years. He was then 
succeeded by Rev. L. Winsett; he in 
turn, in 1868, by Rev. A. N. See; then in 
1870, came Rev. I.Holland; in 1871, Rev. 
G. M. Hall; in 1872, Rev. O. Scott; in 
1873, Rev. A. C. Rickey; in 1875, Rev. L. 
Winsett; in 1877, Rev. S. N. Howard, who 
supplied the pulpit for about eigliteen 
months, when he departed for Kansas, and 
Rev. Francis Norton tilled the vacancy. 
He was succeeded in 1879, by Rev. T. M. 
Nichols, and Nichols, in 1880, by Rev. 
Allen Brean, who died May 30, 1881. At 
that time Rev. Joseph WooUey, from Ohio, 
was at Montour on a visit, and was ap- 
jiiiinted to till the vacancy, but he also 
died before the year was ended. In the 
fall of 1881, Rev. Thomas Simmons took 
charge, and is now serving his second 
year as pastor of the society. 



In 1854, the place of worship was 
changed from Mr. Abbott's house to the 
residence of E. W. Dailey, Indian town; 
thence, in 1856, to the school house at that 
place, where it remained until the Mon- 
tour class, which was organized about 
1867, absorbed the members, and then 
Montour was chosen as the place to erect 
a church building, which was completed 
in 1873. It is a wooden structure, 32x50, 
and cost about $2,500. The society now 
numbers sixty-five members, and in con- 
nection has a good Sabbath school, which 
was organized in 1853, E.W. Dailey being 
the first Superintendent. 

The Congregational Church Society, 
was organized at Butlerville, June 10, 
1855, with the following officers and mem- 
bers: Rev. T. M. Skinner, Pastor; John 
Moore and John E. Cunningham, Deacons; 
John E. Cunningham, Clerk; James M. 
Bradley, Lucy Bradley, Oliver Cunning- 
ham, Caroline, Helen and Mrs. Abbott. 
Rev. T. M. Skinner had charge but a few 
months, when he was succeeded by Rev. 
G. H. Woodward, who supplied the pulpit 
for two years, in connection with the 
charge at Toledo. Rev. M. N. Crane was 
the next pastor. He served until his 
death, which occurred in 1 859. Rev. J. J. 
Hill then served one year. The next six 
years the pulpit was supplied by Rev. 
Robert Stewart, in connection with 
Green Mountain, Marshall county. Rev. 
Fayette Hurd then had diarge for about 
eight years, and since June, 1876, Rev. C. 
C. Adams has been its pastor. In 1866, 
the place of worship was changed from 
Butlerville to Montour, then Orford, and 
in ■ 1867, the ^society erected its present 
church edifice, a wooden structure, 35x50 



^i 



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'^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



feet valued at $3,500. The society has 
been quite prosperous and now has a mem- 
bership of sixty-six. Its total member- 
ship since organization is 112. The pres- 
ent officers of the society are: Rev. C. 
C. Adams, Pastor; James M. Bradley and 
George Blake, Deacons; R. M. Tenny, 
.John B. MoflFatt and Edward Ruggles, 
Trustees; S. A. Smith, Treasurer; and 
Rev. C. C. Adams, Clerk. The Sunday 
school was organized soon after the 
church, and now has a membership of 
about 100, with an average attendance of 
eighty. Its officers are: Mrs. J. H. Stevens, 
Superintendent; Mrs. B. M. Tenny, As- 
sistant Superintendent; and J. R. Avery, 
Secretary. 

SOCIETIES. 

A history of the Masonic Order of 
-Montour is presented in connection with 
the history of Indiantown, where the so- 
ciety was first organized. 

Montour Lodge, No. 34, I. L. of H. was 
organized on the 5th of August, 1879, 
with the following officers and charter 
members : !>. Bingham. President ; J. 
H. Stevens, Vice-President ; J. F. Moore, 
Recording Secretary ; S. Ellis, Financial 
Secretary ; IT. G. Wallace, Treasurer ; J. 
Smith, Chaplain ; H. C. Burgess, Usher ; 
G. T. Ward, Door Keeper; William 
Franks, Sentinel; A. N. Poyneer, E. M. 
Griffith and J. Stevens, Trustees ; O. P- 
Millard, C. H. Houghkirk, William Haines, 
E. M. Poyneer, J. L. Waggenor, F. A. 
Hotchkiss, B. W. Fellows, A. Rouse, 
Joseph Gass and G. W. DeLong. 

The Lodge holds its meetings on the 
first and third Wednesday evenings of 
each month, and now has a membership of 
thirty. The total membership of the order. 



January 1, 1883, was 5,141, and during 
the year of 1882, there were only eight 
assessments. Montour Lodge has lost but 
one of its members by death — Rev. A. S. 
Bean, pastor of the M. E. Church. The 
$2000 benefit was promptly paid to his 
father. The officers for 1883 are— G. T. 
Ward, President ; T. P. Smith, Vice- 
President ; Wm. Franks, Recording Sec- 
retary ; S. Ellis, Financial Secretary ; J. 
H. Stevens, Treasurer ; J. Smith, Chap- 
lain ; A. Rouse, Usher ; O. P. Millard, 
Door Keeper ; J. G. Cronk, Sentinel. 

THE V. A. S. FRATERNITY. 

This is a beneficiary order, the chief 
objects of which are to establish and extend 
a brotherhood for the promotion of frater- 
nal relations, mutual advancement socially, 
morally, and intellectually, upon a catholic 
platform on which all patriotic and good 
citizens of any sect, creed or nationality 
can substantially agree, and to afford aid 
and benefit to the widows, orphans, heirs, 
assigns or devisees of deceased members 
of the fraternity. 

On the death of each member this 
Order pays $2,000, as a benefit to the 
family of the deceased member. 

This Order was founded by the follow- 
ing named gentlemen, who met at Grin- 
nell, Iowa, September 16, 1879, and con- 
sidered the constitution, by laws, ritual 
of the secret work presented by S. W. 
Maltbie, of Montour, and adopted the 
same and elected the first chief officers, 
viz : George F. H. Stevens of Grinnell, 
Chief Rector ; J. P. Clement, Grinnell, 
Vice-Chief Rector; W. B. Mumbine, 
Montour, Chief Scribe ; J. H. Pierson, 
Grinnell, Chief Treasurer; J.T. Sherman, 
Grinnell, Chief Guard; D. S. Maltbie, Des 



IV 



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816 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Moines, Senior Deputy Chief Rector; S. 
W. Maltbie, Montour, Junior Deputy 
Chief Rector. 

The above named also organized Alpha 
Collegium No. 1, at Grinnell. Since 
that date the Order has made a 
steady and healthy growth and has aver- 
aged one hundred new members, per 
month. It is now established in one hun- 
dred and twenty-five of the principal cities 
of Iowa, and confines its work entirely to 
this State. 

Present chief officers : J. C. Root, 
Lyons, Chief Rector ; D. S. Maltbie, Des 
Moines, Deputy Chief Rector; O. H. 
Henderson, Cedar Rapids, Jr. Deputy Chief 
Rector ; S. L. Waide, Muscatine, Vice- 
Chief Rector; Wm. Toman, Independence, 
Chief Treasurer; S. W. Maltbie, Montour, 
Chief Scribe ; Rev. S. R. Iloyt, Waverly, 
Chief Chaplain ; Edwin I. Cameron, 
Davenport, Chief Usher; T. J. Palmer, 
What Cheer, Chief Guard ; J. Hensley, 
M. D., Chief Medical Examiner. 

Collegium No. 73, V. A. S. Fraternity of 
Montour, Iowa, was instituted August 11, 
1881, by D. S. Maltbie, Deputy Chief 
Rector of the V. A. D. Charter mem- 
bers : David Corbet, William Cronk, 
J. G. Cronk, William Franks, J. D. 
Ileywood, J. P. Hendricks, William 
P. Kellogg, S. \V. Maltbie, (joined by 
card from Call No. 1, Grinnell, Iowa), 
Alfred N. Poyneer, Charles A. Stevens, 
C. J. Stevens, Henry G. Wallace, J. S. 
Waggenor. 

The first officers were : S. W. Maltbie 
Rector; Alfred N. Poyneer, Vice Rector; 
William Franks, Scribe; Charles A. Ste- 
vens, Treasurer ; William P. Kellogg, 
Usher ; J. D. Heywood, Guard. 



The first members added after date of 
institution of the Collegium, were : 

Samuel A. Strain; O. H. Henderson, 
D. C. R.; Charles S. Paul, M. D., Isaac 
Smith, O. P. Millard, Henry S. Swift, 
Barnett Dippo, Daniel S. Maltbie, D. C. R., 
Wm. McBride, W. M. Shumaker. 

The present officers are: S. W. Maltbie, 
Rector; C. J. Stevens, Vice Rector; A.N. 
Poyneer, Chaplain; O. P. Millard, Scribe ; 
Charles. A. Stevens, Treasurer ; William 
Franks, Usher; Barnett Dippo, Guard. 
( C. J. Stevens, 
Curators. ■< H. G. Wallai^k, 
( J. G. Cronk. 

The Collegium has suffered no loss of 
its membership by death. In 1883, the 
membership in good standing was twenty- 
three. The Collegium has been in good 
condition owing to a careful selection of 
its membership, and has since its organi- 
zation maintained good standing with the 
Chief Collegium by prompt payment of 
all its dues and death assessments. 

S. W. Maltbie, Chief Scribe of the V. 
A. S. Fraternity, was born in Trumbull 
county, Ohio, May 19, 1840. His father, 
Daniel Maltbie, was a native of Connecti- 
cut ; his mother, Esther Gilbert, of Long 
Island, New York. S. W. attended Ober- 
lin College until 1861, when he enlisted in 
Company E, 87th Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, served four months and was mus- 
tered out of service as Orderly Sergeant. 
He returned home and at once re-enlisted 
in Company E, 4th U. S. Colored Troops, 
receiving a commission as Captain, serv- 
ing fourteen months. At the expiration 
of that time he resigned and entered Am- 
herst College, Massachusetts, from which 
institution he graduated in 1867. August 



1= 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



817 



15, 1867, Mr. Maltbie was married to Miss 
R. S. Boltwood, a native of Amherst and 
a daughter of W. Boltwood. After grad- 
uating, Mr. Maltbie served one year as 
disciplinarian at the Military Academy of 
Cheshire, Connecticut ; then one year as 
principal of the schools at Princeton, Bu- 
reau county, Illinois, • hich position he 
resigned to accept the more lucrative po- 
sition of principal of the High School and 
Superintendent of the public schools of 
Geneseo, Illinois. He held this position 
for four years, during which time he 
graded the schools and graduated two 
classes. In 1874, he took charge of the 
High School at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and 
remained in that position for two years, 
when on account of poor health he gave 
up teaching and traveled for a few years, 
during which time his family located at 
Montour, Iowa. In 1879, he assisted in 
organizing the V. A. S. Fraternity, of 
which he served as Deputy Chief Rector 
one year, and since that time has been its 
Chief Scribe. In the fall of 1880, Mr. 
Maltbie was chosen principal of the public 
schools of Montour. He graded the schools 
and after teaching two terms, resigned his 
position to attend to his duties as Chief 
Scribe of the V. A. S. Fraternity, which 
required his entire attention. Mr. and 
Mrs. Maltbie have been blessed with five 
children, three of whom are living : 
Ralph Waldo, Edith Brayton and Wil- 
dred Noble. Ralph Waldo, the eldest, 
was born July 1, 1808, and on the 13th of 
July, 1871, the class which graduated at 
Amherst College in 1867, presented him 
with a silver cup, valued at $40, he being 
the first born unto said class. Mr. Malt- 
bie is a Republican in politics, is a mem- 



Via 



ber of the Masonic Fraternity, and of the 
I. O. 0. F. He is prompt in the fulfill- 
ment of his obligations, is courteous, and 
is respected by all who know him. 

EDUC^ATIONAL. 

With reference to the educational facili- 
ties and their public schools, the people of 
Montour justly take especial pride. The 
schools here are equal to the best in the 
county, and in some respects, superior. 
Everything relating to educational matters 
has always been promptly and carefully at- 
tended to, and the present efficiency of 
Montour's schools is indeed a credit to the 
city. 

On the 30th day of January, 1872, there 
was a meeting of the Sub-Directors of the 
District township of Indian Village, held 
at Montour, at which there was a petition 
of twenty-seven of the legal voters of the 
town of Montour, then Orford, presented, 
requesting that said town and the territory 
contiguous thereto be formed into an in- 
dependent district. At an election held 
on the 10th day of February, 1872, the 
question was decided and the independent 
district was accordingly formed. Accord- 
ing to previous notice the electors of the 
independentdistrict assembled on the 11th 
day of March, 1872. A. B. Toplin was 
chosen Chairman and C. J. Stevens, Secre- 
tary. On motion of J. M. Mills, it was 
voted to proceed to ballot for six directors. 
J. M. Mills, Dennis Beale and T. P. Smith 
were appointed Judges of Election. At 
the election A. B. Toplin, H. G. Wallace, 
Dennis Beale, R. M. Tenny, H. R. Win- 
chell and J. M. Mills were chosen Direc- 
tors; C. J. Stevens, Secretary and T. P. 
Smith, Treasurer; and they served as the 
first ofiicers. The oflieers for 1883, were 



65 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



J. H. Stevens, President ; D. R. Way, B. 
W. Fellows, E. Gaudy, A. B. Toplin,.!. G. 
Cronk, Directors; R. E. Everett, Secre- 
tary ; Geo. Young, Treasurer. D. S. Glid- 
(len was chosen as tlie first Principal, and 
liis skill as a teacher and gentlemanly be- 
liavior so gained the confidence of the peo- 
ple that he was employed in said capacity 
until the fall of 1875, when he was suc- 
ceeded by R. White, and he in time by C. 
A. Morse, C. P. Blodgett, G. A. Roberts, 
W. H. Black, W. J. Flint, S. W. Maltbie, 
J. P. Hendricks, W. H. Black, S. S. Dob- 
son. In 1876 the present school building 
was erected. It is a tine brick structure, 
situated in the south part of the village, 
on an elevation overlooking the town. The 
value of the building is about $8,500. In 



1880, S. VV. Maltbie was Principal, who 
divided the school into ten grades. The 
first class graduated in 1881 and consisted 
of two pupils, Nellie Blake and Gertie 
Poyneer. 

The second class graduated in 1882, and 
consisted of five pupils, Lutie Poyneer, 
Gertie Ward, Lizzie Downs, Frank Wil- 
liams and Fred Bartlett. In 1883, there 
was only one graduate — Hattie Poyneer. 

The following is the corps of teachers 
in charge for the year 1882-8.3 : 

S. S. Dobson, Principal ; Miss Dora L. 
Dobson, Assistant ; Miss Ida F. Peck, In- 
termediate and Miss Gertie L. Ward, 
Primary. The total enrollment for the 
fall term of 1882 was 134', average atten- 
dance 120. 



CHAPTER XXXI 



LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 



Lincoln is the northwestern corner town- 
ship of Tama county, embracing township 
SO, range 16. Grundy county forms the 
north and west boundaries, and Grant and 
Spring Creek lie adjacent to the east 
and south. The surface is made up of a 
beautifully rolling prairie, and the scenery 
diversified by many domestic groves cul- 
tivated by tlie thrifty settlers. Toward 
the southwest corner of the township the 
l)rairie becomes more abruut in its undula- 
tions, and near the creek it is quite hilly. 
The ^oil is entirely a dark loam of good 



depth, and wonderful durability. This is 
underlain with a subsoil of clay. All the 
natural timber is located on section 7, 
called Fifteen Mile Grove; but there is 
scarcely a farm house that is not sur- 
rounded by a well arranged grove. 

Lincoln is well watered, and the many 
streams that thread their way to and fro 
across the prairies, tend to make the town- 
ship valuable for stock raising purposes. 
Little Wolf creek enters on section 7, and 
flowing in a southerly direction crosses the 
western part of the township and leaves by 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



way of section 32. Pour Mi'e creek rises on 
section 16, flows southeasterly and enters 
Grant township. A branch of Mosquito 
creek rises on section 10 and flows north- 
east on its way -to Grundy county. 
Another branch of the same creek heads 
on section 14. 

The township is settled entirely by a 
farming class, there being no village with- 
in its limits. The north part of the town- 
ship is peopled with Americans, Scotch- 
men, Canadians, and a few Gei-mans; the 
latter nationality are in a large majority in 
the south part. 

Fifteen Mile Grove receired this name 
l)ecause of the early settlers speaking of it 
as being "fifteen miles from nowhere." 

SETTLEMENT. 

The first settler in Lincoln township 
was Lockhart Wilbur, a native of Massa- 
chusetts, who came here in 1855, and set- 
tled in Fifteen Mile Grove, on section 7. 
He erected a little cabin and remained un- 
til during the war, when he moved west. 
He has since died. 

The next settlers were the Prescotl 
brothers. Greenwood and Joseph, natives 
of Maine, who came here from Black 
Hawk county in 1856 or 1857. The)' set- 
tled near Wilbur, on the same section, and 
erected a little log shanty. They re- 
mained for a number of years; Greenwood 
died at the Grove, and Joseph removed to 
Oregon. 

The next settler was S. V. R. Kelly, 
who came to the county in 1855, and set- 
tled at Buckingham. On the 2d of April, 
1860, he moved his family into Lincoln 
township, settling on section 14. Here he 
erected a cabin 1 6x20 feet and began pio- 
neer life. He had been here previous to 



this and taken the land. In 1856, he 
turned the first sod with a plow in the 
township. He still lives on the same sec- 
tion that he or-iginally settled upon. 

S. V. R. Kelly is a native of New York 
born in 1810. His parents, John and Eliz- 
abeth (Avery) Kelly, were also natives of 
New York, and made that State their 
home until their death. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kelly had a family of ten children: S. V. 
R. Polly, wife of E. Colvin; Almyra, wife 
of Hiram Colvin; Mathilda, wife of K. F. 
Randolph; Philinda, wife of C. F. Fen ton; 
Harriet, now Mrs. H. Thomas; Hiram, 
Lucinda, wife of John Keys; Austin B., 
and Hannah, now Mrs. Samuel Stafford. 
S. V. R. Kelly left New York State when 
twenty-one years old and went to Penn- 
sylvania, where he followed firming for 
three years. He then removed to Ohio, 
and engaged in farming and teaming un 
til 18.S6; then went to Michigan, return.- 
ing to Ohio in 1839. Here Mr. Kelly re- 
mained until 1853, at which time he went 
to Wisconsin, where he made his home 
until the fall of the same year, then start- 
ed by team for Iowa. He came to 'J'ama 
county, locating in Buckingham township, 
where he lived until 1856. Mr. Kelly then 
moved with his family to Lincoln township, 
and has since made this his home. He now 
lives on section 14, on a farm of fifty acres. 
His son occupied the old homestead until 
recently. Mr. Kelly was married in 1837, 
to Miss Harmony Harve)', a daughter of 
John and Hannah (Brockway) Harvey. 
By this union there were five children, 
two of whom are living: F. C, and Laura 
Maria, wife of G. H. Taylor, now of 
Montgomery county, Iowa. In politics, 
Mr. Kelly is a Republican and cast his 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



first vote for Thomas Jefferson. In re- 
ligion, Mr. Kelly adheres to the Quaker 
faith. He has served the township in va- 
rious local offices, having been Justice of 
the Peace and Township Clerk, 

This township settled slowly, as the land 
was taken largely by speculators. In 1867 
there were seven houses and two school 
houses within the limits of Lincoln. Those 
who are remembered as being here were 
Alfred M. and A. W. Storer, Green and 
.Jo.seph Prescott, George Morehouse, A. C. 
Brockway and the Henry brothers, who 
were all located near Fifteen .Mile Grove ; 
H. H. Z. Jensen, on section 27; S. Y. K. 
Kelly and his son Fernando, on section 
14; and Ira Peck, on section 9. 

In August of 1867, Isaac and C. H. 
Baldwin left LaSalle county, Illinois, for 
Iowa. They came through with wagons, 
camping on the way. The trip took seven 
days. During that time they did not have 
a warm meal or drink even a cup of tea or 
coffee, and slept under the wagon, except 
two nights. They finally got to Lincoln 
township in safety, and purchased of Ira 
Peck five eighties, and C. H. Baldwin 
had eighty acres which he had purchased 
prior to coming. They were soon fol- 
lowed by S. H. Baldwin. He lived here 
until the railroad reached Grundy Center, 
when he moved to that place and is now 
engaged in the law and land business. 

Isaac Baldwin settled on section is. 
In 1880 he removed to Nebraska. 

('. H. Baldwin lived upon his first place 
two years; then lived with his brother on 
section 9, for five or six years, until he 
was married, when he removed to his pres- 
ent home on section 8. C. H. Baldwin 
is a native of Illinois, born in 184.3. He 



is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Hall) Bald- 
win, the former a native of Vermont, the 
latter of New Hampshire. There were 
nine children in the family: Emily, Lewis, 
Emerson, George, Laura Ann, now wife 
of T. H. Hardy, Alzina, wife of Charles 
McKinly; Samuel H , of Grundy Centre, 
Iowa; Charles H., and Isaac. The mother 
died in 1869; the father in 1883. The 
subject of this sketch resided in La Salle 
county, Illinois, until he was twenty-four 
years of age, engaged at work on a farm. 
In 1867, he came to Tama county, loca- 
ting in Lincoln township, on section 10, 
where he bought 320 acres of land in com- 
pany with his brother. He afterward 
traded his share of that land and now lives 
on section 8, where he owns 480 acres of 
improved land. Mr. Baldwin was mar- 
ried in 1875 to Miss Mary Dick, a daugh- 
ter of Robert and Mary Ann ( Brown ) 
Dick. This union has been blessed with 
four children : Lewis Henry, born in 
1876; Mary Anna, born is 1877; Robert, 
born in 1878 and Laura May, born in 
1881. Lewis Henry and Robert died of 
diphtheria in December, 1881. Mr. Bald- 
win cast his first vote for Mr. Lincoln, and 
has since voted principally with the Re- 
publican party. He has served his town- 
ship in several offices, having been sub- 
School Director, Road Supervisor, Assess- 
or, Township Clerk and at present holds 
the office of Trustee of Lincoln townshij). 
Mr. Baldwin has always deeply interested 
himself in questions of local benefit, and 
lias added his influence to all movements 
which would improve the public welfare. 
Ib 1868, among those who came were 
Hugh Patterson, Hiram Ray, Mr. Knight 
and Mr. Godfrey. They all came from near 



Jj 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



821 



Toledo and settled on section 11 , taking 
all of that section except 40 acres. Pat- 
terson is now somewhere west of here; 
Ray remained about one year and moved 
into Crystal township; Knight remained 
about the same length of time and left. 

Others who came in 1868, were Nicho- 
las Burd, Henry Biddle, James Voss, A 
Barley, Clint Snow, Robert Dick, 1 homas 
Kelly, Stephen Robinson, Peter H. Klee- 
hass, Fred f-age, William and Thomas 
Harris, Johann Greve, Marx and P. Reh- 
der. The Rehder brothers were followed 
in a few years by Jurgen llehder. A num- 
ber of Germans settled in the southern 
part of the township. 

Nicholas Burd broke land this year. 
He is still a resident of the township. 

Henry Biddle and James Voss came to- 
gether. The former settled on section 14; 
he has gone to Oregon. James Voss lo- 
cated on section 12, where he still lives. 

A. Hurley came from Illinois. He was 
a Frenchman. He lived with the Baldwins 
one year, then located on section 7, where 
he still lives 

Clint Snow settled on section 18. He 
left within a few years 

Billy Hilton came about the same time 
and settled on section 15. He now lives 
in Waterloo 

Stephen Robinson settled on section '.•, 
where he still lives. 

Robert Dick, father-in-law of C. H. 
Baldwin, came in the fall of 1868, and lo- 
cated on section 3, where he still lives. 

Fred Lage is a native of Holstein, Ger- 
inany, born in 1855. His parents were 
Joachim and Catherine (Speth) Lage. In 
1864, the family came to the United 
States and located in Scott county, Iowa, 



where they were engaged in farming for 
four years. In 1868, they removed to Ta- 
ma county, settling in Lincoln township. 
Fred lived with his parents in Lincoln 
township until 1880, when he located on 
section 28, same township. In 1880, he 
was married to Miss Friederika Barfels, 
a daughter of Gottlieb and Anna (Paul- 
sen) Barfels. They have been blessed 
with two children — Henry and Theodore. 

In politics Mr. Lage is a Democrat, and 
has served his township in the offices of 
Road Supervisor and School Director. 

William Harris, a native of Scotland, 
was born in 1889, and is a'son of Thomas 
and Isabella (Ferguson) Harris. There 
were nine^children in the family: Jessie, 
wife of James Young; Isabella, wife of 
William Rogers; Alexander, Catherine, 
wife of R. Putney; William, Thomas, 
John, Robert and James. The parents 
came to Lincoln township in 1871, and in 
1873 the mother died, and was buried in 
Lincoln township cemetery. After his 
wife's death, the father returned to Scot- 
land, and now resides in Bertshire. Wil- 
liam received his education in his native 
land and learned the carpenter's trade, 
engaging at that business in connection 
with farming until 1861, when he came to 
the United States. He settled in Clinton 
county, where he lived seven years, then 
in 1868, came to Lincoln township, Tama 
county, and settled on section 6. He now 
owns a fine farm of 163 acres. Mr. Har- 
ris is amemberof the Presbyterian Church 
of Grundy Centre. He was married in 
1862 to Miss Elizabeth Whiteside, daugh- 
ter of John and Alice (Black) Wliityside, 
natives of reland. They have four chil- 
dren living: Catherine, born July 23, 1863, 



^" ap 



822 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Isabella, August 28, 1865; John, August 
22, 1869; and Susan, born February 6, 
1876. James, who was born April 3, 
1871, died February 12, 1879, of dipthe- 
ria. 

Jolianii Greve was born in Schleswig, 
(Germany, on the 18th of May, 1840. He 
is a son of Johann and Anna (Vogt) 
Greve, who are still living on a farm in 
Germany. Johann lived with his parents 
on the farm until 1868, when he came to 
the United States, and located in Lincoln 
township, Tama county, where he purchased 
200 acres of land on section 23, making it 
his permanent residence. Mr. Greve was 
married in June, 1880, to Miss Friederika 
C. E. Hansen, a daughter of Fred and So- 
phie (Christiansen) Hansen. This union 
has been blessed wi'h one daughter, An- 
na, born October 30, 1881. Mi«. Greve 
died November 17, 1881, and Mr. Greve 
was again married June -3, 1882, to Miss 
Margaretta Thiesen, a daughter of Thomas 
and Maria (Pott) Thiesen. Mr. Greve in 
politics, is a Democrat; in faith, he is a 
Lutheran. 

Marx H. Rehder is a native of Holstein, 
Germany, born in 1838. His parents, 
Henry and Wiebke (Horstman) Rehder, 
followed weaving and gardening in Hol- 
stein. 

Henry Rehder died in 1877; his wife in 
1854. Mar.\ H. received his education and 
learned the weaver's trade, but afterward 
followed farming in Hamburg and Altona 
until 1864, when he emigrated to the 
United States. He first located in Scott 
county, Iowa, where he resided until 1868, 
then came to Tama county, and settled in 
Lincoln township, on section 22, on land 
that he liad purchased in 1867. He now 



owns a fine farm of 320 acres — 160 
acres on section 21 and 160 on sec 
tion 15. In 1868, he was united in 
wedlock with Miss Catharine Steffer, a 
daughter of Peter and Catharine 
(Goetsch) Steffer. They have five chil- 
dren living — Anna, born November 17, 
186S; Mary, born November 10, 1870; 
Adolph, born February 23, 1874; Rudolph, 
born March 18, 1876; and Edward, born 
April 24, 1883. In politics, Mr. Rehder is 
a Republican and has served as Trustee of 
his township. 

P. Rehder, brother of Marx H. and Jur- 
gen Rehder, was born in 1848, in Holstein, 
Germany. He came to the United States 
in 1868, resided in Scott county, Iowa, for 
a short time and then came to Lincoln 
township, Tama county, Iowa. In 1874, 
he moved to section 5, and purchased a 
farm of 160 acres, where he now lives. 
Mr. Rehder was married in 1873 to Miss 
Anna Kammerer, a daughter of Thomas 
and Mary Kammerer,natives of Schleswig, 
Germany. They have had four children 
born unto them — Henry, Theodore, Mary 
and Thomas. Mrs. Rehder died in 1881. 
Mr. Rehder afSliates with the Democratic 
party, and has held the office of Schoo' 
Director in his township. 

Jurgen Rehder, a brother of Marx II. 
Rehder, settled in Lincoln township, Tama 
county, in 1870, on section 21. He was 
born in 1845, in Holstein, Germany, and 
followed farming until 1865, when he 
came to the United States, locating first in 
Scott county, this State. He worked on 
a farm in that county until 1870, then 
purchased 80 acres of land in Lincoln 
township, of this county. He has since 
added 160 acres to his farm, making 240 



J'? «^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



acres, all under improvement. In 1870, 
Mr. Rehder was married to Miss Lena Ditt- 
mer, daughter of Peter and Grete (Goetsch) 
Dittraer. Six children have been born to 
them — Julius, Theodore, Louise, Lena, 
Annie and Clara. Mr. Rehder has served 
his township in various capacity, having 
held the offices of Trustee, School Director, 
and Road Supervisor. 

Among the arrivals during 1869, were 
John F. G. Cold, John Thompson, John 
Dalglish and John Stien, father and son, 
who settled on section 11; D. B. Hammer- 
sly, who settled on section 9; and Abraham 
Eldrige, who located on section 3. 

Thomas Harris was also a settler of 
1869. He is a son of Thomas and Isa- 
bella (Ferguson) Harris. He was born in 
Scotland, in 1841, and was there given a 
good common school education. In 1866, 
he came to the United States, and settled 
in Clinton county, Iowa. He resided in 
that county until 1869, then came to Tama 
county, and located in Lincoln township, 
where he n w owns 160 acres of improved 
land. He also owns 120 acres in Grundy 
county, which he works in connection with 
his homestead farm. In 1877, Mr. Harris 
was married to Jeanet Steele, a daughter of 
John and Margaret (Duff) Steele, both of 
whom are de;d. Mr. Harris is a warm 
supporter of the Democratic party. 

in 187u, the settlement of the township 
was materially increased. Among those 
who came this year were — Clark Peck, 
Joseph and Charles Klesspie, J. C. Parker, 
Eugene Smith, George Baldwin, W. 
Swartz, A. C. Bern and others. 



George Baldwin settled upon his father's 
farm on section 10, where he remained 
until the spring of 1883, when he went to 
Dakota. 

J. C. Parker, who is mentioned as com- 
ing in 1870, is anative of Huntingdonshire, 
England, born May 10, 1825. His parents 
were John and Susan (Clark) Parker. J. 
C. lived in his native country until 1862, 
when he came to the United States, loca- 
ting at Albany, N. Y., where he engaged 
in farming. In 1 866, Mr. Parker moved 
to La?alle county. 111., where he farmed 
for four years, and in 1870, came to Tama 
county, locating in Lincoln township, on 
section 17. He has ever since made this 
his residence and now owns 240 acres of 
improved land, all under good cultivation. 
Mr. Parker was married August 13, 1849, 
to Miss IVTary Ann Barnes, a daughter of 
William and Sarah (Livett) Barnes, and 
born October 16, 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Par- 
ker have been blessed with four children^ — 
George born October 12, 1851, now of Chi- 
cago, Illinois; Mary Ann, born June 25, 
1854, wife of Francis Day, of Plymouth 
county, Iowa; John, born October 19, 1658, 
now living in Chicago; and Jane, born 
August 4, 1863. Mr. Parker is a member 
of the Episcopal Church. 

William Swartz is a son of Henry and 
Margaret ( Doran ) Swartz, both of whom 
are now dead. He was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, in 1845. Mr. Swartz left his native 
State in 1866, and moved to Illinois, where 
he followed farming for four years. In 
1870, he came to Tama county, locating in 
Lincoln township, and is now living on 
his farm of 160 acres on section 15. Mr. 
Swartz was married in 1869 to Mary A. 
Case, a daughter of Loyal Luther and 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Julia A. (Sims) Case. Four children 
have been born to them — Anna May, Plar- 
riet, Lydia, deceased ; William Henry 
and Dora Mabel. Mr. Swartz, politically, 
is an Independent, and has served his 
township as School Director, Constable 
and Road Master. 

A. Christian Bern is a native of Hol- 
steiu, Germany, born in 1848. He is a 
son of Henry and Margaret ( Schwarten ) 
Bern. Mr. Bern came to the United 
States in 1870, first locating for two years 
in Lincoln township, Tama county, and 
then residing for a time in Wisconsin and 
Minnesota. He finally returned to Lin- 
coln township and worked the farm of 
Johann Greve for several years. Mr. 
Bern now owns 160 acres of good land on 
section 1-3, and devotes his attention to 
farming. 

Among those who have moved into the 
township since that time, and have been 
prominent citizens, may be mentioned, 
F. G. Cold, Christian J. C. Cold, James 
F. Harris, Hinrich Tauk, II. Ludwig, Jacob 
Billerbeck, James McCullogh, William 
Porter, John (Gardiner, Claus Wiese and 
others. To give the reader a better idea 
of these men, who represent Lincoln's 
class of inhabitants, personal sketches of 
them are presented. 

F. G. Cold was born in 1812, at Eckern- 
forde, Germany. His parents were Simon 
Arend Van Cold and Catharina L. D. 
(Braasch) Cold, the former being Cap- 
lain at the Christian Soldier's Home at 
Eckernforde, province of Schleswig. The 
subject of this sketch was engaged in the 
dry goods business and was proprietor of 
a hotel for a number of years in his native 
country. In 1848, he came to the United 



States, settled near Cleveland, Ohio, and 
followed farming until 1871, then came to 
Lincoln township, where he lived on a 
farm until his death, which occurred in 
1876. He left a wife and two sons, who 
still live on the old homestead. Mr. Cold 
was married in February, 1840, to Miss 
Henrietta M. F. Bohn, daughter of John 
G. F. and Elsabea C. ( Badensee ) Bohn. 
Seven children were born to them — John 
F. G., Otto H. F., killed at the battle of 
Winchester ; Christina H. M., wife of W. 
F. Laetsch ; Johanna H.. wife of Samuel 
Smith; Antoinette Maria, now Mrs. George 
Swan ; Christian J. C. and Rudolph H. S. 
who died, April 3, 1883, age twenty years 
and two months. 

Christian J. C. Cold was born in 18.58, 
at Cleveland, Ohio. He came to Tama 
county with his parents in 1871, and fol- 
lowed farming, and since the death of his 
father, in 187u, has been working the old 
homestead. 

James F. Harris came to Lincoln town- 
ship in 18'(1, and now owns a fine farm of 
160 acres, on section 6. Mr. Harris is a 
son of Thomas and Isabella (Furguson) 
Harris, born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 
1840. He received his early education in 
the public schools of his native country, 
and afterward followed railroading in Eu- 
rope, serving as an office clerk. In 1866, 
he came to the United States and resided 
with his parents in Clinton county, Illi- 
nois, until 1871, when he came to 'l"ama 
county, Iowa. 

Hinrich Tauk was born in Ilolstein, Ger- 
many, in 1836^ his parents being Marx 
and Anna Catherine ( vVestphaJen) TauK. 
In 1866, Hinrich left his native land and 
came to the United States, first locating 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



in Scott county, this State, where he re- 
mained for five years. Then he removed 
to Jasper county, where he resided one 
year and in 18V2, came to Tama county. 
He purchased 80 acres of land on section 
16, of Lincoln township, where he has 
since resided. In 1874, he was united in 
wedlock with Miss Maria Schroeder, a 
daughter of Johann and Maria (Triebesee) 
Schroeder. In faith Mr. Tauk is a Luther- 
an; in politics he is an Independent. 

H. Ludwig is a son of Johann and El- 
sebea Catharine (Friese) Ludwig. He 
wah born in Schleswig, Germany, in 1842. 
His father died in 1872; his mother is now 
living with one of her sons on a farm in 
Schleswig. The subject of this sketch 
came to America in 1864, and settled in 
Scott county, Iowa, where he lived until 
1867. He then came to Tama county and 
located in Spring Creek township, on sec- 
tion 35, where he owned 1 20 acres of land. 
In 1873, he sold and moved to Lincoln 
township, where he purchased 80 acres on 
section 16. He has since purchased 80 
acres more on the same section and 40 
acres on section 15, making 200 acres in 
all which he now owns. Mr. Ludwig votes 
the Independent ticket, and has held the 
offices of Assessor, School Director and 
Constable. He was married, in 1871, to 
Mrs. Catharine D. Gotte, widow of Theo- 
dore Gotte, and daughter of P. Kleehaas. 
Mrs. Ludwig has one daughter by her 
first husband — Johannil Ernestine. They 
are both Lutherans in faith. 

Jacob Billerbeck, a native of Holstein, 
Germany, was born in 1839. He is a son 
of Marcus and Anna (Trede) Billerbeck, 
who were farmers in Germany. Jacob 
came to America in 1865, first settling in 



Clinton county, Iowa, where he resided 
until 1875, when he came to Lincoln town- 
ship, Tama county, and purchased 160 
acres on section 4, where he has since re- 
sided. He now owns 360 acres of land in 
Lincoln township, this county, and 160 
acres in Hancock county, Iowa. Mr. Bil- 
lerbeck was married, December 12, 1802, 
to Miss Magaretsa Storfeld, a daughter of 
Peter and Elsebea (Rott) Storfeld. They 
have six children living : Henry, John, 
Alina, Emma, Ferdinand, Dietrich and 
Willie. Mr. Billerbeck is a Democrat in 
politics. 

James McCuUogh was born in 1853, and 
is a native of Clinton county, Iowa. His 
parents were John and Johanna (Cronk) 
MoCullogh. James received his educa- 
tion in the schools of Clinton county and 
by occupation was a farmer. In February, 
1873, he went into the United States Mili- 
tary Service, serving in Company D, Sev- 
enth Infantry, for five vears. He enlisted 
at Dubuque, Iowa, went to Newport, Ken- 
tucky, where he remained for three 
months, and in April, 1873, left for Fort 
Benton, Montana Territory. The detach- 
ment remained there but a short time, 
when they were ordered to move on to 
Fort Shaw, Montana Territory, where 
they remained for two and a half years, 
and then went to Camp Baker, which 
place was the headquarters of the detach- 
ment until the expiration of Mr. McCul- 
logh's service. After receiving his dis- 
charge, February 8, 1878, Mr. McCullogh 
came to Tama county, and made his home 
with his brother-in-law, William Porter, 
in Lincoln township. 

Wm. Porter is a native of Ohio, born in 
1851. His ])arents were Joshua and Mar- 



66 



1 



it> 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



tha (Rollins) Porter. William lived in 
Ohio, engaged in farming until 1869, 
when he went to Nebraska, where he re- 
sided for three years, then moved to Clin- 
ton county, Iowa. He remained in that 
county until 1878, when he came to ' in- 
coln township, Tama county, and pur- 
chased 100 acres of land on section 5, in 
company with James MoCullogh. Mr. 
Porter was married in 1875 to Miss Jo- 
hanna McCullogh, a daughter of John and 
Amy (Cronk) McCullogh. They have been 
blessed with five children, Johnnie, James, 
Martha, Amy and Levi. 

John Gardiner is a native of Sterling 
shire, Scotland, born in 1S24. His parents 
William and Elizabeth (Lindsay) Gardi- 
ner, were farmers in their native country. 
In 1852, the family came to Canada, and 
settled in Perth county, where the father 
died in 1855. The mother died in Scotland 
in 1849. There were six children in the 
family that grew to man and womanhood — 
Peter, William, Jane, now wife of James 
Murray; John, Robert and Walter. The 
subject of this sketch left his native coun- 
try in 1849, came to Canada, and a year or 
two after his arrival bought a farm in 
Perth county, where he resided until 1878. 
He then came to Iowa, locating in Lincoln 
township, Tama county, where he now, 
resides on sections 2 and 3, owning 231 
acres of land. Mr. Gardiner is now an 
Elder of the Presbyterian church of Grun- 
dy county. He was married in 1849 to 
Miss Margaret Gilfillan, a daughter of 
Moses and .Teanet (McLean) Gilfillan, na- 
tiTes of Sterlingshire, Scotland. Of their 
children, eight ar« living — William, of 
Toledo, Ohio, and principal of the public 
school at Ironrille, Ohio; Moses, resident 



of Grundy county; Jeanet, wife of George 
Dew; John, now a resident of Lincoln 
township; Elizabeth, Margaret, wife of 
Thomas Crozier; James and Robert. Mrs. 
Gardiner died in Perth county, Canada, in 
1874. 

Claus Wiese was born in 1 838, in Hol- 
Btein, Germany. He is a son of Joachim 
and Catherine (Schlesing) Wiese, of Prob- 
stei, near Kiel, Germany. His father died 
in Europe in 1865 ; his mother in Grundy 
county, Towa, in 1881. C'aus came to the 
LTnited States in 1867, settling in Scott 
county, where he resided for eleven years 
engaged in farming. In 1878, he came to 
Lincoln township, this county, and pur- 
chased 240 acres of improved land on sec- 
tions 23 and 14. Mr. Wiese was married 
in 1870 to Miss Lena Goettsch, a daughter 
of Peter and Bertha (Pieper) Goettsch. 
They have seven children : Emil, Al- 
vine, Louis, Willie, Lilly, Addie and Hat- 
tie. Mr. Wiese is a member of the 
Lutheran Church. He has held various 
local offices and at present is serving his 
township as Road Supervisor. 

ORGAXIC. 

Lincoln township was formerly a part of 
Spring Creek, the two townships consti- 
tuting one election precinct. In the year 
1861, a petition was presented to the 
Board of Supervisors, praying for a divis- 
ion and that the Congressional township 
86 north, range 16, west of the fifth prin- 
cipal meridian be set oflF as Lincoln town- 
ship. This petition was signed by Joseph 
Prescott, Green Prescott, Lockhart Wil- 
bur and S. V. R. Kelley, and was granted. 
The first election was held on th« second 
Tuesday in October, 1861, at Fifteen 
Mile Grove. At this election the follow- 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



k. 



ing officers were chosen : S. V. R. Kelley, 
Justice ; Jospeh Presoott, Clerk ; Green 
Prescott and S. V. R. Kelley, Trustees. At 
this election there were only four votes 
cast. There were not enough citizens to 
fill all of the offices, so they were obliged 
to "double." 

The present officers of the township are 
as follows : Clerk, A. E. Stewart ; Justices 
of the Peace, Messrs. Wilcox and J. F. 
G. Cold ; Constable and Assessor, John 
Lundt ; Trustees, Marx H. Rehder, George 
Rehder and C. H. Baldwin. 

John Lundt, the present Assessor and 
Constable of Lincoln township, was born 
in 1850, in Holstein, Germany. His par- 
ents, Henning and Wiebke (Matthiesen) 
Lundt, were farmers by occupation. Mr. 
Lundt came to the United States in 1868, 
locating near Davenport, Iowa, where he 
worked on a farm for five years. In 1874, 
he moved to GruAdy county, where he re- 
mained five years, and in 1879, came to 
Tama county, and located in Lincoln on 
section 23, in 1880, on which section he 
now owns a farm of 160 acres. Mr. Lundt 
is a member of the Lutheran Church In 
politics he is an Independent. Mr Lundt 
was married in 1880, to Miss Lena Lage, 
a daughter of Joachim and Catherine 
(Speth) Lage. By this union there are 
two children, Anna and Harry. 

FIFTEEN MILE GROVE POSTOFFICE. 

This postoffice was established a num- 
ber of. years ago, with A. C. Brockway 
as postmaster. It is located at the resi- 
dt'nce of the postmasteron, section 7. It 
is a great convenience to the farmers, and 
suijplies a large area with mail matter. 

A. C. Brockway, postmaster of Fifteen 
Mile Grove postoffice, is a native of New 



York, born in 1830. He is a son of 
Samuel, Jr., and Adelia (Tiffany) Brock- 
way. His father is a son of Samuel, Sr., 
and Susan (Bently) Brockway. His father 
was a carpenter and joiner by trade, fol- 
lowing that business in the summer and 
spinning in the winter. The father was 
born in the State of New York, his father 
being Samuel Brockway, Sr., also a native 
of New York Samuel Brockway, Jr., 
moved to Massachusetts in 1850, and has 
since made that State his home. Mrs. 
Brockway died in New York, in 1849. 
There were three children in the family — 
A. C, the subject of this sketch; Henry 
D., killed in Virginia during th« late civil 
war and George E.; all of whom served in 
the Union army during the rebellion. 
A. C. Brockway received his education at 
the Fort Plain Seminary, in Montgomery 
county. New York, and leaving school, en- 
listed for nine months in Co. A, 49th 
Massachusetts Volunteers, on the 1st of 
September, 1863, serving eleven months. 
He participated in the battles of Plain's 
Store, six weeks seige of Port Hudson and 
at Donaldsonville, being discharged at 
Pittstield on the expiration of the term of 
his enlistment. He came west to Tama 
county in the spring of 1 864, residing in 
Lincoln township, where he followed farm- 
ing and teaching until November 1865, 
then returned to Massachusetts. He re- 
mained there until late in 1866, during 
which time he took a course in the Com- 
mercial College at Rutland, Vermont. 
That fall he came back to Lincoln town- 
ship and purchased 114 acres of land on 
sections 6 and 7, where he has since re- 
sided. He taught school for two winters, 
but made farming his chief occupation. 



-f 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-l^ 



July 1, 1807, he was appointed postmaster 
of Fifteen Mile Grove postoffice, holding 
said office eight years. In politics, Mr. 
Brockway is a Republican, and his first 
vote for President was cast for Abraham 
Lincoln, in 1800. Mr. Brockway has been 
a member of the Board of Supervisors of 
Tama county, serving until he returned to 
Massachusetts in 1865, when he resigned. 
In October, 1864, Mr. Brockway was com- 
missioned Second Lieutenant of the Hawk- 
eye Battery of Tama county. He is also a 
member of the Grand Army of the Re. 
public, and at one time was a member of 
Grange No. 303. He is a member of the 
First Baptist Church of Grundy Center, 
the minister of that church holding ser- 
vices at Fifteen Mile Grove school house 
each alternate Sabbath. Mr. Brockway 
was married September 19, 1866, to Miss 
Harriet Perry Kinney, a daughter of 
George and Liddie (Perry) Kinney, of 
New York State. They have six children 
—Jessie A., born March 23, 1869; Willard, 
born April 3, 1871; Ruth, born September 
2-2, 1873; Annie, born January 3, 1875; 
Charley, born December 5, 1878; and 
Albert H., born October 27, 1882. Mr. 
Brockway has served this township in va- 
rious capacities, having been Clerk, Assess- 
or and Trustee, and in every position has 
proven a worthy and efficient officer. 

OUl.DVILLE POSTOFFICE. 

This office was established through the 
efforts of J. F. G. Cold, and was named 
after him. It was located at his house, on 
section 10, and for many years was de- 
lic'iidcd upon by many farmers for their 
mail. It was discontinued a few years 
ago. 



John F. G. Cold, who was postmaster of 
this office for eight years prior to its abol- 
ishment, was born in 1840, in Schleswig, 
Germany, and is a son of F. T. Cold and 
Henrietta nee Bohn. His parents emi- 
grated to America in 1848, and located in 
Cleveland, Ohio. In 1871, the family came 
to Tama county, locating in Lincoln town- 
ship, on section 14, where the mother now 
lives; the father having died in 1876. The 
subject of this sketch received his educa- 
tion in the public schools of Ohio, and 
afterward followed the wagon-maker's 
trade for two years. Then in 1864, he en- 
listed in Company A, 177th Ohio Infantry, 
and was discharged at Greensboro, North 
Carolina, on the 24th of June 1865. He 
participated in the battle of Wilmington. 
1869, he came to Tama county, and located 
in Lincoln township, on section 10, where 
he now owns 180 acres of land. I" poli- 
tics, Mr. Cold is a Republican, and has 
held the office of School Director, being at 
present Justice of the Peace and Secreta- 
ry of the School Board. He was also 
postmaster for eight years at Coldville 
postoffice, until the office was abolished. 
Mr. Cold was married in 1867, to Miss 
Mary A. Pillatt, daughter of Francis and 
Mary (Wilson) Pillatt. This union has 
been blessed with si.\ children, all of 
whom are living — Francis F., Henrietta, 
Willie, Elizabeth, Katie May, and Bertha. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first school house in the township 
was at Fifteen Mile Grove. Miss Ange- 
Ictte King, a daughter of W. B. King, 
was the first teacher. This was in 1862. 

F. C. Kelly, Joseph and Green Prescott 
were the firstschool directors. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



829 



Green Prescott built the first house in 
tlie township. The first religious service 
was held at Fifteen Mile Grove school- 
liouse. Rev. Bunce, a minister of the 
United Brethren Church, preached the first 
sermon in the tov^nahip. 

The first child born was a daughter of 
George Wilbur. 

The first death was Mary Prescott, a 
young lady seventeen years old and a 
daughter of .Joseph Prescott. 



The first postoffice was established in 
Fifteen Mile Grove with A. C. Brock- 
way as the first postmaster. 

The first blacksmith shop was estab- 
lished by Green Prescott. 

The first land entered in the township 
was in September, 1853, on section 1, the 
parties being from Maine and then living 
in Black Hawk county. During thesame 
month the following parties entered land 
on section 14: S. V. R. Kelly, Hiram Kel- 
ly, and Austin B. Kelly; C. F. Fenton 
and Joel E. Irish from New York, entered 
section 11. 



CHAPTER XXXI I- 



ONEIDA TOWNSHIP. 



The township bearing this name is 
among the most fertile and productive in 
Tama county. It is well watered by j 
Salt creek and its tributaries, and ha.s a 
soil which only needs the plow and .seed 
to bring forth bountifully all kinds of 
cereals adapted to this climate. Oneida 
is the extreme east of the middle tier of 
townships, bounded by Clark township 
on t e north, Carroll on the west, York on 
the south, and Benton county on the east. 

Oneida is a full Congressional township, 
and was organized on the 9th of October, 
1800. The first election was held Novem- 
ber 6, 18(J0, and the following ofiicers were 
elected: Daniel C. Twogood, Clerk; B. 
R. Uickerson, Assessor; G. G. Mason, and 



Ransom Terpenning, Justices; B. R. 
Dickerson, R. Terpenning and J. B. F. 
Hill, Trustees. 

The first business transacted by the 
Board of Trustees, was to levy a tax of 
two and a half mills on all taxable prop- 
erty, for road purposes, and at the same 
meeting this was amended so as to call 
for three mills. October 7, 1801, the 
township was divided into three road dis- 
tricts. 

Below is given a list of those who have 
held office and who have been prominent 
in the public affairs of the township, as 
taken from the Clerk's record: 

Daniel C. Twogood, B. R. Dickerson, 
G. €r. Mason, Ransom Terpenning, J. li. 



^« 



f^ 



^^ 



\^ 



830 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



F. Hill, O. A. Terpenning, Jonathan Har- 
den, John M. Hull, William Fowler, A. 
Heath, Josiah Thomas, F. K. Morgan, W. 
W. Wiles, A. Cady, M. B. Sapp, C. W. 
Taft, I. E. Babcock, J. C. Wiles, A. An- 
thony, N. Huff, W. D. Dean, Welcome 
Mowry, W. W. Moses, Hiram Frank, J. 
K. Bull, J. H. Burris, John Graham, 
Frank Meggers, John Frye, J. M. Kinner, 
II. M. Morgan, Jacob Kolphs and J. A. 
Kinner. 

The officers for 1883 were: J. C. Wiles, 
John Frye and J. M. Kinner, Trustees; 
Frank Meggers, Clerk; R. M. Morgan, 
Assessor; J. A. Kinner and Jacob Rolphs, 
Justices. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The early settlement of this township 
although made later than other townships 
in Tama county, has many interesting 
things connected with it. The pioneers 
had many trials and discomfits continually 
confronting them. Many miles from 
market and isolated as it was from the 
rest of humanity, they passed their early 
days in hope that the dawn ol a better 
and more prosperous day was coming. 
Those who are yet living have indeed 
seen the arrival of that day, and now are 
surrounded by advantages that in an early 
day were deemed visionary and impos- 
sible. 

Benjamin Twogood made about the 
first settlement in Oneida township. He 
came in 1854 and settled on the southeast 
(piarter of section 36. He remained until 
18G0, then sold out, and moved to Kansas. 

John M. Hull came the same year, loca- 
ting land on sections 26 and 31. Mr. 
Hull lived on this farm until 1876, when 
he removed to section 8. He lived on 



that section until 1881, then concluded to 
go farther west and removed to Nebraska, 
where he is at present. 

Jonathan Harden came to Oneida in 
1855, from Benton county, this State, 
locating on section 19. He was a native 
of Virginia and came to Benton county a 
number of years previous. Mr. Harden 
lived in the township until 1880, then 
(;aught the gold fever, sold his land, and 
struck out for the Black Hills. In 1856 
the little settlement received a number of 
additions. Among those who came this 
year were: Daniel Twogood, Ransom 
Terpenning, ^^'illiam and Alexander 
Fowler, C. F. McGee and David Gillespie. 

Daniel Twogood entered laud on section 
13, and during the war sold his farm and 
engaged in the agricultural implement 
business at Belle Plaine, Benton county, 
where he also erected an elevator. In 
about 1875' he sold out his business and 
went to Los Angeles county, California, 
where he is engaged iu fruit raising. Mr. 
Twogood was a thorough business man 
and was very successful in his business 
ventures. 

Ransom Terpenning was a native of 
York State. He entered land on sections 
•26 and 27, built a frame house, and made 
that his home until his death in August, 
1873. Mr. Terpenning was born in Cort- 
land county. New York, September 21, 
1818. His early life was spent on a farm 
and at eighteen years of age he commenced 
to learn the trade of marble cutting. After 
learning his trade he moved to Tompkins 
county, where he purchased a farm and 
engaged in the marble business in Dryden, 
until 1850, then came to Tama county, 
where he j)urch.ased land on sections 20 



t"|(S~ 



^h 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and 27 of township 84, range 13, now 
known as Oneida township. He made 
this his home until the time of his death 
which occurred August 25, 1873. He was 
married October 21, 1839, to Miss Eliza 
Chrisman, born in York State, April 14, 
1821. They were blessed with five chil- 
dren, three of whom are now living: Os. 
car A., Edgar R. and George D. His 
widow now makes her home with her son 
Edgar, who was born September 11, 1847, 
and was but nine years of age when his 
parents came to Iowa. Edgar attended 
school and worked on the^farm until 1870, 
when he engaged at carpentering, which 
trade has since occupied most of his time. 
He was married July 4, 1880, to Miss 
Amanda Renslow. They have two chil- 
dren : Francis, Earle and Harry Lawrence. 
Mr. Terpenning has^held the office of Con- 
stable four years and in 1883, engaged 
with the C. M. & St. P. Railroad as bridge 
builder. 

William Fowler came to the township 
in about 1856 and settled on section 20. 
In 1881, he disposed of his land and re- 
moved to Calhoun county, this State, 
where he still lives. Mr. Fowler was an 
easy-going fellow, took things slow and 
never worried much. 

Alexander Fowler settled on the same 
section with his brother. He remained 
but a few years and removed to Louisa 
county, Iowa. 

Abraham Anthony became a settler of 
this township in 1857, locating land on 
section 36. He lived there for a few 
years, then moved to section 23, and in 
1878, went to Hardin county, where he is 
now living. 



E. O. Thomas came to Oneida township 
in 1857, and settled on section 23, where 
lie lived until the fall of 1 862 He then 
enlisted in the LTnion Army, contracted 
some disease and died in Lee county, Iowa, 
in the spring of 1863. 
■ O. N. and G. G. Mason came to this 
township, from Illinois, in 1838, driving 
through with oxen and cows hitched to 
their wagons. They were fourteen days 
on the road and experienced some ex- 
tremely bad weather. As soon as they 
arrived they put up a little shanty in 
which to live until something better could 
be built. In the fall they erected a frame 
house, the best in the township. The 
brothers had each purchased 120 acres in 
1856, and at the date given, came to im- 
prove their purchase. O. N. improved 
his land until 1862, when he entered the 
service and returned home in July, 1865. 
He then re-commenced improving his 
land and has since resided here. Mr. 
Mason is a native of New York, and was 
married in York township, Tama county, 
Iowa, to Miss Eliza J. Overturf, a native 
of Ohio, whose parents, Simon and Lydia 
( Bonam ) Overturf, came to Iowa in 1855. 
Her father is now a resident of York 
township ; her mother died in 1857. 

G. G. Mason lived on his farm for a 
number of years, then, in 1866, went to 
Waltham and engaged in the mercantile 
business. He remained there for about 
three years, then went to Traer and 
engaged in the insuranc* and musical 
instrument business. He returned to 
Waltham in 1877 and died the same 
year. 

H. C. Wiles and family came to Oneida 
township in 1858 from Jones county, this 



^'=^ 



r^p- 



^1 



J±=±l±, 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



State. Mr. Wiles settled on section 21, 
and made that his home until the break- 
ing out of the war. In 1862 he enlisted 
in the service and died of disease in the 
fall of 186.3. Mrs. Wiles died in York 
township, December 31, 1879. Mr. Wilfs 
was a native of York State. 

C. F. McGee settled on section 31 and 
lived there some time, then removed to 
York township He is now in the livery 
business at Gladbrook. 

David Gillespie came during this year 
and settled on section 19, and a number of 
years later, he settled on section 20. He 
lived there until 1878, when he sold his 
farm and went to the Black Hills. 

Brad Dickerson became a resident of 
Oneida township in 1859. He settled on 
section 27, and in about 1869, moved to 
Carroll township. In 1875 or 1876, he 
went to Illinois on a visit and borrowed 
$1,200. On his return, he lost his trunk at 
Fulton, on the Mississippi. He did not 
discover his loss until on the west side of 
the river at Clinton. He at once crossed 
the river on the bridge, found his trunk 
and started to return, carrying the trunk 
on his shoulder. He has never been heard 
of since. His trunk was found on the 
bridge, broken open and rifled of its con- 
tents, and the supposition now is, that he 
was murdered for his money. Mr. Dick- 
erson was very sociable, and was a man of 
more than ordinary intelligence. He is 
remembered as having one limb shorter 
than the other, causing him to limp very 
noticeably. 

A Heath came to the township in 1860 
or 1861, and settled on section 9. He 
soon moved to section 29, and from there 
to section 18. He is now in Kansas. 



Edward and Whitney Bacon came about 
thib time, the former locating on section 
21, and the latter on section 9. 
Whitney is now a resident of Kansas, and 
Edward is in Irving, York township, 
Tama county. 

During the war quite a number came to 
swell the list of settlers in Oneida town- 
ship. Among them were the following: 
James and Stephen Rustin, Reuben, jr., 
and James Phillips, James Morrison and his 
son Michael and F. K. Morgan and his son 
M. R. 

James Rustin settled on section 20, and 
lived there until 1879, when he removed 
to Calhoun county, Iowa. Mr. Rustin was 
an elderly man and was Deacon in the 
Freewill Baptist church. He was thor- 
oughly honest, and was well liked by all 
who knew him. 

Stephen Rustin worked about the 
neighborhood, and run a threshing ma- 
chine for Mr. Fowler until 1875, when he 
settled on section 18. He is now in Cal- 
houn county, this State. 

Reuben Phillips came here from Illi- 
nois, and settled on section 16, where he 
still lives. His brother, James, settled on 
section 29, and lived there until 1878 
when be sold his land and went to Kan- 
sas. 

James Morrison settled on section 32, 
and in 1881, sold out and removed to 
Belle Plaine, where he now lives. He was 
a native of Canada. Michael, his son, set- 
tled on section 9, and remained till 1873, 
then moved to section 17. He lived here 
about seven years and left the county. 
His whereabouts are unknown. 



.^ 



J^_ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COtTNTT. 



833 



F. K. Morgan settled on section 36, 
Oneida township, in 1863, and remained a 
resident of that township until 1882, when 
he sold his farm and removed to Plymouth, 
this State. Mr. Morgan is a native of Mas- 
sachusetts, born in 1812, and was left an 
orphan at an early age. He lived with an 
elder sister for some time, then went to 
Pennsylvania where he married Miss Ol- 
ive Welch, a native of Bradford county. 
In 1853, they came to Iowa, first locating 
in Linn county, and afterwards came to 
Tama county. While a resident of this 
county he always took an active part in 
every movement which tended to benefit 
the public, and was continually kept in of- 
fice as he always proved a faithful and an 
eiBcient officer. His children were Wil- 
liam A., John N., M. R., Sarah E., now 
Mrs. O. A. Terpenning; Agnes, Andrew, 
Simeon, Ithemar and Frank. 

M. R. Morgan, son of F. K. Morgan, 
was born in Bradford county, Pennsyl- 
vania, on the ISth of January, 1850. He 
was reared on a farm, came with his par- 
ents to Iowa, and made his home with them 
until July 4, 1867, when he was united in 
marriage with Miss Mary A. Byam. He 
then resided in Benton county one year, 
and then came to Oneida township, where 
he has since made his home. He pur- 
chased his present farm in 1877, then raw 
prairie, and now has it under good culti- 
vation. It is valued at $35 per acre. In 
politics Mr. Morgan is a Republican, 
and is at present Township Assessor. 
He belongs to but one secret society, the 
Q. L. of H. They have three children : 
Emma, Ella and Hallie. 

In 1865, the following named settlers 
were among those who came in: Major 



vis r- 



Sapp and family, Robert Lathrop, Joab 
Hutchinson, J. C. Wiles, Charles E. 
Stearns, A. H. Loveland and William 
Thomas. 

Major Sapp settled on section 28, and 
with the exception of two years, made that 
his home until the fall of 1882, when he 
moved to Toledo, where he now lives. 

Joab Hutchinson lived on section li), 
where he had first located, until 1877, 
when he moved to the village of Traer, 
this county. In 1 879, he went to Nebras- 
ka. He was a Canadian by birth. 

Robert Lathrop purchased a farm of 
Albert Mason on section 16, where he has 
since lived. He is a native of Canada. 

J. C. Wiles came in October and settled 
on section 28, where he has since lived. 
Mr. Wiles was born in Cortland county. 
New York, April 24, 1843. His younger 
days were spent in school and on the farm. 
At fourteen he was apprenticed to a wag- 
on-maker to learn the trade, and after 
serving three years, engaged as a journey- 
man. He worked at his trade until 1865, 
with the exception of one year, then came 
to Iowa and purchased land on section 28, 
of Oneida. He has erected a comfortable 
frame dwelling house, two stables and a 
log house, and also has set out quite a 
number gf forest and fruit trees, and now 
has 360 acres of improved land. Novem- 
ber 3, 1852, he was married to Miss .lanet 
C. Weld. They have three children: Eva 
D., Eddie J. and Violette. Mr. Wiles has 
been very successful in his farming oper- 
ations, and being possessed of all those 
qualifications that go to make a man of 
sterling worth, he to-day holds the re- 
spect of all who know him. He is one of 
the representative men of his township. 



67 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Charles E. Stearns came from Canada 
and settled on section 27. He is a car- 
penter by trade and spends much of his 
time from home. His family still live on 
the farm. 

A. H. Loveland settled on section 28, 
where he still lives. He came from Bu- 
reau county, Illinois. 

W. Thomas was formerly from Canada, 
and on coming to Oneida township, set- 
tled on .section 27. He lived here until 
1879, then sold and went to Kansas. 

In order that the reader may gain some 
knowledge of those who settled here in an 
early day, of their characters, and of their 
prosperity, personal sketches are here pre- 
sented of a number who have been inti- 
mately connected with the welfare and 
growth of the township. 

Welome Mowry came to Oneida in 1807, 
and located on section 28, where he has 
since lived. Mr. Mowry was born in Put- 
nam county, Illinois, April 3, 1842. In 
1851, his parents removed to Bureau 
county, same State, where Welcome re- 
ceived his education in the common 
schools. Later he attended the Dean 
academy one term. On the first call for 
troops, made in 1861, he enlisted into the 
service ; but on the arrival of the company 
at Springfield, the quota was fpund to be 
full and he returned home. He enlisted 
again in August of the same year, in 
Company D, 7th Kansas Cavalry. He 
joined "Lane's Brigade," and served with 
the regiment until the expiration of his 
term of enlistment. He participated in 
many eHgagements, including the battles of 
Corinth, Tupelo and Coffeeville, and was 
honorably discharged September 24, 1864. 
He re-enlisted February 14, 1865, in the 



151st Illinois, was mustered in as Sergeant, 
and went to Dalton, Georgia, Atlanta and 
Americus. He was discharged January 
24, 1866, and returned to Illinois, having 
enlisted three times and served over four 
years. In 1867, he came to Tama county, 
and purchased 86 acres of land on section 
28. He at once built a house and com- 
menced improving his land. Since that 
that time lie has worked into stock and is 
now engaged quite extensively in stock 
raising, keeping on an average 200 head of 
cattle, and about as many hogs. Mr. 
Mowry has one of the finest stock farms 
in the township. He now owns 700 acres, 
part improved and part pasture land, and 
has two sheds for stock, one 140 and 150 
feet long. Mr. Mowry was the first in the 
township to use the tile drain for draining 
his land. He was married in 1866 to Miss 
Lucina Lapp, who has borne him three 
children : Lorena C, Burdette F. and 
Alzada B. Mr. Mowry has held various 
offices of trust in the township, and is the 
present Secretary of the School Board, 
which office he has held for thirteen years. 
He has also held the office of Justice of 
the Peace for ten consecutive years. In 
1881, Mr. Mowry was elected Colonel of 
of the Tama County Veterans, and was 
re-elected in 1882. Mr. Mowry is a genial, 
open-hearted gentleman, and is respected 
by all who know him. 

William Whitmore settled in Oneida 
township, in 1867, and made this his home 
until his death. His son Joshua, a 
prominent farmer, is still a resident of 
the township. Joshua Whitmore was 
born in Oneida, Canada, November 13, 
1851 His parents were William and 
Margaret Whitmore, the former a na- 



'^' 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



live of Canada, the latter of Ireland. In 
1865 the family emigrated to the United 
States, locating in La Salle county, 111., 
where they remained until in November, 
1867, at which time they came to Iowa, 
and settled in Tama county, in Oneida 
township, where the parents lived until 
their death. They reared a family of 
eight children, six of whom are now liv- 
ing — Joshua, the subject of this sketch, 
Ellen, now wife of John Coutts, Esther, 
Edward, Margaret J., now Mrs. Lewis 
Barnes, and Martha Ann, now wife of 
Orin Hill. Joshua was reared on a farm, 
and February 5, 1878, was married to Miss 
Ann Eliza Cochran, daughter of A. C. and 
Nancy E. Cochran. Three children bless 
this union — Margaret E., George and 
Frank." Mr. Whitmore owns 100 acres of 
land on section ,30. In politics he is a 
Republican and has held various local 
offices. 

Another settler of 1867 was L. P. Keith, 
a native of Madison county. New York, 
born January 17, 1815. His parents 
were Mark and Louise (Trumbull) Keith, 
both of whom were natives of the Emjiire 
State. L. P., was reared on a farm, and 
was married January .3, 1838, to Miss Eliza 
P. Dickinsen, a native of Oneida county. 
New York. They have four children liv 
ing: Enos, Klihu, Erie and Emmett. His 
wife was born in 1818, her parents being 
Enos and Lucia (Royington) Dickinsen. 
Mr. Keith followed farming in his native 
State until the fall of 1848, when he emi- 
grated to Dane county, Wisconsin. He 
lived in Wisconsin until 1804, when he 
came to Iowa, and in 1867 settled in Tama 
county where he purchased 480 acres of 



land. He resides on section 25, in Oneida 
township. 

Mr. Keith is a Republican, but does not 
take an active part in politics He is a 
member of the Baptist Church. 

William Kinner settled in the township 
in 1867. Mr. Kinner is a native of York 
State, born in Seneca, now known as 
Tompkins county. His father settled on 
timber land in that county in an early day 
and cleared about thirty acres. The fa- 
ther was drowned in Cayuga Lake when 
William was but six years old. The sub- 
ject of this sketch made his home with his 
mother until he was twenty-three, when 
he went to Cattaraugus county, where he 
bought a farm and soon after married Miss 
Mary Pottman, daughter of Peter and 
Mary Pottman, who were the first settlers 
of Hinsdale in that county. They lived 
there about eight years, then removed to 
Chemung county, locating in the town of 
Dix, where he bought a canal boat and 
operated on the Chemung and Erie canal. 
Mr. Kinner made Dix his residence until 
1849, when he moved to Illinois and pur- 
chased a farm in Carroll county. He re- 
mained here until 1867, with the exception 
of one year spent in Crawford county, 
Wisconsin, and then came to Tama county, 
where he settled on section 36, of Oneida 
township, his presenthome. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kinner have had eight children, seven of 
whom are now living: John A., Peter P., 
Eliza v., James M., Rosanna, William H. 
and Charles E. 

James M., third son of William and 
Mary (Pottman) Kinner, was born in 
Cattaraugus county, New York, January 
18, 1834. At twenty-three years of age 
he engaged with a daguerreian to lenrn 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the trade. He worked at this business one 
year and then resumed farming. He was 
married November 15, 1864, to Miss Cbloe 
Woodin, a native of Connecticut. They 
have tour children living: Kent. James, 
Mary Myrtle and Major Ransom. Mr. 
Kinner came to Tama county from Carroll 
county, Illinois, in 1867, and settled on 
section 36, in Oneida township, where he 
now lives. He is engaged quite extensive- 
ly in stock raising. He has taken quite an 
interest in public affairs, has been elected 
to various offices of trust in the township, 
and is at present a member of the board of 
Trustees. 

John A., eldest son of VVilliam and Mary 
(Pottman) Kinner, was born in Cattarau- 
gus county. New York, on the 17th of 
November, 1826. He attended school in 
his boyhood and assisted his father on the 
faim. At seventeen years of age he en- 
gaged to learn the carpenter's trade, serv- 
ing as an apprentice for three years, then 
worked for another three years as a jour- 
neyman, after which he engaged in busi- 
ness as carpenter and builder in York 
State until 1649. At this time he came 
west o Wisconsin and worked at his trade 
in Rock county until 1864, when he moved 
to Illinois, locating in Carroll county, 
where he remained for three years and 
in 1867 came to Iowa. He came at once 
to Tama county and purchased land on 
section 26 of Oneida township, where he 
now lives. Mr. Kinner was married in 
849, to Miss Lucy A. Clarke, of Allegany 
county. New York. They have been 
blessed with seven children, four of whom 
are now living: Emory K., Emily E., 
(George C. and Samuel M 



William R. Williamson became a resi- 
dent of Oneida township is 1867. He is a 
native of Ireland, born in the county of 
Derry, September 8, 18:58. When four- 
teen years of age he started out for him- 
self, came to America, landing at New- 
York and went at once to Cincinnati, 
where he was employed in Shreeve & 
Steele's iron works. After working here 
eighteen months, he went to Will county, 
Illinois, where he was engaged at farming 
until 1867, then came to Tama county, and 
purchased land on section S5, of Oneida 
township. He at once began making im- 
provements; built a frame house and set 
out forest and fruit trees. He has now a 
large variety of plum, apple and cherry 
trees, and also many different kinds of 
berries. In 1883 he erected a frame house 
18x27 feet with twenty feet posts and an ad- 
dition 15x20 feet. Mr. Williamson was mar- 
ried December 9, 1858, to Miss Margaret 
Williamson, a native of the county of 
Antrim, Ireland. They have two children 
— Lillie Belle and Maggie May. 

Mathias Matthiesen settled where he 
now lives on section 10, Oneida township, 
in 1872, but first became a resident of the 
township in 1870. Mr. Matthiesen was 
born in Schleswig, Germany, August 2"), 
1826. He was united in marriage to Miss 
Magdelena Peterson, and in 1860, emigra- 
ted to the United States. Mr. Matthiesen 
first located in Scott county, Iowa, where 
he wasengaged in farming until 1870, when 
he came to Tama county. He has resided 
in this county ever since, with the exceji- 
tion of one year spent in Benton county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Matthiesen have been blessed 
with eight , children — Catherine, born 
April 6, 1850; Clau.s, born June 4, 1852, 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



83'7 



Hans, born July 23, 1353; Christ, Septem- 
ber 1, 1859; John, December 17. 1861; 
Mary, June 1, 186-t; Theodore, March o> 
1865; and Fred, born March 20, 1869. In 
politics, Mr. Matthiesen is a Democrat; in 
faith, a Lutheran. He now owns a fine 
farm of 360 acres. 

Frank Meggers came to Tama county in 
1873, first locating in Clark township; but 
since 1877, has been a resident of section 
6, Oneida township. Mr. Meggers was 
born in Germany, September 12, 1846, his 
parents being Frank H. and Mary Meg- 
gers. Mr. Meggers remained in his native 
land until June, 1870, when he came to the 
United States. For the next three years 
he lived in Michigan, then went to She- 
boygan county, Wisconsin, and there re- 
sided until coming to Iowa in 1873. Oc- 
tober 1, 1873, Mr. Meggers was married to 
Miss Paulina Hoist, a native of Germany. 
They have four children — Mary, born Sep- 
tember 17, 1874; Alvina, born February 
15, 1876; Frank, born January 17, 1878; 
and William, born January 11, 1881. In 
politics Mr. Meggers is a Republican, and 
has held the offices of Township Trustee 
and Clerk. He is a member of the Luth- 
eran Church. 

H. C. Burris located in Oneida town- 
ship in 1882, and purchased 160 acres of land 
on section 14. Mr. Burris is a son of Wil- 
liam and Ann (Busland) Burris, the for- 
mer a native of Vermont, the latter of 
Ohio. He was born in Bureau county, 
Illinois, May 7, lb55. The family came to 
Iowa and located in Benton countyin 1871, 
and there lived until 1882, when the par- 
ents went to Nebraska, and H. C. came to 
Tama county. Tliere were eight children 
in the family — Sarah R., now Mrs. Charles 



Jackson, of Howard county, Nebraska; 
Christa A., now wife of Solomon Thomp- 
son; W. E., H. C, J. E., Jennie L., now 
Mrs. J. C. Bergen, and Charles A. In 
1875, Mr. Burris was married to Miss 
Maggie J. Byam, daughter of W. A. and 
Annie (Leveland) Byam. They 'have one 
daughter — Lulu Blanche. Mr. Burris is 
now engaged in farming and improving 
his land, and has one of the finest farms in 
the township. 

HLSTORICAL ITEMS. 

The first marriage in this township was 
H. Hull to Miss E. J. Kerns, in 1857. J. 
C. Vermilya, County Judge, performed 
the ceremony. 

The first school house in this township 
was built in 1859, and was located on tlie 
northeast quarter of section 36. Ruth 
LeRue was the first teacher. I his school 
building is now attached to a dwelling 
house and is used as a kitchen. There are 
atpresent ten school districts in the town- 
ship with a school house in each. 

Old settlers of the township tell of a 
strange animal that was seen in an early 
day. It was called the white lion. Some 
who saw it say it had the build of a lion, 
had a mane and a bushy tail, and that it 
was as large as the largest dog. Its tracks 
were seen in places by a few persons, who 
said they were as large as those of a 
horse, and the marks showed toes like a 
dog's. Another strange feature was that 
the animal was pure white. A man once 
met it in the road and was forced to go 
around, as it showed fight. At one time, 
when Mr. Fowler, an early settler, was 
away from home, the beast came near the 
liouse. Mrs. Fowler took an ax and was 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



going to brain the brute; but it crouched 
and showed its teeth and growled in such 
a fearful way that her courage left her, 
and she Hed into the house, piling table 
and chairs against the door to keep the 
terrible lion out. Finally, it disappeared 



altogether, and now the old settlers look 
upon the aflFair as more of a .scare than 
anything else. Some think it was a white 
bear; others, a panther; but these are 
mere conjectures, nothing definite being 
known as to what it really was. 



CHAPTER XXXI 1 1 



OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



This is a full Congressional township, 
comprising all of township 83 north, 
range west of the fifth principal meridian, 
containing an area of about 23,040 acres. 
It is bounded on the north by Carroll, on 
the west, by Toledo and Tama, on the 
south by Richland, and on the east by York 
township. 

It is watered by Otter creek and its nu- 
merous small tributaries, the main stream 
entering in two branches at the northwest 
corner, one on section 5, the other on sec- 
tion 6, making conHuence near the center 
of the latter section; then flowing in one 
stream in a southeasterly direction, pass- 
ing through sections 7 and 18, the south- 
west corner of 17, then through 20, touch- 
ing 21 and 29, then through 28,a corner of 
27, making exit on 34. 

The Chicago & Northwestern railroad 
touches the southwest corner and the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee and St. Paul traverses 
the township from the southwest toward 
the northeast. On the latter road there 
is a station called Gladstone located in the 



I southeast corner of section 29. It is an 
I agricultural township having no town 
within its borders. The bottom lands of 
Otter creek comprise about one-fourth of 
the township, the soil of which is as good 
and as productive as any lands in the 
county. The remainder of the township 
is about equally divided between high 
rolling prairie and bluff land — the latter 
having considerable timber. On these 
uplands the soil is much lighter, yet it is 
productive and abounds with many ex- 
cellent farms and the township is one of 
the best in the county. The improve 
ments are excellent and the farmers are 
an industrious, enterprising class, and as 
a rule are steadily adding to their wealth. 

KARLY SETTLEMENT. 

IIow many recollections cluster around 
this branch of history, reraiuisences of by 
gone days, remembrances of joy and sor- 
row, of prosperity and adversity. It 
would seem sometimes that the present 
happy and comfortable homes have been 
purchased at a cost beyond estimation, 



V 



.^ 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



yet there is always a feeling of satisfac- 
tion, in the thought of a competence hon- 
estly gained, a home fairly won by the 
toil and labor of pioneer days. 

The first settlement here was effected 
by Amos B. Hancock, on the northwest 
quarter of section 36, in the spring of 
1853. Here he resided three or four years 
then removed to Salt Creek township, 
where he died. He was a native of Con 
necticut, brought up on a farm, married 
Miss Stewart and reared a family of chil- 
dren in his native State, and moved to 
Iowa, as above stated. He was a great 
lover of his country and a strong aboli- 
tionist before the war. In 1862, although 
over sixty years old, he enlisted in the 37th 
Iowa or " Gray Beard Regiment, " with 
which he served faithfully until the close 
of the war. He also had one son in the 
service, who fell while carrying the colors 
of his regiment and now fills a soldier's 
grave. Mr. Hancock, after being mustered 
out of the service, returned to his home 
and spent the remainder of his days tilling 
the soil. His widow yet survives and 
resides in Salt Creek township. 

The second settlement was effected in 
November, 1853. On the 14th of that 
month, there halted at the house of Amos 
B. Hancock, six wagons drawn by two 
span of horses and four yoke of cattle, 
containing the following named persons — 
Abram Tompkins with his wife and eight 
children; John Bishop, with his wife and 
daughter; Le Roy Olney and wife and 
Alexander La Dow, with his wife and 
seven children. Two Jays later, this party 
with the exception of Mr. La Dow and 
family located on the right bank of Otter 
creek, on the northeast quarter of section 



29, which land had been entered by Mr. 
Tompkins during the preceding August. 
Here they stretched a carpet over some 
poles 1o serve as a tent until a rude log 
cabin could be erected for winter quarters. 
Fortunately there was no high water that 
season, but Mr. Tompkins has often since 
seen the place then occupied by the cabin 
covered with water to the depth of three 
feet. In the spring of 1854, Mr. Tompr 
kins erected a house farther from the 
creek, where he removed his family. He 
broke one hundred acres the first season, 
and in the spring of 1855, sowed it with 
wheat — the first in the township. The 
crop raised was threshed by Chester Rus- 
sell, who run the first threshing machine 
in this vicinity. The yield was an aver- 
age of eighteen bushels per acre. Mr. 
Tompkins hauled the wheat to Wood- 
bury's mill, in Marshall county, where he 
exchanged the same for flour, giving two 
pounds of wheat for one of flour. The 
flour he sold at Toledo, where he found 
ready sale at the rate of four dollars per 
hundred. 

The following season (1854) J. M. 
Hayes and C. E. Hayes came to this town- 
ship, also A. L. Russell, Calvin Powell, 
Hiram Riddle and Robert Carter. 

In 1855, the settlement was increased 
only by a few persons, among whom were 
S. M. Harris, Benjamin Hayes and A. J. 
Tyler. 

C. E. Hayes was born in Orange county, 
Vermont, May 28, 1828. His father, Sam- 
uel Hayes, was a soldier in the war of 
1812, and still resides in Vermont, being 
eighty-one years of age. His grandfather 
served in the Revolutionary war. C. E. 
received a common school education and 



^' 



840 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



helped his father on the farm until 1851, 
when he concluded to try his fortune in 
the far west. He therefore moved to Illi- 
nois, but after residing in that State for 
some time, he determined to push farther 
westward. Accordingly, in January, 1854, 
he came to Iowa and purchased 540 acres 
of land in Tama county, spent the ensuing 
summer in Illinois, and, in December, 
accompanied by his brother, J. M. Hayes, 
came to Iowa and settled where he now 
resides. They commenced keeping bache- 
lor's hall, J. M. serving as head cook and 
housekeeper. Mr. Hayes hired two men 
and began making improvements as fast 
as possible. In January, 1856, he was 
married to Miss Annette Patterson, a 
native of Vermont. Mr. Hayes has met 
with marked success in his farming opera- 
tions, and now owns 780 acres of land, 
besides a third interest in twenty-six lots 
in Tama City. He is one of the original 
stockholders of the P"'irst National Bank 
of Tama, and has served as one of its 
Directors for many years. He also owns a 
fifth interest in the Tama water power, of 
which he is a Director. Mr. Hayes has 
given his attention largely to stock rais- 
ing, and, for the last few years, has also 
engaged quite extensively in buying and 
selling live stock. It is impossible to do 
the subject of this sketch justice in so 
brief a biography ; but it can honestly be 
stated, that he is one of the most promi- 
nent and influential farmers of Tama 
county. He is a Republican and has held 
various local offices, but is kept so busy 
watching his various interests, that he 
cannot take an active part in i)olitics. He 
also served as postmaster at Tamaville for 
many years. His religious connections are 



with the Free-will Baptist Society. The 
children are named as follows : Justin B., 
Lelah R., Cora L. and Charles H. 

J. M. Hayes came to this county with 
his brother, C. E. Hayes, December 24, 

1854. He at first assisted his brother, 
who had previously bought land, and in 

1855, purchased eighty acres of his pres- 
ent farm. In 1857, he went back to Ver- 
mont and married Miss Lucy Patterson. 
He then returned to his home on the 
frontier and commenced keeping house in 
a building 16x22 feet, covered with shingles 
made by Mr Hayes partly on moonlight 
nights. He has been successful as a 
farmer, and now owns 440 acres with 
good improvements. His wife died April 
14, 1872. He was married the second 
time, in March, 1873, to Miss Lucy Swi- 
gert. She died in August, 1876, leaving 
one son, Cyrus S. In 1877, Mr. Hayes 
married Miss Libbie Swigert, a sister of 
his second wife. Mr. Hayes was born in 
the state of Vermont, June 3, 1832. His 
parents were Samuel and Sally (Brown) 
Hayes. He resided in his native State 
until he came to Iowa, in 1854. Mr. Hayes 
is a Republican and has held various local 
offices. 

A. J. Tyler came to this county in the 
spring of 1855, at which time he purchased 
180 acres of land on section 35. He was 
a single man and therefore boarded, with 
C. E. Hayes and John Voorhies. During 
this time he improved his land and erect- 
ed a house. Mr. Tyler was married 
December 8, 1858, to Miss Margaret 
Voorhies, daughter of John Voorhies. 
She died October, 2, 1880, leaving four 
children: Epima A., Isaac Elmer, Frank 
L. and Nora. Mr. Tyler has made a suc- 



-7f 



•F 



•^x « fc~ 



it^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



cess of farming and now has a farm of over 
800 acres. He has, for several years, been 
quite extensively engaged in buying and 
selling live stock, and also in stock rais- 
ing. He is one of the founders of 
the First National Bank of Tama City, 
and is at present one of its Directors. He 
is also one of the Directors of the Tama 
water power, of which he is a stock holder. 
In politics, Mr. Tyler is a Republican, and 
has held several local offices, but has 
alwaj's had too much business of his own 
to attend to anything else. He is 
always prompt in the fulfillment of his 
obligations and is highly respected as a 
citizen. He was born in Vermont, March 
18, 1828. His parents were Asel and 
Ruby (White) Tyler. He received a good 
common school education, remaining in 
Vermont from 1840 until 1854, taking care 
of himself, his mother having died. In 
1854 he was in Boston, and came to Iowa 
in 1855. 

Among the settlers during 1856 were 
William Meeker, Lathrop Meeker, D. C. 
Lamb, Alexander Johnson and others. 

William Meeker, who is a native of 
New Jersey, was born in 1807. His par- 
ents moved to Ohio when he was but 
seven years old, and there engaged in 
farming. During their stay in Ohio, 
William was married to Miss Patience 
Mount. In 1856, he came to Iowa, spent 
the first winter near Indiantown and then 
located on section 28, Otter Creek town- 
ship, where he still resides. Mr. Meeker 
is seventy-six years of age and his wife is 
seventy-three. There were thirteen chil- 
dren in the family, eight of whom are 
now living: Lathrop, Amos M., Samuel, 
Sarah, Jane, Lewis, Clark and David. 



Lathrop Meeker came to Iowa with his 
brother, Samuel Meeker, in May, 1855, 
settling for a time in Indiantown. In the 
fall of 1856, he went back to Ohio, and 
prevailed on the balance of the family to 
come with him to Iowa. In 1860, he mar- 
ried Miss Sophrona Tompkins, daughter 
of Abram Tompkins, and has since been 
a resident of Otter Creek township. He 
settled on section 32, in March, 1863, and 
now has a farm of 270 acres of land. Mr. 
Meeker was born in Warren county, Ohio, 
April 13, 1833, his parents being William 
and Patience (Mount) Meeker. Lathrop 
made his home with his parents until 
coming to Tama county. Their children 
are: Emma, George T., Bertha A., Mil. 
ton C, Walter A., Fay E., Ralph S., Elma 
and Elmer (twins), and Albert W. 

D. C. Lamb resides on section 13, where 
he settled in April, 1856. He has given 
his attention to farming and now owns 
870 acres in one body, and 320 in other 
parts of the township. Mr. Lamb was 
born in Ohio, March 4, 1820, his parents 
being William and Catharine (Cupp) 
Lamb. He assisted his father in business 
and attended school until he reached his 
majority. He then attended school at 
Grandville, Ohio, thus obtaining a good 
education. He subsequently taught school 
for several years and in 1844 married 
Miss Rebecca Walters. She died in 1863 
leaving six children — Maggie, now Mrs. 
E. W. Hodson; Jacob W., William, Almi- 
ra, now Mrs. Wm. Garrettson; Ada, now 
Mrs. Isaac Bunce, and Rebecca. In 1866 
Mr. Lamb married Miss Mary Shinholdt. 
and by this union six children were born 
— Christena, Catharine, Lizzie, George, 
Charles and Fred. Mr. Lamb takes but 



sK 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



k. 



little interest in politics and does not ad- 
here to any party, but always votes for 
the man he deems best qualified for the 
office. 

Alexander Johnson came to Tama 
county in the spring of 18.56, and first 
located in Indian Village township, where 
he worked at his trade as carpenter. In 
1860 he was joined in marriage with Eliza 
Jane Meeker, daughter of William and 
Patience (Mount) Meeker. In 1862, he 
removed to Tama, remaining there a year, 
and then came to Otter Creek township, 
where he located on section 31. He still 
lives there and has a good farm of 100 
acres. Alexander was born in Indiana 
county, Pennsylvania, July -2, 183.3. His 
l)arents wereDavid and Margaret (Walker) 
Johnson. He learned his trade and re- 
sided in his native State until he came to 
Iowa, in 1856. The children are — Wil- 
liam, Maria, James, Amanda, Eva, Mary, 
Nelson and an infant. Mr. Johnson is a 
Republican and has held several local 
offices. 

This township settled slowly at first, 
but after the close of the war the settlers 
crowded in and soon took all the Govern- 
ment land. Among those who came early 
during the decade between 1860 and 1870, 
and are now prominent citizens may be 
mentioned: A. W. West and Sylvester 
Wilco.x — later followed by his son, George 
L. Wilcox. 

Alexander W. West first came to Tama 
county in 1834, at which time he pur- 
chased 303 acres of land, but did not 
become a resident of the county until 
1862, since which time he has resided in. 
Otter Creek township. He has purchased 
more land and now has a farm of 487 



acres. Mr. West was born in'Muskingum 
county, Ohio, December 16, 1831. His 
parents were Philip P. and Paulina 
(Roberts) West, the former a native of 
Virginia, and the latter of Pennsylva- 
nia. He was reared on a farm and re- 
sided in his native State for a number of 
years, and then came to Jackson county, 
Iowa, from there he came to Tama county, 
where he still resides. On December 31, 
1856, he was joined in matrimony with 
Miss Sarah C Sherrock. She died in 

1863, leaving three children, two of whom 
are now living — Isaac and Paulina. In 

1864, Mr. West was married to Miss 
Mary Feelay. She has borne him eight 
children, five of them now living — Sarah 
C, Lydia E., Lily F., Alexander W. and 
Amos M. 

Sylvester Wilcox was born in Connecti- 
cut, September 3, 1 804. He made his home 
with his parents until eleven years old, 
then came to New York State and followed 
farming. During his last stay in New 
York, he was married to Miss Caroline 
Bissell. In 1863, he emigrated to Iowa, 
and at once purchased his present farm 
located on section 35 where he has since 
resided. His wife died in September, 
1878, leaving a family of seven children, 
only one of whom is now liying— George 
L. Mr. Wilcox lost the sight of one of 
his eyes in 1880, and in August, 1882, he 
became totally blind. George L. Wilcox 
was born in the State of New York, Feb- 
ruary 16, 1834. In March, 1855, he mar- 
ried Miss Delia A. Kasson, also a native 
of the Empire State. He came to Iowa, 
in 1863, and first settled in Buchanan 
county, where he followed blacksmithing 
until June of 1874. .Mr. Wilcox then 



^« r- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



came to Tama county, and has since had 
charge of his father's farm, wliich contains 
255 acres. 

ORGASTIC. 

The township of Otter Creek was organ- 
ized in 1856; at that time it oomprisedall the 
Congressional township 83 north, range 1 + 
west, and that part of township 82 north, 
range 14 west, lying north of the Iowa 
river. The first election was held at 
the house of Abram Thorapkins on the 
•/th of April, 1856, at which there were 
tifty-two votes cast. C. E. Hayes; M. 
Mitchell and N. H. Bidwell, served as 
Judges of election, and R. C. M. Wells 
and C. Leach as C'lerks. 

The names of the persons voting at the 
election are here given: 

M. Cochran, A. J. Tyler, J. H. Voor- 
iiies, O. T. Clark, James Cloud, John 
Southard, E. A. Bumham, M. Baker, Wm. 
Wooten, A. B. Hancock, L. Olney, A. W. 
Ammerman, James Gillen, Calvin Powell, 
William Rittenhouse, A. D. Olney, C. A. 
Russell, Benjamin Grover, J. M. Hayes, 
A. Rittenhouse, James Erwin, Daniel Gro- 
ver, A. L. Russell, J. H. Richardson, 
William Rittenhou-e, Jr., Hezekiah 
Baker, O. L. Truesdell, Aaron Ba- 
ker, H. Cloud, D. Sater, M. Hunt, Nor- 
man Lewis, John VVilliams, Wm. Pick- 
ett, Robert Carter, J. A. Siling, George 
Pickett, Joseph Carter, II. Cross, A. 
Morse, Abram Tompkins, R. K. Clark, H. 
Riddle. C. E. Hayes, MefEord Mitchell, S. 
C. Leach, N. H. Bidwell, R. C. M. Wells 
and Daniel Rusk. 

The officers elected November 7, 188-J, 
were as follows — D. K. Richards, J. P. 
Evans, Trustees; Theodore Dupree, Clerk; 
X. Bidwell, Assessor. 



The United Brethren have a society in 
Otter Creek, which holds meetings at the 
school house of District No. 1, and for the 
past four years there has been preaching 
at the school house of District 5. 

rOSTOFFlCES. 

In the spring of 1854, a postoffice was 
established at the house of Norman Lewis, 
on section 27, called Tamaville. C. E. 
Hayes succeeded Mr. Lewis us postmaster, 
and the office was removed to his residence. 
Thus it remained for a number of years, 
but finally the mail route was abolished, 
and the office discontinued. After this 
the township was without a postoffice, un- 
til May, 1882, when the Gladstone post- 
office was established, and P. H. Dupre 
appointed postmaster. • 

CEMBTEBY. 

There is one cemetery in Otter Creek 
township situated on the southwest quar- 
ter of section 22, containing about an 
acre and a-half of ground. The land was 
donated to the township for burial pur- 
poses by Norman Lewis, in 1861. 

GLADSTONE. 

In the spring of 1882 the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railroad Company laid 
a side track from their main line, and 
made a stopping point on section 22, Otter 
Creek township, calling the station Glad- 
stone. The company had previously pur- 
chased the farm of M. W. Varner, and 
erected a depot. There has been a store 
started here, by P. A. Dupre, in abuilding 
20x56 feet. Ths is the only store ever 
started in the township. 

P. A. Dupre, postmaster at Gladstone, 
is a native of New York, born in 
Buffalo, November 9, 1851, a son of J. P. 
and Rose (Bouche) Dupre. In 1864 he came 



■^. 



'1^ 



-l^ 



844 



HISTOKV OF TAMA COUNTY. 



with his parents to Tama county, and 
received a good education. Subsequently 
he taught school for nearly eight years — 
three terms in Tama county, two years 
in Washington county and the balance of 
the time in Kansas. Mr. Dupre was mar- 
ried June 15, 1882, to Miss JosieS. Muzzy, 
a native of Springfield, Maine. 



EDUCATIONAL. 



It is said a community may be judged 
correctly as to general character by the 
condition of its schools, and to a certain 
extent this is true. A people having a 
desire for the elevation and enlightenment 
of coming generations, and the better con- 
dition of mankind, are not found among 
the opponents of the public school. Ap- 
preciatingthe desirableness of educational 
facilities, the early settlers of Otter Creek 
township made provision for a school in 
18.55, and erected a log house on section 
19, and employed Miss Harriet Hatfield, 



who taught a term of three months for 
$20. The next school in the township 
was near the residence of C. E. Hayes, 
in what was organized as district No. 3, 
and Miss Ingham was the teacher. 

There are now eight schools in the town- 
ship, and the school property is valued 
at *4,000. 

HISTOKIC'AL ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

The first birth in the township was Sum- 
ner, a son of Abram and Mary A. Tomp- 
kins, boKn on the 26th day of March, 1855. 

The first death was the wife of Robert 
Carter, which occurred March 20, 1854. 
She was buried in Oak Hill cemetery. 

The first marriage united the destinies 
of Logan McChesney and Miss L. A.Han- 
cock, daughter of A. B. Hancock. This 
was in 1854 and the ceremony was per- 
formed by Rev. Alexander LaDow. The 
couple now reside in Kansas. 



CHAPTER XXX I V- 



PERRY TOWNSHIP. 



Tliis is a full Congressional township, 
comprising all of township 85 north, range 
14 west, containing an area of about 
23,040 acres. It is bounded on the north 
by Buckingham, on the west by Ciystal, 
on the south by Carroll and on the east by 
Clark townships. It is well watered by 
numerous streams. Wolf creek and Four 



Mile creek enter from Crystal township 
on the west, and make confluence near the 
center of section 7, flowing thence toward 
the east and northeast it passes through 
sections 8, 9 and the northwest corner of 
1 and making exit toward the north on 
the northeast quarter of section 3, enters 
Buckingham township. There is, on this 



4 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



stream on section 10, a water power which 
has been utilized. Coon creek enters 
from Clark township on the west, on sec- 
tion 24, and flowing toward the north-west 
and north, traverses sections 14, 11, the 
north-east corner of 10, and empties into 
Wolf creek on section 3. A branch of 
this creek enters on section 1 and flowing 
towards the west through sections 1-2 and 
and 11, joins the original stream on the 
north-east quarter of 10. Salt creek en- 
ters from the west on section 30, and pass- 
ing through this section and 29, 28, the 
south-west quarter of 27, then 34, it leaves 
toward the south on the south-west quar- 
ter of 35 A branch of this creek comes 
from the south and passing through sec- 
tion 33 enters the main stream on the 
south-east quarter of section 28 

The surface of this township consists 
mainly of a beautiful, gently undulating 
prairie, with a most excellent soil, which 
is generally a productive, dark sandy loam, 
with clay subsoil. There is a good grove 
of natural timber located mostly on sec- 
tions 4 and 5, called National Grove. 
Another, Osborn's Grove, located on sec- 
tion 10, but a good part of this has been 
cut away. Another, still smaller, called 
Baker's Grove, may be found on section 
30. 

The township is peopled by an indus- 
trious, energetic class of citizens, has many 
beautiful farms and desirable homes, and 
compares favorably with any townshij) in 
the county. 

There is one line of railway traversing 
this township, the Burlington, Cedar Rap- 
ids & Northern, which enters from the 
east on section 13. 



EARLY SETTLEMBNT. 

The first person to make a claim here 
was Norman L. Osborn. He came from 
Buckingham township in the spring of 

1852, and claimed the northeast quarter of 
section 10, and there erected a log cabin, 
the first in the township. In the fall of 

1853, he sold his claim to Ira and Giles 
Taylor. He then entered the northwest 
quarter of the same section, which he also 
sold, in 1854, to Stephen Klingaman. In 
1855, he located near Webster City and 
finally went to Missouri, where it is sup- 
posed he is still living. He was the first 
Sheriff of Tama county. 

The next parties to be mentioned in this 
connection are Jonas P. Wood and 
William D. Hitchner, who started from 
Mercer county, Uhio, in June, 1852, 
seeking a location in Iowa. Taking pass- 
age on a canal boat at St. Mary's they soon 
arrived at Toledo, Ohio, from where they 
journeyed by railroad to Belvidere, Illi- 
nois and made a visit with friends. From 
there they went to Beloit, Wisconsin. 
At VVyota they met John and Joseph 
Connell, who were from Conneticut, and 
were looking for a western home. They 
all then journeyed together by stage and 
boat to Dubuque, and then started on foot 
across the country to Vinton, where they 
remained a few days; but not finding a 
location to suit them, pushed on to this 
county, where Mr. Wood entered 400 acres 
of land, being the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 4, and the north half of the north- 
west quarter of section 25, in township 86, 
range 1 4, and the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 3, in township 85, range 15. John Con- 
nell entered the north half of the southwest 
quarter of section 4, and the northwest 



;rr 



A 



•fc. 



846 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



quarter of the southeast and the southwest 
quarter of the northeast quarter in the 
same section, in township 85, range 14. 

In October of that year Wood and 
Hitchner started on their return, having 
gone to their old home for their families. 
With them was Mr. Wood's mother with 
a family of seven children of whom Jonas 
was the oldest. The names of the others 
were Rachael, Eve, Joshua C , I.yman E., 
Mary, the wife of Mr. Hitchner; and Lucy 
Aim. Dr. W. A. Daniel, a prac- 
ticing physician from Illinois, and Miss 
Eve Heckathorn, a maiden sister of 
Mrs. Wood's, accompanied them. They 
came with teams bringing provisions 
with them and camping out on the 
way. This tiresome journey occupied 
four weeks of time. Upon their arrival 
here they moved into a log cabin that had 
been built by the Connell brothers In a 
short time they had erected a cabin of 
their own, tifty-fiye feet long and twenty 
wide, on the northeast quarter of section 
4 . The Woods family made their home 
there until 1856. Jonas, who was at this 
time Deputy County Surveyor, married 
and settled in Toledo. Joshua married a 
short time afterward and settled on sec- 
tion .3.3, township 86, range 14, where ho 
still lives. Lyman located on the north- 
east quarter of section 6. Mrs. Wood 
made her home with her son Lymaa until 
the time of her death. 

Lyman Wood was born in Hoosick, 
Rensselaer county. New York, 1791. 
During the war of 1812, he joined a 
Volunteer company and went to ^lew 
York to defend the city. After his dis- 
charge, he engaged in the lumber trade 
until 1817, when he went to Ohio, and 



was there engaged with the LTnited States 
surveyors in surveying western Ohio. 
He was married in 1819, to Miss Nancy 
Heckathorn, who was born in Virginia, in 
1798. He settled in Fairfield county, 
where he engaged in the manufacture of 
linseed oil. In 1829, he removed to Hock- 
ing county, where he was engaged to 
superintend the outside work of a paper 
mill, at Pine Grove, and was thus employed 
at the time of his death, which occurred in 
1839. In politics, Mr. Wood was a Whig, 
and in religion a Universalist. He 
left a widow and seven children to mourn 
his death. His oldest son, Jonaa P., one of 
the pioneers of Tama county, was born in 
Fairfield county, Ohio, August 8, 1820. 
He was but nine years of age at the 
time his parents moved to Hocking county. 
Being the oldest son, he became the head 
of the family at his father's death. In 
1843, the family moved to Mercer county, 
where they bought some timber land. 
The boys went to work, cleared the farm 
and built a house. In 1852, they sold out 
and came to Iowa, locating in township 
85, range 14, now known as Perry town- 
ship. He was joined in marriage, June 
29, 1856, to Miss Margaret Connell, daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Mary Connell, and in 
September of that same year,-, he moved 
to Toledo, where he lived until 1861, then 
returned to his farm on section 4. He 
has improved his land. He has engaged 
quite extensively in the nursery business 
and now has a fine orchard of 1,000 trees. 
Mr. Wood received a common education 
in his younger days and by extensive read- 
ing in his later years, has been enabled to 
keep pace with the times. Mr. Wood is a 



"Tla 



r 



J: 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Republican; in religion he is a Universal- 
ist, having followed in the footsteps of his 
father, who had lived and died in that 
faith. 

Lyman E., youngest son of Lyman and 
Nancy (Heckathorn) Wood, was born in 
Fairlield county, Ohio, June 20, 1825. He 
received his education in the old fashioned 
log school house in his native town. He 
came to Iowa with his parents and made 
his home with them until 1856, when he 
settled on his own farm on section 6. He 
built a frame house, into which he has 
since moved. He has also built an addi- 
tion to his house and made improvements 
till he has a very comfortable home. His 
marriage with Miss Augusta, daughter of 
.John W. and Francis McKune, occurred 
on June 28, 1857. And to Mr. and Mrs. 
Wood must be given the honor of being 
the first couple married in Crystal town- 
ship. They have but one child — Abbie, an 
only daughter. 

The Connell brothers were joined in the 
fall by their father, Daniel Connell, Sr., 
their brother Robert and sister Margaret. 
The father went back to Connecticut, and 
in the spring of 185.3 returned with his 
wife and another daughter named Mary. 
They lived in the Connell house on the 
north half of the southwest quarter of sec- 
tion 4. .Joseph died in September, 1854. 
.lohn was elected to the State Legislature in 
1R54, and afterward settled in Toledo. He 
served in the Union army, as Colonel of 
the 28th Iowa regiment, and lost an arm 
while in the service. In 1867 he was ap" 
pointed Collector of Internal Revenue, at 
Burlington, an office which he held until 
May, 1883. Robert settled on the north 
lialf of the northeast quarter of section 4, 



where he died in February, 1876. Mrs. 
Connell died in June, 1866; Mr. Connell 
in October, 1875. In 1855 Daniel Connell, 
Jr., joined the family, and in 1856 engaged 
in mercantile trade, in Buckingham, where 
he continued in business until the collapse 
of that village, when he removed to Traer. 
He is at present postmaster at Gladbrook. 
W. D. Hitchner bought the northwest 
quarter of the northwest quarter of section 
10, from Osborne, with the stipulation 
that he should build a mill. He built a log 
house and lived there until 1856, when he 
sold his interest in the pi-operty, and loca- 
ted on the southwest quarter of section 3, 
where he lived until the time of his death, 
which occurred in 1874. 

William D. Hitchner was born in Salem 
county. New Jersey, March 3, 1818. 
When he was three years of age, his par- 
ent< moved to Ohio, and William was 
married there, on the 6th day of October, 
1850, to Miss Mary M., daughter of Ly- 
man and Nancy (Heckathorn) Wood. In 
1852 they came to Iowa and settled in 
township 85, range 14, now known as 
Perry township. He, in company with 
others, purchased land and built a mill. In 
1855, he sold his interest and moved to 
section 3, where he engaged in farming 
until the time of his death, which occurred 
in 1874. He left a widow and seven chil- 
dren. The children are named as follows: 
Almira, Sarah F., Nancy R., James P., 
Hannah J., Nettie and Wesley D. The 
two eldest are children of his first wife, to 
whom he was married in 1839. She died 
in 1846. His family now live on section 3. 
W. A. Daniel entered the west half of 
the southeast quarter of section 33, town- 
ship 86, range 14. He made this his 



ftfiV* 



Jlk=±:i 



•^ — » i>' 



848 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



home with the Woods until 1855, when 
his mother, Mrs. Margaret Daniel, and 
two brothers, named Henry and Jacob, 
came to the county and bought the east 
half of the southeast quarter of section 33, 
township 86, range 15, and settled there. 
Henry went to Waterloo, where he is now 
engaged in the furniture business. In 
1863, Jacob went to Denver, where he 
yet remains, and is proprietor of the Co- 
lumbus House. Mrs. Daniel died in 18V9, 
at the advanced age of 86 years. Df . W. 
A. Daniel still occupies the place. 

Nelson Usher and his son-in-law, Vol- 
ney Carpenter, came in 1852. Usher en- 
tered the south half of the southwest quar- 
ter of section 4, and the northeast quarter 
of the northwest quarter of section 9. He 
sold in 1854 and went west. In 1855, 
Carpenter entered the northwest quarter 
of section 3; he also sold out and went 
with Usher, who now lives in Oregon. 

In the fall of 1852, Ira and Giles Taylor, 
natives of Pennsylvania, started from 
Delaware county, Ohio, with their fami- 
lies, for Iowa. They drove through with 
three teams and arrived at Tipton the 1 1th 
of November, 1852. There they hired a 
house and spent the winter. In the spring 
they came to Tama county and entered 
land in township 86, range 14, the north- 
east quarter of section 10, the northwest 
of 1 1 and the south half of the southwest 
(juarter of section 2, and the southeast 
half of the southwest quarter of section 3. 
They moved into a cabin that was stand- 
ing on the claim they had purchased, lo- 
cated on the northeast quarter of section 
10. They soon built another log cabin on 
the northwest quarter of section 11, and 
Ira moved with liis family to that place. 



In the fall of 1854, the family were strick- 
en with typhoid fever and four of the 
seven children died within a short time. 
Mr. Taylor lived on his place until the 
spring of 1856, when he sold out and 
moved to Toledo, where he engaged in 
farming a few years and then in mercan- 
tile business. He is now in his eighty- 
fourth year, has retired from business and 
lives in Toledo. Giles has occupied his 
place on the northeast quarter of section 
10. He made a frame addition to his log 
cabin, where he continued to reside until 
1873, when he built the frame house in 
which he now lives. 

Giles Taylor was born in Luzerne county 
Pennsylvania, in 1808. His parents, Dan- 
iel and Elizabeth Taylor, moved to Ohio 
when Giles was a child. Mr. Taylor was 
reared in that State and was there mar- 
ried to Miss Mary Levering. They came 
to Tama county in company with a broth- 
er, Ira Taylor, in March, 1853, driving 
through with teams and being about five 
weeks on the road. Giles settled in Per- 
ry township, on section 10, on which a 
large part of the village of Traer was 
platted. About one-half of his farm of 
1 65 acres was laid out in town lt)ts. His 
brother, Ira Taylor, settled on section 1 1, 
and is now a resident of Toledo. Mr. Tay- 
lor has devoted most of his attention to 
farming, but has done all in his power to 
promote the growth and prosperity of his 
town. He was the first Mayor of Traer. 
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have four children: 
Zoe A., who was for a number of years 
postmistress of Traer and is now the wife 
of Dr. L. J. Kynett, of Hamburg, Iowa; 
Melville T., who married Miss Emilv Hor- 



ijv 




/I// 



%f. yT 7^a.^J. 



'^2^yZ^ ^c^^i-^^y^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ton; Addie E., now Mrs. David Pofterfield; 
and Elmer E., present editor of theTraer 
Star. 

In 1853, Samuel Dunkle, a native of 
Ohio, oame from the township north, 
where he had lived about one year and en- 
tered the northeast quarter of the north- 
east quarter and the southeast quarter of 
the southeast quarter of section 3. In 1854, 
he sold to H F. Gaston and returned to 
Ohio. 

The same year Willard K. Snow, a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, entered the south- 
west quarter of the northwest quarter of 
sections. In 1857, he sold out and went 
to Buckingham and lived on section 36 
until 1880, when he went to Kansas. 

Hiram and Stephen Klingaman, natives 
of Pennslvania, came here from Auglaize 
county, Ohio, in 1854. Stephen bought 
Osborn's land on section 10, where he 
settled in 1855, and there remained until 
the hanging of the Bunker boys who were 
notorious horse thieves from Hardin 
county. He was arrested and an indict- 
ment found against him for murder, but 
was released on bail and went to Texas 
and started up the river on a steamboat, 
which was lost, and it is supposed he per- 
ished, although it is asserted by some that 
he is now living in Missouri. Hiram set- 
tled on the northeast quarter of section 3, 
in 1855, where he lived until 1862. He 
now lives in Traer. 

Henry Smith, formerly from Connecti- 
cut, came from Mercer county, Ohio, in 
1854, and entered land on section 5; he 
lived, however, in Buckingham village 
until 1857, when he traded for land on 
section 34, Buckingham township, where 
he lived until 1882, when he sold out and 






moved to Traer, where he now lives. 
Henry Smith settled in what was then 
Buckingham township, in 1854. He is a 
native of Middletown, Middlesex county, 
Connecticut, born in 1816. About 1831, 
his father, Timothy Smith, removed with 
his family to Ohio and settled in Ashta- 
bula county, where he resided until his 
death. Henry came to Iowa from Mercer 
county, Ohio, by team, being on the road 
for twenty-one days and bringing his wife 
and child with him. He at once entered 
a farm of forty acres where John Stewart 
now lives, near Traer. He also bought 
eighty acres in Buckingham township, 
where he made his home and lived until 
in the fall of 1882, when he removed to 
Village of Traer. Mr. Smith was married 
in Ohio, to Jane La Bounty, born in 
Ashtabula county. Her grandparents 
were natives of France ; her parents re- 
sided in Ashtabula county till their death. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children — 
Adelaide, wife of Simon M. Barnt, and 
Effle J., wife of C. L. Holman. Effie was 
born in Buckingham township, September 
18, 1856, and was the fourth child born in 
the township. The daughters both reside 
in Sac county, this State. Adelaide has 
three children: Henry Smith, Jessie May 
and Levi R. Effie has one daughter — 
Jem. , . 

Jonathan Moore, also from Pennsylva- 
nia, came this season and settled on sec- 
tion 23. In 1873 he went to Laporte, 
where he is now engaged in the grocery 
trade. Horace A. and Quincy D. Harts- 
horn from the same State, also came the 
same year and bought Usher's farm, and 
also entered the west half of the north- 
east of section 9, and the southeast of 



69 



orV 



fe^ 



852 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the northwest of the same section, and the 
soutliwest of the southeast of section 
i. Quincy bought land on section 4, 
then they returned to Pennsylvania, set- 
tled up their business, and in the fall, 
went to Illinois, where they spent the 
winter. In the spring they started for 
their new home in Iowa, coming with 
teams and driving some live stock. 
Horace settled on the land he had bought 
of Usher, where he still lives. Quincy 
settled on section 4, where he remained 
until the time of his death, which occurred 
in November, 18V8. His family now live 
in Dakota. 

Horace A , eldest son of Horatio and 
Polly (Quincy) Hartshorn, was born in 
Erie county, Pennsylvania, May 14, 1828. 
His boyhood's home was very near the 
Ohio State line. He remained under the 
parental roof until 1854, with the excep- 
tion of two years, which he spent in Adams 
county, Illinois. In 1854,however, he came 
west in search of a home, and entered land 
in township 85, range 14, now known as 
Perry township, in Tama county. After en- 
tering his land, he returned to Pennsylva- 
nia, settled up his business, and in the fall 
went to Illinois, where he spent the win- 
ter. In the spring of 1855, he came back 
to Iowa. He was a single man at this 
time, so he boarded with his brother, 
Quincy, while he made improvements on 
his land. Mr. Hartshorn is at present 
largely engaged in stock raising. He has 
quite a large herd of blooded stock, in 
which he takes great pride. He is well and 
favorably known in this section of the 
country, and has tilled many offices of ti-ust 
in the town. In January, 1856, he was 
married to Miss Philinda Kite, who bore 



him two children — Horatio and Sherman. 
Mrs. Hartshorn died in April, 18G0. He 
was again married March 17, 1863, to 
Miss Agnes, daughter of Gilbert and 
Margaret (Wilson) McDowell. Eight chil- 
dren have been born to them, named — Jen- 
nie, Harriet, James, Wilson, Martha, Susie, 
Margaret and Mollie. Margaret was born 
April 7, 1866; died March 9, 1873. Mollie 
was born January 22, 1874; died August 
18, 1875. Mr. Hartshorn has a very pleas- 
ant residence on section 4, where he is now 
living. 

Hugh F. Gaston, William Mand, Henry 
Stoakes and Levi S. Cope, natives of 
Ohio, came here in August, 1864. Gaston 
entered the southwest of section 2 and 
bought land of Samuel Dunkle on section 
3. V\ illiam Stoakes entered the south- 
east of 21. Henry entered the southeast 
quarter of section 2, and south half of 
the northeast quarter of the same section. 
Cope entered the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion I. They all returned to Ohio after 
entering their land. 

Gaston came back to Perry township 
and settled on section 2, where ho 
now lives. He was born in Colum- 
biana county, Ohio, August 16, \S-2-2. 
He spent his time in school and on the 
farm until he was sixteen years old and 
then engaged as clerk in a store in Steu- 
benville, Ohio, where he served for two 
years. He then bought one-half interest 
in the store, and continued the business 
until four years later, when the stock was 
divided, and taking his share he went to 
Kiioxville, opened a store there and re- 
mained in the business up to 185a, when 
he went to Port Homer, and there re- 
sumed his business. In 1854, he sold out 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



853 



and came to Iowa, by way of the Ohio and 
Mississippi rivers. He took passage on 
board the steamer, went down the Ohio 
river to St. Louis, then up the Mississippi 
to Keokuk, and thence, by stage, to Van 
Buren county, where he stopped until fall. 
He then came to Tama county and entered 
and purchased land on sections 2 and 3, 
town 85, range 1-i, now known as Perry 
town.ship. In 1852, he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John 
and Jane (Vantilburg) Stoakes, of Wells- 
ville, Ohio. Nine children have been born 
unto them, eight of whom are now living — 
Etta, James, Ella, John S., Willis, Azelia, 
Wallace and Denver. Mattie was born 
December 11, 1860; died March 26, 1882. 
Mr. Gaston has been very successful and 
is reckoned one of the solid farmers of 
the county. He has held many offices of 
trust in the town, and has always shown 
himself a worthy man. He has 460 acres 
of improved land, and has good buildings 
thereon. 

William and Henry Stoakes also came 
back that fall and put up some hay and 
log cabins on their land, and returned 
again to Ohio and remained until the fol- 
lowing February, when they came back. 
Their father, a younger brother named 
George, and sisters came with them. Wil- 
liam, settled on his land on section 1, 
where he now lives. Henry settled on 
Ills land on 'section 2, where he lived 
until March, 1883, when he sold out and 
moved to O'Brien county, where he had 
bought a large tract of land. The father, 
whose name was John, settled on section 
2, on part of the land the son had pre- 
viously entered, where he lived until the 
time of his death, February 11, 1880. 



His youngest son George, who always 
made his home with his father, now occu- 
pies the old homestead. His son Eleazor 
first settled in Perry township, on section 
2, and now lives in Geneseo township. 

John Stoakes, second son of William 
and Anna Stoakes, was a native of Eng- 
land, was born in the county of Surrey, 
August 1, 1792. His parents were mem- 
bers of the Society of Friends, and emi- 
grated to America, when John was but 
seven years of age. They settled in Jef- 
ferson county, Ohio, where they were pio- 
neer settlers. His father bought some 
timbered land, cleared a farm, and lived 
there until the time of his death. The 
subject of this sketch was married in 
Ohio, November 8, 1818, to Miss Jane Van- 
tilburg, a native of Jefferson county, 
Ohio. He made his home with his parents 
for some time after marrying, then seftled 
on a farm by himself. In 1849 he went to 
Columbiana county, where he engaged in 
mercantile business. In 1851, be came to 
Iowa and settled in Van Buren county, 
where he lived until 1855. During this 
year he again made a change of location 
by coming to Tama county and entering 
land on section 2, of range 14, now 
known as Perry township. He lived here 
until the time of his death which occurred 
f'ebruary 11, 1880. His wife died January 
17, 1873. They were the parents of eleven 
children, ten of - whom are now living. 
William M., their oldest son, was born in 
Jefferson county, Ohio, December 28, 1822, 
and was there reared on a farm. He took 
advantage of every opportunity afforded to 
acquire knowledge, and by applying him- 
self to study, succeeded in becoming a 
fairly educated man. He was wedded to 



•f <s- 



•F 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Miss Carolina Householder, of Jefferson 
county, Ohio, on the 27th day of May, 
1S47. He settled on a farm in his native 
county and lived there till 1851, when he 
came to Iowa and bought land in Van 
Buren countyj* Remaining there three 
years, he came to Tama county to look 
for land. After looking over the ground 
to find a suitable location, he finally en- 
tered land on the northeast quarter of 
section 1, in township 86, range 14, now 
known as Perry township, after which he 
returned to Van Buren county, where he 
remained until the following spring. He 
then came back to this county and settled 
on his land. He erected a log house, 
14x18 feet, in which the family lived until 
1861, when he built the frame house in 
which he now lives. Mr. Stoakes has 
made great improvements, has taken a 
lively interest in local affairs, and has 
been elected to offices of trust in the 
town. Mr. Stoakes has ten children liv- 
ing, — Mathias, John N., William H., Jen- 
nie M., Arabella, Walter C, Mason C, 
Bennett R., Eddie R. and Carrie S. Ann 
Eliza was born November 21, 1851 ; died 
June 5, 1861. Benjamin Franklin was 
born April 29, 1855; died November 15, 
1870. Charlie was born September 21, 
1859 ; died November 5, 1876. 

George, the youngest son of John and 
Jane (Vantilburg) Stoakes, was born in 
Jefferson county, Ohio, September 4, 
1843. He was eight years of age when 
his parents came to Iowa. George at- 
tended the first term of school ever taught 
i'l Perry township. He made his home 
with his parents until the time of their 
death and now occupies the old homestead 
on section 2. January 11, 1866, he wed- 



ded Miss Alice, dauuhter of Dryden and 
Jane (Wilcox) Barbour. They have had 
eight children born unto them: Martha, 
Dryden, Henry, Rawlin, Maude, Minnie, 
Lizzie, who died in 1881, aged four years; 
Jay and Esther. 

Henry, the second son of .John and Jane 
Stoakes, was born in Jefferson county, 
Ohio, May 3, 1825. He lived there until 
1847, when he moved to Columbiana 
county, and remaining there until 1852, 
he went to Carthage, lived there one year 
and then came to Iowa, locating for one 
year on a farm in Van Buren county. In 
1854, he came to Tama county, entered 
land on section 2, township 85, range 14, and 
returned to Van Buren county, where he 
spent the ensuing winter. But in the 
spring of 1855, he came back and settled 
on his land in Perry township. He was 
united in marriage to Miss Armilda 
Hough, January 3, 1860. They have been 
blessed with eleven children: Cora, John, 
Marion, Robert, Sherman, May, Inez, 
Harry, Ralph, Roy and Benjamin F. In 
the spring of 1883, Mr. Stoakes sold his 
farm and moved to O'Brien county. 

A man named Baker came in 1854 and 
claimed the south-east quarter of section 
30, on which was a small grove. He sold 
out in 1855 to L. B. Collins, asd went 
west to seek new fields of speculation. 
This neighborhood has always been 
called Baker's Grove. 

Another arrival in 1854, was John Wil- 
son from Connecticut, a native of Scotland. 
He entered land on sections 7 and 18, then 
went back to Connecticut and remained 
until the spring of 1855, when he returned 
with his family. He built a house on 
section 18 and lived there until 1881 , when 



t 



^^f 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



he removed to Traer. His son James set- 
tled on section 18, where he still lives. 
He has served two terms in Congress and 
has been elected for a third. His son 
Peter is a successful farmer and resides 
also on section 18. His son Allen is a 
stock dealer and resides in Traer. West 
W., another son, has been a prominent 
citizen of Traer for a number of years. 

John Wilson was born in the parish of 
Girvan, in 1811, in Ayrshire, Scotland, and 
in 1842 moved to Wigtownshire, where he 
lived until 1851, then came to America 
with his family and settled in Norwich, 
Connecticut. He came to this county in 
September, 1854, and entered land on sec- 
tion 17, Perry township, where he settled 
in the spring of the following year. Mr. 
Wilson's first wife was Jean McCosh, who 
died May 16, 1881. She was born in 
Ayrshire, Scotland, March 1, 1815. They 
had nine children when they came to 
America, all of whom were under sixteen 
years of age. They have had five chil- 
dren since coming to this county, and of 
their family of fourteen children, six sons 
and five daughters are still living. Two 
sons, Peter and John served in the Union 
Army during the rebellion. The former 
belonged to the 14th Regiment Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, and the latter to the 
1st Iowa Cavalry. Mr. Wilson's present 
wife's maiden name was Martha J. 
Stoakes, born in Ohio, where she was 
married to J. P. Hopkins, who died at 
Wellsville, Ohio. She was again married 
to L. S. Cope, with whom she came to 
Tama county in the fall of 1854. Mr. 
Cope entered land in Perry township, and 
tliere resided for ten years, then removed 
to Waterloo, Black Hawk county, where 



he died October 9, 1873. Mrs. Wilson 
has one son by her first marriage — .lohn 
S. Hopkins — now a resident of Clark 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were 
married August 8, 1882. Mr. Wilson's 
family is one of the best known and 
influential in Tama county. They 
are members of the Presbyterian Church . 
Lyman Cody, of Wyandotte county, 
Ohio, a carpenter by trade, came in 1855, 
and made his claim on section 29, where 
he yet remains. Mr. Cody was born in 
Portage county, Ohio, May 23, 1828. 
When eight years of age his father bought 
a large track of land in Crawford county, 
Pennsylvania, and moved there with his 
family. He lived but one year in Pennsyl- 
vania, then returned to Ohio and kept 
tavern near Cleveland for one year, and 
again pulled up stakes and moved to 
Wyandotte county, where he kept tavern 
for three years in Little Sandusky. He 
then moved to Carey, where he died two 
years later. The subject of this sketch 
when twelve years of age engaged with a 
carpenter to learn the trade. He worked 
at his trade in Ohio, until 1850, when he 
started for California by way of New York 
and the Isthmus. He engaged in mining in 
Sierra county the most of the time for 
three years, and then returned to Ohio. 
He worked at his trade in Carey, until 
1855, when he came to Iowa to seek a 
home. He entered land on section 29, 
township 85, range 14, now known as Perry 
township. He hauled lumber from Musca- 
tine, 120 miles distant, and built a house 
in which he lived until 1868, when he 
built the house in which he now lives. 
He has been a successful farmer, and now 
has 200 acres oi well improved land. He 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



was married on the 15th of May, 1854, to 
Miss Elizabeth Groswell, who was a native 
of Pennsylvania. They have six children: 
Benjamin, Franklin, Serena M., Fred, 
Walter L., Lyman and Lura May. 

Another settler of 1855 was Dexter Hig- 
gins, a native of York State, who located on 
section 23, and in 1857 sold out and bought 
land in West Union, where a few years 
later he died. Christopher Hester came 
the same season and bought land of Ira 
Taylor on section 11. He was a man of 
considerable enterprise arid in 1856, laid 
out a town on his land which he named 
West Union. In 1858, he sold his inter- 
est and went to Kansas. 

Peter Greenlee, a native of Pennsyl- 
vania came also in 1855, and settled on 
section 15. In 1862 he enlisted in the army, 
came home on a furlough in 186.3, and 
died that fall. His widow was married 
again and now lives at Toledo. 

J. W. Southwick, a native of the same 
State and from Crawford county, came this 
season and entered land on section 27. In 
1857 he moved a house from West Union 
to this land. In 1868 he sold out and 
went to Waterloo. He now lives in Dal- 
las county, Missouri, where he has a flour- 
ing mill. 

Henry Beatty another native of Penn- 
sylvania came here from York State in 
1855, making the journey on the cars as 
far as Dunleith, thence with a team. He 
settled on section 23, where he made his 
home until the time of his death, in 1874. 
The widow now lives on the old homestead. 
Mr Beatty was born in the town of North- 
east Erie, Erie county, Pennsylvania, July 
21, 1800. He was married December 26, 
1833, to Miss Lydia Yale, who was born in 



Guilford,Chenango county. New York, May 
12, 1814. They lived in Eric county, where 
he was employed in a distillery until 1841, 
when he moved to Chautauqua county^ 
New York, and there purchased a farm in 
Hanover township. In 1855, he sold out, 
came to Iowa, settled in Tama county, 
entering land on section 23, township 85, 
range 14, now known as Perry township. 
He made this his home until the time of 
his death, which occurred March 27, 1874. 
Mr. Beatty was an. homest man and en- 
joyed the respect and confidence of the 
people, being much missed by the com- 
munity where he lived. His widow now 
lives with her daughter, Mrs. Anson Loop. 
Eight children were born to them, four of 
whom are now living: Mary E., William 
W., Ruth A., Harriet D., Sydney A., 
Henry N. and Henry O. Henry N. died 
when two years of age. Mary E. was 
born December 26, 1835; died December 
21, 1856. William W. was born on No- 
vember 18, 1839. He enlisted in August, 
1862, in the 24th Regiment, Iowa Volun- 
teers, Company I, and died while in the 
service, at Keokuk, November 12, 1862. 
One child, not named, died in infancy. 

Sydney Adelbert, second son of Henry 
and Lydia (Yale) Beatty, was born in 
Chautauqua county. New York, June 11, 
1846. He came to Iowa with his parents, 
when he was nine years of age. He was 
joined in marriage February 6, 1873, to 
Mrs. M , widow of Edwin Ilunnicutt, and 
daughter of Washington and Susanna 
Endicott, natives of Belmont county, 
Ohio, where their daughter was born. 
The parents were members of the Society 
of Friends. Mr. Beatty has a family of 
three children — William W., Lydia G. and 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Berlha L. After his marriage he settled 
on the northwest quarter of section 23, a 
part of his father's homestead. He now 
resides there. 

Gorham Greenleaf, a native of Mass- 
achusetts, came also in 1855 and pre- 
empted a quarter on section 22, where he 
improved the land, and remained until 
1867, when he sold out and weht to Water- 
loo and engaged in the business of manu- 
facturing soap a few years, and afterward 
removed to Providence, Rhode Island, 
where he now lives. A carpenter by the 
name of George Sloss, a native of Scotland, 
came here from Chicago that year and 
settled on section 7, where he yet remains, 
and in company with his son owns and 
operates the flouring mill at Traer 

Another native of Scotland, Gilbert 
McDowell, came the year following and 
located on section 18. He improved his 
land and remained there until recently. 
He now makes his home with his children 
— John B. and Gilbert, who are prosper- 
ous farmers of this township. 

M. L. Seamans, of Erie county. New 
York, came from McHenry county, Illinois, 
in 1855, and entered the northeast quarter 
of section 21, then returned to Illinois 
and spent the winter. The following 
spring he returned and settled at West 
Union. In 1857 he settled on his 
land, where he still resides. Mr. 
Seamans was born in Erie county. New 
York, February 23, 1831. He was reared 
on a farm and was given advantages, so 
tliat he acquired a good common school 
education. It 1852 he commenced teach- 
ing in his native county, and in 1854 went 
to Illinois and engaged in teaching in 
Algonquin, McHenry county, until in Jan- 



uary, 1855, when he came to Iowa and 
entered land on section 21, Perry town- 
ship. He returned to Illinois and re- 
mained until 1856, when he moved here 
with his family. He bought lots in the 
growing town of West Union and built a 
house, which he sold in 1857. He has 
taught in Iowa for a number of years, and 
among the places where he has tried his 
skill in teaching the young idea how to 
shoot, we find the names of Eden, Benton 
county. West Union, Buckingham and 
Baker's Grove. Of late he has devoted 
his time to farming. In 1854 he was 
united in wedlock to Miss Kate H. Evans, 
of Chautauqua county. New York, and 
they have three children respectively 
named Willie L., Charles H. and Erwin 
D.; another, named Susan Celestia, died 
in infancy. 

Dexter Higgins, a native of York 
State, also came here in 1855, and 
located on section 23. He sold out in 1857 
and moved to West Union, where a few 
years later he died. 

The following year Andrew Collins, a 
native of Indiana, located on the north- 
east quarter of section 31. In 1861 he 
removed to Illinois remained until 1868, 
when he returned to his farm and now 
lives there. Mr. Collins was born in 
Washington county, Indiana, August 26, 
1823. His marriage to Miss Clementine 
Parr, of Johnson county, Indiana, took 
place March 16, 1852. He then settled on 
a farm that he had previously purchased 
in Washington county. After coming to 
Iowa in 1856 and purchasing land, he 
built a house, but only remained until 
1861, when he returned to Indiana and 
rented land in Johnson county. He stayed 



^^ 



858 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



in that place until 1868, and then came to 
Iowa and settled on his farm. He has 
since made Perry township his home. 
He has nine children: Cornelius, Harry 
C, Al>nzo, Byron and Verna (twins), 
William, Amanda, Elba and Isabella. 
This family remains unbroken, no death 
having yet occurred. 

Mrs. Ibby ( Harris ) Kile was also one 
of the early settlers of Perry township. 
She came in 18.55 and settled with her 
family on section 4. Mrs. Kile was born 
in Virginia, September 15, 1803. -When 
she was quite young, her parents removed to 
Knox county, Ohio, where they were among 
the early settlers. She was married there, 
July 20, 1820, to Nicholas Kile, a native 
of Maryland, where he was born Decem- 
ber 10, 1781. He died in Knox county, 
December 27, 1841, leaving his widow and 
seven children to mourn his loss. Those 
born to them were: Amos, Sylvester, 
Nancy, Elizabeth, Lemuel, Freeman and 
Philinda ; two of whom — Nancy and 
Freeman — are now living. In November 
of 1854, Mrs. Kile came to Iowa with her 
family. She spent the winter in Benton 
county and the following spring came to 
this county and located' on section 4, of 
what is now Perry township. During 
1850 she bought land on section 6, and 
settled upon it. Her marriage with Dex- 
ter Higgins took place November 27, 
1859. He departed this life March 2, 
1864. She was married to her third hus- 
band, Joseph Crowshaw, June 11, 1868. 
December 26, 1880, he died, leaving her 
again a widow. She now makes her home 
with her son, in Traer, and daughter, in 
Laporte. Her only son. Freeman B. Kile, 
was born in Ohio, on the 26lh of August, 



1837. He came to Iowa with his mother, 
and continued to live with her until 1859, 
at which time he began working by the 
month for a neighboring farmer. He was 
married May 30, 1865, t» Miss Mary E. 
Haugh, a native of Indiana, and soon 
after, rented a farm on section 14, of 
Perry township. Two years later, he pur- 
chased a farm on the same section, and 
there continued to live until 1877, when 
he sold it, and bought land in Traer, and 
immediately erected on it his present 
dwelling. Since his settlement in town, 
Mr. Kile has been engaged in carpentering. 
He has but one child — Estella. 

Allen S. Fowler, a natives of Kentucky, 
came from Indiana in 1855, and made a 
selection on section 30, where he yet re- 
mains. Mr. Fowler was born in Shelby 
county, Kentucky, September 19, 1819, and 
was there reared, on a farm. When he 
was nineteen years old he emigrated to 
Indiana, where he was engaged in farming. 
He was married March 9, 1843, to Miss 
Belinda Collins, of Washington county, 
Indiana. She was born on the 10th of 
August, 1827. Allen bought a farm in 
Washington county and remained there 
until 1855, when he came to Iowa in search 
of a home. He came overland with a pair 
of horses, crossing the Mississippi at Rock 
Island. He was sixteen days on the road. 
He entered land on section 30, Perry town- 
ship, and moved into a dirt and log house 
in Baker's Grove. In 1856 he drew lum- 
ber from Davenport and built a house, into 
which the family moved in the fall of that 
year. This house, with a part of its con- 
tents, was destroyed by fire on the 2d of 
December, 1875. He immediately com- 
menced building the house in which he 



;iv" 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



now lives. The first day of January fol- 
lowing the fire, his house was ready for 
occupancy, and the family at once moved 
into it. He now has 225 acres of im- 
proved land. He has had eight children, 
seven of whom are now living — Emarine, 
John A., Frank W., Euphremia, Albert 
R., George D. and Oscar W. Carolina 
S. was born April 2, 1857, died May 8, 
1880. 

L. B. Collins, of Indiana, came also in 
1855, and purchased Baker's claim on sec- 
tion 30. He improved the place and lived 
there until 1865, when he moved to Ne- 
braska where he now lives. 

Isaiah Shower entered land on section 
24, Perry township, in 1855. He did not 
settle on this land, however, until 1871. 
Mr. Shower has built two houses, hay and 
cattle barns, a horse stable and granaries, 
and now owns 325 acres of improved land. 
He has also put out a large grove of forest 
trees, has an orchard of 325 apple trees and 
a variety of other fruit. Mr. Shower was 
boru in Fairfield county, Ohio, October 28, 
1829, and when quite yonng moved with 
his parents to Athens county, and from 
there to Jackson county, same State. When 
eighteen years of age, he engaged with a 
wagon maker to learn the trade. He 
served two years, then went to Franklin 
county and worked as journeyman for 
eight months, when he went to Jackson 
county, where he followed his trade one 
year. . He next went to Indiana where he 
remained until 1855, then worked a while 
in Dubuque, from whence he went to Free- 
port, Illinois, thence to Jackson county, 
same State, where he opened a shop in com- 
pany with .lames C. Cadot. In 1862, Mr. 
Showerpurehased his partner's interest and 



continued the business alone until the close 
of the war, when he sold out to his former 
partner, and came to Iowa. He first loca- 
ted at Toledo, where he lived until 1871, 
in which year he settled on his farm in 
Perry township. 

Anson and Charles Loop were also 
among the early settlers. Anson Loop 
was born in Crawford county, Pennsyl- 
vania. He is the third son of Charles and 
Sarah (Seeley) Loop. His father was 
engaged in the lumber business, and his 
younger days were spent in the lumbering 
regions of his native county. When he 
was fifteen years of age he went to Ohio, 
where he remained one and_ a half years, 
and then, in December, 1854, came to 
Iowa and made his home in Scott county. 
In 1857, he came to Tama county and 
lived with his brother, engaging in farm- 
ing in the neighborhood. He was united 
in marriage, in 1861, to Miss Ruth A., 
daughter of Henry and Lydia (Gale) 
Beatty. He then rented land for two 
years, and, in the meantime, built a house 
on his land on section 27. He finally set- 
tled on his farm in 1863, but only re- 
mained there till 1865, when he sold out 
and purchased eighty acres on section 23, 
where he built a house and engaged in 
farming until 1876. He then purchased 
100 acres of the Beatty homestead, and 
now occupies that place. Mr. Loop has 
been a successful farmer, and, starting out 
with no capital but good health and wil- 
ling hands, has now a finely improved 
farm of 180 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Loop 
have four children living — Harlan Den- 
man, Anson Adelbert, Sarah Annettie 
and Enos Sylvester. Charles Henry, their 
first child, died when two years and four 



70 



J'- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



months oM; Lydia DeEtte, the fourth, 
died aged two years. Charles, the second 
son of Charles and Sally (Seeley) Loop, 
was born in Crawford county, Pennsyl- 
vania, September 2, 1880. At thirteen 
years of age he commenced work in a 
saw mill, remaining there as a sawyer 
until he was twenty-two years of age, 
when, in 1853, he came to Iowa and located 
in Pleasant Valley, where he was 
employed to work on a farm for one year. 
He then rented a farm for a year, and 
in December, 1855, he started for Tama 
county. He arrived at West Union on 
the 2d of January, 1856, with 88 in his 
pocket. He soon procured work and 
engaged in carpentering for some little 
time. In the summer of 1857, he was 
employed by Stephen Klingaman to work 
in his saw mill through the summer, after 
which he resumed work at his trade as 
carpenter, until 1860, when he moved to 
section 21, Perry township, where he had 
previously purchased forty acres of land. 
He improved the land, built a house and 
lived there until 1868, when he sold out 
and bought on section 22, where he now 
lives. He was married in 1851, to Miss 
Delilah, daughter of Hosea and Anna 
(Hatch) Southwick, of Crawford county, 
Pennsylvania. They have four children — 
Adella, Lillian, Ida and Ralph. 

William Sprole resides on section 1, 
Perry township. He came to Iowa in 
1856, and, coming at such an early day, 
he had an opportunity to know, by expe- 
rience, just what the pioneers of a country 
have to undergo. He was born in Saline 
township, Jefferson county, Ohio, March 
31,1 8;?0. He lived on a farm until he was 
fifteen years old, and then went to live 



with an uncle, with whom he made his 
home until he was twenty-three years of 
age. He then rented a farm in Knox 
township until 1856, when became to Iowa 
and purchased the farm on which he now 
lives. He was^a single man, and boarded 
out while he improved his farm. In 1861, 
he built a frame house, and in the fall of 
1 86-3, he went back to Ohio, and was mar- 
ried there, on the 19th of November, same 
year, to Miss Margaret Watt, who was 
also a native of Jefferson county, Ohio. 
They soon after came to Perry and settled 
on his farm. They have had a family of 
seven children, four of whom are now liv- 
ing: Lizzie J., John N., Ina Mary and 
Willi.ani H. 

Mr. Sprole has been very successful as 
a farmer, commencing with 160 acres 
of wild prairie, he now has 1,100 acres 
of well improved land in Perry and 
Clark townships. In 1881, he built a 
house, and now has one of the finest resi- 
dences in Tama county. 

In 1857, James Emerson came from 
Lowell, Massachusetts, and bought forty 
acres on section 22. In 1862, he sold out 
and returned to the place from whence he 
came. 

Henry Van Vliet, another of the old 
settlers of Tama county, was born in Ver- 
mont, July 12, 1826. When he was 
(juite young, his parents moved to New 
York State and settled in Cortland 
county. He enlisted, in 1841, in the 
United States Cavalry, Company D, 2d 
Dragoons, and went to Florida where they 
took part in the Seminole war, participa- 
ting in many of the engagements of the 
regiment. He was honorably discharged 
upon the expiration of his term, in 1844, 



-^^ 



^t 



— ^w 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY, 



861 



and returned to his home. Mr. Van Vliet 
was married to Nancy M. Parisli, in 1845; 
she died April 12, 18V 3. He remained in 
York State about five years, then moved 
to Illinois, and bought laud in Lake 
county. He improved the land, built a 
house and lived there until 1854, when he 
came to Iowa and entered land on section 
36, of township 86, range 14, now known as 
Buckingham, in Tama county. He lived 
there until J 859, when be came to Perry 
township, and settled on the northwest 
quarter of section 1, where he now 
lives. Mr. Van Vliet lives with his 
nephew, Fred C. Van Vliet. Fred was 
born in Lake county, Illinois, September 
22, 1847. When he was five years of age, 
his father went to California, and two 
years later, his mother moved to Michigan, 
and died there when her son was nine 
years old. Two years later he came to 
Iowa, to make his home with his uncle 
Henry. He was married March 12, 1872, 
to Miss Flora A. Quintard, of Knox county, 
Ohio. They have three children, named 
Olive, Ella and Maggie. Mr. Van Vliet's 
farm is on the northwest quarter of sec- 
tion 1 . 

Dryden Barbour came to Tama county, 
in 1858. He was born in Canton, Hart- 
ford county, Connecticut, April 4, 1815. 
He spent his early years on his father's 
farm, in the district school, and in his 
brother's shoe shop, until, at the age of 
19, he went to the State of Alabama 
in the capacity of a Yankee clock peddler. 
He continued in that business for seven or 
eight years, in Alabama, Pennsylvania 
and Ohio, then he returned to Connecticut, 
and was married to Miss Jane Wilcox, 



March 16, 1843, who was also a native of 
Canton. He bought a farm and remained 
in his native town six years. 

In 1849, Mr. Barbour moved to Wake- 
man, Huron county, Ohio, where he re- 
mained nine years. In the spring of 1858, 
he sold out in Ohio, and moved to Tama 
county, Iowa. In 1861, he bought the south- 
east quarter of section ) 1, in Perry town- 
ship, one mile east of Traer, where he still 
resides with his son Henry, who carries on 
the farm. Mr. Barbour was the father of 
six children, three of whom, together with 
their mother, have passed away. 

In addition to those who have been al- 
ready mentioned, the following may be 
named as sound, substantial residents of 
Perry township: Andrew .\IcCosh, Na- 
than White, James Logan, Thomas Sher- 
rett, William Worden, William Loder, 
Andrew Law, John Heller, James W. and 
David M. Stuart, Albert G. Cone, James 
Cron, George M. Frank, Henry M. Healy, 
Thomas L. Knight, Robert A. Scott, Adin 
Antrim, Alexander S. McPherran and 
others. 

Andrew McCosh was born in Ayrshire, 
Scotland, January 9, 1823. In his younger 
days he attended school, and later 
worked on a farm. He was married in 
Scotland on the 20th of April, 1847, to 
Miss Elizabeth Sloss, who was born in 
Ayrshire, March 17, 1822. Andrew was 
employed at farming in his native shire, 
until 1852, when he came to America. He 
first located in Lisbon, Connecticut, where 
he engaged in farming two years, then 
came to Davenport, Iowa, at which place 
he was employed in a saw mill for two 
years, and in a flour mill for four years. 
He then came to Tama county and bought 



t^ 






'^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



J 



land on section 7, Perry township. He 
has improved this land, and now makes it 
his home. He has 240 acres of improved 
land and thirty acres of timber. He has 
three children living : Johanna, Ellen 
and John A. 

Nathan White was born November 27, 
1827, in Franklin county, Vermont, and 
made his home there until he was twenty- 
live years of age, when he started for the 
great West. He stopped in Knox county, 
Illinois, where he hired out to work on a 
farm. In 1855, he came to Iowa, entered 
)(ii) acres of land in Tama county, town- 
ship 86, range 14, now known as Geneseo 
township, and then returned to Illinois. 
In the fall of 1857, he went to Minnesota 
and engaged in teaming throughout the 
winter, at Chatfield. In the spring of 
1878, he started for Pike's Peak, where he 
spent the summer prospecting, returning 
in the fall to his land in Iowa. He was 
married at Iowa City, October 30, 1860, 
to Miss Matilda Hockingberry. who was a 
native of Pennsylvania. They settled in 
Jasper county, where he worked a rented 
farm for two years. He then came to Ta- 
ma county and rented a farm in Columbia 
township for two years. At the expiration 
of his lease he purchased land in Clark 
township, adjoining that which he had en- 
tered several years before. He lived here 
one year and then sold out and bought the 
Hester farm in Perry township. The fam- 
ily lived in a log cabin uutil 1871, when 
Mr. White built the frame house in which 
he now lives. Eight childi-en have been 
born to them, seven of whom are now liv- 
ing: Milo, Frank B., Charlie N. L., Fred 
J., Addie B. and William D. Bertha died 
when three years of age. 



James Logan was born in Lanarkshire, 
Scotland, in 1826. When but two years 
of age, his parents died and he was left 
to be care<I for by the cold hand of char- 
ity. He was taken care of by his native 
county until he was nine years old, when 
he went to live with a farmer, with whom 
he made his home for four years. At 
thirteen he engaged with a market man 
for one year and received as compensation 
for his work one pound and a pair of 
shoes. He afterward learned to be a plow- 
man and soon became an expert. He was 
married, in 1854, to Miss Janet Maxwell, 
a native of Lanarkshire, and the same year 
came to America, landed at New York, 
and went to Illinois. He arrived there, 
and counting over his little store, found 
he had but forty dollars. He and his wife 
engaged to work for a farmer one year at 
$14 a month, and when the year was up he 
rented land in Whiteside, 'Lee and Carroll 
counties. He enlisted, March 13, 1865, 
in the 34th Illinois, Company A, and 
joined Sherman's army in North Carolina. 
He was with the regiment until the close 
of the war. He was discharged June 18, 
1865, and returned to Illinois, and from 
there went to Iowa. He rented land in Per- 
ry township for two years, then bought for- 
ty acres of wild land on section 25. His 
land is under good cultivation, and he has 
erected a good house, in which he now 
lives. He has, within a few years, added 
to his possessions by pnrchasing 1 20 acres 
of improved land, making 160 acres in 
his farm. Fourteen children have been 
born to them, thirteen of whom are now 
living: John, Janet, Mary, James, Katie, 
William, Charles, Robert, Abraham L., 
Agnes, Horace, Jennie, Frank and Sarah. 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



863 






Janet died when she was three years of 
age. 

Thomas Sherrett came to Tama county 
ill 18(55. He was employed in farming in the 
neighborhood of Traer for three years- 
Then in 1868, he settled on the west half 
of the northwest quarter of section 12, on 
land that he had previously purchased. He 
bought a house in West Union, which he 
moved to his farm. He lived in this house 
until 1882, when he erected the house in 
which he now lives. The same year he 
bought the east half of the northwest quar- 
ter of section 12, and now has 160 acres of 
well improved land. Mr. Sherrett is a na- 
tive of Scotland, and was born in 1828. 
He was there reared on a farm. In 1856, 
he left the place of his nativity, and came 
to America. He landed at Quebec and 
ivent to Durham county, where he followed 
farming. In 1860, he crossed the line 
and located in Monroe county. New York. 
He lived in Henrietta township two years, 
then moved to Gates, where he lived until 
1865, and then started for Iowa. He was 
married in 1859, to Miss Susan Christie, 
also a native of Scotland. They have been 
blessed with four children — Charles, John, 
Emma and Robert, who died when he was 
six weeks old. 

William Worden was born in the town 
of Andes, Delaware county. New York, 
April V, 1832. He is the second son of 
Thomas and Maria (Nichols) Worden, 
who were both natives of Delaware 
county. New York. His parents emigra- 
ted to Illinois and settled in Ogle county, 
when he was quite young. There were 
four children in the family at this time — 



Ira, William, Henry and Jane, all of whom 
were born in Delaware county. New York. 
There were eight children born to them in 
Illinois — John, Milton H., Ann, Sikes, May- 
hew, Wayne, Harriet and Newton W. 
Mrs. Worden is still living in Ogle county, 
her husband having died a few months 
ago. The subject of this sketch spent his 
younger days in the district school and 
helping his father on the farm. He was 
married January 10, 1856, to Miss Sarah 
Tennis, who was born August 12, 1836, at 
Morgan Prairie, Indiana. Eleven children 
have been born unto them, eight of whom 
are now living — Thomas, born October 21, 
1856; Dutcher, born February 9, 1858; El- 
mer, born May 13, 1861; Wallace, born 
May 6, 1865; Hattie, born October 6, 1869; 
Nettie, born August 20, 1872; Hayes, 
born August 30, 1875; and Willie, born 
June 17, 1878. Elsworth, twin brother to 
Elmer, died November 29, 1876; Winnie, 
born in Perry, May 28,1867; died .January 
31, 1880. Henry was born in Illinois, and 
died when one and a half years old. In 
1865, Mr. Worden came to Iowa, and lo- 
cated in Tama county. He purchased land 
on section 13, in Perry township, and 
erected the house in which he now lives. 
He has a well improved farm. 

William Loder, one of the early settlers 
in the southern part of Perry township, 
was born in Berkshire, England, in 1802. 
He was married there on May 20, 1825, to 
Miss Elizabeth Tame, who was born in 
Berkshire, in 1801. In 1835, they came 
to America and settled in Monroe county. 
New York, where they rented land and 
lived until 1856. They then went to 
Michigan and bought a farm in Rose 
township, Oakland county. Mr Loder, 



^1 



lI^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



however, was not yet satisfied, and in 1866 
lie came to Perry township, purchasing 
land on section 32. He and his wife still 
make this their home. They have had 
eight children born to them — William H., 
who lives in Harvey county, Kansas; Alfred 
who lives in Carroll township; George, 
who lives in Perry township; Eliza, L., 
who resides in Potter township, Pennsyl- 
vania; Susan, of Howard township; Ann 
M., resident of Monroe county, New York; 
Sarah, who died in 1861, and Mary E., 
who makes her home with her parents. 
Their son, George, was born in England 
in 1832, and made his home with his 
pa.ients until he was nineteen years of 
age, when he started out for himself. He 
was employed in farming in the summer 
seasons, and the remainder of the year in 
the lumber regions. Sometimes he worked 
as a sawyer in the mills, and again was 
engaged in rafting lumber on the rivers. 
He was married in 1855, to Miss Catherine 
Orcutt, and settled in Oakland county, 
Michigan. He lived there three years, 
then went to Whiteside county, Illinois, 
where he followed farming. In 1865, he 
started by team for Iowa, came to Tama 
county and bought land on section 32, in 
Perry township, after which he returned 
to Illinois. In 1S66, he loaded up his 
teams, and, with his family, again started 
for Iowa, crossing the Mississippi at 
Princeton. He arrived in Tama county 
in due time, purchased lumber and built a 
house 16.X20 feet, in which the family lived 
until 1875, when he built the frame house 
in which he now lives. He has four chil- 
dren living; Ida A., Emma F., Ella R. 
and George W. Walter A. was born 
November 59, 1SG3, died November 1, 



1864. Mrs. Loder, wife of George Loder, 
was born in Rushford, New York, Febru- 
ary 6, 1838, died October 5, 1852. 

Andrew Law, a member of the Board of 
Trustees, and Secretary of the School 
Board, is a native of Scotland. He was 
born in Haddingtonshire,January 22,1831, 
and was raised to agricultural pursuits, 
receiving his education in the district 
schools. In 1854, he left his native place 
for America; landing at Quebec, he came 
directly to the United States. He located 
in Wisconsin, and was there for two years 
employed in farming in Rock county. 
He then went to Iowa county, where he 
rented land for three years. He then 
bought a farm of 1 60 acres in Arena town- 
ship. In February, 1865, he enlisted in 
the 49th Wisconsin Volunteers; joined the 
regiment when organized at Madison, 
Wisconsin; went south and served until 
the close of the war, when he was honor- 
ably discharged. He returned home, sold 
his farm in Arena and came to Iowa, 
where he purchased land in Perry town- 
ship, on section 27. He has since improved 
the farm and erected the house in which 
he now lives. He was married July 11, 
1856, to Miss Elizabeth Stuart, who was 
also a native of Scotland. Four children 
have been born unto them — Helen, Agnes, 
Ainslie and James. James died in 
infancy. 

James W. Stuart is the oldest son of 
John and Barbara (Smith) Stuart. He 
was born in Iowa county, Wisconsin, 
December 29, 1847. His parents were 
early settlers of that county. He came 
west with his parents and made his home 
with them until 1868, when he engaged in 
farming in the neighborhood for some time. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



•l>> 



It was not long, however, before he went to 
his own laud on section 25, Perry township, 
and began working that. He now makes 
his home with his brother David. 

David M., brother to James W., and 
son of John Stuart, was born in Iowa 
county, Wisconsin, October 3, 1849. He 
received his education in the district 
school, and came to Iowa with his parents 
in ISeT. The parents settled in Perry 
township, and here David remained, as- 
sisting his father on the farm, until 1870, 
when he went to work for himself, settling, 
in 18'75,on section 35, where he now lives. 
Mr. Stuart was married to Miss Rebecca 
Kern, daughter of Solomon and Maria 
(King) Kern, April 6, 187t>. Her father 
was one of the first preachers in Tama 
county. Three children have blessed this 
union: Clarence H., Mary E. and Len- 
nie A. 

Albert G. Cone is a son of Adolphus 
and Mary (Smith) Cone. He was born 
in DuPage county, Illinois, on Christmas 
day, 1846. In 1857, he came to Iowa with 
his parents, who settled in Clinton county. 
When twenty-one years of age he came 
to Tama county, and in company with his 
brother, bought land in Perry township, 
on section 36. They built a house and 
kept bachelor's hall for a while. In Jan- 
uary, 1871, he wedded Miss Elvira Beck- 
with, who was a native of York State, 
lie then built the house which he now 
occupies, on the east half of the north- 
west quarter of section 35. He has one 
child, a daughter, named Mary Elizabeth. 
Mr. Cone is a memberof the United Breth- 
ren Church. In 1878, he and his brother 
bought a part of section 25, adjoining 
where his parents now live. 



James Cron is a native of Scotland, 
born in Dumfriesshire, May 7, 1834. Heis 
the second son of John and Mary (Murray) 
Cron. When he was but seven years of age, 
his father, who was a blacksmith by trade, 
emigrated to America and settled in York 
county. He there learned the trade of 
his father, who died in 1849. Soon after, 
the family moved to Gray county, where 
they were among the early settlers. They 
bought a piece of timber land and cleared a 
farm. He was married in August, 1865, to 
Miss Charlotta, oldest daughter of Joshua 
and Eliza (Wressell) Heacock. This 
union has been blessed with nine children, 
seven of whom are now living: John, 
William, Isabella, Edward, Barton, Har- 
rison and Allan. Thomas and Magda L. 
died in infancy. In 1860 Mr. Cron came to 
the States and bought a farm in Fairhaven 
township, Carroll county, Illinois. In 
1868, he sold his farm and came to Iowa, 
where he purchased the southeast quarter 
of section 23, Perry township. When he 
went to this farm he found twenty acres 
broken, and has since improved the remain- 
der. He has erected a good set of build- 
ings and now makes thif his home. 

Geo. M. Frank is a native of Germany 
and was born April 18, 1843, his parents 
being Peter and Catharine (Hoffer) 
Frank. In 1852, his parents came to 
America, locating first in Saratoga, New 
York, where his mother is still living. 
Seven years later George M. came west to 
Carroll county, Illinois, and August 9, 
1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in 
Company C, 92d Illinois Mounted In- 
fantry, afterwards participating in the 
battles of Chickamauga, Powder Springs, 
Resaca and Atlanta. He was taken pris- 



;iV 



ii 



04^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



oner while with Sherman on his march to 
the sea, November 34, 1864, and was held 
prisoner at Florence, South Carolina, until 
the 24th of February 1865, when he was 
returned to his regiment and served until 
June 21 of the same year. He was hon- 
orably discharged at Concord, North Car- 
olina, June 21, 1865, and at once returned 
to his home in Carroll county, Illinois, 
where he remained until coming to Tama 
county, in March, 1868. He located in 
Perry town.ship, on section 29, remaining 
until October, 18T2, when he settled on 
section 8, where he still'vesides. In poli- 
tics he is a firm Republican, and has held 
the office of Township Clerk. December 
9 1S65, he was married to Miss Lucinda 
Kline, a native of Carroll county, Illinois, 
They have four children: Reuben S., 
George M., John F. and Leonora L. Mr. 
and Mrs. Frank are members of the Pres- 
byterian Church. 

Henry M., son of Abial and Sally (Day) 
Ilealy, was born in Dudley, Worcester 
(bounty, Massachusetts, March 13, 1839. 
When five years of age his father moved 
to Globe Village, where he built a hotel, 
and made his home until his death, which 
occurred December 18, 1853. His mother 
died September 13, 1853. After the death 
of his parents, Henry went to live with 
an uncle in McHenry county, Illinois, and 
made his home there until he was twenty- 
one years old. He then went to Kendall I 
county. December 31, 1862, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Martha Dolph, a native of 
Eric county, Pennsylvania. In 1864, he 
purchased a farm in McHenry county, 
Illinois, and lived on it for two 3'ear8. 
He then sold out and returned to Kendall 
county, where he rented land until 1868. 



In the fall of that year he came to Iowa 
and settled on section 14, in Perry town- 
ship. He has improved his land and re- 
built the house which he now occupies. 
He has but one child living — Harry A. 
Nellie was born October 15, 1865, died 
February 28, 1866. 

Thomas L Knight was born in New 
Jersey, June 20, 1843. When he was 
three years of age his parents moved to 
Ohio, and settled in Holmes county, where 
they lived until he was sixteen years old, 
and then moved to Lee county, Illinois, 
where he made his home until the war. 
His father, whose name was also Thomas, 
was born in England; his mother, whose 
maiden name was Margaret Voorhies, was 
a native of New Jersey. The subject of 
our sketch enlisted in August, 1862, in 
the 75th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
went south and joined the Army of the 
Cumberland. He was with the regiment 
until the close of the war. Among the 
many engagements in which the regiment 
participated, the following may be men- 
tioned, to show that there was much dan- 
gerous and bloody work encountered: 
Champion Hills, Stone River,Chickamauga, 
siege of Chattanooga, scaling Lookout 
Mountain at the battle above the clouds, 
Mission Ridge and Franklin, Tennessee. 
Mr. Knight came out of this long series 
of hard-fought battles, safe and sound, 
and on receiving his discharge in Jtily, 
1865, he returned to his home in Illinois. 
He was married there in 1867, to Miss 
Hannah Shore, a native of Pennsylvania 
He came to Iowa in 1869, and settled in 
Poweshiek county, where he bought eighty 
acres of land.. He broke some of the land 
and lived there eighteen months; then. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



867 



in the same year, came to Tama county 
and purchased land on section 35, Perry 
township. He has improved the land, 
built a barn and rebuilt the house in 
which he now lives. Mr. Knight has 
been a successful farmer and now has 280 
acres of improved land. He has seven 
children — -William C, Margaret, Fred, 
Charlotte, Celestia, Thomas A. and 
Nellie N. 

Robert A. Scott is a native of Scotland, 
and born in Kirkcudbrightshire, April 8, 
1826. He received his education in the 
public schools of his native parish. When 
he was eighteen years of pge, he was 
apprenticed to a stone mason to learn the 
trade. He served three years and then 
engaged to work as a journeyman. In 
1850 he left his native land for America, 
landing at New Orleans. He could find 
no work there, so he went to St. Louis 
and worked at his trade there for one 
month. He then went to Knox county, 
Illinois, and hired out to work for 110 per 
month, teaming coal from Oneida to 
Galesburg and Knoxville. In the spring 
he went to Chicago, where he worked at 
his trade through the summer. He then 
went to I.ockport, where he was engaged 
in cutting stone for the Chicago court 
house; from there he went to Buffalo, 
where he worked through the winter on 
Spauldings exchange building. From 
there he went to Ohio, then to Chicago, 
and from there to La Salle county, where 
he was employed to construct bridges 
across the Illinois river, for the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company. He was em- 
ployed at this kind of work for two years. 
At this time the stone cuttefs struck for 
hiccher wages and he went to Louisville 



Kentucky, to look for work, but was dis- 
appointed and returned to La Salle county. 
He next went to New York to meet his 
wife, who was coming from Scotland. 
He went from New York to Massachu- 
setts and worked at his trade in Quincy, 
for fifteen years, with the exception of one 
summer spent in Washington, D. C, at 
work on the United States Treasury build- 
ing and one summer spent at work on a 
fort in Maine. He then returned to Knox 
county, Illinois, where he spent the sum- 
mer, then went to Rock Island, where he 
succeeded in getting employment on Gov- 
ernment works, then went to St. Paul, 
Minnesota, where he worked one winter 
on the LTnited States Custom House. He 
then went to Ashland Crossing, 
where he took charge of a gang of men 
who were cutting stone for a bridge to be 
built across the Des Moines river at that 
place. From there he returned to Rock 
Island, where he was employed at bridge 
work until 1870, when he came to Perry 
township and settled on land on section 
32. This land he had purchased some 
years before. He has since greatly im- 
proved the land and built the house in 
which he now lives. He was married, in 
1847, to Miss Ann Cannon, who is also a 
native of Scotland. They have five chil- 
dren — James, Mary, Thomas, Isabella and 
Willie. 

Adin Antrim settled in Buckingham 
township in 1856, and was born in Clinton 
county, Ohio, in 1830, where he lived until 
thirteen years of age. His parents were 
Adin and Mary Antrim, both of whom 
died while he was but a child ; the former 
being killed by a falling tree when Adin 
was about three years of age. When he 



71 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



was thirteen, he went to Indiana with an 
older sister, and, in 1848, enlisted in the 
Regular Army for five years or during the 
war with Mexico. He served until the 
close of that war, then returned to Illinois, 
settling in Whiteside county, where he 
purchased a farm and resided until 1856, 
at which time he came to Buckingham 
township and settled on section 35. In 
1880, he moved into Traer, where he has 
since been a resident. Mr. Antrim was 
married in Illinois to Miss Elizabeth A. 
Glen, born in Schoharie county, New 
York, in 1824. Her parents were Alexander 
and Francis Glen. Miss Glen came to 
Illinois, in 1845, with a sister. Mr. and 
Mrs. Antrim have four children living — 
Mary F., William A., John G. and Ella J. 
They have lost two sons and two daugh- 
ters, all of whom died of diptheria. 
Margaret, Eva and Chauncy died January 
20, 1863. Franklin G. and Mattie died 
December 31, 1879, the former aged six- 
teen years ; the latter eleven years and 
three months. Mr. and Mrs. Antrim are 
members of the M. E. Church. 

Alexander S. McPherran was born in 
Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, Janu- 
ary 8, 1832. After finishing his education 
he engaged in teaching for some time in 
his native county, after which he followed 
farming in the summer and lumbering in 
the winter. In 1855 he went to Dixon, 
Illinois, where he was engaged in the 
grocery business. He came to Iowa in 
the summer of 1855, and entered land in 
Tatua, Polk and Hamilton counties — in 
all. 4, 160 acres. After filing on this land, 
lie returned to Dixon and continued his 
grocery business for two years. He then 
took a contract to build a part of the 



Mississippi & Racine railroad, and later, 
took a contract on the B. & M. R R., in 
Iowa. He continued in the business as 
contractor,, until 1869. In 1870 he was 
dealing in live stock in Jefferson county, 
Iowa. In 1871, he came to Tama county 
and commenced farming in Perry town- 
ship, on land that he had entered in 1855. 
He put in 480 acres of wheat in 1874. 
The house in which he now lives was 
built in 1871, and, in 1875, he built a large 
barn, 30x55 feet. He was joined in mar- 
riage- to Miss Susan Condo, a native of 
Pennsylvania, in 1859. She bore him 
three children, named Nancy, Maggie 
and Samuel. Mrs. McPherran died in 
1869. His second wife, to whom he was 
married in March, 1871, was Miss Mary 
J., daughter of Evan L. and Jane (Hutch- 
inson) Craine, who were early settlers in 
.Jefferson county, coming in 1844. They 
have two children — Maud and Clyde 

ORGANIC. 

The firgt election held in this townshij) 
after it had assumed its present boundaries 
was upon the 5th day of April, 1858, at 
which time the following officers were 
elected: George W. Bradley, Clerk; John 
Stoakes, Norman Rice and Horace Harts- 
horn, Trustees; Henry C. Stoakes, Road 
Supervisor. 

HISTORICAL ITEMS. 

Marion Young, aged 13, daughter of 
Samuel and Janet Young, and Sarah Kliiig- 
aman, daughter of Stc2>hen and Anna 
Klingaman, were drowned in Wolf creek 
in July, 1862. They were bathing and 
waded into a hole that was quite deep. 
Miss Mary Klingaman, an aunt of Sarali, 
who was resting on the bank, rushed to 
tlic rt'sftie and was nearly drowned. It 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



869 



was on the northwest quarter of section 
10, and occurred about 10 o'clock at night. 
Other children were near the stream at 
the time and speedily gave the alaim to 
the neighborhood, but it was too late to 
save the girls. 

The Bunker boys were hanged in Jan- 
uary, 1859. This matter is treated in the 
chapter upon Events of Interest. 

Orlando Crampton and wife were frozen 
to death in Decembef, 1856. They were 
living at this time with his parents on the 
northeast corner of the northwest quarter 
of section 23. They went to a neighbors 
who lived on the southeast corner of sec- 
tion 15, a distance of half a mile. 
They started home at 4 o'clock in the after- 
noon, it was snowing and the wind was 
blowing hard. They proceeded about 
half the distance in the right direction, 
when it appears they became confused, 
got lost and went in the wrong direction. 
The family supposed they had stopped all 
night at the neighbors, but as t^ey did not 
come in the morning they went over to 
see about it, and learned that they had 
started home the night previous. 

It having been abad blizzard, they weie 
alarmed. The neighborhood was called 
out, and the search began. Her dead body 
was found nearly eight miles from home, 
that same day, and his body was found 
near Salt creek, in what is now Oneida 
township. It is thought he must have 
traveled about twenty-ti ve miles It seems 
that she had died first, as she was laid out 
with her hands across her breast; he had 
taken her shawl and wrapped around his 
head, and had stamped a hole through the 
crust of snow, sat down and died in a sit- 
ting ])osture. He was a native of York 



State and twenty-three years old. His 
wife was the daughter of Henry and Lydia 
(Yale) Beatty, and was born in York State, 
December 26, 18:^5. 

The first school in tiie township was 
kept in a log house on section 3, in 1854, 
and was taught by Miss Rachel Wood. 

The first school house was built in 185G, 
in the town plat of Buckingham, Jane 
Noble taught the first school in this 
building. 

The first birth in the township was 
America, a daughter to William D., nd 
Mary (Wood) Hitchner, December 1, 
1852. She died December 10, 1856. 

The first death was that of Joseph Con- 
nell which occurred in September, 1854. 

The first marriage in this township oc- 
curred October 16, 1853, at which time 
Martha Taylor was united in the holy 
bonds of wedlock to a man by the name 
of Knott, who was living at that time in 
Tipton, Cedar county, Iowa. Soon after 
the happy event they moved to Mount Ver. 
non, Linn county, Iowa, where he kept a 
store a number of years, and then removed 
to southeastern Kansas, where she died 
about 1875, leaving a son and two daugh- 
ters now grown. A grown son and daughter 
and two half-grown sons of Ira Taylor 
died of typhoid fever in November, 1854^ 
at their home where Traer now is, all of 
them within two weeks. The following 
spring Mr. Taylor moved to Toledo, where 
his wife died, and he again married. His 
second wife died in 1880. He still lives 
at Toledo with his daughter, the wife of 
Rev. S. W. Ingham. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first school house in the townsliip 
was built in 1856, and was dedicated by a 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



dan 26 on the 4th of July of that year. Miss 
Jane Nobles had the honor of first teach- 
ing in this building, although as else- 
where stated a school had been taught in 
a log building previous to this time. In 
district No. 1 a school house was built at 
West Union in 1859, and a term of school 
that had been commenced in Dexter 
Higgins' house by Cyrena Ingham in 
the fall of that year, was completed in 
this building. It was a frame building 
and was remodeled and repaired in 1881. 
In district No. 2 the first school building 
was erected in 1875 and is located on the 
northeast corner of section 1. Olive M. 
Keckley was the first teacher in this dis- 
trict. In district No. .3 the first school was 
taught by Dudley Loop in Henry Beatty's 
house, on section 23, during the winter of 
18o7-J8. The school house was built in 
1859, and the first school in this building 
was presided over by Miss Rachel Felter, 
during the summer of that year. The 
building was located on the southwest 
ijuarter of section 24, where it now stands. 
In district No. 4 the first school house 
was built in 1857 and was located on the 
southwest quarter of section 29. Annen 
Morton was the first teacher in the dis- 
tiict. The building was moved to the 
northeast quarter of section 31 in 1866, 
and was used until 1873, when the present 
liouse was built, which is located on the 
northeast quarter of section 31. Rebecca 
Stoner was the first teacher in this house, 
completing a term commenced in the old 
Imilding. In district No. 5 the first school 
licHise was built in 1871, and > as located 
on the southwest quarter of section 22. Mr. 
Sliephard was the first teacher. It is a 
good frame building and well furnished 



Charles Shephard was the first teacher. 
In district No. 6 the first house was built 
in 1872, and located on the southwest 
quarter of section 25. The first term of the 
school was taught by Isabel Stewart in the 
fall of 1872. This is called Stormy Point 
district. The house in district No. 7 was 
built in 1866, and the first school was 
taught by Miss Jane Wilson in the winter 
of 1860-61. This house was located on the 
northeast quarter of •section 17, and was 
used until 1877, when it was sold and the 
present building erected that same year 
on the southwest corner of the southwest 
quarter of section 17. Miss Ida Loop was 
the first teacher in the new building. 

The first house in district No. 8 was 
built in 1875 on the northeast quarter of 
section 1. Miss Olive M. Keckley was the 
first teacher here. Most all of these build- 
ings are in good condition, and as a rule 
competent teachers have been employed, 
and the advantages of an education are 
freely offeoed to all who will avail them- 
selves of the opportunity. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Methodism was introduced into north- 
ern Tama in 1853. Re.v. S. W. Ingham 
preached the first discourse at the house 
of Norman L. Osborn, on the northwest 
corner of the present site of the town of 
Traer, on the 4th of June, 1853. A Class 
was organized at the time, consisting of 
Ira Taylor and family, and Norman L. 
Osborn and family, with Ira Taylor as 
Class Leader. Appointments were made 
by Mr. Ingham for services every four 
weeks until the meeting of the Confer- 
ence in November. The class continued 
to meet at the house of Mr. Osborn, or 
that of Mr. Taylor, until a school liouse 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



was erected across the line in Bucking- 
ham township. Services were held in this 
school house until 1868, when a church 
edifice was erected in the village of Buck- 
ingham. 

Solomon West Ingham, was born in the 
town of Dryden, Cayuga county, N. Y., 
February 9, 1812. His father, Solomon 
Ingham, was a native of Connecticut, 
and his mother, Deborah (West) Ing- 
ham, of Massachusetts. His father died 
when he was but seven years of age. 
At this time the family were living in 
what is now Fayette county, Indiana, 
where they had removed the previous year. 
On their arrival in this then frontier 
country, they found only three white fam- 
ilies living in the county, while there 
were between 3,000 and 4,000 Indians, 
who at the time had just received their 
annuity, and were having a drunken 
frolic previous to their removal to a new 
reservation a little farther in the direction 
of the setting sun. Before leaving his 
eastern home, young Ingham had the 
privilege of attending school, hi-< first 
term being when but three years of age. 
On his removal to Indiana, he could not 
enjoy that privilege for a time, there be- 
ing no schools at any convenient point. 
From his sixth to his fifteenth year the 
total time of attendance at school would 
not exceed three months. When fifteen 
years of age he was apprenticed to a 
hatter for five years, but purchased the 
last year of his time. He continued to 
work at his trade three years longer, when 
he concluded to abandon it. After leaving 
this business he attended school five 
weeks. Realizing how little he knew, for 
two years, after his day's work was done. 



he studied by firelight until a late hour of 
night, by which time he was qualified to 
teach the various branches usually taught 
in the schools of that day. From that time 
until 1840, he taught school in the winter 
months, and worked as a carpenter in stim. 
mer. When nineteen years of age, he was 
converted and united with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, and about one year after 
wa$ made a Class Leader. In 1836 he was 
united in marriage with Lydia Ann Gadd, 
Shelby county, Indiana. Five children 
blessed this union, four of whom grew to 
manhood and womanhood, one of whom 
has for many years been an influential 
minister in the Methodist Episcopal 
Church — Rev. S. W. Ingham, jr. In 1837, 
the subject of this sketch was licensed as 
a local preacher, and for three years la- 
bored in Indiana, while at the same time 
teaching, and working at the carpenter's 
trade. In 1840, with his family, he came 
to Iowa, and united with the Conference, 
and was assigned to the Marion circuit in 
in Linn county, where he remained two 
years, and was then transferred to Cedar 
county, where he also spent two years. 
His next appointment was to the Pleasant 
Valley circuit, where he remained but six 
months, and was then compelled to cease 
preaching, his voice having failed him. 
For three years afterwards he was an in- 
valid. Recovering his health, in a measure, 
he traveled with a team, selling goods on 
the frontier and to the Indians. In 1847, 
his wife died, and in 1848 he married Re- 
becca Husband, in Washington county 
Iowa. In 1852, having recovered his health 
and voice, he was again assigned to duty 
in the ministry, being appointed to the 
the northern Iowa circuit,embracing eleven 



872 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



counties, reaching from Vinton and what is 
now Traer to the northwestern boundary 
of the State. He made his home in 
Bremer county. Here Mrs. Ingham died, 
in the same year of their removal here. 
In June, 1853, Mr. Ingham visited the 
north part of this county, where he met 
Cynthia Taylor, daughter of Ira Taylor, 
with whom he united in marriage, Jan- 
uary, 1854. Four children have been 
born unto them, three of whom are now 
living. After serving the circuit two 
years, he ceased from labor one year, and 
was then assigned to the Waterloo station, 
where he remained one year. Mr. Ingham 
now moved to Toledo, where he has since 
continued to reside. For five years he was 
engaged in merchandising and for the 
same length of time, acted as agent for 
thS American Bible Society, traveling in 
its interests in Tama and other counties. 
For several years he has been engaged in 
other secular business, but has never 
wholly abandoned the ministry, serving 
now and then as a supply to pastors, and on 
funeral occasions. The incidents of his 
life as a pioneer preacher would fill a 
volume, and be of absorbing interest. No 
man in Tama county is more extensively 
known, and none more highly respected. 
The United Brethren organized a 
society, Rev. J. H. Vandever officiating, in 
1867, at the school house on section 2.3, 
with fourteen members as follows : Anson 
Loop and wife, Charles Loop and wife, 
Warren Rogers and wife, Sydney A. Beatty, 
Henry O. Beatty, Harriet D. Beatty, Adella 
Beatty, William VVorden and wife, Mrs. 
Emily Scranton and Alonzo Rogers. They 
held meetings once every two weeks. Rev. 
Vandever was succeeded by H. B. Potter, 



then came Andrew Noy, S. W. Kerthe- , 
then Vandever again, followed by Theo- 
dore Brashear, G. W. Stewart, L. B. Hicks, 
John Smith, then Hicks again, afterward 
George Benson and Rev. Laughlin the pres. 
ent pastor. There are now about twenty 
members, and meetings are regularly held 
at the school house on section 25. A. B. 
Harmon is the Class Leader. 

A class of United Brethren was organ- 
ized by Solomon Kern, at the school house 
in Buckingham village, in 1862, with the 
following members,: Alfred Shiner and 
wife, John Kingery and wife, T. R. Shinn 
and wife, Adin Antrim and wife and Mrs. 
Alfred Shinn. Rev. Kern was succeeded 
by Rev. Hastings, and in turn by Craw- 
ford, then Rev. Pattie. The members of 
this church have all moved away and the 
organization has been discontinued. 

The Protestant Methodists organized a 
Class at the school house on section 29, in 
1858, by Rev. Roberdes, with L. B. Col- 
lins as Class Leader and the following mem- 
bership : A. S. Famler and wife, Lyman 
Cody and wife, L. B. Collins, wife and 
two daughters, Dennis Patch and wife, 
Andrew Collins and wife. The following 
named have preached here since : Burt, 
Dunton, Richards, Baker, Spry, Ilollen- 
beck, Snyder, Bailey, Holland,and Thomas. 
The organization has been discontinued. 

A Methodist Episcopal Class was organ- 
ized in the school house in district num- 
ber three, about the year 1872, by Rev. 
Wilkerson, with the following member- 
ship : Charles Loop and wife, Mrs. Lydia 
Jieatty, Mrs. May Glasser and Mrs. Sallie 
Webster. This society continued in exist- 
ence about two^years, when it was merged 
into a similar organization at Traer. 



'^f 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



8V3 



CBMETEBIES. 

A burial place called Baker's Grove 
Cemetery was laid out in 1 SCO, on the north- 
east quarter of section 31. The land was 
donated by Andrew Collins. It contains 
one acre. An infant son of John Collins 
was the first to receive burial here. It is 
platted in lots eight by sixteen feet each, 
and controlled by a board of trustees elect- 
ed by owners of lots. There are two 
others, Buckingham Cemetery, n^ar Traer, 
on section 3 and West Union Cemetery. 

WOLF CEEEK POSTOFFICE. 

This office was established in 1858, with 
Stephen Klingaman as postmaster, and the 
office at his house on section 10, south of 
the creek. Charles Loop was deputy. The 
office was next moved to West Union and 
Dexter Higgins appointed postmaster. 
Then came Doctor Smith, Widow Perkins, 
Levi S. Cope, Robert W. Huff, Samuel 
Everett and J. L. Moore. Then the office 
was removed to Traer and the name 
changed. 

WEST VNION VILLAGE. 

This place was surveyed and platted in 
1856, by W. A. Daniel, County Surveyor, 
for Christopher Hester, and was located 
on the east half of the northwest quarter 
of section 11. There was at the time of 
the survey one dwelling house and a store 
building within its limits. Robert Hes- 
ter started the building of a hotel in 1856, 
but before completion sold to Robert Huff, 
who finished it and opened the same for 
the accommodation of the traveling pub- 
lic and called it the Huff House. He 
continued to run it until 186T, when he 
sold out to Samuel Everett and he in turn 
sold to H. F. (-raston, who again disposed 



of the property, and it was moved away. 
It is now owned by George Townsend 
and is used lor a barn. 

Robert Hester opened a store here as 
early as 1855, and sold out the next year 
to Ashley Lucas, who continued the busi- 
ness a few months and closed up. George 
Free opened a store soon afterwards in the 
same building and continued the trade 
about one year, when he moved his stock 
to Monticello and was succeeded in the 
business at this point by a man by the 
name of Brown, who remained nine 
months and moved his goods to what he 
considered a better market. J. L. Moore 
was the next man to embark in a like en- 
terprise, here in the same building, and 
continued until the town of Traer was 
started, when he moved thither. Henry 
•Palmer and Charles Loop came from Penn- 
sylvania in November, 1855, and started a 
blacksmith shop, but did not remain long. 

Notwithstanding these disappointments, 
the new town seemed to flourish for a 
short time and it was thought it would 
sometime make a place of some impor- 
tance. Among other things,churches were 
organized, a school taught, people bought 
lots, paid good prices, and built houses, 
but it did not seem to pay and they soon 
commenced moving themselves and houses 
to the country and engaging in the more 
lucrative employment of farming, and 
West Union as a town is defunct. 

illLL. 

In 1853, Jonas P. Wood, W. D. Hitch- 
ner and John ''onnell started the building 
of a saw mill on the northwest quarter of 
section 10. A brush and dirt dam was 
thrown across the creek and the building 
was pushed forward as fast as possible 



^« slv 



A" — - 



8V4 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



under the circumstances. It was not in 
running order, however, until in 1854. 
They secured a six-foot fall for water 
power and put in an "up-and-down" saw. 
Stephen Klingaman bought the property 
and built a grist mill in connection, the 
same year, with one run of stone. He 
manufactured flour, ground feed, etc. The 
mill went out of use a short time after- 
ward, and finally part of the machinery 
was used in the Traer mills. 

BUCKIJfGHAM VILLAGE. 

This was an old town, situated in Perry 
township, and was one of the first settle- 
ments in the county. Among the early 
settlers at this point were James and J. P. 
Wood, Dr. Daniel, Col. John Connell and 
brother Daniel, William Hitchner, David 
Dean and N. L. Osborn. 

The town was laid oft' by Messrs. Wood, 
Connell and others, and called after the 
well-known ex-Governor of Connecticut, 
who took quite an interest in the town. 
It was pleasantly located and surrounded 
by an excellent farming country,contained a 
population of 400, mostly New Englanders 
and Scotch. At one time it contained 
one hotel; three general stores, owned 
l>y David Connell, Barrett & Thomas and 
Mr. Morehouse; one hardware store, by 
\j. B. Collins; one harness shop; one black- 
smith shop; one physician, Dr. Daniel. 
It had a large and commodious public 
school building; two church organizations, 
Congregational and Methodist; a large and 
flourishing Sabbalh school with a good 
library. The I. (). of U. T. had a Lodge 
in the town. 

Governor Buckingham, of Connecticut, 
always took a lively interest in the town, 
and it was mainly through his liberality 



that the town possessed a handsome church 
edifice and Sabbath school library, and 
in all else for the public good in this 
vicinity, he always proved a ready and 
cheerfAil helper. 

CITY OF TRAER. 

Traer, the metropolis of northern Tama, 
is situated in the northern part of Perry 
township, in the forks of Wolf and Coon 
creeks, on the line of the Burlington, 
Cedar Rapids & Northern railway. It 
lies upon a beautiful prairie, and is sur- 
rounded by some of the finest and most 
productive agricultural and stock-rai.sing 
lands in the State, which is a guarantee of 
permanent and ever increasing trade. 
The whole country for miles about is 
dotted with some of the finest and best 
improved farms to be seen in the west. 

There are many fine and substantial 
brick and stone blocks to be seen upon the 
business thoroughfares, and a stroll 
through the city discloses many fine and 
costly dwellings. There are a number of 
fine church edifices and elegant buildings 
for educational purposes. An abundance 
of shade trees adorn the streets, which in 
summer add greatly to the beauty of the 
place. The location is exceedingly 
healthy. The inhabitants are possessed of 
intelligence, and the society is of the most 
refined and desirable character. All 
taken into consideration, Traer is among 
the best business towns in the country. 

ITS DEVELOPMENT. 

When the B. C. R. & N. railroad began 
pushing its line from Vinton toward the 
northwest, and before the road had 
reached Tama county, John Traer, of 
Cedar Rapids, instigated the platting of a 



^=T 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



town upon section 10, Perry township, 
upon land owned by Giles Taylor and J. 
L. Bull. The town was named after Mr. 
Traer. The surveyor was Charles G. 
Johnson. On the 27th of July, 187«, the 
iron-horse first made its appearance in 
Traer, and almost at once all was activity; 
business houses sprung up as if by magic, 
and almost half the growth of Traer was 
accomplished within one year. For four 
years this place was the terminus of the 
railroad, and grew accordingly. The 
growth from the first was so rapid that it 
is almost impossible to trace with any 
degree of accuracy the first business move- 
ments. 

Early in the spring of 1873, J. R. 
Smith came from Tama City and opened 
a lumber yard. He erected one of the 
first buildings upon the town plat. 

In May, Clark Newcomber, opened the 
first store in Traer. He brought his stock, 
consisting of tobacco, cigars and a little of 
everything, from Tama City, and opened 
in a little frame building, 18x30 feet. He 
remained here for some time, opening a 
harness shop, hut finally sold and went to 
Waverly. 

The first substantial store was opened 
by B. Best, early in June, 1873. He 
came from Tama City, bringing his stock 
of goods from that place. He occupied 
the store building which was erected by 
J. R. Smith. It has since burned down. 
Best then put up the building which he 
sold to Nicholas, in 1877. He also erected 
part of the building now occupied by the 
Best House, in 1873. In 1877, he retailed 
out his business, and now devotes his at- 
tention to running the Best House. 



About the next business established was 
that of Fisk & Moore. The former was 
from Buckingham, the latter from West 
Union. They moved an 18x24 foot building 
from some farm, upon a lot near where 
the old Brooks & Moore bank stands, and 
opened a stock of grocries and provisions, 
general merchandise and beer. They ran 
it for six or eight months, when it was 
purchased , by James Morrison, who now 
handles groceries. 

As trade increased and the business of 
Traer began to assume city proportions, the 
general merchandising began to separate 
and the various stores handled one line ex- 
clusively. The different branches will 
now be treated of, showing the first and 
present dealers, interwoven with personal 
sketches of as many of the representative 
business men as can be given, without in- 
fringing too much upon space. 

The first grocery store was started by B. 
Best; soon after followed by Fisk & 
Moore. For some years this line was 
handled in connection with the general 
merchandise stores. M. G. Nichols started 
about the first store to handle groceries ex- 
clusively. He put up a building near Good- 
enough's hardware store which is now 
vacant, and remained in the business for 
about one year. He is now farming in 
Tama county. The present representa- 
tives of the grocery line are the following 
named: James Morrison, who also handled 
boots, shoes and crockery. He succeeded 
Fisk & Moore. Best & Canfield com- 
menced business, under this name, in 1879, 
handling nothing but groceries. Goodsell 
& Hadsell succeeded Mitchell & Hoj, who 
commenced business in the fall of 1873. 
Thomas Gallogly commenced business in 






r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



it 



the grocery line, in ls7>*, in the old bank 
building; he has purchased the bank build- 
ing and is still in the business. The firm 
of Gillespie & Shroeder succeeded Mr. 
Gillespie in 1882, and now do a good busi- 
ness. Christian Wetzel commenced trade 
in the grocery business several years ago, 
and still handles this line of goods. 

Thomas Gallogly, grocer of Traer, is a 
native of Ohio, born in 1844, and while 
young removed with his parents to Mani- 
towoc, Wisconsin. He was brought up on 
a farm, and July 21, 1862, enlisted in Com- 
pany D, 27th Regiment, Wisconsin Vol- 
unteer Infantry. He was honorably dis- 
charged August 29, 1865, having served a 
little more than three years. He partici- 
pated in many important battles and cam- 
paigns; was at the seige of Vicksburg, the 
taking of Little Rock, at Mobile, Fort 
Blakely, and was with General Banks in 
his Red River campaign, participating in 
more than twenty battles. After the war 
he returned to VVisconsin and engaged in 
school teaching, which occupation he fol- 
lowed for many years, teaching the school 
at Centerville, Manitowoc county, for a 
period of nine successive years. His wife 
was Miss Caroline Fehrenbach, born in 
Switzerland. They have four children — 
Mary V., Thomas M., Lizzie ('. and 
Michael J. 

As to general merchandise, almost all of 
the first stores started mightbe classed un- 
der this head. In July, 1873, Daniel Con- 
nell, who had been in bu^^inessat Bucking- 
ham, opened a general merchandise store 
here in the building now occupied by 
James Morrison. He kept a large stock 
and remained until a few years ago, when 



he removed to Gladbrook, where he is now 
postmaster. He moved from Buckingham 
the building which is now occupied by the 
Coffee and Reading Room. C. C. Collins 
started the ne.Yt general merchandise store, 
commencing business September 1, 1873. 
He erected the building now occupied by 
Boettclier & Hart as a furniture store. 
Mr. Collins purchased the building he now 
occupies of James Aitchison, and is still in 
trade, carrying a 87,000 stock of dry 
goods, clothing, boots, shoes and notions, 
and does an annual business of about 820,- 
000. The next general merchandise store 
after Collins was started in the fall of 1873 
by Q. D. Hartshorn, he was succeeded in 
1875 by Seaver & McClary, the present 
bankers, who in turn were succeeded by 
S. P. Smith, who is yet in the business. 
Porterfield Brothers commenced business 
in 1873, in a building which they erected, 
and are still in the trade. In December, 
1875, Smith & Edwards began business. 
A few years ago S. P. Smith bought 
out Edwards, and later bought out Seaver 
tk McClary. He is still in trade. E<1- 
wards is farming near Waterloo. About 
the same time Galley and Newcomer es- 
tablished business in a building erected by 
Mr. Humiston. Thej' continued under the 
original firm name until the spring of 
1883, when the j)artnership was dissolved; 
Vlr. Galley still continuing the business- 
H. C. Pierce opened a dry goods and mil- 
linery establishment in 1875. Guynn, 
Thomas and Co., began business here in 
April, 1882. Isaac Rosenberg began busi- 
ness in this lin6 in 1880. This leaves the 
business, which it will be noticed has giad- 
ually turned more e.xchisively to dry goodsi 
in the hands of C. C. Collins, Mr. Galley, 



•C* c r- 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



*n^ 



Porterfield Brothers, H. C. Pierce & Co., 
Guynn, Thomas & Co. and Isaac Rosen- 
berg. 

C. C. Collins, the present Mayor of 
Traer, is one of the earliest business men 
of the town, having established a general 
merchandise business in 18T3. He has 
been a resident of Tama county since ]8.=^5. 
His father, L. B. Collins, was born in In- 
diana in 1818, and came to Cedar county i 
Iowa, in 1852, where he lived till 1855, 
then came to Tama county. Mr Collins 
entered 160 acres of land in Perry town- 
ship, at what was then Baker's Grove, af" 
terward known as Collins' Grove. He lived 
there from 1855 till 18'7.3, when he re 
moved to Nebraska. He was the first 
postmaster in the township, and held that 
position from the time the office was es- 
tablished, July 1, 1857, till 1860, when 
the office was discontinued. 

C. C. Collins was born in Indiana in 
1843, and was consetjuently but twelve 
years of age when his father came to this 
county. He attended school on the site of 
the town of Traer, in the winter of 1855- 
56. Ue built his pi esent store in August, 
1873, and opened the second general store 
in the town. Mr. Collins engaged in mer- 
chandising in Buckingham in 1869, which 
he continued till Traer was laid out, then 
he removed to this place. Mr. Collins is 
a successful merchant and an enterprising 
citizen; always among the first in advoca- 
ting what he believes will promote the 
best interests of the town. He married 
.Mary F., daughter of A. Antrim. They 
have three children: Albert Roy, Chauncy 
Clifford and an infant son. 

One of the most extensive mercantile 
houses of I raer, is that of the Porterfield 



Brothers, established in 1874, by \V. S. 
Porterfield. In August, of that year, S. 
M. joined his brother in the business, and 
in 1876, two other brothers, J. O. and D. 
A., joined the firm. A branch store was 
then started at Reinbeck under the man- 
agement of J. O., who still conducts the 
business there. W. S. Porterfield, who 
first started the business, died in 1876, and 
the other three brothers still continue in 
partnership. They are natives of the 
province of Ontario, and removed from 
Canada to Illinois, thence to Iowa, settling 
at Vinton. The father of these brothers 
is Rev. William Porterfield, a minister 
of the Presbyterian church. W. S. (de- 
ceased) married Miss M. J. Davis; she 
now lives in Dakota. S. M. married Miss 
Nettie H. Davis; J. O. married Miss Jen- 
nie Basher, of Vinton; and D. A. was 
wedded to Miss Addie E Taylor. The 
Porterfield Brothers are also proprietors 
of the northern nursery, established in 
1883, situated one mile east of Traer and 
now under the management of D. A. Por- 
terfield. 

S. P. Smith, general merchant, is located 
on the comer of second and Main streets. 
In company with L. H. Edwar<fs, he 
opened a general merchandise store in 
Traer, in December 1875, under the firm 
name of Smith & Edwards. The latter 
gentleman retired from the business July 
25, 1881, leaving Mr. Smith sole proprie- 
tor. Mr. Smith is a native of New Jersey. 
When about ten years of age, he removed 
with his parents, to Dane county, Wiscon- 
sin, and thence to Illinois. In 1867, the 
family removed to Butler county, Iowa, 
and settled in Aplington, where the father 
still lives; the mother died there recently. 



r 



-» .^. 



S78 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Mr. Smith left Aplington and came to 
Traer, in 1875. He was married in 1872, 
to Miss Jean L. Wilson, daughter of John 
Wilson, one of the earliest settlers of 
Perrj- township. They have but one child 
living, a daughter — Theodosia. A son, 
(ieorge B., died in May 1881. 

Smith Newcomer, formerly of the firm 
of (ialley & Newcomer, general merchants, 
was born in Fayette county, Pennsylva- 
nia, in 1843. At the age of nineteen, in 
August 1862, he enlisted in the 15th 
Pennsylvania Cavalry and served until, 
tiie close of the war, being discharged in 
.lune, 1865. He participated in many 
severe engagements, including the battles 
of Stone river and Chickamauga. After 
the war was over Mr. Newcomer returned 
to Pennsylvania and attended school at 
Pittsburg. In may, 1866, he removed to 
Illinois, and the following fall came to 
'I'ama county. He engaged as clerk in 
'J'oledo, with the firm of Galley & John- 
son, which afterward became W. F. 
Johnson & Co. Mr. Newcomer, in com- 
pany with H. Galley, came to Traer 
and established business. This firm 
carried a large stock of general merchan- 
dise and was one of the longest established 
stores in Traer. Mrs. Newcomer was 
formerly Miss Louise Fraley, a native of 
Indiana. Her father. Char es W. Fraley, 
died in Illinois; her mother came to Mar- 
shalltown, Iowa, with her family, in 1863, 
and died there some years later. Mr. and 
Mrs. Newcomer had one son, Harry, born 
in Toledo, in 1870. 

The first hardware store in Traer was 
established in the fall of 1873, by Messrs. 
Penrose & Parks. F. A. Goodenough 
conducted the business and afterwards 



succeeded the above named gentlemen, 
and later took E. D. Rice into the business 
as a partner. Mr. Goodenough afterward 
sold his interest to Mr. Rice, and in 1879, 
Messrs. Dennis & Averill succeeded Mr. 
Rice, and are now doing a good business 
in hardware and farm machinery. J. C. 
Ayerill, of this firm, was born at Highgate 
Springs, Kranklin county, Vermont, Feb- 
ruary 24, 1846. His parents, George and 
Eliza (Stinehour) Averill, are also natives 
of Vermont. Mr. Averill was married in 

1870, to Miss Hannah A. Best, daughter 
of Hiram Best. They came west in April, 

1871, and went to Duluth, Minnesota, in- 
tending to locate there, but changed their 
minds and finally went to Cedar Rapids^ 
where he engaged with his cousin, who 
was working for the McCormick Reaper. 
Company. In the spring of 1872, Mr. 
Averill located at Tama City, and formed 
a partnership with Mr. Dennis to carry on 
a farm machinery business that was estab- 
lished in 1866. In 1873, this firm opened 
their business in Traer, of which Mr. 
Averill took charge; Mr. Dennis continu- 
ing in charge at Tama City, until 1877, 
when they discontinued the business at 
the latter city and Mr. Dennis ahso came 
to Traer. In 1879, as stated above, the 
firm bought the hardware stock of Mr. 
Rice and added that branch of trade to 
their business. Messrs. Dennis & Averill 
were the first to buy business and resi- 
dence lots on the plat of Traer. Mr. and 
Mrs. Averill have two children: Lulu B., 
and Gertrude E., both of whom were born 
in Traer. J. B. Dennis, member of this 
Hrm, while he has resided in Traer for a 
shorter period than his partner, has been 
longer a resident of the county. He was 



-ok* 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



born in Ohio, February 26, 1844. He en- 
listed in 1861, in the 84th Regiment, Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry, and served two 
years. Mr. Dennis came to Tama county 
in 1807, and engaged in the hardware and 
farm implement business in Tama City. 

The next hardware store was started by 
.1. T. Weld. He erected a store building 
and sold to F. A. Goodenough, who is yet 
in the business. 

W. W. Evans was also in the hardware 
business for a short time. This leaves the 
hardware business in the hands of Dennis 
& Averill and F. A. Goodenough. 

The brick and tile factory is a prominent 
feature in the manufacturing industries 
of Traer. It is now run in excellent shape 
by Aitchison & Smith. 

The first furniture store established in 
Traer was in the spring of 1874, by 
Rhoades & Blake. Ihey came from Ta- 
ma City and opened up in the John 
Knowl building. They were succeeded 
by J. A. Stewart, and in 1877 John King- 
ery became proprietor. Tn 1881 Boettcher 
& Hart succeeded Kingery, and they now 
have monopoly of the furniture business 
in Traer. C. V. Collins carried a heavy 
stock of furniture goods at one time. 

As stated, the furniture business of 
Traer is represented by the firm of Boett- 
cher & Hart. The former is a native of 
Saxony, where he was born in 1843. He 
was apprenticed to learn the cabinet 
making trade and followed that business 
in his native country until he came to the 
United States in 1873. He settled in Polo, 
Illinois, where he remained until coming 
to Tama county, in 1880. He settled in 
Traer, where he has since lived. 



John W. Hart was born in Ohio, in 1840. 
When ten years of age, he came to Iowa 
with his parents, John and Eleanor Hiirt,and 
settled in Marshall county. In May, 1802, 
when only twelve years of age, Mr. Hart 
enlisted as drummer boy in Company K, 
23d Regiment, Iowa Volunteer, and served 
three years. He accompanied his regi- 
ment in ail the campaigns and battles in 
which it was engaged. His father came 
to Traer from Marshall county, in 1873. 
The father is a gun smith by trade and a 
mechanic of much ability. John W. came 
to Traer in 1874, and in February, 1881, 
the present firm was organized to establish 
the furniture business. Mr. Hart was 
married to Alice Lowery, who was born 
in Illinois. 

The first restaurant was started by B. 
Best, early in June, 1873. This line is 
now represented by Mrs. C. Becker and 
I. B. Atkins. The Coffee and Reading 
Room was started by the citizens, who 
paid the rent. It is now run by Mias I Jeed. 

B. Best started the first hotel. The 
next was the Traer Hous6 started by Mr. 
Rogers, which is now occupied as a tene- 
ment house. The Cohrts House was the 
third, in 1874. It was started as the Mor- 
ris House, but is now run by J. Cohrts. 
The Brook's House was erected in 1875 
by a stock company, at the cost of $10,- 
000, and is a well fitted hotel. It was first 
run by M. E. Segner; after him came as 
landlords Messrs. Parker, W. ^V . Evans 
and McCoy, and finally W. Green, who 
purchased the property and still runs it in 
good shape. In 1874 Marcus Shroeder 
erected a building which is used for hotel 
purposes. He sold to Marx Kroeger, who 
still runs it. 



^' 



Jl 



fflSTORT OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Baltliasar Best, proprietor of the Best 
House, has been a resident of Traer since 
June 2, 1873. He put up a building that 
season in tlie west part of town and en- 
gaged in the restaurant business. This 
was the first restaurant kept in the village. 
He put up a part of his present building 
the same season, where he kept hotel and 
restaurant till 1878, when he enlarged his 
house and devoted himself exclusively to 
the hotel business. Mr. Best keeps a first 
class hotel and the Best House ranks high 
with the traveling public. Mr. Best was 
born in the year 18.38, at Hessen Darm- 
stadt, Germany. He has had a varied ex- 
perience and some of the events of his life 
have been singulai-ly unforunate. His 
father, Jacob Best, emigrated to this 
country in 1850. They took a steamer at 
Buifalo, intending to locate at Toledo, 
Ohio, but when out upon the lake the boat 
caught fire and was soon a mass of flames. 
His father, mother, four sisters and three 
brothers were all lost, he alone of the fam- 
ily saving himself by swimming ashore. 
Mr. Best came near losing his life by ex- 
posure, was compelled to live with strang- 
ers, and was for seven or eight years an 
invalid, the result of his terrible experi- 
ence on Lake Erie. He went to Minne- 
sota, in 1859, from Wisconsin, enlisting in 
1801, at Winona, in the 1st Minnesota 
Regiment, Company K, and served up- 
wards of three years, participating in twen- 
ty engagements, then left the service and 
returned to Winona. When a young man 
Mr. Best learned the trade of cabinet- 
making and worked at that business at 
Prairie du Chien for three years. He also 
learned the trade of sash and door mak- 
ing while at Winona. In January, 187-3, 



he came to Tama county, engaged for a 
time in the restaurant business at Tama 
City, and then came to Traer, as stated 
above. His wife was Francisca Salentine. 
They have one daughter — Minnie. 

The first drug store in Traer was estab- 
lished in July, 1873, by Strong & Batch- 
elder in a building now occupied by J. H. 
Nauerth. They continued until 1875 or 
1876, when they sold to Batchelder & 
Jones. A. J. Free soon purchased Jones' 
interest, and the firm became Batchelder 
& Free. They for some time were en- 
gaged in the manufacture of pop here. In 
the fall of 1881, they removed to Cedar 
Rapids, selling the stock to J. II. Nauerth 
who still continues the business. The 
next drug store was started by O. D. Bon- 
ney, in the building he still occupies. Dr. 
W, A. Daniel, of Buckingham, was in the 
drug trade here for some time and sold to 
E. M. Woolley, who is still conducting 
the business. Therefore, the drug trade is 
at present represented by J. H. Nauerth, 
O. D. Bonney and E. M. Woolley. 

O. D. Bonney is one of the early busi- 
ness men of Traer. Before the town of 
Traer had an existence, he was in business 
at Buckingham, where he had purchased 
the drug stock of John Zehrung in Octo- 
ber, 1869. The store he occupied at 
Buckingham, was built by Dr. W. A. 
Daniel. Soon after Traer was laid out, 
Mr. Bonney purchased five lots on the vil- 
lage plat, built a store room and immedi- 
ately opened a drug store, which he has 
co!iducted to the present time. He 
changed his place of business to his pres- 
ent location, in September, 1882. Mr. 
Bonney is a native of Canada, and was 



-^ 



^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



brought up in Thompson county, New 
York. His father, O. W. Bonney, was 
horn in Washingtoh county. New York, 
served in the war of 1812, and is now a 
resident of Traer His mother, Laura 
Benedict, was a native of Great Barring- 
ton, Massachusetts, and died in Illinois, 
where the family had moved, when the 
subject of this sketch was eighteen years 
of age. Mr. Bonney enlisted in 1862, in 
the 124th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
which was attached to the I7th corps. 
He served till the close of the war, then 
returned to Aurora, Illinois. He went to 
Des Moines, Iowa, in 1868, and came to 
this county the following year. Mrs. 
Bonney was formerly Miss Louise A. 
Campbell, a native of Beloit, Wisconsin. 
They have three children : Alice A., 
Stella and Oliver. 

The first bank in Traer was established 
in 1873, by Brooks & Moore, of Tama 
City. They erected a tine building, and in 
1883, were engaged in the construction 
of another. The second bank was estab- 
lished in 1875, by the firm of Seaver & 
McClary. They have erected an elegant 
bank building. 

The banking business of Brooks, Moore 
& Co., was established by Messrs. Brooks 
& Moore, August 4, 1873. The firm is 
now composed of J. II. Brooks, R. II. 
Moore and W. H. Cross, the latter gentle- 
man having become a member of the 
firm in June, 1882. Previous to that 
(late, Mr. Moore had entire charge of the 
business, Mr. Brooks being a resident of 
Tama City. Mr. Brooks came to Tama 
county from Kane county. Illinois, in 18.56, 
and settled in Otter Creek township, 
where he remained till the spring of 1866, 



then located in Tama City. He is one of 
the most prominent business men of that 
town. Mr. Moore was born in Mercer 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1845, where he 
was brought up. He came to Tama City 
in 1867 ; he engaged in work in a lumber 
yard until the fall of that year, when he 
engaged in teaching, which business he 
had followed in his native State. He was 
variously engaged till 1871, when he was 
employed as clerk in the bank of Carmi- 
chael, ISrooks & Co. Here he obtained 
some knowledge of the banking business, 
and when Traer was located, he came here 
with Mr. Brooks and opened their present 
bank. This bank is one of the leading 
institutions of Traer, and Mr. Moore has 
proven himself eminently qualified to 
conduct the business successfully. His 
wife was Mary L., daughter of Q. D. 
Hartshorn. They have had three chil- 
dren, two of whom are now living : 
Edna and Theodore. Their second child, 
Ralph Roy, died when he was two years 
old. 

George W. McClary, of the firm of 
Seaver & McClary, bankers, was born in 
St. Joseph, Missouri, June 1, 1849. His 
father, Benjamin F. McClary, was a native 
of Kentucky; his mother, whose maiden 
name was Matilda Shaw, a native of Ten- 
nessee. When he was but ten months 
old, his parents were returning from a 
visit to Kentucky, and his mother, who 
had been in poor health for some years, 
was taken worse and died. But the death 
of a mother was not to be the only calam- 
ity, a double misfortune came when his 
father was stricken with cholera and died 
nine days later. George was taken care 
of by his grandmother, at St. Joseph, Mis- 



^r^^ 



d* 



-* — ' l>\ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



souri, where he lived till he was thirteen 
years of age. At an early age he started 
out to battle with the world for him- 
self. Hi.s early education was advanced 
by two terms in the academic depart- 
ment of Tabor University, at Tabor» 
Iowa, and completed at Pand's Business 
College, from which he graduated in 1869. 
He then engaged in the live stock trade at 
Valley Falls, Kansas, one year; then at 
the same place, he engaged in mercantile 
business and pork packing until 1874. 
During this year he came to Traer, and the 
present firm of Seaver & McClary was 
formed to carry on a mercantile business. 
In 187.5, they established the Bank of 
Traer. Mr. McClary is endowed with a 
large degree of common sense, good judg- 
ment, and success has attended him in 
every branch of business. He has been 
elected Mayor, and is at present serving 
efficiently in that capacity. He was mar- 
ried in July, 1873, to Miss Maria Smith, 
who was from Clay county, Missouri. 
They have been blessed with three chil- 
dren : Pearl, George Edgar and Opal. 
Pearl was born May 6, 1874 ; died Sep- 
tember -IH, 1880. George Edgar was born 
November 18, 1880; died September 25, 
1880. In politics Mr. McClary is a Demo- 
crat. 

The first grain was purchased by Mr. 
Bouton, who stored it in the elevator be- 
fore it was finished. His wife at one time 
was in the millinery business at Traer. 
He went to Dakota from here, and there 
committed suicide. 

The first elevator in Traer was erected 
by James McPhail, of La Porte City, in 
1873. He failed in a few years and was 



succeeded by West Wilson, who is yet in 
the business. An elevator was erected the 
following year by a farmer's stock com- 
pany. This is one of the largest eleva- 
tors in the county. The company fell 
through, and the property was purchased 
by M. C. Murdough, of Tama City. C. 
A. Clow, of La Porte, erected an elevator 
which he still conducts. David Park 
erected an elevator in 1873, which is now 
vacant. 

C. G. Johnson and the McCornk-k 
Brothers started in the lumber business at 
about the same time. They are still in 
the business. Richards Brothers ran a 
lumber yard here for some time, but closed 
about -1879, and went to Nebraska. Can- 
field Brothers commenced business in the 
lumber line in 1878, and sold to C. G. 
Johnson, in the fall of 1882. 

Charles Johnson is the owner of the 
first lumber yard established in Traer, 
which was first opened in July, 1873. Mr. 
Johnson is a civil engineer by profession, 
and when it was decided to locate a town 
here, he was employed by the B. C. & N. 
Railroad Company to purvey and lay out 
the town. Mr. Johnson was born in 
Northfield, Massachusetts, and graduated 
at Dartmouth College, in 1871. He 
adopted civil engineering as a business, 
came to Iowa in the fall of the same year, 
and took charge of the construction of 
the railroad between Vinton and Traer. 
On the completion of the road to Traer, 
Mr. Johnson concluded to locate here and 
engage in business for himself, which he 
has done, meeting with much success 
His wife was Miss Mary Walker, born in 
Massachusetts. 



±^ 



J*. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



8?3 



Frank Mertz started the first meat 
market, in 1873, in a little building where 
Rosenbergs store is. He continued the 
business but a short time. The next was 
by F. A. Hadsell, in the spring of 1874. 
He continued until a few years ago, when 
he sold to O. Benefield, who is yet in the 
business, in the same building. William 
McDowell started and ran a shop a few 
years ago. L. M. Spafford established 
a market here a few years ago, and is still 
in the business. 

Leonard M. Spafford, provision dealer 
and pork packer, came to this countj' in 
1876. He was born in Perrysburg, Ohio, 
September 4, 1856. When Leonard was 
three years old, bis father, who was 
a sailor, was drowned in Lake Erie. 
His mother, soon after married again 
and moved to Toledo, Ohio. He 
received his education in the . city 
schools, and at the age of twelve years 
started out to do for himself. He was 
first employed by a provision dealer, to 
drive a delivery wagon, after which he 
was engaged at different occupations in 
Toledo, Ohio, until he came to Tama 
county Iowa, in the spring of 1876. Here 
he went to work for a farmer near Toledo, 
until fall, when he came to Traer, and 
was employed in an elevator for a few 
months. In the spring, he agaiii tried his 
hand at farming, working for James Wil- 
son about two and a half months. He 
then came to Traer and went to work in a 
provision store. In the fall of 1878, he 
went into partnership with another 
employee, and purchased the stock and 
fixtures of the shop. His cash capital at 
this time was sixty-five, dollars, but by 
close attention to business, he has built up 



^i 



a splendid trade, and is now considered 
one of the most successful business men in 
Traer. The present firm was formed in 
the fall of 1882. Mr. Spafford was 
wedded September 6, 1882, to Miss Lizzie 
B. McConnell, a teacher in the public 
schools of Traer. 

Among the first dealers in agricultural 
implements were Dennis <fc Averill, who 
began business in 1873, and still continue. 
The present dealers are Dennistfe Averill, 
McCornack Brothers and F. A. Good- 
enough. 

The McCornack Brothers, dealers in 
lumber, coal and farm machinery, are 
among the early business men of Traer, 
having established their business in Sep- 
tember, 1873. They deal in the most 
approved class of farm implements, in- 
cluding the Deering harvester, Champion 
reaper and mower, and have a large stock 
of their line of goods. In December, 
1882, they established a branch business 
at Gladbrook. The firm consists of Peter 
and Robert McCornack; the former hav- 
ing charge of the business at Traer, the 
latter at Gladbrook. Peter was born in 
Illinois, in 1840. He enlisted in August, 
1862, in the 102d Regiment, Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, Company I, under 
Colonel F. C. Smith. Mr. McCornack 
served about three years, participating in 
many important battles and campaigns, 
including the Atlanta campaign and Sher- 
man's "March to the Sea," receiving a 
severe wound, July 26, 1864. While 
Peter was in the service, in 1864, his 
father moved to Tama county, and soon 
after the close of the war Peter came also, 
and has since been a resident of the 
county. He followed farming until he 



73 



^ 



•k 



884 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



came to Traer. His wife was Miss Jane 
Gait, a daughter of John Gait. Mr. Mc- 
Cornack'g father died January 21, 1860; 
his mother .still lives and makes her home 
with him. 

The first livery business was established 
by John Campbell in the west end of 
town, in IST-S. He continued alone until 
1877, when he took a partner, and in 1880 
sold out to Z. T. Moore, who runs it as a 
breeding stable. The next stable was by 
John Pritchard, who for a time had a 
partner. The stock was closed out in 1876. 
O. T. Sanborn has purchased the barn and 
is now conducting a livery stable there. 

D. D. Cornick established himself in the 
livery business here a few years ago. M. 

E. Segner started a livery stable some 
years ago, and is still in the business. 

H. M. Woolley, photographer and por- 
trait artist at Traer, established his busi- 
ness in the fall of 1876. He was born and 
raised in Boone county, Illinois, and he 
says, resigned his position on a prairie 
farm to gratify a hankering ambition to 
become a "picture taker." He was a stu- 
dent of F. Clark, then of Belvidere, Illi- 
nois, now of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and 
later was with J. H. Loper, now deceased, 
both noted photographers. Mr. Woolley 
comes from a family of artists, on hi-^ 
father's side, some of whom acquired con- 
siderable distinction. His sister, Mrs. Cal- 
ista, wife of D. E. Bryson, of Reinbeck, 
i« also an artist of more than ordinary 
ability. 

William J. Witliers, jeweler and opti- 
cian, established his business, in Novem- 
ber, 1873, in company with a Mr. Bates. 
This is the pioneer jewelry store of Traer. 
Mr. Withers purchased the interest of his 



partner, in March, 1882, since which time 
he has conducted the business alone. He 
was born in London, England, in 1837, 
and was brought up in that city, where he 
served an apprenticeship to learn his pres- 
ent business. William's father, Daniel 
Withers, was a jeweler by trade, and for 
many years was engaged in that business 
in London, residing in that city until his 
death. The subject of this sketch came 
to the United States in 1856, but has made 
several visits to his native land. He has 
had a large experience in the jewelry busi- 
ness, and understands thoroughly all de- 
partments of the trade. He has a large 
stock of gold and silver watches, clocks, 
jewelry, silver and plated ware. Mrs. 
Withers was formerly Miss Margaret C. 
Clark, a native of England. Her father, 
James Clark, came to the State of New 
York from England, thence to Winnebago 
county, Illinois, where he died in Decem- 
ber, 1881. 

Moses Simon, clothier, established busi- 
ness in August, 1875, in G. R. Smith's 
building, and was burned out in Deceml)er, 
1878. His entire loss was §9,000, insur- 
ance $7,000. With commendable enter- 
prise, he resumed business in four days af- 
ter the destruction of his store, buying 
his stock in Chicago and shipping it, with- 
in the time mentioned, to Traer. lie is 
now established in the brick block, just 
east of the postoflice. He has a large and 
varied assortment of ready made clothing. 
He is also agent for several lines of steam- 
ers. Mr. Simon is a native of Hessen 
Caskel, Germany, was born in 18-49, and 
came to this country in 1868. He resided 
in Washington county, Iowa, until he 
came here, in 1875. 



"=^r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The first harness shop started in Traer 
was by U. C. Newcomb. He put np one 
of the first buildings in the place. This 
line of business was represented in 1883 
by A. G. Neweomb and J. J. Bruer & Co. 

A. G. Neweomb, harness maker, now 
owns the business which was established 
by himself and father, November 23, 1874. 
This is the longest established business of 
the kind in Traer. The present building 
was erected in ISTo; and in October, lSi9, 
M. A. Neweomb, father of A G. and 
senior member of the firm, retired and left 
the business entirely for his son. M. A. 
Neweomb came here, from Tama City, in 
the spring of 18T3. He was one of the 
early settlers of that city and its first 
Mayor. A. G. was born in Susquehanna 
county, Pennsylvania, in 1851 He came to 
Tama City with his parents in 186T, 
and there learned his trade. His 
uncle, U. C. Neweomb, opened the first 
harness shop in Traer,in the spring of 1873. 
A. G. worked with his uncle till the 
spring of 1874, then opened a shop in 
Dysart, which he ran till in November, 
when his father and himself opened their 
shop in Traer, as above stated. M. A. 
Neweomb removed from Perry township 
to Waterloo, thence to Waverly, Bremer 
county, this State, and from there moved 
to Mitchell,- Dakota. A. G. Neweomb 
married Miss Josephine Bull, a native of 
Wisconsin, and daughter of G. W. Bull, 
now of Minnesota; her mother is deceased. 
They have had four children, three of 
whom are now living: Myrtie C, Ear) and 
George M. Maud is deceased. 

The first shoemaker to do business in 
Traer was D. T. Bowers, who commenced 
work in the fall of 1874. In the spring of 



1883 this line was represented by Bower & 
Canfield and D. M. Horsfall. Both of 
these firms carry stocks of and manufac- 
ture boots and shoes. 

One of the first blacksmith shops in 
Traer was established by a large, black- 
whiskered man named W. S. Mahan and 
C. F. Knowlton. The present blacksmiths 
are C. F. Knowlton, Samuel Hyde, 
William Hyde and Kline & Graham. 

C. F. Knowlton was born in Ripley 
county, Indiana, December 26, 1844. 
When he was eleven years old, his parents 
came to this State and settled in Fayette 
county. C. F. continued to live at home 
imtil 1863, when he enlisted, July 25, in 
Company I, 8th Iowa Cavalry, and im- 
mediately proceeded south. They first 
went to Nashville, Tennessee, and thence 
to Cleveland, same State, where they 
joined General Sherman's command, and 
marched with him to Atlanta, where they 
joined General Thomas, and were with the 
latter in his Nashville expedition. From 
that city, they proceeded under General 
Wilson, to Alabama, where the first 
brigade was detached fxom the main com- 
mand, but afterwards joined it at Macon. 
In the last named city Mr. Knowlton saw 
Jefferson Davis as he passed through, a 
prisoner of war. While there he was 
mustered out of service, and afterwards 
discharged at Clinton, Iowa. V\ hile in 
service Mr. Knowlton participated in a 
number of engagements; among others 
were the battles of Resaca, Franklin and 
Nashville. Upon his return home, he at- 
tended school for some months, then 
farmed one summer, and in the fall of 1860^ 
began learning the trade of blacksmithing, 
at Littleton, Buchanan county. During 



IT* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1867 he removed to Vinton, and there, in 
company with Jacob Sutton, opened a black- 
smith shop. In 1873 he came to Traer, 
•viid in company with W. S. Mahan, em- 
barked in the same business. His mar- 
riage with Miss Lorina J. John.son, of Vin 
toil, Clinton county, occurred in 1873. 
They have two children living — John L. 
and Olive M. Mr. Knowlton became a 
member of the Seventh Day Advent 
Church in 1880, and is leader of that 
church. 

The first wagon and carriage repair shop 
was started in the winter of 1873-74, by 
VV. B. Gillespie. 

.Tohn McAlpine opened his wagon shop 
in Traer, in May of 1882. He learned his 
trade in Knox county, Missouri, where he 
followed it four years. He then removed 
to Cherokee county, Iowa, where he 
opened a shop and engaged in the busi- 
ness nearly another four years, after which, 
he located at Steamboat Rock, Hardin 
county, ajid three and a half years later, 
came to Tama county. His first winter 
here was spent in Toledo, and the follow- 
ing spring 1881, he opened in Crystal 
township, which was closed however, upon 
his settlement in Traer. Mr. McAlpine 
is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, where he 
was born August 16, 1843. When two 
and a half years old, his parents emigrated 
to Canada, and there he was reared on a 
farm. During 1865 Mr. McAlpine crossed 
to the States, spending the first year in 
Detroit, where he was engaged in cabinet 
m.aking, after which; he removed to Kala- 
mazoo, Michigan, and there spent five 
years at carpentering. From that city, he 
went to Knox county, Missouri, and as 
stated above, learned the trade he now fol- 



lows. July 8, 1868, he was married to 
Miss Mary Brown, a native of Canada. 
They have been blessed with five children: 
Fannie, Rolland, Edith, Cornelia and Guy 
Frederick. 

Another important enterprise in Traer, 
is the breeding stable of Z. P. Moore, de- 
voted particularly to Clydesdale, English 
Draft and Hambletonian horses. . mong 
the present fine animals in this stable, are 
the following: Three Clydesdales, im- 
ported from Scotland. Orphan Boy, sire. 
Farmers Glory. Orphan Boy, dam, Nancy 
by Prince of Cumberland; Color, brown, 
star in forehead, white hind feet, bred 
by Widow McLear, near Johnston, foaled 
July 3, 1873. Sir David, sire. Prince Al- 
bert. Sir David, dam, Doll of Culmain, 
sired by Lochfergus Champion. Sir David 
color, bay, white feet and strip in face, 
bred by Maxwell, Clark, Culmain, Crock- 
etford, Dumfries, foaled April 12, 1878. 
Glenstuart, sire. Prince Albert. Glen- 
stuart, dam, Rose of Annandale sired by 
Glengyle. Glenstuart color, black, white 
hind feet, star in forehead, bred by David 
McKay, Hurkledale, Annan, Dumfries- 
shire, foaled, April 25, 1879. Champion 
jr., sire, Champion of England. Cham- 
pion jr., dam, Nancy, by Old Billy. 
Both sires were imported from England 
to Pennsylvania, and Champion jr., was 
bred by VVilliam Anderson of Pennsylva- 
nia, foaled, June 1876, color bay, one white 
hind foot. Colonel Kirkman, sire, Kirk- 
inan, by Gages Logan, by Rysdyke Ham- 
bletonian. Colonel Kirkman, dam. Lady 
Blackhawk, sired by Bellfounder, he by 
llysdyks Hambletonian. 

Mr. Moore was born in Pennsylvania in 
1848.' He came to Traer October 1873. 






r 



:£k. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



887 



He was employed in the bank of Brooks 
& Moore for about four years. He tben 
went to Reinbeck, and took charge of a 
bank there, the firm being Brooks & Moore 
Brothers, acting as cashier of the bank, 
where lie remained about three years; sold 
the bank and established his present busi- 
ness. 

The first saloon, or place where liquor 
was handled, was started by Fisk tfc Moore, 
in 1873. There are now five saloons in 
Traer, run by J. Cohrt, Thomas Noon, 
John Wulf, Marx Kroeger and John 
Vorba. 

The first millinery establishment in 
Traer, was started by Miss Maggie 
McMillan inthespringof 1874. Her stock 
was finally merged into the store of H. C. 
Pierce & Co. This line, in 1883, was 
handled by the last named firm, Mrs. John 
Wilson and Mrs. A. Petersen. 

Among the insurance agents of Traer, 
are W. H. Bo wen — who also attends to 
collections — Marcus Kahler, Samuel Groce 
and W. B. Pinkerton. 

W. B. Pinkerton, insurance agent, was 
born in Mercer, now Lawrence county, 
Pennsylvania, in 1824, and was brought 
up to the occupation of farming. His father 
was a native of the same county, where 
he lived till his death, which occurred in 
September, 1875; his mother died two 
years later. Mr. Pinkerton was married 
October 25, 1849, to Miss Sarah Kelly, a 
native of Pennsylvania, born August 2, 
1826. They left their native State, April 
1, 1855, and went to Michigan, and in the 
following October, removed to La Salle 
county, Illinois, thence in February, 1856, 
to Washington county, Fowa, and in 
November of the same year removed to 



Johnson county. Mr. Pinkerton's resi- 
dence in Tama county dates from March 
15, 1862, when he settled in Buckingham 
township on section 4. In 1881, on the 
27th day of October, he moved into Traer, 
where he bought a home and engaged in 
the insurance business. Mr. and Mrs. 
Pinkerton have four children : Andrew 
H., Ann Elizabeth, now Mrs. W. F. Noll ; 
James A. and Cora A. They have lost 
three children — one son and two daugh- 
ters. 

W. H. Bowen, land, loan, insurance and 
collection agent, established his business 
in 1874. Wr. Bowen also deals ir pianos, 
organs and sewing machines. He is a 
native of Columbus, Ohio, and came to 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1868, where he 
engaged in the drug trade, having had 
nine years experience in that business. 
Mr. Bowen came to Traer in 1874, and as 
business reverses had left him entirely 
without means, he was unable to engage 
in business for himself. He, however, 
got employment as clerk in a clothing 
store, with the privilege of acting as an 
insurance agent. By energy and strict 
attention to business he has become one 
of the representative business men of 
Traer. He represents several first class 
insurance companies, has full control of 
the sale of the White sewing machines in 
this county, and has established sub- 
agencies at different points. Mr. Bowen 
is also agent for the Estey organ, and does 
quite an extensive loan and collection busi- 
ness. His wife was Miss Lizzie Reed, 
born in Pennsylvania. They have one 
daughter, Carrie, and one son, James L., 
both born in Traer. 



■i^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Rev. Warren Rogers is one of the 
oldest residents and insurance agents of 
the village of Traer, having left his farm 
and settled liere in 1873. Mr. Rogers 
was born in York county, Maine, in 1813. 
He was reared on a farm and for many 
years was a minister in the United Breth- 
ren Church. He began preaching in 1840 
and continued in the ministry until 1872, 
and now holds a superannuate relation. 
Since his withdrawal from active service 
in the ministry, Mr. Rogers has preached 
occasionally and is heart and hand in the 
work. He has been Justice of the Peace 
for five years. When the town of Traer was 
laid out, there were only two buildings on 
the town plat, the residence of J. L. Bull 
and a small house owned by W. W. See- 
kins. Mr. Rogers erected the first dwell- 
ing house on the site after the town was 
laid out. 'I'his structure was on lot 12, 
block 15, and was occupied by him as a 
dwelling until spring, when he built an 
addition and used it as a boarding house, 
afterwards as a hotel. It was used for a 
hotel for about five years and is now occu- 
pied as a tenement house. Beside attend- 
ing to the duties of Justice of the Peace, 
Mr. Rogers was a'so engaged in the insur- 
ance business, since coming to Traer. He 
also acted as agent for the Railroad Com- 
pany in the sale of town lots. He at present 
holds the office of Notary Public and is 
engaged in the cultivation of small fruit. 
Mr. Rogers has been married twice. His 
first wife was Sarah Goodwin, a native of 
Maine. She died in this county. His 
present wife was formerly Ellen Thomp- 
son, a native of Canada. Mr. Rogers has 
four children by his first wife : William, 
Warren, Jr., Selden and Alonzo, all of 



whom reside on the same farm, three and 
a half miles south of Traer. Mrs. Rogers 
has five children by her former husband: 
Wellington, Hutchinson Joab, Louisa 
Jane, Elias, Ruthelia and James. Mr. 
Rogers was a member of the Board of 
County Supervisors for two years, during 
1870 and 71. 

Among many other prominent residents 
of Traer, and representative men of Tama 
county who are living here, may be men- 
tioned T. F. Clark, H. L. Branaman, W. 
T. V. Ladd, Alfred Rice and Robert 
Granger. 

T. F. Clark, one of the early settlers of 
Tama county, located in Traer in 1878. 
He was born in Huron county, Ohio, in 
1831. His father. Dr. H. M. Clark, was 
born in New Haven county, Connecticut. 
Dr. Clark was a graduate of Harvard Col- 
lege, and after his graduation turned his 
attention to the study of medicine. He 
enlisted in the U. S. service in the war of 
1812, and served as surgeon on board a 
ship of war, remaining in the service for 
three years. In 1817, Dr. Clark was mar- 
ried to Laura Downs, a native of South 
Britian, New Haven county, Connecticut. 
In the spring of 1818, they left Connecti- 
cut, and started to Ohio with an ox team, 
the journey taking six weeks. They set- 
tled in Forest, Huron county, and made 
that their home until I860. Dr. Clark 
practiced medicine for forty successive 
years in Huron county, and in 1860, came 
to Tama county, Iowa, where he lived 
with his son, T. F. Clark, until 1803. Mrs. 
Clark returned to Ohio on a visit and died 
there on the 2Uth of May, 1863. Dr. Clark 
remained in Tama county until 1864, when 
he also returned to Ohio, and died at Ash- 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



land, in March, 1865. Dr. Clark and wife 
were the parents of three sons and one 
daughter, all of whom are now living: 
Dr P. H. Clark, who resides in Ohio; 
Major Leander Clark, of Toledo, this 
county; Hannah M., wife of Dr. J. C. 
Bryant of the commercial firm of Bryant 
& Strattan, BufEalo, New York; and T. 
F. Clark, the subject of this sketch. The 
latter and Major Clark, of Toledo, came 
to Iowa in April, 1854. They came first 
to Davenport, where they purchased 
horses and continued their journey to 
Cedar rapids, thence following the Cedar 
river to Waterloo, and from there, in 1854, 
to Tama county, where they have since 
resided. They entered land in Bucking- 
ham township, and the following year 
built a mill on Wolf creek. Major Clark 
bought eighty acres of timbered land and 
also entered about 1,000 acres in Geneseo 
township. Soon after. Major Clark re- 
moved to Toledo and T. F. Clark pur- 
chased the mill, running the same until 
181)3, when the dam washed away and the 
mill was abandoned. In the fall of 1858, 
T. F. Clark settled on section 31, Geneseo 
township, on the farm which he still 
owns. In the fall of 1877, he went to 
Texas and spent the winter, returning to 
Tama county in 1878, and locating at 
Traer. Mr. Clark has long been one of 
the most extensive farmers and stock 
raisers in Geneseo township, his farm con- 
sisting of 1,300 acres. His wife was 
formerly Miss Lucia Fuller, who was born 
in Hartford county, Connecticut. Her 
parents were Henry and Mary (Wilcox) 
Fuller. The father died in Connecticut. 
Her mother afterwards married Dexter 
Bacon, and moved to Huron county, Ohio, 



when Lucia was fourteen years of age. 
Mr. and Mrs. Clark have two children: 
Herman, born in 1862; and Edith May, 
born in May, 1867. Their son, Herman' 
is a student at Grinnell College. 

Henry Branaman settled in Howard 
township, in the fall of 1857, where he 
bought a farm and lived for eleven years. 
He then removed to Otter Creek town- 
ship, and in the fall of 1873, moved to 
Traer. Mr. Branaman also lived one year 
in Tama City. He was born in .Jackson 
county, Indiana, in 1834, and was there 
brought up. He was married in Indiana, 
to Nancy J. Fowler, and afterwards re- 
moved to Illinois, where they lived until 
1857, then came to Tama county, Iowa. 
Ml', and Mrs. Branaman have seven chil- 
dren: Abraham, born in Illinois, in 1854; 
studied law in Tama City, and was admit- 
ted to the bar in 1875. He practiced his 
profession three or four years and then 
engaged in the banking business at Dy- 
sart, but afterwards removed to Keinbeck, 
where he is engaged in the same business. 
Abraham is a young man of much ability 
and promise. William C, now living in 
Nebraska; Mary A., now wife ot A. A. 
Camery; James Isaac, Parthena, C. Perry 
and Debbie. Isaac accidently shot him- 
self in 1879, rendering himself totally 
blind. He is now a student at the college 
for the blind at Vinton. Mr. and Mrs. 
Branaman are members of the Seventh 
Day Advent Church. 

William T. V. Ladd, Justice of the 
Peace, has been a resident of Tama county 
since 1860. He was born in Delaware 
county. New York, in 1821, and is a 
brother of Dr. J. A. Ladd, of Traer. He 
was married in New York to Catherine 



■*4^ 



J'. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Sawyer, and in 1856 came west to Illinois. 
In 1860, they came to Tama county, set- 
ling on section 13, Buckingham township. 
Mr. Ladd discontinued farming in IS14 on 
account of ill health, and removed to 
Traer, where he has since lived. Mr. Ladd 
was elected Justice of the Peace in 1876) 
which office he still holds. He has 
six brothers and three sisters, live of whom 
are residents of Hardin county, Iowa. 

Alfred Rice, now a resident of Traer^ 
settled in Howard township March 13, 
1865, and purchased eighty acres of land 
of Mr. Downs, on section 7. He Increased 
the area of his farm to 400 acres and built 
his residence on section 8. Mr. Rice was 
born in the town of Pompey, Oneida coun. 
ty. New York, in 1805. When he was but 
a year old his parents removed to that part 
of Ontario county, New York, which af- 
terward became Wayne county. His 
father, Aaron Rice, died in Wayne county, 
January 20, 1833. Mr. Rice was married 
to Betsy Douglas. Her father, Stephen 
P., was a cousin of the eminent orator and 
statesman, Stephen A. Douglas. This mar- 
riage took place December 27, 1832, and 
they recently celebrated their golden wed- 
ding. In May, 1833, they moved to Ohio 
and settled in the town of Litchfield, Me- 
dina county, in what was known as the 
Western Reserve. Here they lived for 
thirty years, then came to Iowa and set- 
tled in Howard township as above stated. 
In February, 1876, Mr. Rice retired from 
llie farm, and with his wife, went east to 
visit their old home in Wayne county, New 
York, after which they settled in the vil- 
lage of Traer. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have 
had eight children, seven of whom grew to 
man and womanhood, and five of whom 



are still living — Earl Douglas, Orlando J., 
Henry M„ Archibald E. and Susan A., 
wife of C. J. Moyer. Alfred P., Esther A. 
and Jarvis are deceased, 

Robert Granger, a retired farmer, set- 
tled in Buckingham township, on section 
36. He was one of the earliest settlers of 
this township; born in Cambridgeshire, 
England, May 27, 1807, where he lived until 
twenty-six years of age. He was married 
to Miss Elizabeth Newman, born February 
22, 1809, in the same shire. In 1833, they 
came to New York by the American pack" 
et ship, Sampson. Mr. Granger has an ex- 
cellent memory and despite his seventy-six 
years, he has a clear recollection of events 
and dates from the time he left his native 
land. They sailed from St. Catherine's 
dock, London, on the 27th of May, 1833, 
and were fifty-six days in crossing the At- 
lantic to New York. From the latter city 
they went to Albany, by tow-boat, thence 
by the Erie Canal to Buffalo, where they 
took the steamer Uncle Sam, for Cleve" 
land, this being the first steamer that 
plied between Buffalo and Cleveland. 
Mr. Granger learned the trade of a 
carpenter and wagon maker in his native 
land and was engaged in mechanical work 
for many years. He resided in Ohio till 
1846, then in August removed to Cook 
county, Illinois, and the following fall re- 
moved to what is now known as Fremont 
township, Lake county. He attended the 
first township election held in that county. 
Mr. Granger improved his farm of forty 
acres and remained in Lake county, for 
seven and a half years, then in May, 1854, 
came to Tama .county, andiettled in Buck- 
ingham township, on 120 acres of land, 






^r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



which he still owns. He has also ten acres 
of timbered land. He retired from the 
farm and settled in Traer in 1875. Mr- 
and Mrs. Granger have had eight children, 
four of whom are living — Elizabeth J., 
married George Kober, who died in April, 
1873. She is now the wife of John Kober, 
brother of the deceased; Eliza A., wife of 
Eleazer Ftoakes; Mary H., wife of Elias 
Whiteman; and Alice R., wife of Albert 
Lee Ferguson. They have lost two sons 
and two daughters — a son and two daugh- 
ters died in Richfield, Ohio; and George 
E., the youngest of the family, died in 
Buckingham township, in April, 1865. Mr. 
and Mrs. G. are at present members of the 
Congregational Church, but were for forty 
years members of the Methodist Church. 
They were married July 29, 18-32, and cel- 
ebrated their golden wedding about one 
year since. 

TRAER FLOURING MILLS. 

These mills are among the oldest in 
Tama county. The very earliest history 
of them will be found in connection with 
the history of the township. 

Messrs. Sloss & Son are the present 
owners of the Traer flouring mill which 
they purchased in 1875. When they made 
their purchase the mill was but a poor 
affair, with one run of stone. They have 
since put up additions to the building, 
and have since introduced the patent roller 
system. The mill is now a substantial 
structure, and with all the modern im- 
provements, the proprietors are prepared 
to do a first class business. The mill con- 
tains four run of stone, two of which are 
for wheat, one for middlings and one for 
corn. George Sloss, senior member of the 
firm, was born in Scotland, and came to 



the United States in 1852. He first 
located in Chicago and went thence to 
Waukesha, Wisconsin, but afterward re- 
turned to Chicago. During these years 
he was engaged in working at his trade, 
that of a millwright and machinist. The 
settlement of the family in Tama county, 
dates from 1855, when they located on 
section 7, in Perry township, where they 
still reside. Andrew Sloss, associate with 
his father in the milling business, was born 
in Scotland in 1848, and now has charge 
of the mill. His family are all natives of 
Scotland. 

TRAER CREAMERY. 

G. B. Lawson is the proprietor of the 
Traer creamery, which he built in 1880. 
This creamery has a capacity of 1,000 
pounds of butter a day, and during the 
summer of 1881, the average manufacture 
per day was 600 pounds. Mr. Lawson 
was born in Scotland, in 1843, came to the 
United States, with his father, John Law- 
son, in 1856. The family located in Ogle 
county, Illinois, where the father died, in 
1860. G. B. came to Tama county in 1865, 
and settled on section 2, of Carroll town- 
ship, on a farm which he purchased of A. 
W. Fox. Mr. Lawson removed to Traer 
in 1880. His wife, Mary (Neal) Lawson, 
was a native of this State; died in 1881, 
leaving one daughter — Alice. Mr. Law- 
son's creamery is provided with the mod- 
ern improvements. The building is 
16x24 feet — the engine room, 10x24 feet. 
During the winter, Mr. Lawson devoted 
most of his time to the poultry business. 

POSTOFFICE. 

The Traer postoffice was established in 
1873, the first postmistress being Miss 
Zoe A. Taylor. She remained in this ca- 



r 



^• 



^-r^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



pacity until November 1, 1881, when she 
resigned, and E. T. Langley was appointed 
and assumed official duties. This was 
made a money order office, in July, 1874. 
The first order was issued upon that date, 
C. C. Fulton being the remitter and 
C'harles W, Stevens, of Chicago the payee; 
amount $3. The total number of orders 
issued up to January 18, 1883, was 10,593. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The people of Traer justly pride them- 
selves upon their present educational fa- 
cilities. In this respect Traer stands one 
of the very first towns in the county. 

The first school was taught in a build- 
ing owned bv Giles Taylor. This build- 
ing was used until the fall of 1874, when 
a frame building was erected, which was 
sold for a dwelling house upon the com- 
pletion of the present school building, in 
1877. The school building now in use isa 
large and commodious edifice, two stories 
in height, of brick and well arranged. 

In the spring of 1883, the following ef- 
ficient corps of teachers was employed in 
the Traer schools: Principal, Prof. W. D. 
Livingston ; Assistant, Jesse Johnson ; 
Grammar, Miss Luella Gravatt; Interme- 
diate, Miss Grace Fuller; First Primary, 
Miss Clara. Blackburn; Second Primarj-, 
Mrs. L. M. Spafford. 

RELIGIOUS. 

The first preaching in Traer was in the 
depot, by Rev. Gilbert, of the Congrega- 
tional faith, and Rev. Moore, a Methodist. 
The first Church organized in the vicinity 
of where Traer now stands was the Con- 
gregational, which was formed June 22, 
1850, by Rev. O. Emerson, of the Ameri- 
can Home Missionai"y Association, under 
the name of the Congregational Church of 



Twelve-mile Creek. The first meeting 
was held at the house of Christopher Hes- 
ter, at West Union, June 15, 1856. The 
names of the first members were: Christo- 
pher Hester, Mary Hester, William C. 
Read, Clara Read, Mrs. Mary Ames, 
George McCalry and Charlotte McCalry. 
The first church officers were: Dr. H. M. 
Clark, Deacon; William C. Read^ Clerk. 
The first regular pastor was Rev. J. R. 
Upton, coming in November, 1857, and 
remaining two years. The second pastor 
was Rev. O. Emerson, who commenced 
his labors May 1, 1860, preaching one year 
and was followed by Rev. B. Roberts, 
who continued his labors with the Church 
until October, 1867, at which time the 
Church invited him to become their set- 
tled pastor by installation, which offer was 
accepted, the formal installation taking 
place November 7, 1807. He remained 
until the spring of 1871. Rev. Henry 
Mills succeeded Rev. Roberts, remaining 
but nine months. In the spring of 1872, 
Rev. Jamef Gilbert becanie their pastor, 
continuing until 1874, when he was fol- 
lowed by Rev. C. H. Bissell, who served 
until February, 1882. In April, 1882, Rev. 
Dr. J. S. Bingham, of Dubuque, com- 
menced a pastorate, and was still with the 
Church in 1883. He was a man full of elo- 
quence and earnestness, serving his 
Church to the satisfaction of all. 

During the winter of 1868-9, under Kev. 
Mr. Roberts' labors, a revival was held. 
He was assisted by Revs. Marble, -of Wa- 
terloo and J. D. Potter, of Connecticut. 
This resulted in about fifty conversions. 
In 1860, the society commenced the erec- 
tion of a house of worship in the village 
of Buckingham, which was dedicated, June 



-71. 



t 



Al^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



893 



16, 1867, by President G. F. Magoun, of 
Grinnell College. This church building 
cost $4,000, one-half of which was con- 
tributed by Hon. William A. Buckingham, 
of Norwich, Connecticut. The Bible and 
carpet were also furnished by Gov. Buck- 
ingham, the chairs by J. T. Ames, the 
lamp by Daniel Connell, the table by D. 

C. Ladd, the communion service by Miss 
Ripley, a sister of Mr. Buckingham's wife, 
after whom the chapel was named, and 
the clock by the Sundays chool. 

In 188.3, the officers of this church were: 

D. C. Ladd and P. P. Wentch, Deacons; 
G. Canfield, Treasurer; Matthias Stoakes, 
Secretary. The Society numbered 140 
members in 1883. The Sunday-school 
in connection with the church was organ- 
ized June 1, 1867, with Rev. B.Roberts as 
its first Superintendent. The school has 
an average attendance of 17.5. 

The United Presbyterian Church of 
Traer was organized in January, 1875, in 
the basement of the Congregational 
church, by an arrangement with the 
United Presbyterian Presbytery of Cedar 
Rapids. The first services in this place 
were held by Rev. J. H. Trumball, then 
pastor of the congregation of Tranquility, 
four miles southwest from Traer, now 
pastor at Fall River, Massachusetts. The 
following names represent her first mem- 
bership: Mrs. Elizabeth McCornack, 
Peter McCornack and wife, Robert Mc- 
Cornack and wife, JohnYoung and wife, 
J. K. Bull and wife, W. W. Wilson and 
wife, A. C. Wilson and wife, Jas. Eccles 
and wife,John Stuart and wife, John 
Sutherland and wife, Peter Xungesser and 
wife, .Mrs. Christiana Hoy, Mrs. Margaret 



Turnbull, Mrs. Margaret Sprole, Mrs. 
Mary Henderson, Miss Fannie Hender. 
son, Wm. Henderson, John Hender- 
son, John G. Bull, David Taylor, 
James F. Brown, David Stuart and 
Stephen Ballist. The last three were 
received on profession of their faith in 
Christ, and the others on certificate from 
other places. 

They, therefore, began their work here 
with a membership of thirty-three. Up 
to 1883 they had received in all 153 mem- 
bers, and now have an active membership 
of about 100. Some have emigrated to 
other parts of this country, and others 
have died. 

On February 8, 1875, Mr. J. K. Bull was 
elected Ruling Elder, and was duly or- 
dained and installed to this office on 
February 25 following. Soon after, Mr. 
Robert McCornack, an Elder from Tran- 
quility Congregation, was elected a second 
Elder, and duly installed November 27, 
1875. These two Elders, together with 
some Pastors supplying for them, consti- 
tuted their session until June, 1881, when 
W. W. Wilson and James F. Brown were 
elected and duly ordained and installed as 
Ruling Elders in the congregation, and. 
their names added to the roll of session. 

The first Trustees were John Young, 
A. C. Wilson and John Stuart. There 
were added to these from time to time, 
Peter McCornack, David Clark and Wm. 
Sprole. They constitute the present 
Board of Trustees, except A. C. Wilson, 
who now "rests from his labors." John 
G. Bull is, and has been, the Clerk for the 
Consresration. 



r 



S94 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



For a time the congregation held 
services in a little school house just west 
of where the public school building now 
stands. 

They received preaching from different 
Pastors in the Presbytery, and then were 
supplied by licentiates.* Rev. J. H. Gib- 
son, now Pastor at Coultersville, Illinois, 
and Rev. G. W. Hamilton, now Pastor at 
Little York, Illinois, were the first. 
Through Mr. Hamilton's influence their 
services were moved to Atchison's Hall, 
on Second street, now known as Collins' 
Hall, and is at present the Clipper O^w. 
Mr. Hamilton labored among them with 
great efticiency for several months in the 
winter of 1875-6, and the people were 
loth to see him go from their midst; and 
if it had pleased Providence, they would 
have rejoiced to have had him remain as 
their Pastor. Hut feeling it his duty to 
go elsewhere, he secured the services of 
an old schoolmate. Rev. D. Livingston, a 
licentiate from near Columbus, Ohio, who 
arrived among them the third Sabbath of 
April, 1870, and preached for them six 
Sabba'hs, when he disappeared from their 
midst almost without notice, but it was 
afterwards learned that he had gone home 
to get married; but the good brethern, old 
enough to know how it was with them- 
selves, did straightway forgive him, and 
on the Uth day of August following, they, 
under the moderatorship of Rev. J. R. 
Doig, D. D., chose him unanimously as 
their Pastor. This call having been 
regularly forwarded and presented by 
Presbytery, was by him accepted and 
arrangements made for his ordination and 
installation. On the third Sabbath of 
October, 1876, he occupied his place in 



their pulpit, and has been spared to occupy 
it still as their Pastor. His ordination and 
installation did not, however, formally 
occur until November '29, 1876, when 
these solemn ceremonies and the laying on 
of the hands of Presbytery were performed 
in the M. E. Church. Just here it is fit- 
ting to record the kindness of our sister 
congregations to us in these uncertain 
days of our early existence, in that they 
generously opened their houses of wor- 
ship to our free use. 

After the new Pastor and his people 
began their work together, they worshiped 
in the Hall a little over a year. It was 
discouraging work. The Hall was eighty 
feet long by eighteen feet wide, with a 
nine foot ceiling; windows only in the 
ends, and only one dark coat of plastering 
on the walls, about as unlikely a place to 
begin to build up a congregation as one 
could well imagine. They did little more 
there than hold their own together. All 
hoped and prayed for a home of worship. 
Suitable lots had been secured by the 
generous foresight of a faithful few. Yet 
so impracticable did it seem, that at a con- 
gregational held for the purpose, it was ' 
decided only by a small majority, to make 
an effort to see whether means could be 
secured sufficient to warrant their going 
on with the work. About S2,400was speedily 
subscribed on the first subscription, to the 
amazement of all save a few who had 
privately canvassed the matter before. So 
of course they began the work at once, 
and after various hindrances and difficul- 
ties were encountered and overcome, the 
house was re.ady for worship. But a debt 
of |!l ,500 would hang on the building if not 
raised on dedication day. Having there- 



-^: 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ft 



fore secured the aid of Rev. W. G. Wil- 
liamson, Pastor of the First United 
Presbyterian Church in Washington, Iowa, 
for the last Sabbath of 1877, he conducted 
the dedication services, and there were 
raised some $1,560. Never were Pastor 
and people happier in the success of their 
work. The building is a gothic frame, 
thirty-two feet wide and fifty-two feet 
long, having a twenty foot ceiling. It has 
two cupolas, a corner entrance and 
stained windows. It is heated with a 
furnace, and cost in round number §4,000; 
and when the basement is finished, it 
will have cost nearly $5,000 ; and the 
funds for it were all raised among our- 
selves and in the neighborhood. 

Their Sabbath school was first organized 
in the spring of 1875, and Mr. W. W. 
Wilson was for that year its Superinten- 
dent. The following year Mr. Robert 
McCornack was elected, and has been its 
efficient Superintendent ever since, until 
18S:i, when W. W. Wilson again filled 
the ortice. John G. Bull has always been 
its Vice-Superintendent. Wm. W. Trum- 
bull, now of Sibley, Iowa, was Treasurer 
for several years, but was succeeded by 
Mr. Arthur Scott, who is the present 
incumbent. The school has always en- 
joyed a splendid corps of teachers. There 
are about I'iO enrolled members, but the 
attendance will not average more than 
ninety. There has never been what 
might be termed any special revival. It 
has never been attempted; the effort has 
been to sustain a reasonably revived state 
all the time. 

Rev. David Livingston, pastor of the 
United Presbyterian Church, was born in 
Franklin county, Ohio, in 1847. His 



father, Alexander W. Livingston, was also a 
native of Ohio, and removed to Des Moines 
in 1880. Rev. Mr. Livingston graduated 
at Monmouth College, Illinois, and re- 
ceived his theological education at Xenia, 
Ohio. He began his ministry in April, 
1876, and was ordained on the 29th of No- 
vember of that year, at the Methodist 
Church in Traer. Mrs. Livingston was 
formerly Miss Lotta J. Hagler, born in 
Greene county, near Xenia, Ohio. They 
have three children : Paul, Ralph H.and 
Frank. 

James L. Hull is also a minister of the 
United Presbyterian Church, born near 
Xenia, Greene county, Ohio, in 1815. He 
graduated at the Miami University in 1842. 
He studied theology at Cannonsburg, 
Pennsylvania, commenced his ministry in 
1846, and was ordained in 1847. He 
preached one year in Michigan then loca- 
ted at Kenton, Ohio, where he remained 
for a number of years. Mr. Bull came to 
Iowa in 1864, and has been a resident of 
Tama county since that time. He has re- 
sided in Buckingham and Traer, and for 
a number of years was pastor of the 
United Presbyterian Church in Perry 
township. His wife was Miss Ella M. 
Musser, a native of Kenton, Hardin 
county, Ohio. They have three children 
living : Eftie, Clara and Annie. James 
H. and Mary H. are both deceased. 

The Christian Advent (Seventh Day) 
Church was organized in Traer, by Elder 
Deyo, in the fall of 1874, with six mem- 
bers : M. A. Newcomb, wife and daugh- 
ter H. L. Branaman, wife and daughter. 
Their first meetings were held in the 
school house, which stood on the site 
where afterward was erected the public 



^. 



^^__v. 



:±=it^ 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



school building ; but for some time their 
raeetincrs were held at private houses. In 
the winter of 1876, a special effort was 
made, and about forty were added to the 
Church ; but the " new and strange," 
brought with them opposition and the so- 
ciety was driven from one place to another, 
holding meetings in school houses, halls 
and very often in private houses. One 
discouragement after another caused many 
to leave the church, until the membership 
wa.s r>-duced to twelve or fifteen. In 18V 8, 
M. A. Neweomb and his son purchased 
the old school building which had been 
superceded by a brick building, and 
deeded it to the Church, taking a mort- 
gage on the same, which finally was fore- 
closed for payment. In March 1880, the 
church was re-organized into a class of 
seventeen members, with J Lamont as 
r>eader. The parlor of the Congregational 
Church was rented, and services were be- 
ing held there in 1883, at which time J. 
O. Hart was their pastor. 

'I'rancjuility Church, in Perry township, 
in the midst of a Scotch settlement of de- 
voted Christians, erected a church in 1874-5 
at a cost of §1,200.; the same was dedi- 
cated by Rev. L. Dodd. Both the Church 
and Sunday school have been instrumental 
in doing a noble religious work in the 
community. 

Rev. Daniel L. Hughes is the present 
pastor of Tranquility Church, of Perry 
township. This was changed from the 
United Presbyterian Church to the Pres- 
byterian Church, in 1879, and Mr. Hughes 
was called to the pastorate. Mr. Hughes 
was born at Cape May, New Jersey, in 
1820, and was educated at Jefferson Col- 
lege, Pennsylvania, where he graduated 



in 1840 He took bis theological course 
at Princeton, New Jersey, graduating in 
1843. He at once began his ministry in 
Pennsylvania, and in 1857, came to Iowa, 
where he was for seven years pastor of a 
charge which included Mills and Fremont 
counties. He also preached at other 
points and organized and supplied a church 
at Plattsmouth, Cass county, Nebraska. 
At the expiration of these seven years, he 
was called to DesMoines to take charge of 
the First Presbyterian Church of that city, 
where he remained two years, thence he 
went to Tipton where he remained four 
years, and thence to Vinton which was 
his home for many years. Mr. Hughes 
has spent much time in organizing 
churches, having organized ten or twelve 
during his ministerial life. His wife was 
Miss Elmira W. Hughes, born in the same 
place and in the same month and year as 
her husband. They have had eight chil- 
dren, five of • whom are living — two' sons 
and three daughters: William W., Elmira 
F., now Mrs. G. T. Rock, of Vinton, 
George W., Anna L., wife of C. O. Har- 
rington, of Vinton, and Louisa E. 

SOCIETIES. 

Hesporia Lodge, No. 340. of the Masonic 
Order, was organized July 25, 1874, by 
D. Sa ■ uels, W. M.; James Huff, S. W.; 
and Mark Bouton, J. W. The following 
Were the charter members: R. H. Moore, 
J. G. Strong, J. R. Smith, A. Samuels, L. 
W. Ma.vwell, Jonas P. Wood, J. T. Weld, 
W. A. Daniel, James Hoy. D. Samuels 
served as Master three years; W. B. Gel' 
lespa, one year; A. Samuels, one year; 
James Morison, one year; J. A. Ladd, two 
years. John Burns, who was in the office 
in 188;t, with E. T. Langley, S. W., and 



► ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



897 



A. Green. J. W. Down to the present 
time, no deaths have occurred in this lodge, 
which had a membership of seventy-six 
at one time, but now has only fifty-four. 

Ancient Order of United Workman En- 
terprise Lodge No. 31, was organized by J. 
M. Chrisinger, October 21, 1815. The 
charter members were: R. G. Mclntire, J. 
H Lewis, James Hoy, William Burge, A. 
M. Batchelder, Smith Newcomer, G. T. 
Jones, J. H. McCornack, A. E. A. Fuller, J. 
T. Weld, G C. .Jamison, James Morison, 
James Becket, B. Best, O. G. Alderman, 
J. G. Story, Hiram A. Lamb and J. P- 
Morison. 

The first oflicers were: R. G. Mclntire, 
Past-Master VVorkman; James H. Lewis, 
Master Workman; James Hoy, General 
Foreman; William Burge, Overseer; A. 
M. Batchelder, Recorder; Smith New- 
comer, Receiver; G. T. Jones, Financier; 
J. H. McCornack, Inside Watchman; A. E. 
A. Kiiller, Outside Watchman; J. T. Weld, 
Guide. Trustees: J. T. Weld, J. H. Lewis 
and K. G. Mclntire. 

The officers elected for 1883 were: S. 
M Porterfield, Past Master Workman; M. 
Simon, Master Workman; B. Best, F«re- 
man; W. H. Bowen, Recorder; Smith 
Newcomer, Financier; E. T. Langley, Re- 
ceiver; J. S. Bean, Guide; H. Klingaman^ 
Inside Watchman; L. Peterson, Outside 
VVatchman; Dr. A. M. Parsons, Dr. C. W. 
Ashton, Examiners. 

In 1883, the lodge had a membership of 
thirty-one and was reported as in a flourish- 
ing condition. Only one death having oc- 
curred since the organization of the lodge 
— S. Waterbury. 



Anchor Lodge, No. 32, of the Iowa Le- 
gion of Honor, was organized July 30, 
18*79, by Grand Deputy, H. S. Bassett. The 
following were the charter members: 

W. H. Brinkerhoff, G. Canfield, W. H. 
Bowen, O. D. Bonney, L. H. Edwards, L. 
R. Alderman, James Fowler, H. D. Wood- 
ling, D. A. Porterfield, A. T. Brainerd, M. 
H. Shafer, A. M. Batchelder, E. T. Langley, 
W. D. Scott, O. Benefiel, C. F. Buhmann 
S. Waterbury, A. J. Free, A. Samuels, M. 
Stoakes, M. E. Smith, W. Crayar, B. F. 
Thomas, C. C. Collins, William McDow. 
ell, W. L. Ready, R. M. Lawson, J. W. 
Hart, M. R. Higby, M. E. Smith, Peter 
Peters, W. F. Goben, A. Loop, James 
Pritchard, G. B. Lawson, R. H. Pet«rs, 
George A. Rugg and C. H.Bissell. 

The first officers were: W. H. Brinker- 
hoff, President; G. Canfield, Vice Presi- 
dent; W H. Bowen, Recording Secretary; 
O. D. Conney, Financial Secretary; L. H 
Edwards, Treasurer; L. R. Alderman, 
Chaplain; James Fowler, LTsher; H. D. 
Woodling, Door Keeper; D. A. Porter, 
field. Sentinel; S. Waterbury, J. A. Ladd, 
Medical Examiners. 

The presiding officers have been W. H. 
Brinkerhoff, (served two years) G. Can- 
field, (six months) O. T. Brainerd, (one 
year). 

In 1883, this society was reported in a 
flourishing condition, and as being a suc- 
cess in every particular. Thus far the 
lodge has lost but one member by death. 
The lodge atone time had sixty-one mem- 
bers, but in 1883, it numbered but fifty- 
three. 



l^ 



.4« 



^t^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXV 



RICHLAND TOWNSHIP. 



Richland township comprises all of 
Congressional township 82, range 14. The 
Iowa river traverses the northern portion. 
Entering on section 6, it pursues a mean- 
dering course through parts of sections 1, 
5 and 8, then through 4, 3, 10, 11 and 1.3, 
making exit from the latter section. 
Richland creek enters from the west on 
section 19, and flowing toward the east, 
passes through sections 20, 21 and 22, the 
northwest corner of 23, then through 14, 
and on 13 empties into the Iowa river. 
Otter creek crosses the northeastern corner. 
Entering near the northeast corner of sec- 
tion 3, it crosses sections 2 and 1, and 
leaves from section 12. Little Walnut 
creek flows through the southern portion, 
entering from the west on section 31, passes 
through 32, 33 and 34, and leaves toward the 
south near the southwest corner of 35. 
Richland township is bounded on the 
north by Otter Creek, on the west by 
Columbia on the south by Poweshiek 
county, and on the east by Salt Creek 
township. The southern portion of this 
township is a gently undulating prairie, 
containing some very fine farms. The 
northern and central parts along Iowa 
river and Richland creek, is somewhat 
broken and is mainly timbered land, 
although much of the original supply has 
been cut off. 



The Chicago «fc Northwestern railroad 
passes through this township. Entering 
on section 12, it bears toward the north- 
west, leaving from section 5. On this line 
there is one station within the township 
limits, called Long Point. It is located on 
section 4 and was established in 1882. 
There are two villages in the township, 
Helena and Eureka. 

SETTLEMENT. 

No ])art of history attracts more atten- 
tion than the story of the early settlement. 
Many of the pioneers coming long dis- 
tances, laboring under circumstances of 
discomfort, and arriving at length in a 
wilderness entirely devoid of desirable 
Surroundings save those so bountifully be- 
stowed by nature. In this particular spot 
nature indeed seems to have been lavish 
almost to extravagance, and the early set- 
tlers found a land second to none, ready to 
res])ond with liberality to any demand. 
An abundance of pure water, with stone 
and timber near at hand to furnish ready 
material for the wants and necessities of 
man and beast. All these things tend to 
make more endurable the lot of the pioneer, 
and all honor is due to these noble men 
and women, who opened up this territory 
and thus provided a possibility for those 
of later date to secure and enjoy such 
desirable homes and happy surroundings. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The first settlement here was effected in 
the spring of 1851, by Alanson P. Rich 
and family, having entered the northeast 
quarter of section 23, in the fall of 1850. 
He remained here during that winter, 
built a house, and brought out his family 
the following spring. Here he remained 
until the time of his death which occurred 
March 12, 1863. His widow still lives in 
the township. They were genial hospitable 
people and for eight years their house was 
headquarters for all new comers, and a 
stopping place for travelers. 

Alanson P. Rich was born at Euraggy, 
Massachusetts, May, 16, 1812, where his 
early life was spent. In 1831, he came 
west to Knox county, Illinois, where he 
married Miss Anna Hartsock. October 16, 
1834. She is a native of Knox county, 
Ohio. They came to Iowa and settled in 
Johnson county, in 1843. Again in 1851, 
they moved, coming to Tama county, 
where they were the first settlers in Rich- 
land township. Mr. Rich remained here 
until his death, which occurred March 12, 
1863. His wife still survives him. Of 
their children, five are living: James, 
Edwin, Hiram, Ellen and Mary. 

During the summer of 1851, Green 
Reynolds arrived and spent a part of the 
time in his wagon under the tree. He 
finally made a selection of land on section 
24, and afterward left the county. 

In 1853, Thomas Skyles and family 
came and settled on section 24. In a few 
years Mr. Skyles sold that place and 
located on section 13, where he died. 
Thomas Skyles was born in Madison coun- 
ty, Ohio, April 8, 1830. His father died 
soon after, and in 1840, his mother moved 
to Park county, Indiana, where Thomas 



grew to manhood, and was married Janu- 
ary 16, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth J. Cleghorn, 
a native of Clay county, same State. The 
following fall they came to Iowa, settling 
in Cedar county, where they lived until 
1853, when they came to Tama county 
and settled on section 13, Richland town- 
ship. Here Mr. Skyles died on May 1, 
1879. Mr. and Mrs. Skyles had seven 
children born to them: Susie V., Lorenzo 
D., Luesie A., Mary J., Martha B., Willie 
M and Lydia C. 

N. B. Hiatt came in the fall of 1853, 
and settled on section 16, where he re- 
mained until 1859, then removed to section 
23, and finally went to Kansas where he 
still resides. 

John M. Ramsdell and his brother, C. 
E., came to the township in the spring of 
1853, and settled on section 22, where 
they still reside and are the oldest living 
settlers in the township. 

In the fall of the same year, Richard 
Clem and family arrived and lived a short 
time on section 22, when he made a selec- 
tion of land on section 15. He now 
resides on section 13. 

John Flathers came in 1854, and still 
lives on section 14, Richland township. 

In July 1854, James Hatfield and 
family arrived and settled on the north- 
east quarter of 20, having entered the 
land in 1853, where he lived until he died 
October 23, 1854. His three sons Amos, 
Stephen Hiram and Elias, came with him, 
and of these Elias and Hiram are the only 
ones living. 

In the spring of 1854, James Marshall 
arrived and settled on the southwest quar- 
ter of section 21, where he remained until 
the spring of 1857, when he moved to 



75 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Kansas, where he now lives. Thomas and 
Franklin Marshall came about the same 
time, but remained only a few years. 

These were the earliest settlers. After- 
ward a thrifty and reliable class of people 
continued to come, and the township set- 
tled rapidly. Among those who came 
and were comfortably settled before 1860, 
were : John Ramsdell, Joseph and Jere- 
miah Smith, E. Deeter, Dr. J. B. Louthan, 
Newton Iliatt, John Flathers, James Clem, 
L. Snyder, Charles Barnes, J. C. Flint, 
E. A. Flint, George Reed, J. F. Cram 
and others. Most of these gentlemen are 
noticed elsewhere in this volume. Here 
are presented personal sketches of a few 
of those named who are yet here and are 
now prominent citizens. 

Jeremiah Smith was born in Franklin 
county, Ohio, August 27, 1824. He 
remained until 1855, in his native county, 
and then came west to Tama county and 
settled on section 24, Richland township. 
One year later he moved to his present 
farm on section 13. In 1855, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Amelia Bobo. They have 
six children — Byron, Oscar, Sherman, Ida, 
Harrison and Wesley. 

Charles Barnes was born in Hillsboro 
county. New Hampshire, August 10, 1823. 
lie is a son of Joseph and Sarah ( Putman ) 
Barnes. His early days were spent on his 
father's farm, but he was given advan- 
tages so that he received a good common 
school education. In 1855, he came west 
and located in Richland township, and 
two years later, settled on section 28, 
where he has since resided. Mr. Barnes 
is one of the present Trustees of Rich- 
land township. In 1856, he was joined in 



marriage with Miss Harriett Hatfield, a 
native of Ohio. Two children bless this 
union — Oldis L. and Delia E. 

E. A. Flint is a native of New York, 
and was born in Montgomery county, on 
the 29th day of November, 1825. He is a 
son of Alva and Elizabeth (Cross) Flint, 
both natives of the empire State. In 1857 
he came west to Tama county, and first 
located in Salt Creek township, remaining 
until 1861, when he settled in the south- 
eastern part of Richland township. In 
1865, he moved to his present farm on 
section 21, where he is now the owner of 
123 acres of land under good cultivation. 
In politics Mr. Flint is a Greenhacker, 
and has held the office of Trustee, and 
School Director. Mr. Flint is a Master 
Mason and is present Master of Blazing Star 
Lodge, No. 352, of Haven. He was mar- 
ried in 1845, to Miss Catherine Pitcher, 
a native of New York. They have five 
children living : Alida, Alice, Benjamin 
F., Dorcas and Edith. 

J. C. Flint came to Tama county in 1857,_ 
locating in Salt Creek township. How- 
ever, in 1862, he moved and settled on 
section 29, of Richland township, where 
he now owns 180 acres of well improved 
land. He was born in Montgomery county. 
New York, September 18, 1830. He grew 
to manhood on his father's farm in his na- 
tive county, receiving a good common 
school education. In 1852, he came west 
to Ohio, and afterward to Michigan. Mr. 
Flint, at present, votes with the Green- 
back party. He is a Master Mason. In 
1854, he was ru^rried to Miss Abigal Rec- 
ter, a native of New York State. Six 
children bless this union : William, Jessie, 
Cora, Charles, Estella and Erina. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



901 



George Reed was born in Union county, 
Ohio, April 14, 1834. His parents were 
John and Juliette (Burnham) Reed. He 
lived with his parents in his native county 
until nineteen years of age, then came 
west to Clayton county, Iowa, and, in 1857, 
came to Tama county, and purchased a 
a farm on section 21, Richland township. 
He has since made this his home, and has 
now 274 acres all under a high state of 
cultivation. Mr. Reed has always taken 
an active part in the politics of his town, 
and at present holds the office of Assessor. 
In 186.3, he enlisted in Co. H, 136th Ohio, 
Infantry, enlisting while on a visit to 
Ohio. He was honorably discharged from 
the service at the expiration of his enlist- 
ment, which was four months. In 1856, 
■he was married to Miss Tabitha Reed, a 
lady of the same name, but no relation. 

They have had six children born unto 
them, four of whom are living : Leila, 
Ararainta, Charles and Crawford. 

J. F. Cram is a native of Maine, born in 
Penobscott county, n the 3d of Deceraberi 
1820. Soon after his birth his parents 
moved to New Hampshire, where J. F. re- 
mained until eighteen years of age. He 
then went to New York State and located 
in Otsego county, where he learned the 
moulders trade and remained until 1848. 
He next came west to Wisconsin, where 
he spent some time, then removed to 
Chicago, Illinois, and soon after returned 
to New Hampshire. In 1852, he came to 
Iowa, pre-empted land in Cedar county, 
where he spent one year engaged in farm- 
ing. The following four years he spent 
in Johnson county, Iowa, and in the fall of 
1857, came to Tama county and entered 
160 acres on section 27, Richland town- 



ship, which he still owns. In politics, Mr. 
Cram is a Republican, and has held several 
of the township offices; for the past eight 
years holding the office of Town Clerk. 
He was married in 1855 to Miss Adeline 
E. Douglass, a native of New York. Five 
children have been born unto them, four 
of whom are living — Cha rles B., Thomas 
F., Lizzie L. and Carrie D. 

Among those who arrived during the 
decade between 1860 and 1870, may be 
mentioned Hiram Clay, William W. Tap- 
pen, A. Gloss, John P. Campbell, Samuel 
Gould, Isaac Morford, Liberty Coolidge, 
J. A. Thompson, John K. Gray. F. A. 
Bomer, G. W. Walker and others. Those 
named are yet citizens of the township, 
and are representative men. 

Hiram Clay was born in Stark county, 
Ohio, January 13, 1829. His parents were 
Simon and Barbara (Loutzenheiser) Clay. 
In 1834, his parents moved to Seneca 
county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood 
on the farm. In 1854, he came west to 
Marshall county, Iowa, and six years later 
came to Tama county, locating in Rich- 
land township. In 1862 he settled on sec- 
tion 16, and now owns 115 acres. In 1850, 
he was married to Miss .Ellen Allen, a 
native of Seneca county, Ohio. She was 
a daughter of George and Elinor (Taylor) 
Allen. Seven children blessed this union — 
George A., Charles, Clinton, Clara, 
Amanda,* Rose and Ruby. 

William W. Tappen was born in Addi- 
son county, Vermont, August 10, 1835. lie 
is a son of Jacob and Charlotte (Adams) 
Tappen, both natives of Vermont. His 
early life was spent on his father's farm. 
In 1854, he came west to Wisconsin and 
located in Sauk county, remaining one 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



summer engaged in the lumber trade, in 
October of l.S.i4, he went to St. John's, 
Michigan, and engaged in lumbering and 
farming. In 1862, he came to Tama 
county and located in Salt Creek township, 
where, for thirteen year-s, he rented a farm. 
In 1875, he settled on section 36, Richland 
township, where he now owns 160 acres of 
land. Mr. Tappen was married in 1863, 
to -Miss Mary McF'arland, a native of Ohio. 
They have si.\ children — Gertrude, Ec wart, 
Ellery, Elizabeth, Mary and Charles. 

Albert Oloss is a native of Stark county, 
Ohio, born April 6, 1851. He was reared 
in Ohio, until twelve years of age, then 
came to Iowa with his parents, John and 
Christina Gloss. In 1865, they settled in 
Richland township, Tama county, on sec- 
tion 17, where Albert and his mother each 
own forty acres of land. His father died 
a few years ago. Mr. Gloss is a Republi- 
can and has always voted with that party. 

John P. Campbell is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born in Luzerne county, July 17, 
1809. His parents were Asa C, and Mag- 
gie Campbell. Mr. Campbell settled in 
Richland township in January, 1865, lo- 
cating on section 15, where he now re- 
sides. His farm consists of eighty acres 
of land, all under good cultivation. In 
August, 1850, Mr. Campbell was married 
to Miss Lottie E. Frayer, who bore him 
two children : Susan and Amanda. In 
|K)litics Mr. Campbell is a Democrat. 

Samuel (4ould is a native of England, 
born in Somersetshire, on the 9th of July, 
1839. In 1852, he came to America, and 
for two years he was engaged in farming 
near Newbridge, New York. He then 
came west to Mai)leton, Waukesha coun- 
ty, Wisconsin, remaining until 1858. He 



then located in Rock county, Wisconsin, 
and in September, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company B, 13th Wisconsin Infantry, 
serving until honorably discharged at Mad- 
ison, Wisconsin, December 25, 1864. He 
then returned to Rock county, and, in 
February, 1865, came to Tamaconnty, set- 
tling where he now lives, on section 17, 
Richland township. He now has a farm 
of 160 acres, all under good cultivation. 
Samuel is a son of George and Sarah (Dur- 
ston) Gould. He was married in Febru- 
ary, 1865, to Miss Ellen Lawson, a native 
of the Isle of Mann. Two children, Nel- 
lie and Samuel, bless this union. 

Isaac K. Morford is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, born in (ireene county, on the 
25th of December, 1836. He is a son of 
Jesse and Elizabeth (Nicewaner) Morford. 
He remained in his native county until he 
attained his majority, then spent some time 
in Indiana, and in 1859, came to Johnson 
count}^ Iowa, remaining in that and Linn 
counties until 1865. He then spent one 
year in Benton county and, in 1866, came 
to Tama county and settled where he now 
lives, on section 26, of Richland township, 
and now owns a farm of 250 acres. Mr. 
Morford has always taken an active part 
in school affairs and has held several of 
the school offices. On the 29th of March, 
1860, he was married to Miss Mary M. 
Ferneau, a native of Ohio. They have 
nine children: Clara, Eveline, BrintonM., 
Newton I., Orville H., Byron Li , Mary A., 
Winnefred and Benjamin. Clara, their 
oldest child, is at Redman, York town- 
ship. She has taught six terms of school 
and holds a first grade certificate. Brin- 
ton M. is now attending school in Chelsea, 
preparing to enter college. When Mr. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



903 



Morford came to Iowa he had but six dol- 
lars. For one year he hired to work on a 
farm in Beiitoa couaty, then for seven 
years rented and worked land in Johnson 
and Linn counties. When he entered his 
land in Tama county he could get no house 
to live in, so for a year, rented a small 
farm in Benton county ; then built a fi'ame 
house on his own land, to which he moved 
and at once began making improvements. 
Mr. Morford has a fine farm and is largely 
engaged in stock-raising, at which he has 
made considerable money. Although he 
caine to the county with but little means, 
he has, by hard work and careful manage- 
ment, succeeded in accumulating a com- 
fortable competency. Mr. Morford is a 
genial, kind-hearted gentleman and enjoys 
the respect of all who know him. 

Liberty Coolidge was born in Orford 
county, Maine, May 12, 1830. He is a 
son of Aaron and Polly (Bigelow) Coolidge. 
His grandfather, Joseph Coolidge, was a 
soldier in the Revolution, and fought at 
the battle of Bunker Hill. He was a very 
patriotic man, and at the birth of the 
subject of this sketch and a twin brother, 
he declared that they must be named 
Liberty and Freedom, and they were 
accordingly so named. Liberty was 
raised on a farm, receiving a good com- 
mon school education, and in 1851, came 
west to LaCrosse county, Wisconsin. He 
remained there three years, and then re- 
turned to Maine, where he remained one 
year, and in the fall of 1855, came west 
again, to Illinois, and in 1857, he was 
married to Miss Mary H. Thayer, a native 
of Boston, Massachusetts. She bore him 
five children, two of whom are living — 
Walter and Willie. In April, 1867, Mr. 



Coolidge came to Tama county, locating 
on section 33, Richland township, where 
he now owns 120 acres of land. In politics 
he is a Republican, and is now serving hifj 
third term as Townsliip Trustee. 

J. A. Thompson wasborn'in Columbiana 
county, Ohio, February 22, 1819. He is 
the son of Thomas Thompson, a native of 
Maryland, and Nancy (Denstout) Thomp- 
son, a native of Pennsylvania. He bought 
a farm in the neighborhood, and lived in 
Pennsylvania till 1867, when he came to 
Tama county and settled on section 27, 
Richland township, 'where he now owns a 
fine farm of 1.80 acres. He was married 
on October 10, 1848, to Mi,s8 Amanda M. 
Hillis, a native of Columbiana county, 
Ohio. Five children have blessed this 
union: Charles D., Frank P., Mary P. 
David G. and John J. Mrs. I Iiompson 
died September 16, 1872. <Tn the 19th of 
February, 1874, Mr. Thompson married 
his second wife, Grace Jackman, a native 
of Devonshire, England. She bore him 
one child— Jessie J. His wife is a daugh- 
ter of Thpmas and Ann (Powlesland) 
Jackman, both natives of England, and 
came to America with her parents in 1849. 

John K. Gray is a native of England, 
born June 3, 1831. His father moved his 
family to America in 1835, settling in the 
town of Gambler, Knox county, Ohio, 
where he studied for the ministry. In 
1850, the father moved, going to Cincin- 
nati, where he had charge of the city mis- 
sions until his death, in 1 880. John K. 
remained in Knox county until 1868. He 
was married in 1853, to Miss Maria Under- 
wood, a native of Ohio. On leaving Ohio, 
Mr. Gray came to Tama county, Iowa, an<l 
settled on section 27, in Richland town- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ship, where ha now owns a farm of 130 
acres. lie has six children: Richard H., 
Daniel U., John K., Mary E., Alfred V. 
and Agnes M. Mrs. Gray died January 
12, 1874. On the 2 1st of September, 1881, 
he married Etta Showen, and she has 
borne him one child — Jesse H. 

(t. W. Walker, son of James and Mary 
(Laird) Walker, was born in Pittsburg, 
Pa., July .31, 1827. His father died in 
18.34, and G. W., at eleven years of age, 
began work in a rolling mill to help sup- 
port his widowed mother. He afterwards 
worked as cabin boy on steamboats, and 
later was employed in a- glass factory. 
During his early life his ambition was to 
become an engineer, and at the age of 
eighteen, began working at that trade on 
Oliio and Mississippi river steamboats. 
'I his he followed until September, 1861, 
when he enlisted in the United States 
Navy, receiving a commission as Third 
Master ; he afterwards resigned, and ac- 
cepted a position as first assistant engineer 
on the gunboat Carondolet, in the Missis- 
sippi river squadron. He was later pro- 
moted to the chief engineership, with the 
rank of Lieutenant Commander, and was 
consigned to duty on the flagship Black 
Hawk, under Rear-admiral Porter. He 
served in that capacity until February 12, 
1866, when he was honorably discharged, 
receiving at that time a letter of praise 
for efficiency and trustworthiness from Cap- 
tain K. R. Breese, which was approved of 
and countersigned by Rear-admiral D. D. 
Porter. After leaving the service, he fol- 
lowed engineering for one year, when he 
located at Omaha, Nebraska, and engaged 
in the machinery business. In the spring 
of 1870, he came to Tama county, and 



settled on section 29, Richland township, 
where he now owns a fine farm of 400 
acres. In 1861, he was joined in marriage 
with Mrs. Elizabeth Dorris, formerly Eliz- 
abeth Brigham. She is a daughter of 
Moses W., and Margaret (Connelly) Brig- 
ham, of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Walker 
are the parents of five children : James 
and Sherman, born at St. Louis, Missouri, 
Porter and George, born in Omaha, Ne- 
braska, and Mary E., born in Tama county, 
Iowa. 

HISTORICAL ITEMS. 

The first death in the township was 
Elvira, a daughter of Hiram Hatfield. 
She died October 13, 18,54. 

The second death was that of James 
Hatfield, who died October 23, 1854. 

The first marriage was E. H. Price, to 
Sarah Hatfield, in June, 185.5. These j)ar- 
ties now live at Tama City. 

The first white child born within the 
limits of this township occurred before 
any actual settlement was effected. Mr 
Sprague, an Indian Agent, was moving 
his family to his agency during the win- 
ter of 18.= 0, and while passing through 
what is now Ricliland, camped one night 
on the ice on the Iowa river, near the 
mouth of Richland creek, and here the 
child was born. 

Henry McMillan was killed by a fall- 
ing tree on the southeast quarter of the 
southeast quarter of section 10, on the --'Oth 
day of December, 1854. 

During the holidays of 1868, from the 
accidental discharge of a gun, Philip 
Clement received a wound from which he 
died in a few days, and was buried at 
Toledo. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The first interment in -the cemetery on 
the southwest quarter of section 9, was 
the remains of Henry McMillen, who 
died Dececmber 29, 1854. 

Samuel Elliott was drowned in a pond 
near Richland creek on section 22, in 
June, 1867, while in bathing on the Sab- 
bath day. 

Charles Gilbert of Toledo, was drowned 
in the Iowa river, in June, 1875, on section 
10. He was fishing, and his boat becom- 
ing unmanageable, went over the dam. 



Richland township was organized in 
1854. Among those who have, since or- 
ganization, been prominent in township af" 
fairs, and have held the various offices 
have been the following: 

Justices: G.Marshall, C. Hanna, IN. 
F. Taylor, W. Bale, C. Homan, N. B- 
Hiatt, G. Hollenbeck, L. H. Beadle, D- 
Forker, A. H. llisey, T. A. Bourner, J. B. 
Louthan, H. Sabin, II. Cory, F. H. Rams" 
dell and Charles Flint. 

Trustees: E. Dexter, J. Ramsdell, J' 
Flathers, N. B. Hiatt, J. B. Louthan, A. 
Wilkinson, H. L. Barnes, J. W. Hiatt, L- 
II. Beadle, P. Rich, H. Davenport, E. Hat- 
field, A. Hatfield, I. W. Graham, G. Reed, 
C. Barnes, J. W. Clem, T. Forker, H. Clay^ 
II. Sabin, S. Gould, G. Hollenbeck, j! 
Gray, J. F. Cram, L. Coolidge, J. J. Hus- 
ton, O. McKeen, G. W. Bale, E. A. and C. 
A. Flint, J. S. Smith, J. Hiatt, L. Coolidge 
J. Reed and Charles Barnes. 

Clerks: J. Marshall, C Iloman, J. Hoag, 
N. F. Taylor, R. M. Clem, S. Lewis, T. A. 
Hopkins, A. Beadle, S. Jackman, H- 
Sabin, and J. F. Cram. 



The present oflicers of the township are: 
Assessor, George Reed; Justice, Charles 
Flint. Trustees, Liberty Coolidge, J. 
Reed and Charles Barnes; Clerk, J. F. 
Cram. 

MILLS. 

A saw mill was built near where the 
Helena grist mill now stands, in 1866, by 
E. Dexter; with this mill was machinery 
for grinding corn. Mr. Dexter sold out 
to B. F.Crenshaw audit was torn down in 
1865. A saw and manufacturing mill was 
brought to Tama county in 1875 by F. A. 
Bomer and located on Ricbland creek. 
They do sawing and manufacture boys 
sleds, half-bushels, cheese boxes, and grain 
registers and do a business of $6,000 an- 
nually. 

F. A. Bomer was born in Beverly, Essex 
county, Massachusetts, on the 22nd of Feb- 
ruary, 1821, his parents being John S. and 
Abigail (Friend) Bomer. His early life 
was spent in his native town and in the 
city of Salem, learning the joiner's trade. 
In 1845, he was joined in wedlock to Miss 
Hannah J. Putnam, of Danvers, Essex 
county, Massachusetts; a descendant of 
General Israel Putnam, of revolutionary 
fame. Mr. Bomer came west to Cleve- 
land, Ohio, in 1847, where he was engaged 
in manufacturing agricultural implements. 
In 1870, he came to Tama county, Iowa, set- 
tling on section 24, Richland township, and 
engaged in manufacturing on a small scale 
in connection with farming. He was the first 
in the State to manufacture grain meas- 
ures, boys' sleighs, cheese boxes and goods 
of that class. He followed this occupation 
until 1878, when he turned his business 
over to his three sons named below, who 
I .still continue it under the firm name of 



^" — - 



906 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Bomer Brothers. Mr. Bomer is a Repub- 
lican in politics and has held the office of 
Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Bomer 
are members of the Universalist Church, 
and for the past five years, Mr. Bomer has 
been Treasurer of the State Convention of 
that denomination. He is an active worker 
in soliciting funds for said Convention. Mr. 
and Mr.s. I5omer have five children — Ella 
Putnam, wife of Judson S. McNall; Eben 
P., John S., Joseph E. and Carrie. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first school in this township was 
taught by James Hanna, during the winter 
of 1855-6, in a log house owned by Mr. 
Davenport on section 22. There were at 
that time twenty scholars of school age 
in the township. It was a subscription 
school and had an average attendance of 
fifteen. Since that time school houses 
have been built, and the following record 
shows that the people of this township 
have not been unmindful of the wants of 
the children, and the necessity of furnish- 
ing to all an opportunity to secure an 
education. 

District No. 1 — The first house in this 
district was built in ISoT, on the southeast 
quarter of section 14. The first school 
was taught here by David Caldwell, in the 
winter of 1857-8. The present school 
building was erected in 1868, on the south- 
west quarter of section 14, at a cost of 
if;650. There are now forty-three scholars 
in the district. The average attendance 
at the last term was thirty. There was at 
OIK' time seventy scholars in this district. 

District No. 2 — The first school house in 
this district was erected in 1857, on sec- 
tion 16, at a cost of $600. This house 



was burned in 1856, and the following 
year the school building now in use was 
erected. 

District No. 4 — The first school house 
built in this district was in 1868, on the 
northwest corner of section 32. The first 
school was taught by Thomas Hopkins, in 
1868-9. The present school house was 
erected in 1882, at a cost of $778.85, and 
is located on the northeast corner of sec- 
tion .31. 

District No. 5 — This district includes 
within its limits the village of Haven. 
The first school building was erected in 
1856, on the southeast quarter of section 
21. The present school house was built 
in 1872, at a cost of $1100. 

District No. 6 — The school house in 
this district was built during the summer 
of 1870, and is located on the southwest 
quarter of the southeast quarter of section 
26. The first school taught here was in 
the house of Hulbert Carpenter, on section 
35, during the summer of 1866. School 
was afterward held at the residence of 
Orin McKeen, until the school house was 
built. 

RELIGIOUS. 

A church building was erected by the 
people of Haven and vicinity, in 1868, for 
a Union Church to be used by all religious 
societies for worship. It was built at a 
cost of $1,100. This is the only church 
building in the township The Free Will 
Baptist Society was organized in June 
1862, by Elder Wilkins, of Toledo. 
Among the first raembers were H. L. 
Barnes and wife, James Brown and two 
daughters, Elias Hatfield and wife, J. C. 
Barrett and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Flint, 
Thomas Skvles and Hiram Lavton and 



■Vj ^ — ^ 



it^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



907 



wife. The Society was organized at the 
school house in Haven. Elder Wilkins 
remained pastor for about five years, 
preaching once every two weeks. Then 
came Charles B. Messer, of Toledo, who 
remained until 1872. Since that time they 
have not had any regular pastor, or regu- 
lar meetings. 

A Methodist Episcopal Society was or- 
ganized during the winter of 1864-5, by 
Rev. Jacob Haymond, at the school house 
in Eureka. Among the first members 
were Israel Reed and wife, John Lawson 
and wife, J. F. Cram and wife and Rev. 
Talmage and wife. The first regular pas- 
tor was Rev. C. A. Hawn, who supplied 
the pulpit at Helena, Grand View and 
Columbia. He was succeeded by Labin 
Winsett, then, Rev. A. N. See. Since that 
time, the following have had charge: 
George Raines, Rev. Snyder, W. H. Miller, 
Rev. Ward, W. J. Robinson, Horace Foote, 
J. G. Wilkinson and H. C. Stuntz. The 
pulpit is now supplied from Chelsea, and 
services are held every Sabbath. Meet- 
ings were held in the school house until 
the church was built. There is now a 
membership of twenty-five. 

A Union Sabbath school was organized 
in 1860, with H. L. Barnes as first Super- 
intendent. It has a membership of fifty, 
and George Brown is the present Super- 
intendent. At one time the membership 
reached one hundred, but so many have 
left the neighborhood, it has been reduced 
to its present number. 

A Methodist Society was organized at 
Helena postoffice, by Rev. John Dunton, 
in 1855. Among the first members were 
Christopher Hanna and wife, James 
Ilanna and wife, Benjamin Gray and 



wife, William Pickett and wife and J. 
B. Louthan and wife. This organiza- 
tion was discontinued in 1861; but in the 
winter of 1864, was re-organized by Rev. 
Jacob Haymond, who remained in charge 
for a time. He was followed by J. C. 
Haun and A. N. See. Services were con- 
tinued until 1870, when the Society united 
with the organization at Haven. 

The United Brethren organized a Class 
at Helena postoffice, in 1870, Rev. Davis 
officiating. Among the first members 
were O. B. Smith and wife, Mrs. A. Mink, 
P. D. Smith and wife, Mrs. Ellen Clay and 
John Evans and wife. The membership in- 
creased rapidly, and atone time they had a 
membership of ninety. They held meet- 
ings in the Helena school house about six 
years, when they were discontinued. A 
Sabbath school was organized in connec- 
tion with this Church, with P. D. Smith 
as first Superintendent. This school was 
also discontinued at the same time. 

The Baptists effected an organization at 
Helena, through Rev George G. Edwards, 
in 1856. Among the first members were 
John Hiatt and wife, Daniel Clement and 
wife, Newton Hiatt and wife, N. F.Taylor 
and wife, Mrs. William Hiatt and John 
Herbage and wife. Services were held 
by this Society until 1861, when they dis- 
banded. They re-organized in 1864, and 
continued in existence until 1870, when 
the meetings were discontinued. 

CEMETERY. 

A cemetery was located on the north- 
west corner of section 29, at an early day. 
The first interment there was Elvira, a 
daughter of Hiram Hatfield and wife, who 
died October 13, 1854. The cemetery 
was re-located in the spring of 1865, on vhe 



BJ'v ' 



•k. 



908 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



northeast corner of the northwest quarter 
of section 28, and the first burial on these 
■grounds was a daughter of Daniel Fork 
and wife, who died in May, 1865. 

VILLAGE OF EUREKA. 

This place was platted in 1854 by 
James Marshall. In 1856, Lewis S. Sny- 
der built a store and commenced merchan- 
dising. He remained in business here un- 
til 1860. The building is now used for a 
barn. After this the town was without a 
store for some time, when Mr. Merrick 
opened a small store and continued the 
business about three years, Others have 
since engaged in business here for brief 
periods and at one time there were two 
good substantial business houses in the 
Village. At present there is but one, that 
of A. R. Gage, who established his trade 
here in 1870. The name of the town was 
changed to Haven July 1, 1874. Dur- 
ing the spring of 1855, Barrett & Mar- 
sliall built a steam saw mill, and continued 
to run it until 1860, when it was burned 
down. 

The first blacksmith to locate here was 
John McGill, who came in the fall of 1855 
and remained about four years. At the 
present time there are two blacksmith 
shops in the Village, run by Adam Hart 
and Dwight Wilcox. 

PO.'iTOFFICE. 

Eureka postoffice was established in 
1856, and William Strong was appointed 
first postmaster. It was not, at this time 
on any mail route, but mail was carried 
from Helena, the carrier being paid by 
private subscription. There being another 
office of the same name in the State, this 
one was discontinued and in 1872, the 
postoffice of Haven was cstal)lished and 



L. H. Beadle was appointed first post- 
master. He was succeeded, January 6, 
1874, by Ambrose R. Gage, the incumbent. 
The oftice is now on a route from Tama 
City. 

VILLAGE OF HELENA. 

This village was platted in 1854, by 
James Clem on section 9 and 10. A store 
was opened by Mr. Wilcox in a log house 
owned by N. B. Hiatt in the spring of 
1857. He only remained in business un- 
til fall. 

In 1859, Lewis Vogel opened a store, 
and had a wagon shop in the rear of the 
building. He continued the business until 
his death in 186.3. His widow continued 
the business ,and, in 1865, was again mar- 
ried. 

A blacksmith shop was opened by David 
Clehient on section 2.3, in 1854, where he 
remained but a short time, and then 
moved to Helena and worked at his trade 
until 1863, when he enlisted in the army. 
He returned in 1865, but did not again 
open the shop. 

Adam Hart opened a l)lacksmith sliop 
in 1865, and remained until 1870. He is 
now doing business at Haven. There is 
not a blacksmith shop in the village at 
present. 

Richard Crossley engaged in merchan- 
dising here in the fall of 1855. He did not 
keep much of a store, but kept his goods 
here and peddled them through the sur- 
rounding country. A shoe shop was 
started here in 1867, by LudwigSchwerdt- 
feger who yet remains in the business. 

HELENA POSTOFFICE. 

This office was established a number of 
years ago, at the residence of B. F. Cren- 



^—^ 



IV* 



ii^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



909 



shaw, near the mill, on section 4. It sup- 
plies a large number of the settlers with 
mail. • 

A mill was erected by B. F. Crenshaw, 
in 1861, located on the southeast quarter 



of the southeast quarter of siction 4. It 
was run by water power and cost 1^10,000. 
It had two turbine water wheels and four 
run of buhrs. The building was two and a 
half stories high, and 30x50 feet in size. 



CHAPTER XXXVl 



SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



This is a full Congressional township, 
comprising township 82, range 13, west 
from the fifth principal meridian, contain- 
ing about 23,040 acres, and is located in 
the extreme southeastern corner of the 
county. 

EAELT SETTLEMENT. 

Much may be said concerning the first 
settlement of a country and the early days 
of its pioneers. The great changes 
wrought in this section in so short a time 
are an ever fruitful item of discussion and 
speculation, and it must be that the natural 
resources of this part of the country are 
above the average, and the settlers, as a 
rule, must have been an energetic, enter- 
prising class. Putting these two things to- 
gether, the present state of the country 
may be accounted for, and the wonderful 
rapidity of its development in a measure 
explained. The hardships, privations and 
sacrifices of the first persons to locate here 
are often spoken of, and it is now consid- 
ered an honor to have been in any way 
connected with the early development of 



the country. And this praise is not unde- 
served. The meed of glory justly belongs 
to those brave men and women who left 
the comforts of eastern homes to establish 
settlements, subdue the land and obtain a 
foothold in these then western wilds. The 
new settler of to-day has no conception of 
what a new settlement was here thirty 
years ago, and there is no comparison be- 
tween the two, except as showing the 
great difference. Thirty, forty and even 
fifty miles from market, without roads or 
bridges, through dense forests and track- 
less plains, are different conditions of 
things than the western settler of to-day 
contends with. Lines of railway traverse 
now nearly every agricultural portion of 
the country, affording easy transportation 
and ready market. 

Salt Creek township, with one exception, 
contained the first settler in Tama county. 
Anthony Wilkinson came here in October, 
1849, from Ohio, and located on section 
20. William and Robert Wilkinson also 
came this season, and made selections on 



^. 



r 



910 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



sections 20 ami 31. The Wilkinsons are 
mentioned at length in the Early Settle- 
ment chapter. This was the only settle- 
ment here for some time. 

Robert Arbuthnot, of Pennsylvania, 
fame in IS.")!, and bought University land 
on sections 1 and 12. He lived there un- 
til his death. His widow and children 
lived there until 1882, when they removed 
to Plymouth county, this State. 

B. W. Wilson came in the fall of 1852, 
and settled on section 35. He lived there 
for two years, then went to Poweshiek 
county, Iowa, where he now lives. Mr. 
Wilson was from Indiana. 

■John Hester came in the same year and 
located on section 26. He returned to In- 
diana three or four years later. 

Levi Marsh, the pioneer merchant of 
Tama county, came to the township in 
.June, 1853, and located on section 1. He 
is a native of the old bay State, born in 
iiarre, Worcester county. May 16, 1818. 
When fifteen years of age his parents 
moved to Worcester, where he was ap- 
prenticed to a shoemaker to learn the 
trade. He worked at this business but 
one year, and then hired to the Harring 
Brothers to drive teams in hauling brick 
from the brickyard to the asylum in Wor- 
cester. He continued in the emj>k)y of 
the Harring Brothers for three years at 
Millbury Village, and then engaged with 
Laring Foster to learn the carpenter's 
trade. He worked at that trade for twelve 
years in Worcester, then went to Illinois, 
purchasing a farm in Will county, where 
he lived one year, and then returned to 
Massachusetts, spending one year in Hol- 
den, and one year later, again came to Illi- 
nois, locating at Plaintield, where he 



worked at his trade. In ) 853, in June, he 
came to Iowa, and entered land on section 
1, township 82, range 13, now known as 
Salt Creek township. Mr. Marsh erected 
the first frame building in the 
county, and in the fall of that year 
opened a general merchandise store. 
If not the first, this was the second store 
to be opened in the county. He is still in 
the merchandise business, and has been 
ever since 1853, when he first opened his 
store, with the exception of two years. 
He is also the proprietor of the Irving 
Mill. In 1856, he platted the town of 
Irving, and in 1874, built a church, and it 
was through his efforts that a society was 
organized. It was under his supervision 
the building of the Irving Collegiate In- 
stitute was completed. Mr. Marsh has 
been twice married, bis first wife being 
Miss Matilda H. Whiting, of Barre, 
Massachusetts; she died in November, 1850, 
leaving one son, now engaged in the hard- 
ware business at Springfield, Nebraska. 
His second wife, to whom he was married 
in September, 1861, was Miss Emma E. 
Royce, of New York State. Thej have 
two children: Frank L. and Elmon F. 
Mr. Marsh has held various offices in the 
township, and has alwaj's proven himself 
a man of sterling qualities, well worthy of 
the trust reposed in him by the people. 
He is thoroughly alive to the needs of 
the people and takes a deep interest in all 
projects which tend to benefit his town- 
ship and county. 

In 1853, James A. Willey came from 
Illinois, and setllled on section 15. Mr. 
Willey was born in Mercer county, Penn- 
sylvania, October 22, 1822. He was raised 
on a farm, and at sixteen years of age 



-f 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



came to Illinois, where he was employed 
at breaking prairie for several years. In 
1849, he was married to Miss Mary J. 
Glancy, a native of Indiana, who came to 
Illinois when six years old. Six children 
have been born to them: Susan J., now 
Mrs. Daniel O. Wilcox; Lucy E., now 
Mrs. R. C. Brown, of Richland township; 
George G., Ellery P., Edna A. and Eliza- 
beth B. In 185.S, they came to Tama 
county, and settled on section .15, Salt 
Creek township, where he is extensively 
engaged in farming and also in stock 
raising. His farm contains 800 acres of 
well improved land. He was one of the 
early settlers of the township on the north 
side of the river. Mr. ^\ illey has taken 
an active part in the support of schools 
and in public affairs, having faithfully 
served his township in various ways. He 
is an enterprising citizen and a good 
neighbor. 

George Crittenden, Samuel Bates and 
John Smith entered land in Salt Creek 
township, in 1853, and but one of these 
parties remained to witness the develop- 
ment of the country. This was Mr. Crit- 
tenden, who now lives on the Robert 
Wilkinson place. Mr. Crittenden was 
born in Washington county, Indiana, Oc- 
tober 23, 1825, and was reared on a farm. 
When eighteen years of age he started 
out for himself, going to Illinois, where he 
found employment on a farm at llO per 
month. When he was twenty years old 
he engaged with a blacksmith to learn the 
trade. He was married in Mercer county, 
Illinois, August 12, 1846, to Miss Amelia 
La Rew, of Wayne county, Indiana. They 
have eight children: Levi P., Isaac L., 
Monroe D., Edward ('., William W., Car- 



rie A., Fred and Le Roy P. After work- 
ing at the blacksmith's trade for three 
years, Mr. Crittenden took a claim, im- 
proved the land, built a house and 
lived there one and a half years, then sold 
out and came to Iowa. He settled on 
forty acres of land in Jones county, and 
lived there nearly a year before he "proved 
up," then borrowed money at 40 per cent, 
interest with which to "prove up." Before 
the year had passed, however, he had sold 
out for $;350, and in the spring of 185.3, 
he came to Tama county, and entered 120 
acres on section 32 of Salt Creek town- 
ship. He improved the land, built a house 
and lived there until 18'76, • when he pur- 
chased 190 acres of the Wilkinson estate, 
on section 19, on which there was a good 
set of buildings. He makes this his home, 
and is engaged in stock raising and gen- 
eral farming. In July, 1862, he enlisted 
in Company B, 28th Iowa, and went south, 
participating in the battles of Fort Gib- 
son, Champion Hills and Vicksburg. He 
was honorably discharged at New Or- 
leans, August 27, 1863, on account of 
physical disability, and he returned^to his 
home. He has never fully recovered his 
health. 

John C. Smith was born in Logan 
county, Ohio, April 11, 1811, and was 
brought up a farmer, reaching manhood 
in his native State. When twenty-seven 
years old, he came west to Illinois, and in 
1838, married Miss Francis Strain, a native 
of Ohio. By this union there were twelve 
children named as follows : Angelina, 
Sarah, James, Elizabeth, Maria, William, 
Jacob, Charles, John M., Allen B., Perry 
B. and Bartholomew. Mr. Smith came to 
Iowa in 1852, and located on a farm on 



i]<r 



^^ 



i\y:^ 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



section 31, where lie continued to live 
until his deatli, which occurred December 
22, 1865. He was a worthy citizen, and a 
l>ioiieerof Salt Creek town.«;hip. 

About this same time Charles Algeo 
came herefrom Washington county, Ohio, 
in 1852, but only remained a short time, 
when he removed to Missouri. 

'I'homas Algeo came with his brother 
Charles and both settled on section 19, 
but Thomas died the following fall. 

Another settler is said to have come the 
same year, by name, John J. Howard, 
who settled on section 28, and after a 
number of years removed to Illinois. 

George S. Williams entered land on sec- 
tion 1, Salt Creek township, in 1853, and 
is still a resident. Mr. Williams was 
born in Miami county, Ohio, April 1, 1818, 
aii'l spent his younger days on a farm. 
He was married in 1837, to Miss Maria 
Long. This union was blessed with three 
children, only one of whom is now living, 
Henry Harrison. Mrs. Williams died in 
1S41. His second wife, to whom he was 
married in 1842, was Miss Martha Bare. 
In 1853, Mr. Williams came to Iowa and 
entered a large tract of land in Tama and 
Benton counties. In 1854, he erected a 
saw-mill on Salt creek, and in a few years 
built a flour mill. In 1877, his flour mill 
was burned, and thus the earnings of a 
life time were swept away. He at once 
commenced to rebuild the mill, but before 
"completed he sold out, and now operates 
it for Levi Marsh, the present owner. Mr. 
and -Mrs. VVilliams are the parents of 
four children : Josephus, Davis, Allen and 
Frank L., the eldest two being practicing 
physicians in Nebraska. 



Benjamin F. Beabout from Kentucky, 
located on section 23, in 1853, and in 1855 
left and went to Missouri. 

JJenjamin Pearson, a native of Ohio, 
came to the township in 1853, and located 
on section 11, where he lived until 1870, 
when he removed to Cedar county, this 
State. He was a carpenter by trade, but 
is now engaged in the mercantile business 
at Springdale. 

The following season, John M. Brothers 
arrived from Ohio, and remained for a 
number of years. 

Section 35 received a settler in 1854, 
from New York, by the name of Ilulitt 
Davenport ; he was quite a speculator 
and owned many different farms and 
moved about considerable, but at length 
he settled down on his original claim, 
where he died in 1870. 

Also, in 1854, a man by the name of Sha- 
vei", and another named Hopper, arrived 
Shaver died in a few years and Hoj)per 
was living in this State at last accounts. 
The same season James Miller and Logan 
McChesney, the former from Ohio, the 
latter from Illinois, located on sections 
and 14. Miller soon died, McChesney re- 
mained a tew years and then removed to 
Kansas. 

Amos Hancock was also among the set- 
tlers of this year, but did not remain 
long. 

John Burge erected a caVjin on section 
13, in 1854, and here remained a few years, 
when he removed to Illinois. 

John Grubs came the following year, 
but only remained a short time when he 
returned to Ohio. 

In 1855, James and Henry Colister set- 
tled at Irviiitc and enwatjed in business. 



:?ni — .- 



-f 



^1 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The former was a blacksmith, the latter a 
wagon-maker. They were natives of the 
Isle of Man. James remained until 1860, 
when he located at Belle Plaine, where he 
now lives. Henry removed to Belle 
Plaine the next year. 

George McDonald Chambers located 
on section 34, in 1856, and still lives 
there. Mr. Chambers is a native of Louis 
county, Kentucky, born on the 2.3d day of 
November, 1825. He was reared on a 
farm and when fourteen years old came 
with his parents to Illinois, where they 
engaged in farming, and, in 1853, came to 
Iowa. Here he was married to Miss Ada- 
line Lux, a native of Indiana. After his 
marriage he returned to Illinois, remaining 
until 1856, then came to Tama county and 
settled in Salt Creek township, where he 
still resides. Five children have been 
born to them : Mary I., Alice E , Rebecca 
A., Ezekiel H. and George F. Mr. Cham- 
bers has served as Justice of the Peace 
and has held other township offices. 

Samuel Prill was born in Virginia, Feb- 
ruary 18, 1807. He made his home with 
his parents, in Virginia, until 1827, when 
they moved to Ohio, settling in Miami 
county, where he lived until coming to 
Tama county, in 1855. He located on sec- 
tions 13 and 14, Salt Creek township, 
where he lived in a log cabin until 1866, 
then burned his own brick and built the 
house in which he now lives, on section 
13. He was married, in 1838, to Miss Re- 
becca Hamer, of Ohio. They have had 
six children, five of whom are living: 
James H., Caroline R., John L., Theo- 
dore F. and Leander. Their son, John, 
was born in Miami county, Ohio, Novem- 
ber 1, 1847. He came to Iowa, with his 



parents and was married in November, 
1874, to Miss Hannah Baggess, a native of 
West Virginia, and they have one child — 
Emily. He settled on a part of his fa- 
ther's farm on section 14, where he now 
lives in the brick house built by his father. 
Leander was also born in Miami county, 
Ohio, and made his home with his parents 
until 1880. He was married, January 27, 
of that year, to Miss Emma Rogers, of 
Wisconsin. Th»y have one child, named 
Roy. Leander also has a part of his fa- 
ther's farm on section 13, Salt Creek town- 
ship. 

Andrew J. Stewart located on section 
8, Salt Creek township, in 1857, where he 
now lives. Mr. Stewart is a native of 
Pennsylvania, born February 6, 1813, and 
was brought up on a farm. In 1837, he 
m.arried Miss Annie Hamilton, who was 
also a native of Pennsylvania. They 
brought up a family of three children: 
John, Oscar H. and Flora. In 1844, he 
removed to Michigan and there he fol- 
lowed for a business the trade of a car- 
penter for about twelve years. In 1857, 
he came to Iowa and located on section 8, 
Salt Creek toM'nship, where he has since 
lived. He is a respected citizen and takes 
great interest in educational matters. 

William Kollman settled in Salt Creek 
township, in 1859, and in 1860, located on 
section 7. He was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, October 5, 1836. He attended 
school until fourteen years of age and then 
commenced farming. In 1854, he came 
to America, landing at New York city. 
He went directly from there to Kendall 
county, Illinois, where he was employed 
in farming until June, 1855, when he re- 
moved to Benton county, and was ther« 



Vi; 



eRT** 



jil 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



employed for two months to work in a 
brick yard, then went to Iowa county, 
where lie was engaged in farming. In 
the spring of 1857, he came to Tama coun- 
ty, locating in Richland township, where 
he followed the occupation of farming for 
two years, then moved to Salt Creek town- 
ship. June 1, 1859, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Katurah Stephens. They 
have a family of four children : Minnie, 
Edward, Daretta and Iowa Belle. In 
1860, Mr. KoUman purchased forty acres 
of land on section 7, and commenced farm- 
ing on a small scale. He has been very 
successful and now owns 3-30 acres of im- 
proved land. He lived on section 7 until 
IS82, when he purchased a house and lot 
in Chelsea, where he now resides. 

James Mcllwain came from New York 
in 1857, and bought land on section 23 and 
24, where he yet remains. 

Below is given personal sketches of a 
number who settled in this township in la- 
ter years, and who have been prominent in 
the history of the township. 

Alfonzo Z. Rawson is a native of Mor- 
row county, Ohio, born November 16, 
1844. When six years of age he went 
with his parents to Michigan, where they 
lived on a farm. When fourteen he went 
to Indiana, and in 1862, enlisted in Com- 
pany G, Forty -fourth Regiment, which 
soon went south and joined the Army of 
the Ctimberland and saw active service at 
once. After serving three yeans he was 
honoral)ly discharged in 1865, then came 
to Chelsea, Iowa, where he has since been 
a resident. In 1870, he married Miss Me- 
lissa A. Welch, a native of Illinois. They 
have one son — Erie. When Alfonzo was 
si,\teen years of age, he learned the car- 



penter and wagon making trades, and in 
1871, opened a shop in Chelsea, where he 
has since been following his trade. He has 
served as school district Director for ten 
successive years. In 1880, he was elected 
County Supervisor for a term of three 
years, and is at present serving a second 
term as Mayor of the town of Chelsea. 

Jerry Donavon settled in Salt Creek 
township in 1865. Mr. Donavon is a na- 
tive of county Cork, Ireland, born in 
March, 1826^ He was raised on a farm, 
and when nineteen years of age came to 
America, landing at St. Johns, New Bruns- 
wick. From there he went to Boston 
where he worked on the railroad and fol- 
lowed that business for a number of years. 
In 1856, Mr. Donavon was married to 
Miss Bridget Burk, a native of Ireland. 
They have been blessed with eight chil- 
dren — John, Jerry, Mary, William, James, 
Katy, Frank and Michael. Mr. Donavon 
has a fine farm of 120 acres, all under good 
cultivation. 

Isaac Moreton came to Tama county in 
1865, and located on section 33 in Salt 
Creek township, where he has since re- 
sided. He was born in Pennsylvania, 
April, 5, 1814. When he was quite young 
his parents removed to Clermont county, 
Ohio, and settled on a farm, where Isaac 
lived until coming to Iowa, in 1865. In 
1837, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Sarah McNeal, of Clermont county, Ohio. 
They have been blessed with two chil- 
dren — Mary and John L. Mr. Moreton is 
a man that takes an active interest in 
church matters. 

Henry F. Davis is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, born January 23, 1827. He was 
reared on a faYm and when nineteen went 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-K^ 



to Ohio, where he spent three years en. 
ga^ed in farming. In 1847. Mr. Davis 
was married to Miss Elizabeth Clark, and 
then removed to Pennsylvania, where they 
remained for two years. Mr. Davis came 
to Illinois, and in 1861, enlisted in the 
102d Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company 
K. He went south with the Regiment, 
and was soon taken sick with the measles, 
and nearly lost his life through exposure. 
His wife, however, came and nursed him 
back to health; but the strain was too 
much for her; she took sick and in a few 
days passed away. In 1864, Mr. Davis was 
discharged from the service and returned 
to Illinois. In 1866, he came to Iowa 
and in 1868 settled on his present farm. 

Richard Turnbull was born July 4, 1832, 
on the Isle of Man. He was brought up 
on a farm, and when fourteen years of age, 
began learning the millwright's trade, 
which he followed for a number of years. 
In 1853, he was married to Miss Catherine 
CoUister, a native of the Isle of Man. 
They have two children: William E., and 
Bramwell A. In 1870, they came to 
America, stopped for a short time in New 
York, then came to Tama county and set- 
tled on section 23, Salt Creek township, 
their present home. They have 410 acres 
of land and have been very successful in 
their farming operations. 

Deacon C. E. Covell was born in Willis- 
ton, Chittenden county, Vermont, Novem- 
ber 10, 1809. When a young man, he 
learned the cooper's trade. In 1854, he 
moved to Illinois and spent the summer 
in McHenry county. In the fall he went 
to Fort Atchison, Wisconsin, where he 
worked at his trade two years and then 
came to Iowa, and entered land in Mount 



Vernon township. Black Hawk county. 
He moved from Wisconsin to his new 
houie7 with tlv^^ke of oxen, taking his 
household goods and camping on the way, 
the trip taking two weeks. The family 
lived in the wagons for three weeks, and 
then built a board shanty 10x16 feet. He 
improved the land, and a few months later, 
erected a good frame house. In 1 868, Mr. 
Covell purchased town property in Chelsea 
and now makes that place his home. In 
an early day he assisted in the organiza- 
tion of a Baptist Church in Black Hawk 
county, of which he was elected deacon. 
Soon after his arrival in Chelsea, he aided 
in the organization of a Society here, and 
was one of the leading members as well 
as a deacon. He was one of the original 
directors of the First National Bank of 
Tama City. Mr. Covell was married July 
4, 1833, to Miss Charlotte Buell, a native 
of Essex, Chittenden county, Vermont. 
They have three children living. 

Jacob W. Shaler was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, December 28, 1850. He was reared 
on his father's farm and received a good 
common school education. At nineteen 
years of age, he came to Iowa with his 
parents and commenced the study of tele- 
graphy; taking charge of the railroad office 
in Chelsea, in 1872. After working nearly 
six years in the railroad employ, he bought 
and sold grain for three years. About 
one and a half years after leaving the em- 
ploy of the railway company, he engaged 
in the lumber business, handling a gener- 
al line of building material, in which 
business he is still engaged, meeting with 
much success. In 1873, he was married 
to Miss Ralda Roe, a native of Iowa. 
They have a family of three children: 



Vl^ 



J^^ 



•^^ 



916 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Nellie, Henry L. and Horace W. Mr. 
Shaler Las filled the office of Justice of the 
Peace, since 1 879, has been Township Clerk 
lor eight successive years, and is serv- 
ing another term of two years, making ten 
years all told. Mr. Shaler has buried two 
children. 

ORGANIC. 

Salt Creek township was organized in 
the spring of 1855, and an election held on 
the -id oi April of the same year. The 
officers elected were: Jeptha Edmunds, 
Stephen A. Wilcox, James A. Willey, 
Trustees; Simon Overturf, Assessor; John 
Sale, Jr., Clerk; Reason Overturf, Jonas 
Young, Constables; James Miller and E. 
E. Robinson, Road Supervisors. 

The following is a list of those who 
have held township offices and who have 
been prominent in township affairs: H. 
Loomis, A. Hale, L. McChesney, J. W. 
Taylor, A. J. Stewart, W. Benson, D. A. 
Stevens, C. R. Smith, E. E. Vickery, M. 
Smith, J. Hutchinson, W. H. Graham, T. 
Roach, G. \Ic. Chambers, H. H. Williams^ 
C. C. Coats, T. Finch, J. Gitz, S. Smith, 
I) Pearson, H. L. Smith, C. S. Barton, J. 
Collister, W. P. Forsyth, S. Hopper, J. H. 
lloss, E. A. Stockton, W. Camp, J. Shaler, 
L. Johnson, A. Kile, T. G. Arbuthnot, S. 
Dudley, A. Wilkinson, J. Roberts, G. 
Crittenden, C. E. Connell, P. D. Williams, 
A. Wolf, A. J. Wessel, B. Rector, R. 
Wilkinson, E. Hancox, J. Fitz, S. C. 
r>ailey, P. Spence, S. Prill, T. Park, A. 
Hall, L. Marsh, H. W. Searls, B. Collins, 
J. A. Willey and S. Miles. 

The officers elected for 1883 are : J. H. 
Mercer, elect, E. A. Southard, John F- 
Hall, J. W. Shaler, H. B. Edwards, 
Justices ; A. J. Spence and Leander 



Prill, Constables; J. O. Shaler, Clerk; and 
James M. Mcllwain. 

HISTORICAL ITEMS. 

The first postoffice was established in 
this township in 1854, and named Kinesaw, 
after an Indian Chief of that name. A. 
Wilkinson was the first postmaster. The 
mail came on the route from Marengo to 
Marietta, first weekly and afterwards semi- 
weekly. The first birth was a son to 
Anthony Wilkinson, he was named 
William B., born in 1851, and lived until 
the 22d of October when he died, this be- 
ing the first death in the township. 

The first marriage was George Mc- 
Chambers, of Illinois, to Miss Cordelia A. 
Lux. The ceremony was performed by 
Robert Wilkinson, Esq., at the home of 
the bride on section 21. Mr. Mc. Chambers 
returned to Illinois with his bride, and 
lived there until 1856, when they settled in 
Salt Creek township. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first school was taught in a build- 
ing erected by Levi Marsh for a store and 
dwelling. John Shelenbarger was the first 
teacher, during the winter of 185-1-5. The 
first school house was erected on the north- 
east corner of the southeast quarter of 
section 1, in 1855. 

Probably the next school house was 
built in 1859, on section :30. It was 20x24 
feet and cost lioOO. The first teacher was 
Daniel Howard. This was in what has 
been called the Wilkinson settlement. 
There was a school in another settlement 
within the limits of the township taught 
in 1858, on section 9, in a house belong- 
ing to Thomas Brron The teacher was 
Miss M. Walker. 



u^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



RELIGIOUS. 

The first religious meeting was held in 
the western part of the township, in 1854, 
at D. D. Wanderly's log cabin on section 
13. The services were conducted by a 
Lutheran preacher. 

The next meeting was held in 1855, at 
the house of Robert Wilkinson, on section 
•21, by a Methodist minister on the Kostza 
circuit by the name of Dunton. There 
was a meeting held in the McChesney 
House, in 1857, by some traveling 
preacher. 

The next services were held in a saw 
mill owned by Searles, Elsworth & Hun- 
ter 

In 1874, Levi Marsh built a church, and 
Rev. H. V. Reed, of Chicago, came to 
hold the dedication services. In July, 
1874, the society was organized with 
fourteen member-'. J. T. Prime was the 
first settled pastor, serving two years; 
then T. G. M. Meyers served three years, 
and following him came S. S. Hayden, 
serving two years, and J. R. Ilill, one 
year 

MILLS. 

The first saw-mill was built on Salt 
creek, on section 1, in 1854, by George S. 
Williams. The first saw used was on old- 
fashioned sash saw, afterwards one of the 
Muley pattern. In 1864, Mr. Williams 
added two run of buhrs — one for wheat, 
and one for corn. This mill was operated 
until 187.3, when it was torn down and a 
building 30x40 feet, two stories high and 
a basement was erected. Another buhr 
for grinding wheat, and all the necessary 
machinery for making flour was added. 
May 17, 1877, the mill was destroyed by 
fire. Mr. Williams commenced rebuild- 



ing the mill, but before completed sold it 
to Barrett, Kenner & Fitz. In 1880, Levi 
Marsh purchased the interests of Kenner 
and Fitz, and in 1882, became sole pro- 
prietor. The mill is two stories high, 
with basement and two run of buhrs. 

G. W. Gower built a steam flouring 
mill at Chelsea, in 1873. It is a three 
story building, 30x60 feet, with two run of 
stone for grinding wheat, and all neces- 
sary machinery for making first class flour. 
Anthony Wilkinson and J. A. Willey 
succeeded Gower as proprietors of the 
mill. The mill was closed for a short 
time, then A. Palmer purchased an in- 
terest, and business was again started for 
a short time. In 1881, Prusha & Slam- 
ma purchased the mill, and now operate 
it, doing a good business. 

lEVING. 

The village of Irving was surveyed and 
platted in June, 1856, by N. C. Wieting 
for Levi Marsh and others. It contained 
thirty-eight lots. Levi Marsh opened the 
first store, in 1853, in a small building put 
up for that purpose. Mr. Marsh has 
continued in the business ever since, with 
the exception of two years, and has now 
the only store in the place. This was, 
with one exception, the first store in the 
county, and in early days, customers came 
a distance of twenty-five miles. Mr. 
Marsh bought his goods in Chicago, and 
hauled them from that place by teams. 
He kept a general stock of goods, consist- 
ing of everything from a hair pin up to a 
barrel of Orleans molas.ses. 

The first blacksmith shop was o])ened 
in 1856, by James Collister. Mr. CoHister 
remained till 1860, then removed to ]'>elle 
Plaine, where he now lives. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'k 



The first wagon shop was opened the 
same year by Henry CoUister, who con- 
tinued his business until 1861. He is now 
in In'lle Plaine. 

William Mcintosh opened the first 
harness shop, in 1865. 

The business of Irving was, at one time, 
represented by three general stores — two 
blacksmith shops, one wagon shop, one 
liavness shop and a saw-mill; but the most 
of these have been removed to other 
towns. 

The postoffice was established in 1855, 
and Andrew Hale, an early settler of this 
township, was appointed postmaster, with 
the office at his house. Mail was received 
from Iowa City, Vinton and Waterloo. 
Mr. Hale was succeeded by Levi Marsh, 
who remained in office some time, and 
was succeeded by O. T. Brainerd, Martin 
Smith, Dr. Benn and Miss Flora Weymer, 
who is the present postmistress, with the 
office at her house. 

Andrew Hale, first postmaster at Irving, 
came to Tama county and settled in Salt 
Creek township, in 1855. He lived in 
Irving until 1863, then went to Belle 
Plaine, where he engaged in the grain 
trade, and later in the mercantile business. 
He was a native of Ohio, and has made 
Belle Plaine, Iowa, his home since 1863. 

The first hotel was built by Willis Van 
Dorin, in 1855, and was run by him about 
one year, when it was sold to Henry Travis. 
The latter kept the hotel as long as the 
business would pay him, and then sold out. 
The hotel has been kept by several 
different parties, but it is at present 
unoccupied. 



In 1855, or 1856, George S. Williams 
made an addition of thirty-six lots to the 
village. 

The medical profession was first re- 
presented here by K. D. Shugart, who 
settled in Irving, in 1855. He is now a 
resident of Riverside, California. 

CHELSEA. 

The village of Chelsea was surveyed 
and platted by Charles Irish for Seneca 
C. Breese, in the spring of 1863, on the 
northwest quarter of section 17. A few 
years later, James Hunter platted an addi- 
tion of nine acres on section V, and 
in 1870, the Iowa Railroad land Company, 
platted an addition of the same number of 
acres on section 18. 

At the time that the village was platted 
there was a log house standing on the 
northeast corner of section 18, and also a 
warehouse on the northwest corner of .sec- 
tion 17. The latter building was erected 
by J. R. Graham, in 1862. 

The first frame building on the plat was 
moved there by E. E. XHckery to be used 
as a blacksmith shop. It has since been 
destroyed by fire. The next was a dwell- 
ing moved into the village from Otter 
Creek, by E. A. Southard. 

The first store was opened by W. H. 
Graham in 1863. He kept a general stock, 
including dry goods, groceries, boots and 
shoes, and also sundries, the latter for 
medicinal purposes. Before this, how- 
ever, there had been a store started by 
Peter Bodfish, but this was previous to 
the platting of the village. In 1861, the 
railroad was completed to the northwest 
quarter of section 17, where several build- 
ings were put up, and the little collection 
of houses werb called Otter Creek. This 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



remained 'the terminus of the road about 
one year, and, when the railroad moved 
on, the little village went also. 

The first hotel in Chelsea, was opened 
in 1863, by Mrs. Thompson, who kept the 
house about three years, the latter part of 
the time in the house now occupied by 
Samuel Spense. The hotel business is 
now represented by Samuel Spense. 

E. A. Southard opened the first cabinet 
shop in 1864. He continued in the busi- 
ness for two years. 

The postoftice was established in 1865, 
and W. H. Graham was appointed post- 
master, with the oftice at his store. He 
was succeeded by Martin Smith, who held 
the oflice until his death. Smith was suc- 
ceed by Fred Roach who was api ointed 
in January, 1883. The oflice is now at his 
store. 

The first drug store was opened by 
Campbell & Son, in 1866. 

In 1867, the first shoe maker's shop was 
opened by Antone Kooshy, who pegged 
away until his death. 

There are at present, four general stores, 
one grocery store, one drug store, one 
millinery store, one harness shop, two 
warehouses, one wagon shop, one black- 
smith shop, one shoemaker's shop, one 
hotel and one lumber yard. 

L. A. McChesney was the first station 
agent, followed by VanDusen, Shaler, 
Walraven and Davis, the present incum- 
bent. 

In 1878, the town was incorporated one 
mile square. The following are the names 
of the first councilmen : H. E. Covell, 
Mayor ; J. W. Shaler, Recorder; J. Sitler, 
H. Cory, Fred Roach, J. S. Ormiston and 
J. H. Mercer. Stephen Smith was elected 



Treasurer. The Councilmen for 1883, 
are : A. J. Rawson, Mayor ; J. H. Mercer, 
W. W. Kenner, F. Roach, E. A. Southard, 
J. B. Musel, G. R. Hershey and Joseph 
Stephanck, Recorder ; F. R. Smith, 
Treasurer. 

EnrCATIONAI,. 

The first school was held in a car ii' 

1864, and was taught by Miss Anna Gra- 
ham. The second school was taught by 
Miss Sears, in E. A. Southard's cabinet 
shop. 

The first school house was built in 

1865. The present house was built in 
1881. It is a large two story building 
well furnished, andisa credit to the town. 

KELIGIOUS. 

The M. K. Church was organized in 
1880, by Rev. Horace Foote, ofLeGrand, 
with the following members : W. H. 
Graham and wife, Mrs. J. F Kenner, Mrs. 
W. C. Gotthold, Dr. J. S. Ormiston and 
wife and Mrs. F. R. Smith. Mrs. J. T. 
Kenner was the first Class Leader. The 
church had been built in the winter of 
1879-80. It was built by the citizens, and 
was donated to the society. Rev. Foote 
was the first pastor, followed by J. G. 
Wilkinson, who preached for one and a 
half years, and then removed to his farm 
in Kansas. Rev. Mr. Stuntz is the present 
pastor. 

A Baptist society was organized at the 
school house in Chelsea in 1868, by Rev. 
J. B. Messer, with the following mem- 
bers: William Roberts and wife, C. E. 
Covell and wife, Henry Covell, Mrs. Fred- 
erick Roach and several others. C. E. 
Covell was elected deacon, and William 
Roberts clerk. After Mr. Messer, Rev. 
Cyrus Coltron served one year. The so- 









HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ciety held together for three or four years, 
and were served by different pastors. 

Tlie Catliolic church was built in 1881, 
and Father Francis Mekota was the first 
priest. .Vlass was first said by him, and he 
has been in charge ever since. 

Soon after the village was started, a 
Union Sunday school was organized by 
W. II. (Traham, who was the first super- 
intendent. The school is still being con- 
tinued, with an average attendance of 
forty scholars. Henry Cory is the present 
superintendent. Mr. Cory was born in 
Cornwall, England, August 24, ISS,"?. At 
twelve years of age, he went to work in the 
mines and continued in that employment 
until sixteen, when, in company with his 
mother, brothers and sisters, he embarked 
on a sailing vessel for America, to meet 
liis father, who had preceded them. After 
being on the water two weeks, he was 
allowed to go before the mast and work 
his passage. The family arrived in New 
York on the 29th of August, 1849, after 
being eight weeks on the way. The father 
met them, and they aU went to Ohio, and 
settled in Jefferson county. The subject 
of this sketch was there married in March, 
1 So 4, to Miss Rachel Yates, a native of 
Helmont county. Mr. Cory rented a farm 
in that county, where he lived until 1864, 



then took a team and with his family 
started for Iowa. After traveling thirty 
days they arrived in Tama county. The 
family spent the first winter with Mr. 
Cory's brother-in-law, and in the spring 
rented a farm, which he worked for three 
years. Mr. Cory then purchased wild 
land in the same township. His wife, born 
in November, 1831, died in April, 1870. 
Mr and Mrs. Cory had been blessed with 
five children : Lydia A., Mary J., George 
E., Charles E. and Alice, of whom George 
E. is the only child living. Mr. Cory was 
again married in 1873, to Catherine Smith, 
widow of Andrew Scott. She has one 
daughter by her first husband, named Ara- 
bella Geneva. Mr. Cory improved his 
farm, and lived there until 1873, when he 
removed to Richland township, and there 
followed farming until 1875, when he 
moved to Chelsea, where he engaged in 
the mercantile business in company with 
with J H.Mercer. This partnership was 
continued for one year when Mr. Cory 
sold to his partner, and a short time after 
bought the store of George Free. He is 
still engaged in the business, and carries 
a large stock of goods. Mr. Cory has 
held the various offices of trust in township 
and village, and is the superiiitcndciil of 
the Union Sunday school. 




HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XXXVII 



SPRING CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



Spring Creek comprises township 85 
north, range 16 west. It is bounded on the 
north by Lincoln, on the west by Marshall 
county, on the south by Carlton township 
and on the east by Crystal. The northern 
part is watered by Wolf creek and its 
tributaries. The main stream enters on 
section 6 and flows toward the southeast 
a short distance, when it forms the mill 
pond, which extends about three fourths of 
a mile in a southerly direction, on section' 
5. Then the stream is again resumed, 
and near the southern corner of the sec- 
tion makes confluence with another branch, 
which enters on section 7, and flows to- 
ward the northeast, passing through sec- 
tion 8, to that point. Then as one stream 
it flows toward the southeast, through sec- 
tions 9, 10 and 14, touching the southeast 
corner of section 11 and the southwest 
corner of 12, makes exit from 13, toward 
the east. The southern part is watered 
by Deer creek and its tributaries. The main 
stream enters on section 30, flows first 
toward the northeast nearly through 1 9, 
when it turns toward the south, passing 
through the northeast corner of 30, then 
through :20, the northeast corner of 32, and 
leaves from 33, toward the south. Other 
small creeks, which finally join Deer 
creek, have source in the southeastern 



part of the townshijt, and flow toward 
the south. So the township is abundantly 
watered and drained. 

The soil is invariably a dark loam, un- 
derlaid with a yellow clay, which, in cer- 
tain localities, is good for brick making 
purposes. Along Deer creek on sections 
29, 30 and 32, the surface is broken some- 
what; but the balance of the township is 
made up of a rolling prairie. There is, 
however, a little natural timber located on 
sections 32 and 13; the former is called 
Union grove; the latter is on Wolf creek 
and is called Hull's grove. 

The inhabitants of the township are 
mostly American, although there are 
many Germans, and a few English and 
Scotch people. Generally the settlers are 
I well fixed and thrifty, and there are many 
fine farms. 

SETTLEMENT. 

The early settlement of this township 
was made under difficulties, and its early 
pioneers were men of pluck, courage and 
perseverance. The nearest mill was about 
sixty miles distant, and to make this 
journey with ox teams was no small un- 
dertaking, particularly in the winter, when 
the dim trail would often be covered with 
snow, and a driving storm add to the dif- 
ficulty in keeping the right direction. 



-s> J- 



922 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



These trips were among the hardships of 
the pioneer life. 

The first settlement in this township 
was effected in the spring of 1 863, by W. 
C. By water and L. S. Frederick, both from 
Maquoketa, Jackson county. They made 
the journey on foot, and selected land on 
section .32, after which they journeyed on 
to Dubuque for the purpose of entering 
the land. Then they returned to Maquo- 
keta. In the fall they sent S. S. Chap- 
man from that place for the purpose of 
building a home on their claim. He oc- 
cupied the house when completed until 
the spring of 1854. On April 4, the 
owners of the claim moved out, and took 
up their abode in the cabin, built for them, 
and proceeded at once to improve their 
land. 

W. C. Bywater was born in Maryland, 
his ancestors being English. His wife 
was Amanda Lowman, whose father 
served in the war of 1812, losing an arm 
at the battle of Fort McIIenry, and who 
was Mayor of Baltimore for some time. 
Shortly after their marriage, W. C. By- 
water moved to Zanesville, Ohio, where 
he worked at the cooper and tinner's 
trade. Three years later he moved to 
New Albany, Indiana, and worked upon a 
boat on the lower Mississippi as watch- 
man, and afterwards as mate. In 1849, he 
moved to Iowa, and farmed in Cedar and 
Jackson counties until 185.3, when became 
to Spring Creek township, and entered 
land on section 32, which he improved 
and moved his family to in the spring of 
1854. They have had four children, all of 
whom are living: A. Bywater, N. By- 
water, Elizabeth Jane, wife of G. T. 
Ward, and Viola, wife A. T. King. In 



December, 1 859, W. C. Bywater removed 
to Kansas, where he was killed in a saw 
mill. His widow now resides with her 
son, A. Bywater, in Gladbrook. 

A. Bywater, son of W. C. Bywater, re- 
ceived his education in the public schools 
of Jackson and Tama counties, and was 
brought up on a farm. He has always, 
although in different places, devoted his 
attention to farming. He now resides in 
Gladbrook. November 2, 1865, he was 
married to Miss Alma A. Conway, daughter 
of .lames and Alvina (Fulk) Conway, and 
they have five children: Alberta Iowa, 
Ralph D., Nellie G., Corwin N. and a 
child. 

In May, 1854, E. L. Kuns arrived and 
purchased of W. C. Bywater eighty acres 
of land, on section 33, which he at once 
improved, building a log cabin and break- 
ing some prairie. 

Dnring the same month W. L. Conant 
came into the township from Three Rivers, 
Michigan, and after making selection of 
land, walked to Dubuque, in company with 
L. S. Frederick, to make his entry. 

This same season David Bowen came 
here from Maquoketa. 

During the summer of the same season 
C. C. Canoles arrived and made selection 
on section 32. 

Oscar Hill came from Macpioketa, ar- 
riving here in June, 1854, with his family 
and stopped for a short time with Fred- 
ericks and Bywater. In the fall he re- 
turned eastward. 

This was all the arrivals in 1854. 

The winter following is remem- 
bered as a verj mild one. Tliere 
was no snow on the ground during 
December and January. In the following 




^-^H^^iy^^ ^ /^<^^^>^^--^^ 




■t^y^r^l 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



spring, a little snow fell. The whole 
winter, however, was made up of weather 
resembling Indian summer. 

About the first actual settler to come 
during the year 1855, was Stephen King, 
accompanied by his son, William B., and 
their families. They came from Erie 
county, New York, and landed in the 
township in October, settling at Union 
Grove, purchasing land of W. C. By water. 
Joshua G. Hull came this year, and is 
still a resident of the township. 

Mr. Fay, formerly from New York, but 
directly from Jones county, came to this 
township in the fall of 1855, bringing fifty 
head of cattle with him. He took land, 
remained a number of years, and after- 
wards died in Carltov township. 

About the same time Charles Smith and 
sons, Wesley and William, from Ohio, 
came here and located on section 34. They 
erected a cabin and soon had things com- 
fortable. About 1870 they returned to 
Ohio. The old gentleman, Charles Smith, 
died in Nebraska, William moved to 
Storm Lake, and Wesley also moved to 
some point in the western part of Iowa. 

Mr. Harvey, from Davenport, settled on 
section .31 in the fall of 1855. He re- 
mained one year when he returned to his 
former home. 

James Roakes and Charles Knapp, with 
families, came to Spring Creek township 
at about the same time, both settling at 
Union Grove. Knapp bought eighty acres of 
L. S. Frederick on section 33, and Roakes 
purchased land in Carlton township. 

In the fall of 1855, Orpheus King, 
brother of W. B. King, came to this 
county, living with his brother during that 
winter. Four families lived with W. B. 



King that winter, James Roakes, Orpheus 
King, Mr. Patchen and a German who was 
then a hired man. Orpheus King located 
on section 6, where he remained ten or 
twelve years and removed to Marshall and 
since to Dallas county, Iowa. Patchen 
put up a blacksmith shop, which he run for 
seventeen years, after which he returned 
to his native State — Michigan. 

In 1856, R. I. Jackson came from New 
York and settled on section 31. G. M. 
Finch came the same year, settling on sec- 
tion 2*7, where he remained seventeen 
years. In 1879 he removed to Phillips 
county, Kansas. 

In July, 1856, William Merrill and 
family made their arrival and located at 
the headwaters of Deer creek, where he 
still lives. William Merrill is a native of 
Nottinghamshire, England, born in 1820, 
a son of George and Elizabeth (Wright) 
Merrill. He came to the United States in 
1854, and settled in Will county, Illinois, 
where he remained for two years, and then 
came to Spring Creek township, Tama 
county, arriving in July, 1856. He entered 
160 acres of land, which he has improved 
and added to, now owning 640 acres in the 
township. In 1843 he was married to Miss 
Mary Cook, daughter of John and Mary 
(Arrison) Cook, of England. By this 
union they have had seven children : 
Henry, Mary, now wife of John AUard; 
Anna, now wife of C. Geiseninger; Nelson, 
Susan, wife of H. T. Willard; Rosa and 
Irvin. One son, George, died when 
twenty-three years of age. Mr. Merrill is 
a member of the Protestant Methodist 
Church, and a member of the Marshall 
county grange. He is a Greenbacker, 
having voted with that party since 1876. 



78 



9-26 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



John B. Sharp came from Vermont in 
185G, locating on section 25. He was a 
son of John and Margaret (Patterson) 
Sharp, born in Scotland, in 1826. His par- 
ents came to America the- same year, loca- 
ting in Orleans county, Vermont, and re- 
sided there until 1869, when they came to 
Iowa locating in Spring Creek, where they 
lived till 1871, when the mother died. 
The subject of this sketch lived in Ver- 
mont untill 1856, then spent two years in 
traveling through the country, and finally 
came to Tama county, settling in Spring 
Creek township. He has added to his 
farm since then, and now owns 320 acres 
of land where he lives. Mr. Sharp was 
married in March, 1S60, to Miss Ann 
Warden, a daughter of Nathaniel and Col- 
lista (Stacy) Warden, of New York State. 
They have six children living : Lilly A., 
born December 25, 1860; Alda M., January 
14, 1864; John Ira, September 13, 1866; 
Margaret, March 24, 1868; Mark, February 
3, 1875; and Gerald, born February 28, 
1880. Mr. Sharp is a staunch Republican, 
and has always voted with that party. He 
is a man of thorough integrity and enjoys 
the respect and confidence of his neigh-, 
bors and fellow townsmen. 

For about ten years, there was but little 
settlement; during this time, however, 
William and Stephen Baker located on 
section 21, where they still lived in 1883. 

H. F. Willard came from New York, 
and settled on section 8, where he resided 
in 1883. He was born in Cuba, Allegany 
county. New York, in 1837, his parents 
being, Ambrose P., and Mary O. (Wilcox) 
Willard. The father died when H. F. 
was but three years old, and he was reared 
by his grandparents, in Massachusetts, 



where he received most of his education, 
and remained until sixteen years of age, 
when he returned to New York. He was 
employed for some time as news agent 
on the New York & Erie railroad, and 
afterwards engaged in the livery business, 
also lumbering, then 'taught school in 
Pennsylvania and New York for some 
time before the war of the rebellion com- 
menced. He enlisted July 28, 1861, in 
Company C, 27th New York Infantry, but 
was discharged after serving only a little 
over two months, on account of sickness. 
In November, 1801, he came to Tama 
county, and engaged in teaching in Crys- 
tal township. In the spring of 1802, he en- 
tered a farm, under the Homestead Act, on 
section 8, of Spring Creek township, M'here 
he has since resided, now owning a fine 
farm of 200 acres. His occupation has 
mainly been farming, though he has been 
teaching some in his own and surrounding 
districts. Mr. VVillard has been a mem- 
ber of the Board of Supervisors, and has 
held school and township offices, always 
trying to prove himself an efficient officer. 
He is a member, in good standing, of the 
Congregational Cliurch, of Gladbrook. 
Mr. Willard now votes with the Green- 
back party, but his first vote for President 
was cast for Stephen A. Douglas. He 
afterward supported Republicanism, until 
the organization of the Greenback Labor 
Party. He was married in the spring of 
i 863, to Miss Theresa P. Swartout, daugh- 
ter of David and Mary Swartout,- of 
Marshall county, this State. This union 
was blessed with four children, three of 
whom are now living: Hattie M., wife of 
G. Gillespy; Nellie O. and Nelson. Mr. 
Willard was divorced from his first wife 



^7=^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



927 



in 1872, and was again married, to Miss 
Susan Merrill, daughter of William and 
Mary (Cook) Merrill, in August, 1879. 
They have two children: Eva and Virgil. 
Mrs. Willard was born in this township, 
April 12, 1857, and was therefore among 
the first births. The first election in the 
townshiji at which Mr. Willard voted, 
was in the fall of 1863, only seven votes 
were polled, of which, five were cast by 
the Judges and Clerks. Only two fami- 
lies lived in the north part of the township 
at the time. The nearest railway markets 
were Ceder Rapids and Waterloo. The 
Union Grove school was the only one held 
in the township. Mr. Willard has lived 
to see all these changes wrought. 

During this decade, Lynch Horn, of 
New York, located on section 11, where 
be still owned a farm in 1883. Among 
others who came about that date, were 
Mr. Mussy from Illinois, who settled on 
section 28, remained two years, and sold 
to Mason Hess and returned to Illinois; 
the Hess Brothers, Mason L., G. W. Jr.; 
P. G. Clark, Daniel Clark and their father 
came from Ohio, locating on section 28. In 
1883, G. W. Hess, Jr., was the only one 
among their number, who was a resident 
of the township. His brother Mason was 
killed in the railroad riot. David Mayfield 
came from Ohio, and settling on section 
34, remained two years and returned to 
that State. The Bartholomews: Alfred 
and his father, came from Benton county, 
Iowa, and settled on section 32, where 
they built a store, remained three years 
and removed -Alfred going to Kansas, 
his father returning to Benton county. 

In the spring of 1865, Barzilla Smith lo- 
cated on section 15 in Spring Creek town- 



ship. He was born October 12, 1837, at 
Granger, Ohio; is a son of J. H. and Polly 
(Porter) Smith, the former a native of 
Vermont, the latter of New York. His 
father was an ordained minister of the 
Baptist Church, and lived on a farm in 
Medina county, Ohio, where he died in 
February, 1865. In the spring of 1880, the 
mother died, leaving seven children: Sa- 
rah Ann, wife of George Miller; Lewis 
D., Elvira L., formerly wife of Chester 
Baird, now widow of Jonathan Vallan; 
Arvilla, now Mrs. A. A. Giffen; Barzilla, 
Emily U., now wife of W. Cogswell, and 
Harvey J. Barzilla, the subject of this 
sketch, remained with his parents until 
reaching his majority, when he went to 
Trempeleau county, Wisconsin, and 
shortly afterwards to Tazewell county, Illi- 
nois. In the winter of 1860-61, he went to 
Ohio, and in the spring he started for the 
west, but before reaching his destination 
enlisted in the three months' service, af- 
terwards in Company B, Seventeenth Illi- 
nois Infantry, for three years. He par- 
ticipated in the battles of Frederickstown, ' 
Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing and 
Vicksburg. At the latter place, on the 
15th of July, he was discharged from the 
service, and in the fall of that year he 
moved to the Winnebago Reservation, 
Minnesota. In the spring of 1865, he came 
to Tama county, bought 1 60 acres of land 
as above stated, and now owns a fine farm 
of 300 acres which he rents, his residence 
being in Gladbrook. On the 1 7th day of 
August, 1864, Mr. Smith was married to 
Miss Jennie Dickson, a daughter of Wil- 
liam and Annie (Beckwith) Dickson, of 
Tazewell county, Illinois. By this union 
there are three children living — Ella A., 



*==!• 



;pr 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



born June 25, 1868; Adda V., January 28, 
1873; and Leaman D., September 11, 1874. 
Lewis D., a twin brother of Leaman D., 
died December 4, 1875. 

Mr. Smith is a member of the present 
board of Supervisors of Tama county. He 
is a Republican in politics, and cast his 
first vote for President for Abraham Lin- 
coln in 1860. 

In 1866, Robert Yeomans and his fam- 
ily came from Green Lake county, Wis- 
consin, and settled on section 14, and re- 
mained there until the town of Gladbrook 
was started, when he moved to that place 
and built a house. A sketch of his life 
ajipears in connection with the history of 
Gladbrook. 

In 1866, S. S. Mann, and George B. 
Sharp settled in the township, the latter 
on section 17, where he remained until 
1883, and removed to Sioux county. S. S. 
Mann was born in 1829, in Sussex county, 
New .Jersey. His parents were Thomas 
and Catharine (Straight) Mann. In 1854 
the family emigrated to Delaware county, 
Ohio, where the father still lives, having 
lost his wife in 1871. The subject of this 
sketch came to Spring Creek township, 
Tama county, in 1866, and settled on sec- 
tion 29, on land which he had entered in 
1S55. When he entered the land he had 
intended to at once begin farming it, but 
instead, went to Jackson county, this 
State, where he served two terms as Mag- 
istrate, and remained ten years, then, 
finally, in 1866, he came to his land and 
commenced making improvements. Mr. 
Mann is an ordained minister of the 
Christian Union Church ; in politics, a 
Greenbacker or Anti-Monopolist, and has 
served as Justice of the Peace of Spring 



Creek township. He has also been Treas- 
urer and Secretary of the School Board 
for several terms. Mr. Mann was married 
in 1850, to Miss Sarah Allen, daughter of 
David and Sarah (Spencer) Allen. There 
are eleven children living as the fruits of 
this union: David Hartwell, Thomas E., 
Senator E., Lee Count, Shuah Milton, 
Marcus P., Noah F. M., Zorah, wife of 
Caspar Robinson ; Catherine Alma, now 
Mrs. Rudson Sanford ; Lilly Orabelle and 
Sarah N. Mrs. Mann died in 1876. Mr. 
Mann was again married to Martha Allen, 
daughter of John and Sarah ( Bolin ) 
Allen. They have two children — De La 
Strait and Orlena A. In the spring of 
1852, Mr. Mann started on a six months 
journey from Columbus, Ohio, with an ox 
team, across the plains to the golden lands 
of the Eldorado of the far west. He 
arrived at the mining camps at Nevada, 
on the south fork of Eula river, on the 
6th of October, 1852. At that time it 
was a great undertaking, because of the 
long and tedious, besides dangerous 
journey. He returned in the winter of 
1855, on steamers, by way of the Isthmus 
of Panama. While in the gold regions, 
Mr. Mann prospected in Oregon, Califor- 
nia, "New Mexico and Central America. 
Mr. Mann is a member of Toledo Lodge 
No. 118, A. F. & A. M. He has always 
been an ardent defender of the interests 
of labor, and in the fall of 1877, was 
nominated for State Representative by 
the National Greenback Convention, and 
endorsed by the Democratic party. And 
although running against nearly 1200 
in.ajority, reduced it to 300. 

John G. Kieser came from Hocking 
county, Ohio, in 1866, settling on section 



^ ot V * 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



j> Lk 



in, Spring Creek township. Mr. Kieser 
was born 1814, in Wurtemburg, Germany ; 
bis parents were John G. and Ursula 
( Kuntzelmanu ) Kieser. The subject of 
this sketch came with his parents to the 
United States when he was "a youn^ man. 
They first settled in Morgan county, Ohio, 
remained there five years and removed to 
Hocking county, where the father died in 
1850, his mother having been dead sixteen 
years. The family consisted of seven 
children : Catharine, wife of J. G. Geyer; 
Maria, wife of M. Long; Elizabeth, wife 
of J. F. Geyer; Christiana, afterward 
Mrs. J. G. Silber; Ricka B. wife of J. 
Schultlieir and John G. who, in 1883, 
owned a farm of 160 acres in this town- 
sliip. He was a member of the Evangeli- 
cal Association. In politics, he was a 
Democrat, holding the office of School 
Director for three successive years. He 
was married in 1837 to Barbara Stimer, 
daugliter of Adam and Maria ( Eckert ) 
Stimer. They were blessed with seven 
children : Mary, wife of John Hooper; 
Frederick, Elizabeth, wife of J. Brown; 
Hannah, wife of M. M. Modlin; Henry, 
Daniel and John. 

William Sharp was born in Orleans 
county, Vermont, in 1838. His pac^rits 
were John and Margaret (Patterson) 
Sharp, natives of Scotland William 
lived in Vermont until 1867, when he 
came to Tama county, and settled on sec- 
tion 26, Spring Creek township, where he 
now owns 120 acres of land. In 1867, 
Mr. Sharp was married to Elizabeth Cuth- 
bertson, daughter of John and Ann 
(Patterson) Cuthbertson. They have 
five children living : Rosa, Mary, Hugh, 
Anna and George. Mr. Sharp is a Re- 



publican in politics, and his first vote for 
President was cast for Lincoln in 1860. 

Alvin Benson settled in this township 
in 1868. He was born July 8, 1809, in 
Rutland county, Vermont, his parents 
being Allen and Lorena (Brumley) Ben- 
son. The father died when the subject of 
this sketch was but one year old, leaving 
a widow and three children: Hulda, now 
wife of David Valentine; Elihu and Alvin. 
The latter remained with his mother until 
he was eleven yeare old, since which time 
he has been depending upon himself. He 
acquired a common school education, and 
at nineteen years of age learned tlie 
carpenter's trade, which occupation he 
followed for thirteen years. In 1832, he 
moved to Xew York State, where he 
lived until 1848, then removed to Wiscon- 
sin, and followed farming. Mr. Henson 
came to this county in 1868, settling on a 
farm on section 7, Spring Creek townshiji, 
where he lived until 1882, then retired 
from active life and moved to Gladbrook, 
his present residence. In politics Mr. 
Benson is a Republican, and has affiliated 
with that party since its organization. He 
was married in 1835, to Miss Mary 
Dalforth, daughter of William and Mary 
Dalforth. They have five children: 
Laura Jane, wife of G. C. Wescott; 
George W., Charles A., Lovina M. and 
James W. Mr. Benson lost his first wife 
in 1854, and was again married, to Mrs. 
Diademe Miller, widow of John Miller. 
This union was blessed with one child — 
Walter E. His second wife died August 
17, 1861, and in 1862, Mr. Benson was 
again married, to Mrs. I.orena Cole, 
widow of Lnther Cole. Mr. Benson is a 



;f^ 



-, 4^ — «>- 



.1^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



member of the Wesleyan Methodist 
Church. 

In 1808, Louis Gethmann settled on sec- 
tion 11, in Spring creek township. He 
was born in 1818, in Waldeck, Germany, 
his ])arents being Philip and Frederika 
(Huddc) Gethmann. In 1854. Louis came 
to America and settled in Scott county, 
Iowa, wliere he followed farming for 
fourteen years, then sold his farm of 
eighty acres, came to Tama county, where 
he now owns 180 acres of good land. Mr. 
Gethmann was married in 1845, to Maria 
Berend, daughter of Johann and Wilhel- 
mina (Ox.xe) Berend, natives of Prussia. 
By this union there are nine children 
living: John Louis, Henry W. C., Wil- 
helmina C. L., wife of P. H. Shultz; Wil- 
liam C. L., John W. E., Charles C, Fred- 
erick L. C, Adolph F. L. and Mary C. W. 
The entire family are members of the 
Methodist Church of Gladbrook. Mr. 
Gethmann is a Republican in politics. 

H. A. Pond came from Illinois in 1869, 
locating on section 17. He was a native 
of Vermont, born in 1817. His parents 
were Levi and Olive Pond. Mr. Pond 
resided in his native State until 18.32, 
then moved to Kno.x county, Ohio, and 
engaged in farming, remaining until 1849, 
when he removed to Carroll county, Illi- 
nois. He followed farming in Illinois until 
he came to Tama county, locating in 
Spring Creek township, where he has since 
resided on his farm. Mr. Pond was mar- 
ried in 1842 to Miss Mary Ann Scott, 
daughter of John H. and Sarah (Hoff- 
meyer) Scott. By this union there are 
four children: Liddie J., wife of George 
White; George W., Edward B. and Fred 
G. Mrs. Pond died February 9, 187:3, 



and Mr. Pond was again married in 187C, to 
Elizabeth Horning, a daughter of Henry 
and Hannah Horning. 

Joachim Voege is a son of Peter and 
Trina (Wiese) Voege. He was born in 
Schleswig Holstein, Germany, in 1820, 
and came to the United States in 1 852, lo- 
cating first in Davenport, this State, 
where he resided until 1863. Mr. Voege 
then moved to Cedar county where he fol- 
lowed farming for three years, and then 
returned to Scott county. In 1 869, he 
came to Tama county, locating in Spring 
Creek township, on section 14, where he 
now owns 160 acres of land. Mr. Voege 
was married, in 1847, to Trina Stolten- 
berg, daughter of Claus and Abel (Sindt) 
Stoltenberg. They have two children : 
Peter, born May 22, 1848 and Alvena, 
born August 4, 1864. Peter Voege was 
married, November 6, 1880, to Trina 
Kock, daughter of Joachim and Ester 
(Klindt) Kock. They have one child, 
Amanda, born October 10, 1881. 

F. Martens was born in Holstein, Ger- 
many, November 30, 1828, and is a son of 
Christian and Leonora (Davids) Martens. 
He came to the United States in 1858, set- 
tling in Philadelphia, where he followed 
hi« trade, that of a coppersmith. He went 
to Cuba in 1861, where he was also en- 
gaged at his trade on a plantation. He 
returned to the United States in 1805, and 
moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he re- 
sided until 1869, then came to Tama coun- 
ty, settling on section 14, Spring Creek 
township. He engaged in farming and 
now owns 1 00 acres of land. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, having be- 
come a member of Hermann Lodge No. 
125, of Philadelphia, in 1858. He is now 



-c" «- 



■^f 



^- 



HISTORY OP TAMA COUNTY. 



Township Trustee and School Director .of 
his district. He was married, in 1864, to 
Anna Vierecke, daughter of Henry and 
Lena (Hoeck) Vierecke. They have had 
nine chiUlreu : Mary D. E., born August 
U, 186.5; Clara A, born April 4, 1867; 
Harriet, born August 5, 1869; Helena, 
born September 10, 1871; Frederick E., 
born December 24, 187-3; Martha, born 
July 17, 1876; George L., born May 26, 
1878; John Garfield, born November 11, 
1880; and Herman, born May 6, 1883. 
Mr. Martens was a Republican until the 
fall of 1882, since which time he has voted 
with the Democrats. 

G. P. Allard located on section 21, in 
18G9. He is a son of John and Jane 
(Marston) Allard, born October 28, 1838, 
in ShefEord county, Canada. His mother 
died in 1849. Mr. Allard followed farm- 
ing in his native country until 1869, when 
he came to Tama county, where he pur- 
chased 160 acres of land. He still lives 
there, having a fine farm and a comforta- 
ble home. Mr. Allard was married, in 
1860, to Miss Emily L. Berry, daughter 
of Freeman and Amanda (Lawrence) Ber- 
ry. By this union there were two chil- 
dren : Orion J. and Willie G. Mrs. Al- 
lard died in 1872, and Mr. Allard again 
married to Melissa E. Taylor, daughter of 
W. W. and Sarah (Allard) Taylor. This 
marriage has been blessed with two chil- 
dren: Wallace Henry and Albert Everett. 
Mr. Allard is a member of the Church of 
the Restitution. He is a Republican in 
politics and his first vote for President 
was cast for R. B. Hayes. He has served 
his township as Assessor and his school 
district as Director. 



Gerhard Pageler came to Spring Creek 
township, in 1869, and settled on section 
19. He was a native of Oldenberg, Ger- 
many, and a son of Gerhard and Elizabeth 
(Muesegars) Pageler. He came to the 
United States with his parents in 1850 
and settled in Ohio, where his father died 
about ten years ago, and where his moth- 
er is still residing. Gerhard came to Clay- 
ton county, Iowa, in 1855, where he worked 
at his trade of coopering until he came to 
Tama county. He bought 160 acres on 
section 19 and still lives upon that farm. 
Mr. Pageler was married, in 1863, to Mary 
Heiller, daughter of William and Sophia 
(Mueller) Heiller. They have five chil- 
dren living: Anna, Lizzie, Alvina, Wil- 
liam and John. 

Charles Haagen settled on section 36, 
in 1876. He was a native of Wurtemburg, 
Germany, born in 1833. He is a son of 
George and Emily (Knaus) Haagen. His 
father was a minister of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church and died in 1880, leav- 
ing a family of four children :Emilie, wife 
of H. Stachli; Lottie, wife of A. Stachli; 
George and Charles. Charles received 
his education at the gymnasium of Stutt- 
gart, and afterward continued his studies 
at the Agricultural Academy of Hohen- 
heim. After leaving the academy he pur- 
sued the occupation of farming, being em- 
ployed as overseer on a large farm. He 
came to the United States in 1856, and 
settled at Davenport, Iowa, where he was 
engaged in the grocery trade until 1876, 
then sold out and removed to Spring 
Creek township, Tama county, and en- 
gaged in farming, which he now continues 
on his fine farm of 550 acres, on section 
36. Mr. Haagen enlisted in Company I, 






M 






932 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



12th Missouri Infantry, in 1861, and 
served about eighteen months, receiving 
his discharge at St. Louis, Missouri. He 
was married, in 186(3, to MissEniilie Haer- 
ling, daughter of William and Frederika 
(Tauber) Haerling. Six children have 
been born to them : Gustav, Oscar, Ella, 
Alfred, Edward and Charles. 

Samuel E. McAlevy was born in Hunt- 
ingdon county, Pennsylvania, and is a son 
of William and Asemath (Sample) Mc. 
Alevy. He remained in his native State 
until 1869, following farming, when lie 
came to Grant township, Tama county, 
Iowa, where he polled the first vote in the 
township. In 1871, he moved to Crystal 
township, and in 1879, came to Spring 
Creek township, where he now resides. In 
1861, he was united in marriage to Miss 
Nancy Fleming, a daughter of William 
and Mary (McHolley) Fleming. By this 
union there are eight children: Asemath, 
James, Alexander, Luther, Jane, Eliza- 
beth, Maud and Samuel. 

ORGANIC. 

Sj)ring Creek township was formerly in- 
cluded in an election precinct, comprising, 
with itself, Lincoln and Carlton town- 
ships. A petition was presented to the 
county court in March, 1858, signed by 
W. Bowen and others, praying for a di- 
vision of Carlton township, and the for- 
mation of a new township to be called 
Spring Creek township, which was granted, 
and the first election was held at Union 
Grove. 

In 1883, the officers of Spring Creek 
township were as follows: Justices of 
tlie Peace, Robert Yeoiuans and E. E. 
Blakely; Clerk, James Ellwood; Trustees, 



Groddis Wescott, G. W. Hess and Fred 
Martens; Constables, C. F. MeGee and 
Peter Kammerer; Assessor, William 
Pond. 

VARIOUS ITEMS. 

The first birth in the township was a son 
to Mr. and Mrs Thompson Jukes in the 
fall of 1855. The child lived only about 
four months, when it died. This was the 
first death in the township. 

The first religious service was held at 
the house of VV. C. By water, in the summer 
of 1854, by Rev. C C. Levan, of Dubu(jue. 
L. S. Frederick was the first Class Leader. 

The first postoffice was established in 
1856 or 1857, and was kept at the house of 
W. B. King, who was the first postmaster. 

The first school house was built on sec- 
tion 32, in 1856, and was called Union 
Grove school house. Miss Wiley was the 
first teacher. 

The first burial ground was laid out on 
section 32, and was called Union Grove 
cemetery. The first burial here were the 
remains of Stephen King, who died in 
1866. 

BADGER HILL. 

This was a small village established 
about 1874 in the northern part of Spring 
Creek township, but afterward the busi- 
ness was moved to Gladbrook. Various 
branches of trade were there represented, 
including the Badger Hill Flouring Mill, 
erected by Wescott & Myers, in 1871. 
The mill was located on Wolf creek, run 
by water power, and furnished an excel- 
lent brand of flour. The mill also did an 
exchange business, enabling those living at 
a distance to visit the mill and return the 
siirae day. 



^s- 



^^=^r^ 




'yiy^lylylA-'"^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



One of the proprietors of this mill, D. 
G. Wescott, was a native of Onondaga 
county, New York, born in 1827. His 
parents were Samuel and Bethiah 
(Cuddeback) Wescott. The family moved 
to Wisconsin while it was yet a territory, 
and the parents resided there until 1872, 
then moA'ed to Marshall county, this 
State. The father still resides in that 
county, having lost his wife in 1874. 
After receiving his education, D. G. Wes- 
colt engaged as millwright, and followed 
that business for several years, then came 
to Tama county, in 1864. He bought 
some land on sections 5 and ti, in Spring 
Creek township, and shortly after returned 
to Wisconsin, where he remained until 
]8(i9, then returned to this county and 
engaged in the construction of the present 
Badger Hill grist mill, being in partner- 
ship with J. H. Myers. In the spring of 
1870, Mr. Wescott was married to Mary 
Dibble Watson, a daughter of Elah and 
Clarrissa F. (Hollister) Dibble. They 
have been blessed with two children: 
DeWitt O., born July 21, 1871, and 
Mabel M., born January 30, 1873. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wescott are members of the M. E 
Church of Gladbrook. Mr. Wescott has been 
a Republican since 1856. He is a charter 
member of Olivett Lodge, U. D. A. F. and 
A. M. of Gradbrook. 

(iLADliROOK. 

This thrifty and enterprising place is 
located on section 9, on Wolf creek, a 
branch of the Cedar river. The location 
of Gladbrook is indeed fortunate, sur- 
rounded as it is by some of the very finest 
agricultural lands, including in its trade 
territory no waste or unproductive swamp 
lands, while directlv within reach is one 



"A^ 



of the finest marble and stone quarries in 
the State, it seems to have been the design 
of nature that this point become a com- 
mercial center of much importance. 

The town has exceptionally fine railroad 
facilities. The Toledo & 'Northwestern 
was constructed through here in the spring 
of 1880. The Wisconsin, Iowa & Ne- 
braska, or as it is generally known, "The 
Diagonal," was built in the spring of 1883. 

GROWTH AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. 

Gladbrook was platted by W. F. John- 
ston and Leander Clark, of Toledo, about 
the 1st of May, 1880, on the farm origi- 
nally owned by Peter H. Shultz. The 15th 
of May, 1880, was set for a public sale of 
lots. Early in the morning of this day, 
a large number of anxious purchasers, 
coming from many parts of the east, were 
upon the grounds, all apparently anticipa- 
ting the future importance of the town, 
and almost clamorous in their endeavors 
to get favorable locations Lots sold very 
rapidly, and in a few hours the sales 
amounted to several thousand dollars. In 
the morning there was not to be seen a 
piece of lumber upon the ground; but in 
the evening the whole business plat was 
strewn with building material, and the 
foundation of several business houses well 
under way. Then for six months ensued 
a building boom almost unparalleled in 
rapidity, in which about forty business 
houses and twenty-five residences were 
erected. Since that time the growth has 
been steady and sure. The business por- 
tion of the town is spread over the north- 
east slope of a beautiful elevation, within 
a short distance of the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad depot, while the depot 
of "The Diagonal" is a short distance west 



79 



t' 



936 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of this. The residence portion inclines 
to the southeast and southwest and makes 
a fine appearance. 

The first building erected and completed 
was the dry goods store of R. F. Hodgin 
and the hardware store of Cameron <fe 
Penrose. It is now occupied by the Peter- 
son Brothers. The first dwelling house 
was erected by George C. EUwood, on 
East Hill, which he still occupies. The 
first store was opened by R. F. Hodgins, 
consisting of a stock of dry goods and 
clothing; he is still in the business. 

About the first to open a general mer- 
chandise store were the Hess Brothers. 
About the same time the Shultz Brothers, 
Fedderson & Peters and J. A. Smith 
began business. In the spring of 1883, 
this line was represented by Fedderson 
Brothers, Schultz Brothers,.Toseph Schichtl, 
Elmer & Co. and Peters & Schmidt, all 
carrying good stocks. 

Peter H. Shultz, of the firm of Shultz 
Brothers, was born November 12, 1849, 
at Schleswig, Holstein, (Germany, and is a 
son of Marx H and Magdalena (Unran) 
Shultz. His parents followed weaving in 
their native land until the spring of 18G5, 
when they came to America and settled in 
Jackson county, Iowa. In 1871, they came 
to Tama county, and located in Spring 
Creek township. There were four sons: 
Henry, Peter H., Fred and August, all of 
whom were residents of Iowa in 1883. Pe- 
ter 11. received his early education in the 
public schools of his native land and lived 
with his parents until the fall of 1872; 
when, on the 10th of November, he was 
married to Miss Minnie Gelhman, daugliter 
of Lewis and Maria (Behrens) Gethmann, 
of this township. This union was blessed 



with four children: Henry F., born No- 
vember 6, 1874; Frederick William, born 
June 3, 1879; Lydia H., born March 4, 
1881; and Alma, born January 8, 1883. 
May 22, 1883, Mrs. Shultz died, mourned 
by a wide circle of sincere friends. Mr. 
Shultz continued farming on the northeast 
(piarter of section 9, then owned by Lewis 
Gethmann, which place he purchased in 
1876, and in 1878, purchased the southeast 
quarter of section 9. October 29, 1878, he 
sold his farm to W. F. Johnston and Le- 
ander Clark, who laid out the town of 
Gladbrook thereon. In the spring of 1880, 
Mr. Shultz engaged in the stock business 
at GarM'in and followed this until June, 
1880, when he came to Gladbrook and 
erected the store building now occupied 
by himself and brother. For a time they 
kept a grocery and boot and shoe store, 
but, in the fall of 1881, added dry goods to 
their stock and now d» a general merchan- 
dise business. 

The firm of Fedderson Brothers, mer- 
chants at Gladbrook, consists of Paul L. 
and Julius T. Fedderson. They are sous 
of Andrew and Emma (Nissen) Fedder- 
son, all natives of Schleswig, Holstein, 
Germany. Jtilius T. came to the United 
States in search of a fortune in 1874, and 
was for a time engaged as clerk in a 
store at Charles City, this State. He here 
got his experience in running a mercan- 
tile business, which fitted him for his 
present position. Paul L. left his native 
land and came to this country in 1877. He 
got employment as clerk in a store at Dy- 
sart, this county, and remained there until 
the fall of 1880, when, he removed to 
Gladbrook. Jn September, 1882, he and 
his brother, Julius T., purchased the busi- 



-^ ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



937 



ness of Fedderson & Peters, at Glad- 
brook, and are now doing a large business 
in general merchandise. 

II. L. Marston, of the firm of Elmer & 
Co., was born on the 30th day of August, 
1854, at Mount Morris, Illinois, and is a son 
of A. C. and Mary (Laurance) Marston. 
His father followed the carpenter trade 
until 1858, when the family came to Tama 
county and settled on section 27, in Spring 
Creek township, buying a farm of 160 acres 
which is now owned by O. F. Elmer and 
II. L. Marston. The subject of this sketch 
was educated at the Academy at Le Grand. 
In 1871, he engaged as an apprentice in 
the Badger Hill Flouring Mills, and fol- 
lowed milling until 1879, when he came to 
Gladbrook, this county, and in 1880 
formed a partnership with O. F. Elmer to 
carry on a mercantile business. He is now 
a partner iu the firm of O. F. Elmer & Co., 
dealers in general merchandise. Mr. Mars- 
ton is a member of the Masonic Order. 
In March, 1880, he was married to Miss 
Emma Elmer, daughter of O. F. and da 
V. (Mucklei) Elmer. Mr. and Mrs. Mars- 
ton have one daughter — Edna. 

Mr. Marston's father-in-law and partner 
in business, O. F. Elmer, was born in 1S28, 
in the State of Vermont, his parent,g being 
Orrin and Catherine (Lyford) Elmer. O. 
F. was educated at Peacham Academy, in 
Vermont, learned the carpenters trade and 
followed the business in his native State 
until 1859, when he came to this county. 
He first located in Toledo, where he worked 
at his trade until 1875, then opened a 
grocery store and conducted that business 
until in 1880, when he closed out, came to 
Gladbrook and commenced a general 
merchandise business in partnership with 



bis-son-in-law. He is now senior member of 
the firm of O. F. Elmer & Co. Mr. Elmer is a 
member of the Masonic Order,and dimitted 
from the lodge at Toledo, this countyj 
to help organize a lodge at Gladbrook. His 
first vote for President was cast for Mr. 
Fremont, and he has voted the Republican 
ticket ever since. In 1801 he was married 
to Miss Ida V. Muckler, daughter of John 
Muckler, of Toledo, this county. They 
have one daughter — Emma, wife of H. L. 
Marston. 

Henry Peters, of the firm of Peters & 
Schmidt, is a native of Lenden provinz 
Schleswig, Holstein, Germany, and a son 
of Claus and Andge (Dose) Peters. He« 
was born on the -1th of August, 1846. His 
father and mother died in 1862. He re- 
ceived his education at his native town, 
and came to the United States in 1867, set- 
tling in Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa, 
where, after farming two years, he engaged 
in the lumber business in Carroll county, 
Iowa, until 1874, when he came to Tama 
county and was engaged as clerk in a 
grocery house at Traer until 1880, when 
he came to Gladbrook and opened a second 
s'ore, forming a partnership with C. P. 
Fedderson, under the firm of Fedderson & 
Peters, carrying general merchandise. In 
1882 he sold his interest in that firm and 
formed a partnership with H. L. Schmidt, 
under the firm of Peter* & Schmidt, and 
they are now doing a prosperous business 
in the general merchandise line. In 1875 
he was married to Emma Hoehl, daughter 
of Claus and Therese (Schultz) Hoehl. 
They haye two children : Margaret M., 
born October 14, 1876 and Harry, born 
March 7, 1882. Mr. Peters owns his store 



^. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



building and lot. He is a member of the 
Traer Lodge, No. 301, I. O. O. F. 

R. F. Hodgin, born on the 7th of July, 
18r)0, in Wasliiiigton county, Ohio, is a 
soil of Thomas and Adeline (Arnold) 
Hodgin. His father was a tanner of 
Plymouth, Ohio, and followed this busi- 
ness at Chester Hill, Ohio, until 1874, 
when he died leaving four children : Sa- 
rah D., wife of W. S. Smith; Ferna Eliza- 
beth, wife of Osborne Smith; F. L. and R. 
F. The last named, after finishing his 
schooling, embarked in the sewing machine 
business, and in the fall of 1873, engaged 
in learning tailoring, which he followed 
until the spring of 1875, when he went 
into business for himself at Chester Hill, 
Ohio, and remained there until 1880. 
He then came to Gladbrook, built the 
first store, opened a dry goods and 
clotliing establishment and is still en- 
gaged in the business. On the 29th of 
•liine, 187(3, he was married to Miss Liddie 
J. Van Law, daughter of Thomas E. and 
Amy (Branson) Van Law, of Chester Hill, 
Ohio. By this union there was one son : 
Thomas B., born October, li, 1877. In 
the spring of 1880, he joined the Mount 
Olive Lodge, No. 148, A. F. and A. M., of 
Ohio, and is a member of the I. L. of H. 
In politics he is a Republican. 

The first to start in the grocery business, 
aside from general merchandise, were the 
Blodgett Brothers, in a little shanty in the 
the rear of the present Blodgett store. 
This line is handled by nearly all of the 
general merchandise stores. Volney Blod- 
gett was still in the business in 1883, carry- 
ing also a stock of boots and shoes. 

The first dealer in confectionery was R. 
.1. Christopher, who run a restaurant and 



boarding house in connection. 'I he next 
to start a restaurant, was Richard Arnold, 
who in 1883, was yet in the business, and 
was expressinan. J. W. Horn and Gus 
Broecher were also in this business, the 
latter carrying on a bakery. 

The first hardware dealer was A. ^. 
Riggs. The hardware men in 1883 were 
J. P. Fair and Peterson Brothers. 

The first drug store was established by 
.James Putman who is still in the busi- 
ness. The drug line had three represen- 
tatives in 1883 — James Putman, H. Hut- 
son and Schoel & Wiebenson. 

J. M. Putman, druggist, is a son of 
.Tames and Leathie (Darnell) Putman. He 
was born in Illinois, in 1851. When lie 
was an infant both his parents died, and 
he was taken in charge by his grandfather, 
William Darnell, with whom he lived un- 
til sixteen years of age. He has since de- 
pended upon himself. He received a 
common school education, and was en- 
gaged in farming until 1877, when he 
entered into partnership with H. Tormah- 
len, carrying on a general drug business at 
Holland, Grundy county, Iowa. During 
this time he got his diploma as a pharma- 
cist. He bought out the interest of his 
partner in 1879, and opened another drug 
business at Gladbrook, Tama county, Iowa, 
in the summer of 1880, and continued 
both stores for some time, but at present 
is engaged at Gladbrook in the drug, book 
and stationery business. He was mar- 
ried in 1881, to Miss II. Maud White, 
daughter of Julian and Hattie White. By 
this union there was one child — Maud M. 
Mr. Putman is a member of the Demo- 
cratic party, and is a genial pleasant fel- 
low. 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



J 



August Schoel, a member of the drug 
Hrin of Schoel & Wiebenson, was born 
August 8, 1 859, at Davenport, this State 
His parents were Fred and Catlierine 
(Hauschildt) Schoel. He received his 
education at the Davenport Business Col- 
lege, where he graduated in 1877, and en- 
gaged in the drug business. He studied 
chemistry at Rush Medical College, Chi- 
cago, and came to (-rladbrook in 1880, 
where he formed a partnership with E. 
Wiebenson to carry on a drug, book and 
stationery business. In 1881, he again 
went to Chicago and took a course in the 
college of Pharmacy. Mr. Schoel was 
married in May, 1882, to Nellie C. Mun- 
son, daughter of Solomon and Liddie 
((itotchell) Munson. 

E. Wiebenson, junior member of the lirm 
of Schoel tfe Wiebenson, druggists of Glad- 
brook, was born in 1859, in Holstein, Ger- 
many, his parents being James atid Anna 
(Reiraers) Wiebenson. Mr. Wiebenson 
came to the United States with his parents, 
in 1865, locating at Davenport, Iowa, 
where they lived until the death of the 
father, which occurred in 1873, when the 
mother returned with her children to her 
native land, remaining there until 1876. 
During this time he finished his education in 
the high school of Heide, Holstein. Upon 
his return to the United States he came 
to Tama county, locating in Traer, where 
he engaged in the drug business for four 
years, then went to Chicago, Illinois, to 
accept a position as pi'escription clerk in 
a drug store. He continued at this em- 
ployment for a while, then took a course 
at the Rush Medical College, and in 1880, 
came to Gladbrook, this county, where he 
opened a drug, book and stationery store 



in partnership with A. Schoel. Mr. Wie- 
benson at present holds the office of School 
Treasurer of Gladbrook, also represents 
several Fire Insurance and Atlantic Steam 
Ship companies. He was a charter mem- 
ber of Olivette Lodge U. D., A. F. and 
A. M., in which body he is acting as Sec- 
retary. 

Hugh Galloway was the first blacksmith 
to begin pounding the anvil in Gladbrook. 
There were, in 1883, four representatives 
of this trade here — J. S. Nutt, J. H. 
Blanchard, Thomas Robinson and Leop Id 
Weiland. 

The first wagon shop was opened by J. 
S. Nutt, who, in 1883, was still in the busi- 
ness. Thomas Robinson and Mr. Hurling 
also have shops. 

Among the first dealers in agricultural 
implements were Coles & Powers. Al- 
lard, EUwood & Berry, opened a large 
depot at about the same time, and were 
succeeded by McCornack Brothers. In 
1883, Gus Reiehman, lumber dealer, 
also handled agricultural implements. 

The first lumber business established in 
Gladbrook was by George C. Ellwood 
and A. AUard, under the firm name of 
Allard & Ellwood. The firm afterward 
became Allard, Ellwood & Berry, and 
finally in December, 1882, sold to McCor- 
nack Brothers. 

Gus Reiehman established his lumber 
yard in the spring of 1880, handling lum- 
ber, coal, drain tile, wind mills, scales, etc. 
He deals square and has a large trade. 

George C. Ellwood, a sou of David S. 
and Rebecca (Mears) Ellwood, was born 
March 17, 1854, in Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania, where his parents had been 
born and raised; their ancestors were 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



natives of Wales, England. There were 
six children in the family: George C, 
James D., Anna Mary, Belle B., Martha 
M. and Rebecca G. George C. received 
his t'cluealion at Delmont academy in Del- 
iiioiil, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1875, 
and afterward followed teaching in his 
native county till March, 1878, then moved 
with his brother, James D.. to Henry 
county, Missouri, where he taught school, 
and later in Shelby county, Missouri. He 
came to Tama county, Iowa, in 1879, and 
pursued his former occupation about one 
year, then formed a partnership with A. 
Allard, and under the firm name of Allard 
& EUwood, started the first lumber busi- 
ness in (irladbrook, which was afterward 
carried on under the firm name of Allard, 
Ell wood & Berry, till the firm sold to Mc- 
Cornack Brothers, on December 1, 1882. 
Mr. Ell wood was the first village Recorder 
elected after its organization, his term 
ending April 1, 1881. Mr. Ellwood is a 
member of the Iowa Legion of Honor. 
In politics he is a Republican, casting his 
first vote for President for Rutherford B. 
Hayes. He was married April 15, 1880, 
to Miss Emma J. Allard, a daughter of 
Joseph and Mary (Berry) Allard. They 
have been blessed with one son, born Jan- 
nary 20, 1882. 

Albert Allard, formerly a lumber 
dealer of Gladbrook, was born July 29, 
18;i7, in Shefford county, Canada, and is 
a son of Jonathan and Isabella (Kruniston) 
Allard. His father was a son of Jona- 
than and Elizabeth (Berry) Allard, natives 
of New Hampshire. His mother's parents 
were Joseph and Sarah (Hayes) Kruniston. 
Albert attended the district schools of 
his native county, and afterwards worked 



on his father's farm until 1860, 
when the family removed to Stephen- 
son county, Illinois, where they lived 
on a farm until 1870, and then came 
to Tama county, locating on section 
22, where Mr. Allard now owns a 
large and well improved farm, containing 
some 400 acres. In 1872, he was married 
to Miss Nancy Berry, a daughter of Free- 
man and Amanda (Lawrence) Berry, of 
Shefford county, Canada. Mrs. Allard 
lived but about five months after they 
were married. On the 31st of May, 1877, 
he was married to Miss Rhoda Berry, sis- 
ter to his first wife. He pursued farming 
till in the fall of 1880, but having engaged 
in the lumber business in March, 1880, 
rented his farm and removed to Gladbrook. 
In the fall of 1882, he and his partners, 
G. C. Ellwood and S. W. Berry, dissolved 
and he retired from active business. 

J. D. Ellwood was born in 1855, in 
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His 
parents were David and Rebecca (Mears) 
Ellwood. J. D. received his education in 
his native State, and followed teaching in 
his native county until 1878, then went to 
Missouri, and there followed teaching for 
about two years. He then came to Glad- 
brook, Tama county, and has been en- 
gaged, to some extent, in teaching, but 
principally has devoted his attention to 
the lumber and implement business. Mr. 
Ellwood is a member of the German Re- 
form Church, and also of the V. A. S. 
Fraternity, of Gladbrook. He is an Inde- 
pendent in politics, and is at present. 
Town Assessor. 

S. W. Berry, formerly a lumber <lealer 
in Gladbrook, is a son of Stephen and 
Mary (Smith) Berry, born April 24, 



j " 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1839, in Canada. His father, a son of 
Samuel Berry, of New Hampshire, served 
in the war of 1812, and died in Spring 
Creek township, in 1881; his mother died 
June 9, 1879. The subject of this sketch 
resided in Canada until 1852, when he 
went to Ogle county, Illinois, and engaged 
in farming for nine years, then moved to 
Stephenson county, in the same State, 
where he remained until coming to Tama 
county, in 1870. He located on section 
22 of Spring Creek township, and now 
owns 240 acres of land. In November, 

1881, he rented his farm, came to Glad- 
brook and purchased an interest in the 
lumber business of AUard & EUwood, 
later AUard, EUwood & Berry, in which 
business he continued until in December, 

1882, when he sold out and retired, re- 
siding at his cozy home in Gladbrook. 
Mr. Berry is a Republican in politics, cast- 
ing his first vote for President Lincoln. 
He has held the office of Township Trus- 
tee for three terms. On the 10th of Octo- 
ber, 1862, he was married to Miss Harriet 
AUard, daughter of Jonathan and Isabella 
(Kenniston) AUard, of Canada. They 
have had eight children born to them: 
Mary Isabella, born December 19, 1863; 
Helen M., born November 8, 1865; Mat- 
tie J., born February 19, 1872; Myron I., 
born March 23, 1874; Hattie M., born 
March 8, 1876; Anna Viola, born Novem- 
ber 24, 1877; George E., born October 19, 
1879 and Harry Gordon, born November 
10, 1881. 

The first elevator in Gladbrook was 
erected by Coate & Powers, who, in 1883, 
still conducted it. The second was erected 
by Bracken & Goodell, of Tama City. In 
1 883 it was run by W. L. McKenzie. A 



warehouse was erected at about the same 
time by Mr. Rogers, of Marshalltown. It 
was run for a time by A. O Armingtou, 
but was vacant in 1883. 

The first saloon was opened by John 
Clausen. There were seven saloons in 
Gladbrook in 1883. 

The first millinery establishment was 
opened by Mrs. J. B. Roberts, who is still 
in the business. Mrs. C. C Thompson 
opened an establishment about the same 
time. The dealers in this line in 1883, 
were Mrs. J. B. Roberts, Mrs. C. C 
Thompson and Mrs. Charles Neally. 

The first livery stable was opened soon 
after the town was started by McGee & 
Appelgate, of Toledo. In 1883, this 
stable was owned and operated by McGee 
& Emmerling. 

Charles F. McGee, of the firm of Mc- 
Gee & Emmerling, was born at Hillsboro, 
New Hampshire, .January 11,1834. He 
removed with his parents to Ravena, 
Ohio, in 1856. From thence, in 1857, to 
Michigan, where he lived for two years, 
when he came to Tama county and lo- 
cated at Toledo. He followed the occu- 
pation of a farmer until the fall of 1862, 
when he enlisted in the war for three 
years, joining Company E, 24th Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Leander 
Clark. He served his three years and was 
honorably discharged. On his return to 
Toledo, he engaged in the jewelry busi- 
ness for four years, then for six years was 
in the drug business, after which he be- 
came interested in the livery business and 
still follows that business. He remained 
in Toledo untilJune 13, 1880, when he 
moved to Gladbrook. In 1858, he married 
Anna Powell, daughter of Joseph Powell, 



— V— I 
-spv 



942 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of Carroll township The have had but 
one child, Emma, who married Samuel 
McKennon. 

Charles Emmerling was born in Phila- 
delphia in 1853, and at the age of twenty- 
one years he came to Toledo, Iowa. He 
is a painter by trade, learning the art in 
rhiladelphia. In 1880 he formed a part- 
nership with C. F. McGee in the livery 
business in Gladbrook. Mr. Emmerling 
studied the diseases which horses are sub- 
ject to as an adjunct to his business. 

The first hotel was opened by R. J. 
Christopher. The ne.vt was the Stauffer 
House, which was erected in the fall of 
1880, by I. Stauffer. It was still being 
luii by him in 1883, and was the principal 
hotel in the city and among the best in 
the county. 

Isaac Stauffer is a native of Fayette coun- 
ty, Pennsylvania, and was born in 1831, 
his parents being Abraham D. and Mary 
(Newcomer) Stauffer. He was reared on 
a farm until he was twenty-one years of 
age, then took a course of two years at the 
Mount Pleasant College, Westmoreland 
county, and afterwards engaged in the 
mercantile business in that county, where 
he resided until 1880. He enli.sted in 
Company B, Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania 
Infantry (Home Guards), for a three 
months' service, and re-enlisted in March, 
1864, in the Twenty-eight Infantry, Com- 
pany B, serving until the close of the war. 
Mr. Stauffer is a Republican in politics, 
and has been a member of the United 
Brethren Church for thirty years. In 1856, 
he was married to Miss Lavina S. John- 
ston, daughter of Uriah S. and Mary 
(Kiester) Johnston. They have eight 



children living: Mary E., wife of A. F. 
Walter; George M., Lydia K., Anna A., 
Olive L., Adda M., Jennie M., who died 
November 21, 1875, aged four years, and 
three months, Willie F. and Clyde Ho- 
mer. Mr. Stauffer came to Gladbrook in 
1880 and opened a hotel, which he still 
occupies, doing a good business. 

The first photograph gallery was estab- 
lished by Dudley Peake, in 1880. He was 
succeeded by O. L. Yeomans, who, in 
turn, sold to J. E. Milner, who still con- 
ducted the business in 1883. 

The first harness shop was estal)lished 
by Lon Arnold, who was succeeded by G. 
W. Hess. Mr. Hess sold to Charles 
French, who is yet in the trade. This line in 
1883 was represented by Charles French 
and Gus Vogel. 

The first shoemaker was Thompson 
Lund; he only remained a short time. F. 
Boemhke is at present in the business car- 
rying a large stock of boots and shoes. 

F. Boehmke, a son of Johann Matthias 
and Anna E. (Schaeff) Boehmke, all na- 
tives of Schleswig, Holstein, Germany, 
was born in 1848. He came to theUnited 
States in 1866 with his mother, his father 
having died in 1861. They settled in 
Davenport, Iowa, where he learned the 
shoemaker's trade, which he followed at 
that place and Belle Plaine for some 
time. He then came to Gladbrook, where 
he is now engaged at his trade and also 
carrying a stock of ready-made boots and 
shoes. He was united in marriage, in 
February, 1877, to Miss Minnie Moeller, 
daughter of Fred and Catherine D. 
(Strohbeiii) Moeller. By this union there 
are two children living: Caroline and 



0^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COXJNTY. 



943 



Louise. One child, Albert, died October 
17, 1882, aged three years aud nine 
months. 

The first stock buyers were Mitchell & 
Co. They were succeeded by Smith & 
Griggs, Av-ho in 1883, still represented this 
line of business. Fred Schoel was also in 
this business for a short time. 

The first furniture store was under the 
management of Mr. Snyder. Hans Ghiesen 
was also in this trade for a short time. 
The furniture dealer in 1883 was 
C. A. Smith. 

C. A. Smith, son of C. II. and Liddie 
(McChesney) Smith, was born December 
1", 1844, in New York State. He followed 
farming until August 1, 1864, when he en- 
listed in Company D., Fourth New York 
Artillery and served until the close of the 
war, participating in the battle of Five 
Forks and others. In 186.5, he learned 
the carpenter and joiner's trade, and after- 
ward took uji cabinet making. Mr. Smith 
came toGladbrook in June, 1880, and en- 
gaged in the furniture aiid undertaking 
business, which he still follows. In Jan- 
uary, 186'7, he was married to Julia Fen- 
ton, daughter of Calvin and Harriet (Bur- 
dick) Fenton. She died in February, 
1870. Mr. Smith was again married in 
September, 1880, to Mrs. Cornelia Craw- 
ford, widow of John Crawford, of 
Shellsburg, Iowa, and daughter of 
Samuel and Mary (Lanning) Craft. In 
1873, he united with Middleburg Lodge, 
No. 663, A. F. and A. M., of New York, 
from which body he dimited and is now 
Worthy Master of Olivette Lodge U. D., 
A. F. and A. M., of Gladbrook, Iowa. 

Among the carpenters of Gladbrook, in 
the spring of 1883, were Hood & Sons, 



Belcher, Zimmerman, Henry Bliss and 
Hans Thiesen. 

The Gladbrook Bank was established by 
H. J. and C. J. Stevens, in 1880. They 
were succeeded by M. M. Crookshank, 
who now does a general banking business. 
The bank building was erected by the 
Stevens Brothers. 

H. J. Stevens, one of the founders of 
this bank, was a native of New York, 
born in 1833, and a son of John W. and 
Polly (Bailey) Stevens. He was educa- 
ted in the Stanford and Harpersfield 
Academy, and engaged in teaching in the 
winter and followed carpentering in the 
summer. He remained in his native 
county until he was twenty-two years of 
age, then removed to Washington county. 
New York. From there he went to Green 
Bay, Wisconsin, remaining there until 
1861, when he moved to Illinois, where he 
engaged in the banking business. In 
1876, he came to Tama county, and in 
1880, settled in Gladbrook. He is a Re- 
publican and is the present Treasurer of 
Gladbrook. 

The first and only jewelry store started 
in Gladbrook, was by M. P. Wadley, who 
was yet in the business, in 1883. 

The first tonsorial artist was John Hein- 
rich, who erected a shop, and died shortly 
afterward of consumption. The barber 
of Gladbrook, in 1883, was George Green. 

The first passenger train ran into Glad- 
brook June 14, 1880. David Ray was 
appointed as the first railway agent, and 
in 1883, was still acting in that capacity. 

David Ray, station agent, is a native of 
Pennsylvania. He was born in Venango 
county, in 1842. His parents were John and 
Mary ( Eakin ) Ray, both natives of Penn- 



80 



~» 



mSTORT OF TAMA COUNTY. 



sylvania. lie received his education in 
llie public schools of Iowa, to which State 
he came with his brother, in 1853, first 
living near Andrew, Jackson county, 
where he followed farming until the com- 
mencement of the Rebellion, when he 
enlisted in Company M, Second Iowa Cav- 
alry, serving four years and one month. 
He was discharged at Selma, Alabama, in 
1865. He took part in the battles of 
Corinth, luka and Nashville. After his 
return from the army, he came back to 
Iowa and went into the employ of the 
Illinois Central Railroad Company, in 
1869. Iif 1883, he was station agent at 
Gladbrook, Iowa, on the Toledo and 
Northwestern Railway. In politics, he 
was a Republican. He belonged to the 
Congregational Church, and was also a 
member of the I. L. of H., I. M. B. S. of 
Toledo and I. O. O. F. He was married 
in 1864 to Miss Kate Printz, by whom he 
had two children : Herman and Percy. 

The draymen of Gladbrook in the 
spring of 1883 were Peter Kammercr W. 
E. Benson, John Pray and George 
Myers. 

GLADBROOK POSTOFFICE. 

This office was established on the 22d 
of June, 1880. Daniel Connell was ap- 
pointed postmaster, and in 1883, was still 
retained in that capacity. His daughter, 
Miss Minnie Connell, was appointed 
deputy. 

Daniel Connell, one of the pioneers of 
Tama county, and postmaster at Glad- 
brook, was born in Paisley, Scotland, 
December 3, 1824. In the summer of 
1832, his parents emigrated to the States, 
settling in Norwich, Connecticut, where 
his father engaged in the carpet manufac- 



tory. The parents, brothers and sisters 
moved to Buckingham in this coun- 
ty, in 1852. The subject of this 
sketch came hither in October 1855. He 
was married in 1846, to MissB. A.Guyant, 
of Groton, Connecticut. Five children 
have blessed their union: Elizabeth, born 
May 8, 1848, wife of H. S. Wells of Hum- 
boldt, Iowa, land agent; Joseph, born Feb- 
ruary 28, 1850, a farmer in Jo Daviess coun- 
ty, Illinois; Ettie, born August 2, 1858, 
wife of E. H. Bissell, dentist. Independ- 
ence, Iowa; Mattie, born August 22, 1860, 
wife of H. O. Beatty, editor of Tribute, 
Wahoo, Nebraska and Minnie, born June 
18, 1864, now assistant postmaster, Glad- 
brook, Iowa. The first season he was 
employed as Deputy Treasurer and 
Recorder, of Tama county, and in July 
1856, engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness at Buckingham, continuing in the 
business until 1879. Mr. Connell was the 
first postmaster at Buckingham, from May 
1860, until January 1, 1874, when the 
office was closed by the building of the 
new town of Traer. He held the office of 
Justice for seventeen years, and was a 
meml)er of the Board of Supervisors of 
the county in 1863 and 1864. In 1880, he 
removed to Gladbrook, when he was ap- 
pointed postmaster. Mr. Connell, at the 
present time, is also editor of the Toledo 
Ohrouicle, the leading Republican news- 
paper of Tama county. Mr. and Mrs. 
Council are members of the C\)ngrega- 
tional Church, of which also, all their chil- 
dren are members. In politics, Mr. Cou- 
ncil was a Whig; was one of the first to 
unite with the Republican parly, in the 
spring of 1854. For President, he voted 
for General Taylor, General Scott, General 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Fremont, Lincoln, Grant, Hayes and Gar- 
field. 

As Daniel Connell's father was a very 
prominent early settler, a personal sketch 
of him is subjoined: 

Daniel Connell, Senior, was born in the 
parish of Lochwinoch, Renfrewshire, Scot- 
land, June 16, 1796. In early life he re- 
moved to the adjoining town of Paisley, 
long noted for its shawl manufactuies. 
In 1830, he removed to Edinburgh, and 
18.32, emigrated to the United States and 
settled in Norwich, Connecticut, and en- 
gaged in the manufacture of carpets, with 
the late Governor Buckingham of that 
State. In August, 1852, his sons, John and 
Joseph, having located on Wolf creek, 
nea,r the present site of Traer, he came 
out to view the land and made au invest- 
ment. In the spring of 1853, he, with 
his family, removed hither and lived in 
Buckingham until he died, October 3, 
1875, in the 80th year of his age. 

Mr. Connell married in 1820, Mary 
Adam of Paisley, who died in Bucking- 
ham, in May, 1866, aged seventy years, hav- 
ing lived together forty-six years. They 
had nine children, three of whom died in 
infancy. John and Daniel, the eldest are 
still living in Tama county. Joseph died 
suddenly in Vinton, where he was in busi- 
ness, September 10, 1854, aged twenty- 
six years. Robert died in Buckingham, 
February 14, 1876, aged forty-six years. 
Margaret, wife of J. P. Good, a pioneer of 
the settlement, lives in Buckingham, and 
Mary, wife of John Zehrung, one of the 
first settlers of Toledo, now resides in 
Lincoln, Nebraska. Joseph and Robert 
are unmarried. 



Mr. Connell was a remarkable man, a 
great reader, a pleasant conversationalist, 
interesting and profitable to listen to, his 
counsel was much sought from his great ex- 
perience and practical business mind. At 
his death, his eulogist said: "A great 
man has fallen, his acquaintances mourn, 
like a shock fully ripe in the autumn of its 
season, so in the autumn of his century 
he is gathered to his kindred. On such a 
day ( rainy ) was Sir Robert Peel buried 
when the Canon of Westminister Abbey 
declared 'blessed is the dead on whom the 
rain of heaven falls. ' " The friends of 
the deceased were blessed in his life, in 
his death and in his burial. An active 
useful life entails a peaceful regretted 
life." 

INCOKPOEATION. 

Gladbrook was incorporated January 
25, 1881. The first ofticers of the city 
were Mayor, J. H. Smith, who in a few 
weeks was succeeded by Richard Arnold ; 
Recorder, G. C. EUwood ; Marshal, David 
Ray ; Attorney, G. L. Wilbur ; Assessor, 
Charles S. Nealy ; Council, G. W. Hess, 
G. C. EUwood, A. M. Coate, W. J. Cam- 
eron, J. M. Putman, A. O. Armington 
and C. A. Smith. 

Municipal affairs have b^en well man- 
aged and officers well chosen. 

In 1883, the officers of Gladbrook were 
Mayor, Robert Yeomans ; Marshal, C. F. 
McGee ; Recorder, Charles Davenport ; 
Street Commissioner, A. W. Bucker ; 
Assessor, James EUwood ; Council, G. 
W. Hess, A. M. Coate, Fred Sclioel, 
Joseph Schichtl, John Mirtha and C. 
Stoelting ; Treasurer, H. J. Stevens. 

Robert Yeomans, Mayor and Justice of 
the Peace of Gladbrook , is a native of 



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946 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Connecticut, born in Farmington, March 
31, 1820. He is a son of Gad and Emma 
(Andriis) Yeoraans. Robert received his 
earlier education in the district school and 
completed it in a union school of the lar- 
ger scholars of the diflferent districts. At 
the age of 17 he went to learn the trade of 
a carpenter and joiner, which he fol- 
lowed until 1848. He then came west to 
Wisconsin and worked at his trade in 
connection with farming. In April, 1866, 
he came to this county and settled in 
Spring Creek township, where he now 
owns 240 acres of land. He lived on his 
land until 1881, then rented it and came 
to live in Gladbrook, where he now holds 
the office of Justice of the Peice. August 
l'O, IH.'ja, Mr. Yeomans was married to So- 
phrona Calkins, daughter of Daniel and 
Malinda (Button) Calkins. They have 
been blessed with three children: Emma, 
now wife of John Wesley Home; Oscar 
I., and Ellen. 

Christian Stoelting, one of Gladbrook's 
Councilraen, is a native of Lippe Delmold, 
Germany, born in 1824. He is a son of 
Ileinrich H. and Maria (Lindhorst) Stoelt- 
ing. Ilis father was engaged in keeping 
a grocery and inn combined at Elbrinxen, 
in his native country. Christian received 
liis education in the schools in Germany 
and learned the wagon-maker's trade, 
whieh he followed until 1854, with the 
exco])tion of a short time which he spent 
in the military service. In that year he 
came to the United States, locating, at 
Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, where he 
lived and followed his trade until 1882. 
He then came to Tama county and now re- 
sides at Gladbrook, owning a fine farm of 
320 acres in Lincoln town.ship. His farm 



is now rented. Mr. S. is a member of the 
United Brethren Church, and is also a 
member of the A. O. U. W. fraternity. 
He i.s a Democrat in ])olitics, and is at 
present one of the village Councilmen. 
Mr. Stoelting was married in 1861, to 
Augusta Haerling, a daughter of Wilhelm 
and Freiderika (Tauber) Haerling. They 
have three children living: Louise, born 
in 1862; Clara, born in 1864 and Alfred, 
born in 1870. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The first school house was built in the 
fall of 1881 , and was known as the Graded 
Village School. The building was a two- 
story brick structure, situated upon a beau- 
tiful elevation in the south part of town. 
The school building cost «!8,000. W. J. 
Dean was the first Principal and George 
Dick first teacher of the Intermediate de- 
partment, with Mrs. W. J. Dean first in 
the Primary. In 188.3, there were three 
departments — Grammar, Intermediate and 
Primary. 

EELIGIOUS. 

The first society to build in Gladbrook 
was the German Methodist Episcopal, in 
1 880. The next was the Methodist Episco- 
pal, in 1882. Rev. Hoskins is the present 
pastor of this Church. In 1882 the United 
Brethren moved a church building here 
from Badger Hill. 

The Cougregationalists have an organi- 
zation here, but no building. They hold 
services in the M. E. church. Each 
society has a Sunday school in connection. 

The German Society of the M. E. 
Church, sent a missionary to Spring Creek 
township in September, 1870. Rev. Wm. 
Balcke was the first minister at Gladbrook 
Mission, then called Gethmann's settle- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Oil 



meiit. The society had no members in the 
vicinity and were holding their services at 
the Kochli school house. The first con- 
version took place in May, 1872, Mrs. 
Mary C. Geth'i:ann being the first con- 
verted member of the mission, followed in 
November, 1872, by Louis Gethmann, 
her husband, and Henry Gethmann, Chris- 
tine Gethmann, Wm. Gethmann, Wilhel- 
mine Gethmann, J. L Gethmann, Carl 
Gethmann, John Gethmann, Wilhelmine 
Shultz, F Gethmann, C.Koehli, Catherine 
Koehli, Johanna Rest, Carl Rest, Chris- 
tine Mertens, William and Christine 
Kruse constituting the first members of 
the church. 

Louis Gethmann vpas the first Class 
Leader and Mary C. Gethmann the first 
Superintendent of Sunday school. 

The Mission has been served by thn fol- 
lowing ministers: Carl H.Lanenstein,Rev. 
H. Mertens, Jacob Schneider, Ph. Humnel, 
.lohn Hauok and now by Rev. E. Draeger. 
William Gethmann is the present Class 
Leader and P. H. Shultz, Superintendent 
of Sunday school. The Mission now 
owns two lots, a parsonage and a frame 
church 28x40 feet, which were both built 
in 1880-81. It has a membership of sixty- 
five, and an average attendance of fifty 
children at Sunday school. 

The United Brethren of Iowa, organized 
a society in Spring Creek township, in 18G6. 
The first membership consisted of E. S. 
Bunce and wife, John Pray and wife and 
Mr. Bear. The first minister preaching 
for this society was Rev. S. W. Kern who 
preached at Badger Hill. John Pray was 
the first Class Leader. The Sunday school 
was organized in 1866, with G. C. Wescott 
as lis first Sn])erintendent. Tiie following 



ministers served this church up to 1883: 
J. H. Vandover, G. W. Renson, M. Fal- 
komer, J. D. Barnard, J. P. Wilson, R. 
Laughlin and H. T. A. Miller. 

A house of worship was built near 
Badger Hill mill in 1880, which was 
moved to Gladbrook in the fall of 1882. 
The society then numbered fifty, with a 
Sunday school of sixty-five. 

The Congregational Church of Glad- 
brook was organized about Augustl, 1881, 
by Rev. Amos Jones, with seven members. 
Rev. Mr. Burton preached from February 
1, 1881 until July of the same year. 
Following him came James Brewer. The 
oflicers of the church in 188.3 were: J. 
Brewer, R. D. Holt, H. T. Willard, M. M. 
Crookshank and D. Connell, Trustees; D. 
Ray, Secretary; M. M. Crookshank, 
Treasurer. The Sabbath school was or- 
ganized in the autumn of 1881 with D. 
Connell, Superintendent. 

Rev. James Brewer, the present pastor, 
is a native of Massachusetts, a son of 
Jonas and Betsey (Miller) Brewer, and 
was born in 1821. He received bis educa- 
tion in Williams College, where he 
graduated in 1842, and engaged in teacli- 
ing in the Southern States, principally in 
Alabama, Missouri and Louisiana. In 1859 
he was ordained a minister in the Con- 
gregational Church, of which he has 
always been a member, and has been in the 
service of that church as a minister in Illi- 
nois, Wisconsin and Iowa. He came to Tama 
county in 1882, and bought a farm of KKi 
acres on section 6, near Gladbrook, Iowa, 
on which he resides, and is preaching in 
the Congregational church. He was 
married in 1847 to Miss Elizabeth Pratt^ 
daughter of Elislia and Lurany (Robins) 



J' 



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948 



fflSTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Pratt. ]?y tliisunion there were three chil- 
dren : Sarali C, wife of T. D. Christie; 
Addie L. and Orville. 

SOCIKTIKS. 

Gladbrook V. A. S. Collegium, No. 104, 
was organized July 11, 1882, by G. L. 
Wilbur, P. K. Howard, W. H. Howard, J. 
S. Nutt, J. W. Thomas, J. E. Cole, E. W. 
Thomas, 0. J. Wadley, M. L. Hess, George 
1>. Emraerson, H. J. Stevens, W. F. Wirm 
and A. F. Walter. The first officers were: 
E. W. Thomas, Recorder; G. L. Wilbur, 
Secretary. In 1883, the order had a mem- 
bership of twenty-six. 

The Iowa Legion of Honor, Lodge No. 
07, was organized November 26, 1880, by 
the following charter members: J. A. 
Riggs, G. L. Wilbur, Gus Reichman, G. 
B. Hess, A. T. King, C. W. Davenport, 



A. B. Arnold, A. Fedding, W. J. McFar- 
land. A. O. Armington, J. B. Roberts, C. 
French, C. F. McGee, G. C. Ellwood and 
others. 

Olivette Lodge, A. F, and A. M., was 
organized March 21, 188.3, the dispensa- 
tion for the occasion being granted by. the 
Grand Lodge of Iowa, March 3, 1883, to 
C. A. Smith, G. L. Wilbur, R. Arnold, O. 

F. Elmer, E. Wiebenson, E. Wescott, 1). 

G. Wescott, N J. Brockman, R. F. Hod- 
gin, H. C. Hemperly, C. A GriflFen and 
G. C. Emmerson. C. A. Smith was ap- 
pointed as W. M.; G. L. Wilbur, S. W.; 
R. Arnold, J. W.; O. F. Elmer, Treasurer; 
E. Wiebenson, Secretary; E. Wescott, S. 
D.; D. G. Wescott, J. D.; N. J. Brock- 
man, Tyler. The Lodge, in 1883, had 
already good prospects for growth in 
membership. 



CHAPTER XXXVIIJ 



TAMA TOWNSHIP. 



Tiii-i towiishij) lies in the second tier 
from the south, and is the smallest civil 
township in the county. It is bounded on 
the north by Toledo Township, on the 
south by Columbia, on the east by Otter 
Creek and on the west by Indian Village. 
The Iowa river crosses the township, and 
makes one of the most beautiful and fer- 
ti'e valleys in the Slate. The stream fur- 
nishes a limited natural waterpower, which 
has been greatly increased by artificial 



means, and is partly utilized. Deer creek 
enters the township from Toledo on the 
north and makes confluence with the river 
on section 34. A. good share of the town- 
ship is composed of timber land, while 
there is considerable beautiful rolling- 
prairie. The soil is of a dark rich loam 
which is very productive. 

There are three railroads passing through, 
CM. & St. P., Chicago & Northwestern 
and Toledo &, Northwestern. There is 



^1 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



949 



only one town in the township, Tama City, 
the largest place in the county. 

SETTLEMENT. 

A journey through this section of coun- 
try, a glance at its towns and villages, or 
a close inspection of its many improve- 
ments, would impress one with the belief 
of a much older settlement than actually 
exists. It seems incredible, that in the 
space of thirty years, such a change could 
1)0 wrought; nevertheless, it is a fact, that 
this is comparatively a new country, and 
it is apparent that its pioneers must have 
been men of push and energy. Having 
natural resources above most places, Tama 
township and her present condition can 
be accounted for, surprising as it may 
seem to the casual observer. The early 
settlers of this section made a good selec- 
tion of locality, yet many of them could 
not endure the isolation incident to pio- 
neer life, and returned to the places from 
whence they came, or moved to points 
more congenial to their tastes, little 
thinking that within a few years the land 
would be fully occupied, the various 
branches of trade and industry represent- 
ed and the land teeming with wealth and 
prosperity. It is, however, the case else- 
where, as well as here, that the first set- 
tlers of a country do not generally remain 
to reap the harvest and receive the re- 
ward. Those who came early and have 
remained, as a rule, are in comfortable, 
if not affluent circumstances, and many 
who came later, knowing full well the 
immense power of stream, and wonderful 
possibilities of soil here presented, shrewd- 
ly took in the situation and made invest- 
ments, Avhich have surpassed their most 
sanguine hopes, and to-day thrift, enter- 



prise and industry characterize the citi- 
zens of Tama township. 

During the fall of 1840, Rezin A. Red- 
man and John C Vermilya, came to what 
is now Tama township and each located a 
farm of 160 acres, and then returned to 
their homes in Jackson county, Indiana. 
During the summer of 1850, they formed 
a company in that county, consisting of 
Rezin A. Redman, John C. Vermilya, J. 
H. Ilollen, W. L. Brannan, Samuel J. 
Murphy, James Umbarger, William Blod- 
gettand William T. Hollen to come to this 
country and locate. In the fall Redman, 
Brannan, Umbarger, Murphy and J. II. 
and William T. Hollen left Jackson 
county, came by teams, and arrived here 
about the 25th of October, of that year. 
Brannan, Umbarger and Murphy, brought 
their families and immediately began the 
erection of a log bouse on the southeast 
quarter of section 25, township 8.3, range 
15, on the land entered by Redman. 
Some time during the fall Brannan, Um- 
barger and Murphy moved to Iowa coun- 
ty. The Hollens also left about the same 
time for Indiana. Redman remained un- 
til the middle of December, when he also 
returned to Indiana, leaving his stock and 
property in charge of William Boze, an 
employee. In the spring of 1851, William 
Blodgett came and located on the south- 
west quarter of section 26, and is now a 
resident of Tama City, and is the oldest 
living settler in the township. He also 
came from Indiana. 

Some time during July, 1851, Redman 
came with his family, but remained only 
one year, when he again returned to Indi- 
ana. Vermilya, with his family, arrived in 
March, 1852, and settled on the northeast 



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950 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



(juarter of the southwest quarter of section 
•2d, where he still remains. 

J. H. Hollen with his family, arrived 
April 27, 1852, and settled on the south- 
west quarter of the southeast quarter of 
section 27, and is still an honored citizen 
of the county. 

William T. Hollen, came and located 
l)cnnanently, in May, 1852. He settled on 
the southwest quarter of section 26. 

J. H. Hollen, one of the original Indi- 
ana company, who made the first settle- 
ment in Tama township, was born near 
Brownstown, Jackson county, of that 
State, December 8, 1820. His father, 
Andrew 13. Hollen, was a native of Green 
Briar county, Virginia, and served in the 
War of 1812; his mother was born in 
Mercer county, Kentucky. He was reared 
on a farm and received but a limited edu- 
cation, it having been confined to the 
common schools of that day. In 1850, he 
made his first trip to Tama county, and 
two years later, settled on section 27 of 
Tama township, where he entered and 
purchased 200 acres of land, a 
greater part of which is now occupied by 
the thriving town of Tama City. Until 
May, 1882, Mr. Hollen was engaged in 
farming; since that time he has been ex- 
tensively engaged in shipping stock to 
Colorado and Wyoming. He was the first 
postmaster of Toledo when that office was 
lociUed in the present township of Tama, 
and was also one of the first Justices of 
the Peace of the county, having been 
elected in April of 1853, at which time he 
was obliged to go to Vinton, Benton 
county, to qualify. Mr. Hollen held the 
office of Justice of Tama City from 1873 
until 1870. He was one of the first Direc- 



tors of the Tama School Board, and has 
always taken a deep interest in educa- 
tional affairs. In politics, he is a Demo- 
crat first, last and always. He is a Mas- 
ter Mason and a member of Hiram of 
Tyre Lodge of Tama City; also a member 
of Doric Chapter. Mr. Hollen has always 
taken an active interest in the building up 
of Tama City, owning at one time nearly 
all of the land upon which the town stands. 
He has spared neither pains nor expense 
to make it one of the leading towns of 
Central Iowa, and has ever been ready to 
give to any enterprise that would further 
the advancement of the place he has 
nourished with so much care. In 1843, 
he was joined in wedlock with Miss Eliza 
A. Graham, a native of Jackson county, 
Indiana, and together they have fought 
life's battles for forty years. Ten children 
have blessed their union, four of whom are 
now living: Addie, wife of Dr. S. Thomp- 
son of Toledo; Eva, wife of C. D. Terry, 
of Tama City; Katie, wife of F. R. Holmes 
of Wyoming Territory and Clarence. 

W. L. Brannan, another of the Indiana 
party, is a son of Moses and Casandra 
(French) Brannan, and is a native of Iiidi- 
iana, born in Dearborn county, February 
10, 1821. When he was ten years old the 
family removed to Jackson county, Indi- 
ana, and there he followed the life of a 
farmer until eighteen years of age. At 
that time he learned the carpenter's trade, 
which occupation he followed for many 
years. In 1850, he, in company with 
others, came to Tama county, Iowa, but 
instead of settling here, determined to 
locate in Iowa county. There Mr. Bran- 
nan followed his trade for four years, and 
then returned to Tama county, settling in 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Toledo, where he continued to reside until 
1864, at which date he removed to Tama 
City, where he still resides. He followed 
his trade until 187-1, and since that time 
has been Justice of the Peace two years, 
and Marshal of the town six years. Dur- 
ing 1843, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Minerva S. Umbarger, a native of 
Washington county, Indiana. Five chil- 
dren were born to them, one of whom is 
now living: Leonidas H., now proprietor 
of the ^l orth western Hotel, Tama City. 
Mr. Brannan was called to mourn the 
death of his wife in 1854, and he so 
cherished her in memory that he has never 
re-married. 

Soon after this, settlers began to arrive 
rapidly, locating in other townships ad- 
joining this settlement. At this time the 
territory of Tama was a part of Toledo 
township, but these settlements were made 
in what is now embraced in the civil 
township of Tama. Among other early 
settlers in this vicinity were Norman 
Lewis, E. Harmon, Andrew Jackson, W. 
Croskrey, Isaac Maden, James Burge and 
others. 

Norman Lewis settled in Otter Creek 
township, in April, 1854. Upon his arri- 
val, he purchased 350 acres of wild land 
on sections 27 and 22; 300 acres of it was 
prairie, and the remaining fifty acres, 
timber. During the following summer he 
erected a log house on section 27", and in 
January, 1855, removed his family to 
their new home. Norman Lewis is a 
native of Suflield, Hartford county, Con- 
necticut, born August 23, 1813, and is a 
son of James and Desire (Remmington) 
Lewis. His father and mother were also 
natives of Suflield. Mr. Lewis traces the 



genealogy, on 'his father's side, to the 
landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. 
His youth was spent on his father's farm, 
and at seventeen years of age he was 
apprenticed to a blacksmith. Subsequently 
he worked in the United States Armory, 
at Springfield, Massachusetts, and also was 
engaged for about six months in the 
Colt's pistol manufactory. In 1836, he 
came as far west as Ohio, settling in 
Medina county, where he lived until the 
fall of 1840, at which time he lost his first 
wife, Lucy (Kent) Lewis, to whom he was 
married in May of 1836. She bore him 
four children, of whom one is now living. 
Upon leaving Ohio, Mr. Lewis returned to 
Connecticut, where he remained a few 
months, then went to Springfield, Massa- 
chusetts, where he was married December 
24, 1857, to Angeline E. Cleveland. In 
less than two years the husband was called 
to mourn her death; she died August 7, 

1853. He was again married, February 8, 

1854, choosing for a help-meet, Elizabeth 
L. Foster, a native of Hartford, Connecti- 
cut. In politics Mr. Lewis is a Republi- 
can, and while in Otter Creek township, 
he held the oflice of Justice of the Peace, 
and at one time was County Supervisor 
from that township. He was also the first 
postmaster of Tamaville postoftice, receiv- 
ing his appointment from Franklin Pierce, 
and continuing to discharge the duties of 
that oflice until Abraham Lincoln became 
President. In August, 1864, he bought 
his present place in the northern part of 
Tama City, where he has since erected a 
fine residence. In 1867, he embarked in 
the lumber business, at Tama City,in which 
trade he continued six years, and since 
that time has led a comparatively retired 



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954 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



life. He is a member of the Baptist 
Church of Tama City. Mr. Lewis had 
four children by his first wife: Mary 
Jane, born February 4, 1837, died May 30, 
1838; Louisa D., born October 19, 1838, 
died March 22, 1858; James H., born June 
13, 1840, now living in Furnas county, 
Nebraska, and Luther K., born July 20 
1846, died August 18, 1846. 

Andrew Jackson is a native of Madison 
county, Indiana, born October 21, 1833. 
He is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Wood) 
Jackson, who were born in North Carolina. 
Andrew's early life was spent on his 
father's farm and he obtained his educa- 
tion in the common schools, of his native 
State. In February, 1850 the family re- 
moved to Wabash county, Indiana, and in 
1855, Andrew came to Tama county, 
arriving here on the 3d of June. Shortly 
after, he returned to Indiana, and during 
llie 'all of the same year, again came west. 
He spent the winter in Toledo, and the 
following spring located on a rented farm 
north of that place. During the spring of 
1858 he removed to Missouri and subse- 
quently to Indiana ; and in 1861 returned 
to Tama county. In the summer of 1864 
he purchased a farm in Indian Village 
townsliip, and in connection with agricul- 
tural pursuits, was engaged in stock dealing. 
From 1870 to 1875, he was engaged in 
shipping blooded sliortrhorn cattle from 
Kentucky to Tama county. At the end of 
that time he purchased a farm of 240 acres 
iust northeast of Tama City, and now owns 
that farm and also 400 acres in Indian 
Village township. For the past three 
years Mr. Jackson has been largely en- 
gaged in shipping stock cattle west. In 
politics he is a strong Democrat, and has 



always taken an active part in the political 
affairs of the county. During 1855 he 
was united in marriage with Miss Cathe- 
rine Quick, a native of Rush county, In- 
diana, a daughter of Elizabeth Quick. 
Eleven children have been born to them, 
eight of whom are living — Monroe, Mary, 
Albert, Emma, Wilbur, Eva and Effie, 
(twins) and Charles. 

Wesley Croskrey was born December 
25, 1827, in Muskingum county, Ohio. He 
is a son of Robert and Mary (Hudson) 
Croskrey, who were also natives of that 
State. VVesley's education was received 
in his native county, and there he passed 
his youth and the first few years of his 
manhood. In 1856 he removed to Tama 
county, Iowa, and settled on his present 
farm, on section 32, Tama township. Mr. 
Croskrey has disposed of 100 acres of land 
to the Indians, but still owns a fine farm 
of 300 acres. He was married in 1851, to 
Miss Sarah McDonald, a native of Ohio, 
and a daughter of NA'illiam and Lydia 
(Schofield) McDonald. Eight children 
have been born to them, five of whom 
are now living : Robert, whose home is 
now in the State of Minnesota ; Eliza, 
Jo.seph, Sadie and .lohnny. 

On the 1st of May, 1856, Isaac Maden 
located at Toledo, Tama county, Iowa. 
He is a son of James and Elizabeth jNIadeii, 
and was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, 
December 29, 1825. He remained in liis 
native county until seventeen years of 
age, and then came west, making his fir.st 
settlement in Whiteside county, Illinois, 
where he was engaged in working on a 
farm ; he was living there at the time of 
tlie "land riot," which occurred in 1846. 
In 1856 he left that State and emigfrated 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



with lu8 family and worldly goods, which, 
all told, consisted of one team of 
horses, to Tama county, Iowa. Mr. 
Maden first located at Toledo, where 
he was engaged in teaming until the 
fall of 1858, when he settled on the 
place where he now resides. He earned 
.1400 with his team dui-ing the first four 
months of his residence in Toledo; but 
by the failure of the parties for whom 
he had worked, he lost it all, as he had 
taken their notes instead of the cash. 
Probably no one man in Tama county saw 
more hardships, or overcame greater ob- 
stacles during the pioneer days of the 
country, than did Isaac Maden : but sue 
cess was his watchword, and he bravely 
conquered all. He now owns, in Tama 
county, 220 acres of land, 140 of which is 
under a high state of cultivation, and the 
remaining eighty well under way. Twenty 
acres of his farm lie within the town 
corporation, the fafm being just one mile 
south of the heart of the city. In 1847 
he was joined in wedlock with Miss Bur- 
netta Lewis, a native of Arkansas. Six 
children have blessed their marriage : 
Emma, wife of Joseph Shaller ; Lucinda, 
wife of Byron Knowles ; Emery, Monroe, 
Benjamin F. and Lydia. 

James Burge is a son of William and 
Ann Burge, and was born in England on 
the .5th of April, 182-3. In 1829, thefamily 
emigrated to America, locating at Albany, 
New York, where the father died in 1882, 
at the advanced age of eighty-seven years; 
the mother died during 1855. James re- 
mained in that city and in other parts of 
New York, until 1851, at which time he 
removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he 
was engaged in the tobacco trade five 



years. He then came to Tama county, 
and during the space of eleven years was 
engaged in the saw mill business at To- 
ledo. At the expiration of that time Mr. 
Burge settled on section 28 of Tama town- 
ship, where he now owns 495 acres of 
land. In politics he is a Republican, and 
has been Township Trustee for two years. 
In 1833, he was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Ellen S. Hooghkerk, a native of 
Lansingburg, New York. They have 
three children living ; Ellen Ann, wife of 
A. J. Tree, of Cedar Rapids ; William 
and James. 

ITEMS OF INTEEEST. 

The first log house was built during the 
fall of 1850, on land entered by Rezin A. 
Redman on the southeast quarter of sec- 
tion 25. The first frame house was built, 
during the fall of 185'7, by J. H. Hollen, 
near the southeast corner of the south- 
west quarter of the southeast quarter of 
section 27. This house is still standing 
in Tama City and is now owned by G. H. 
Burt. 

The first marriage united the destinies 
of George W. Wier .and Miss Mary Rush, 
and took place at the residence of the 
bride's parents on section 23. The cere- 
mony was performed by Judge John V. 
Vermilya. 

The first birth was a son, Willie, to 
J. H. Hollen and wife, on the 9th day of 
February, 1853. The second birth was a 
son, Ewing, to William Blodgett and 
wife, December 10, 1853. 

The first death was that of Willie Hol- 
len, April 1, 1853, at the age of one month 
and twenty-two days. He was buried in 
what is now Oak Hill cemetery. 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



*7^ 



POSTOFFICE. 

An office was established December 13, 
1853, called Toledo, on section 27, at the 
residence of J. 11. llollen, who was the 
first postmaster, receiving his appointment 
from James Campbell, Postmaster-Gener- 
al. This place is now in Tama City. At 
that time it was on the route from Ma- 
rengo to Marietta, and mail was received 
once a week when the carrier could cross 
the river. This route was on the soutK 
side of the river and at times the water 
was so high that it was impossible to ford 
it. Often when the carrier was afraid to 
cross, Mr. Hollen would swim the river 
and transfer the mail in a pillow case. 
He remained postmaster and the office was 
kept at his house until removed to the 
town of Toledo, in October, 18.55, when 
he was succeeded by John Zehrung. 

Mr. Hollen's report for the first quarter, 
from February 11^ to March 31, 1853, 
showed: 

Number of weekly papers received. . . 18 

Total business transacted $2.8&J 

Due the U. S. Government 88 

Due.l. H. llollen 1.984 

Total |2.86i 

The second rej)ort, from April 1, to June 
30, showed: 

Papers distributed 54 

Total business $1.05 

Due U. S. Goveinme-jt 5.124 

Due .1. 11. Hollen 6. 92i 

Total 112.05 

The report for the third quarter showed: 

Papers distributed 62 

Total business |12.65 

Due U.S. Government 4.85} 

Due J. II. Hollen 7.79 

Total 112.65 



ORGANIC. 

The county board at its September ses- 
sion divided township 83, range 15, and set 
apart the two south tiers of sections for a 
civil township, to be known as Tama, and 
ordered that the first election be held at 
the school house in Tama City, on the 3d 
of November, 1868. Accordingly the 
first election was held at the above men- 
tioned time and place, N. Lewis, E. Har- 
man and S. W. Cole being the Judges of 
Election, and the Clerks, B. A. Hall and 
F. J. M. Wonser. The officers elected 
were: R. M. Wells, John Fife and N. G. 
Wheaton, Trustees; E. Harmon and James 
Burge, Justices of the Peace; Thomas J. 
Smith and W. T. Hollen, Constables; A. 
M. Batchelder, Clerk; James McClung, 
Assessor; Frank Patterson, Collector. 

1869 — W. A. Newcomb, Justice of the 
Peace; N. Lewis, John Fife and R. H. 
Ryan, Trustees; A. M. Batchelder, Clerk; 
William E. Newcomb, Assessor; F. J. 
Smith and C. 15. Barnard, Constables. 

1870 — M. A. Newcomb, Justice of the 
Peace; B. A. Hall, William Gallagherand 
C. B. Bentley, Trustees; B. W. Homan, 
Clerk; T. J. Smith and W. T. Hollen, 
Constables. 

1871 — W. P. Parker, N. Lewis and C. 
B. Bentley, Trustees; B. W. Homan, 
Clerk; R. H. Ryan, Assessor; Thomas W. 
Carter and T. Avery, Constables. 

1872 — Eli Harman and J. G. Strong, 
Justices; James Burge, Assessor; E. N. 
Merchant, Clerk; L. Merchant, G. Hollen- 
beck and John Fife, Trustees; J.J. McAl- 
lister and A. Cory, Constables. 

1873 — No records could be found. 

1874— J. H. Hollen and W. L. Brannan, 
Justices; W. T. Hollen and J. C. Ken- 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



95"; 



(Irick, Constables; J. Brice, Jr., John Fife 
and W. G. Cambridge, Trustees; B. F. 
Moreland, CMerk; C. E. Tyner, Assessor. 

1875— B. A. Hall, James Burge and W. 
Hartsell, Trustees; A. Smith, Clerk; D. 
Toland, Assessor. 

1 876— Charles McClung and J. D.Sher- 
man, .Tustices; D. Wilco.x and W. T. Hol- 
len, Constables; W. E. Newcorab, James 
Burge and W. Hartsell, Trustees; W. H. 
Albrecht, Clerk: C. Jackman, Assessor. 

1877— T. VV. Carter and C. L. McClung, 
Justices; D. Toland. Assessor; T. Wil- 
liamson, Clerk; W. Hartsell, John Fife 
and Thomas Brice, Trustees. 

1878 — G. D. Sherman, Justice; James 
Burge, Assessor; E L. Carmichael, Clerk; 
H. Day, Trustee. 

1879 — J. S. Deterick, Assessor; E. L. 
Carmichael, Clerk; H. E. Ramsdell, Trus- 
tee. 

1880— J. J. McAllister and C. L. Mc- 
Clung, Justices; H. O. Conley, Assessor; 
C. M. Birdsell, Clerk; H. Day, Trustee. 

1881— John Fife, Trustee; E. Harman 
and C. L. McClung, Justices; Thomas 
Williamson, Clerk; W. T. Hollen and D. 
Mahana, Constables. 

1882 — A. Jackson, Trustee. 

David Toland, present Assessor of Tama 
township, is a native of Beaver county, 
Pennsylvania, where he was born August 
4, 1818. He is a son of James and Mary 
Ann (Laird) Toland, who were born in 
Maryland, and married in "Washington 
county, Pennsylvania. About the year 
182f), they removed to Columbiana county, 
Pennsylvania, but when that county was 
afterwards divided, they were in the part 



divided off as Carroll county. David was 
reared on a farm and received a good edu- 
cation, notwithstanding the fact that the 
country schools at that time were few in 
number and many miles apart. On the 23d 
of December, 1841, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Nancy Merrick, a native 
of Carroll county, and a daughter of Isaac 
and Martha (Johnson) Merrick, who also 
were born in Pennsylvania. While David 
and his wife were living in that county four 
children were born to them: James W., 
Isaac W., William J. and Andrew A., all 
of whom are living except William .1., who 
was killed by lightning in 1876. During 
1851 the family removed to VanWertcoun- 
t} , Ohio, where Mr. Toland was engaged in 
farming. In that county, Mary M., David 
S., Alonzo W. and Thomas A. were born 
to them. In 1865, they came to Iowa and 
settled on section 31, of Tama township. 
Tama county. Mr. Toland owns ninety- 
two acres there, and 160 acres in Highland 
township, all of it being under cultiva- 
tion. Their youngest child, Frank E., 
has been born to them since their settle- 
ment in this county. In politics, Mr. To- 
land is a staunch Republican. He is the 
present Assessor of the township and has 
held the office for the past five years, and 
in November, 1 882, was re-elected for 
a term of two years more. Two of their 
sons, James W. and Isaac W., served their 
country during our late rebellion, enlisting 
from Ohio. The eldest was wounded at 
the battle of Mission Ridge and has never 
entirely recovered from it. Mr. and Mrs. 
Toland are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Toland held the office Jus- 
tice of the Peace for three years in Ohio, 
and would have been re-elected but de- 



958 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



clined. He is a man of extensive reading, 
fond of liistoiy and well posted on all 
topics. 

TAMA CITY. 

This town was first named luka, in 
honor to the soldiers of Tama county, who 
participated in the battle of luka, Missis- 
sippi. J. H. Hollen entered the land upon 
which the town was laid out, and, in 1802, 
sold to .John I. Blair the east thirty-five acres 
of the northwest quarter of the northeast 
quarter of section 34. This part constituted 
the town of luka, and most of the business 
part of Tama City now stands on the old 
town site. At the time of platting luka, 
there was standing on the present site of 
Tama City, the residence of B. A. Hall, 
one of J. H. Hollen and one of W. T. 
Ilollen. The first house of any kind built 
on the site of luka was built by Michael 
Welch in 1862, for a railroad boarding 
house. The bouse has been improved a 
little at times and is still occupied by his 
widow. Other houses soon followed un- 
til in a short time it began to have the ap- 
pearance of quite a town. The first store 
was opened by J H. Beaumont in a small 
frame building located where the First 
National Bank now stands. He moved his 
stock of goods from Marietta, Marshall 
county, to this place during the fall of 
18C2. During the summer of 1863, he 
moved his building to where the City Ho- 
tel now stands, and it now forms the ell 
part of that building. The second store was 
opened by C. K. Bodfish in the fall of 1863, 
who moved his stock and building from 
Chelsea, this county, and located it on the 
ground formerly occupied by Beaumont, 
where the First National Bank now stands. 
This building is now used by Frank Skin- 



ner asajewelry store. M. C.Murdough was 
the third to cast his fortunes in the little 
town with a stock of goods. He came in 
January, 1804, and occupied what is now 
used as the office of the Commercial Ho- 
tel. 

luka as a trading point began to have a 
wide reputation and other merchants soon 
followed. Even before the railroad 
reached here this place assumed important 
business proportions. However, many of 
the trades were not represented until some 
time later. 

The first blacksmith to locate here was 
C. H. Warner, who opened business in 
the shop now owned by W". H. Cummings, 
in 1862. He remained but a short time, 
when it was sold to Speilman «fc Owens. 
It was afterward owned by Speilman alone 
until it was bought by W. H. Cummings 
in December, 1867. Mr. Cummings still 
carries on the business. There are two 
other shops in the town, by Elias Price 
and E. S. Beckley. 

W. H. Cummings, one of the black- 
smiths of Tama City, was born in Ireland, 
February 18, 1S42. He crossed the 
Atlantic to America in 1855, locating in 
Buffalo, New York. Shortly after his set- 
tlement in that city, he began learning 
the blacksmith trade at a place eight 
miles from Buffalo, in Canada. Subse 
quently he worked at his trade in Dun- 
kirk, New York. In ISeV he came to 
Tama City, where he opened a black- 
smith shop and has always enjoyed a 
liberal patronage. He is at present one 
of the Town Councilmen, having held the 
office three terms. In December, 1800, lie 
was united in marriage with Miss Bridget 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



959 



Mulligan. They have five children living: 
.Tames Edward, John H., Sarah M., Anna 
B. and Rose May. 

The first wagon shop was opened by M. 
C Wilson, November 10, 1865, in a small 
frame shanty, where he is now located. 
In 1866, he tore down this shanty and 
erected his present shop where he is still 
engaged in wagon manufacturing. M. C. 
Wilson was born in Augusta, Georgia, on 
the 28th of August, 1828. His parents 
were Sherwood and Anna ( Bellingsley ) 
Wilson, natives of Scotland. Seven years 
after his birth the family removed to 
Ohio, and afterwards to Indiana, where 
his father died in 1861. At an early day 
the subject of our sketch learned the trade 
of wagon making, which occupation he 
has since followed. In 1847, he enlisted 
in the Sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
under Colonel Drake, and served through 
the Mexican war. At President Lincoln's 
first call for troops in 1861, Mr. Wilson 
enlisted in Company I, Second Iowa Vol- 
unteer Infantry, in the three months 
service. At the expiration of his term of 
enlistment, he came to Marion, Iowa, and 
in 1862, re-enlisted in Company F, 20th 
Liwa Infantry, and after serving fourteen 
months, was honorably discharged on 
account of disability, which was the result 
of a fall received at the battle of Prairie 
Grove. He then located at McGregor, 
Iowa, and eighteen months later removed 
to Cedar Falls. In 1865 became to Tama 
City, where he opened the first wagon 
shop in the place. Mr. Wilson was mar- 
ried in 1861 to Miss Celia Leonard, a 
native of Zanesville, Ohio. Five children 
bless the union : Charles, Fanny, Addie, 
Mary and Edward. 



The first to establish in the produce, 
butter and egg trade, was Thomas Whita- 
ker, who opened here in the spring of 
1863, and still does a large business. 

R. E. Tewksbury established here in 
the same branch of trade in May, 1881, 
and does a business of $75,000 annually, 
buying through all of Central Iowa. His 
shipments are mostly to Boston and other 
eastern markets. 

Thomas Whitaker, the first produce 
dealer in Tama City, is a native of New 
York, born in the town of Cherry Valley, 
Otsego county, May 28, 1816. He is ason 
of James T. and Prudence (Sydleman) 
Whitaker. His mother was born in Con- 
necticut, and his father in New York. His 
grandfather, Thomas Whitaker, was a 
Major in the Revolutionary war, and dis- 
tinguished himself at Fort Plain, where 
with thirty men he held the fort against 
Brandt and 700 Indians. Mr. Whit- 
aker's father was an Adjutant in the 
war of 1812. He died when Thomas was 
fourteen years of age, leaving him, as the 
eldest child, to take care of the family. 
He remained in his native county until 
1842, and while there ran a hotel in Cher- 
ry Valley for nine years, and was Sheriff 
of his county for six years. At that time 
for a public officer to do his duty was al- 
most certain death, and though not suffer, 
ing that fate, he was once taken by the 
anti-renters to Schoharie county and 
tarred. In 1842, he came far west as 
Chicago, where he dealt in horses. Dur- 
ing the fall of 1853, he removed to Tama 
county, Iowa, first locating in Otter Creek 
township, where he tilled the soil for two 
years and then removed to Toledo, en- 
gaging in the produce trade. LTpon the 
completion of the railroad he settled in 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Tama City. In politics he is a Democrat 
and has been a member of the City Coun- 
cil for one term. He was married, in 1841, 
to Miss Wealthy Ann Farnham, of Otse- 
go county, New York. Six children were 
born to them, four of whom are now liv- 
ing: William F., George A., Elizabeth and 
Mary. James and Menzo died aged four- 
teen and six years respectively. Mrs. 
Whitaker died in 1861, and three years 
later, Mr. Whitaker chose for a help- 
meet Martha Thompson, of Ohio. They 
have one child living — Nellie. James T. 
died at Tama City, September 28, 1873, 
aged sixteen months. When Mr. Whita- 
ker was twenty-one years of age he was 
elected Captain of a militia in his native 
town, in which company his father and 
grandfather had previously served. 

The first drug store was opened by John 
Shanklin in the building now known as 
the Tama House. The drug trade is well 
represented by H. Soleman, who estab- 
lished in 1867, R. M. Coffin and Frost & 
Vanderliss. 

II. Soleman, one of Tama City's most 
enterprising business men, is a son of Gar- 
rett and Angeline (Mounther) Soleman, 
born in Woodville, Sandusky county, 
Ohio, November 7, 1842. In 1855, his 
father's family came west to Tama coun- 
ty, Iowa, and Henry spent the first three 
years of his life in this county on his fa- 
ther's farm near Toledo. Ilis school ad- 
vantages were very limited, but he never- 
theless has, through his own efforts, ac- 
quired a good business education. At 
about sixteen years of age he began 
clerking in a dry goods store at Toledo; 
and when Tama City began to build up, 
came here with J. L. Stuart. In 186-3, 



Mr. Soleman, in company with B. F. 
Myers, opened livery stables at Tama 
City and Toledo, which they continued 
about fourteen months, when they sold. 
In the spring of 1867, Mr. Soleman came 
to Tama City, and in companv with A. 
W. Thompson, opened a drug store. In 
about one year Mr. Soleman purchased 
his partner's interest and has since con- 
ducted the business alone. In October, 
1866, he was married to Miss Carrie Arm- 
strong, daughter of T. K. Armstrong, of 
Toledo. They have had two children: Al- 
ta, born July 4, 1869; and Fred, born 
August 1, 1877. 

BANKS. 

The first banking institution in Tama 
City was established by Thayer & Lucas. 
It continued about one year, when it was 
removed to Clinton, Iowa. 

G. H. Warren was in the banking busi- 
ness in Tama City for a number of years. 

The First National Bank of Tama City 
was organized in 1871, with a paid up 
capital of ^50,000. The following named 
gentlemen were among the original stock- 
holders in the institution:- B. A. Hall, 
W. H. Harrison, W. B. Avery, G. H. 
Warren, W. F. Johnston, R. Richman, 
C. E. Covell, John Ramsdcll, A. J. Tyler, 
C. E. Hayes, J. Brice, Jr., and E. Ilarraan. 
At a meeting of stockholders, ]}. A. Hall 
was elected President and (t. H. Warren, 
Cashier. They held these positions until 
1880, when they were succeeded by .1. L. 
Bracken, as President and A. P. Starr, as 
Cashier. Under the management of these 
men, the bank has taken front rank among 
the moneyed institutions of Tama county, 
affording abundant security to dejJOKitors. 
According to the statutes, the stockholders 



71 J^ 




yy'^^^^^Cu.C^v'i^ ^ (Pt^^z^i^ 



-<< « fc- 



-^ — ^t" 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



963 



are held personally responsible to double 
the amount of their stock. The following 
is section 5151 of the Revised Statutes, 
governing National Banks: "The stock- 
holders of any National Banking Associa- 
tion shall be held individually responsible, 
equally and ratably, not one for another, 
for all contract debts and engagements of 
such association to the extent of the 
amount of their stock therein, at par value 
thereof, in addition to the amount invest- 
ed in such shares." 

The following is the re])ort of the con- 
dition of the Bank at the close of business 
March 13, 1883: 

RESOURCES. 

Loans and discounts $95,140 04 

Overdrafts 4,965 83 

4 per cent. U. S. Bonds at par to 

secure circulation 50,000 00 

Other Stocks, Bonds and Mortg.iges 

Dae from approved reserve agents 30,377 67 

Due from State Banks and B inkers 143 74 

Revenue Stamps 74 00 

Real estate, furniture and fixtures. . 10,400 00 
Current expenses and taxes paid. . . 1,034 56 
Checks and other cash items 1,155 92 

Bills of other Binks 5,380 00 

Nickels and pennies 61 31 

Specie 499 75 

Legal tender notes 8,010 00 1.5,036 98 

Redemption fund with U. S. Treas- 
urer, (5 per cent, of circulation). . 2,250 00 

Total 1199,413 82 

LIAIilMTIES. 

Capital stock paid in |50,000 00 

Surplus fund 5,.5()0 00 

Undivided profits 3,. 536 39 

National Bank notes outstanding. . , 45,000 00 

Dividends unpaid 130 00 

Individual deposits subject 

to check '. 51,634 68 

Demand certificates of de- 
posit 27, .520 33 

Time certificates of deposit 13,973 93 93,138 94 

Due to State Banks and bankers. . . 2.137 59 

Total $199,413 83 



The present Board of Directors is com- 
posed of the following named: J. L. 
Bracken, J. Brice, Jr , C. E. Hayes, E. 
Ruggles, B. A. Hall, John Ramsdell, A. 
J. Tyler and A. P. Starr. The foregoing 
together with W. B. Avery, P. Starr, 
C. E. Covell, D. W. Reed, S. A. Reed, 
H. R Van Dusen and E. M. Hall com- 
prise the present stockholders. The 
present First National Bank building was 
erected in 1871, at a cost of over $10,000. 
It is located on the northwest corner Third 
and McClellan streets. Taking the good 
standing of the stockholders and the tine 
management of its officers into considera- 
tion, the First National Bank of Tama 
City is well worthy the confidence of its 
patrons and the people of Tama county. 
The correspondents of the bank are: First 
National Bank, Chicago; United States 
National Bank, New York. 

Arthur P. Starr, cashier of the First 
National Bank of Tama City, is a native 
of Windham county, Vermont, born De- 
cember 13, 1855. His early life was spent 
attending school in his native town, his 
purpose being to fit himself for a business 
career. Later, he entered, and in due 
course of time, graduated from the 
Business College at Poughkeepsie, New 
York. Subsequently he spent four years 
as teller of the People's National Bank 
of Brattleboro, Vermont, of which his 
father was President. In 1879, he came 
to Tama City, and soon after accepted the 
position of book-keeper in the First Nation- 
al Bank,and in January of ISSO^was elected 
cashier of the same. Mr. Starr is a man 
of clear, keen and shrewd business ideas, 
and is building up for himself an enviable 






.r 






964 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



reputation as a careful financier. He was 
united in marriage, October 25, 1882, to 
:Miss Florence Murray, daughter of 
Thomas Murray, of Tama City. 

The Bank of Tama was organized in 
1871 as the banking house of Carmichael, 
Brooks & Co., with L. Carmichael as 
President; J. H. Brooks, Vice President 
and G. E. Maxwell, cashier. In 1873 the 
name of the bank was changed to the 
Bank of Tama, which name it has since 
retained. It was opened in a building 
one block north of where it now stands. 
In 1874 the present structure was built by 
L. Carmichael at a cost of $7,500. The 
fixtures of the bank cost ^1,400. It is 
fitted with a large and thoroughly tire 
proof vault, and uses the Yale Time Lock. 
J. H. Brooks withdrew in 1875 and in 1879 
G. E. Maxwell withdrew. It has since 
been carried on by L. Carmichael & Son. 
L. Carmichael being president, which of- 
fice he has held since its organization, and 
and E. L. Carmichael, cashier. Their 
correspondents are the National Bank of 
America of Chicago and Chase National 
Bank of New York. The bank has a 
capital of $18,000 The following is a 
statement of the bank at the close of busi- 
ness, December 30, 1871: 
KESorncES. 

Loans and discounts |13, 117 55 

Overdrafts 22,673 83 

Due from other banks 3, 129 43 

Real estate 78 51 

Furnituie and fixtures 1,274 55 

Expenses paid 264 55 

Revenue stamps 70 00 

Taxes 77 46 

Cash on hand 3,376 11 

Total $44,061 99 



LIABILITIES. 

Capital $1.5,000 00 

Deposits 27,396 45 

Profits 1,665 .54 

Total $44,061 99 

In contrast with the foregoing, the fol- 
lowing statement of the condition of the 
Bankof Tama, published at the close of 
business, December 30, 1882, is given: 

RESOtJRCES. 

Loan.s and discounts $94,652 42 

Overdrafts 12,467 96 

Due from other banks 19,890 64 

Expenses paid 4,138 90 

Taxes paid 719 64 

Insurance paid 210 00 

Interest paid on time deposits 252 97 

Furniture and fixtures 963 74 

Revenue stamps 82 96 

Real estate 1,075 00 

Cash on hand 26,643 50 

Total $161,097 73 

LIABILITIKS. 

Capital $18,000 00 

Surplus fund 2,510 03 

Undivided profits 11.200 99 

Individual deposits 70,,5,50 29 

Certificates of deposits 58,.583 58 

Due other banks 252 84 

Total $161,097 73 

Lewis Carmichael, President of the 
Bank of Tama, was born in Middletown, 
Orange county. New York, on the 7th of 
May, 1825. He is a son of Z. and Sarah 
(Eldred) Carmichael, who were also na- 
tives of New York. At fifteen years of 
age, he began railroading on the Dela- 
ware and Hudson Canal railroad, and 
finally, by hard work and close applica- 
tion to business, he arose to the responsi- 
ble position of Assistant Superintendent 



F]« r- 



r 



—^4^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



965 



on the Hudson River railroad. In 1851, 
Mr. Carmichael removed to Indiana, where 
he took charge of railroad building. Sub- 
sequently he built a large portion of the 
Michigan Southern railroad, also con- 
tracted and built part of the Chicago & 
Rock Island railroad across the State of 
Illinois, and during the time built the first 
tunnel in the State, at LaSalle. In 1840, 
Mr. Carmichael returned to the east and 
engaged with the New Albany & Salem 
Railroad Company, and in 1842, engaged 
with the New York & Erie Company. In 
1865, he contracted to build a large por- 
tion of the Union Pacific, built the road 
almost across Iowa, and also in Nebraska 
and Utah, being engaged on the work un- 
til 1869. He has also built no small part 
of the Chicago tfc Northwestern railroad, 
through Wisconsin and Iowa; also six 
miles in Iowa, between Council Bluifs & 
St. Louis, on the Wabash railroad, and 
three miles between Anamosa and the 
State prison quarry, on the branch of the 
Cliicago <fe Northwestern. Mr. Carmichael 
built the entire line of the Toledo »fe North- 
western railroad from Tama City to Minne- 
sota line. He had charge of the workmen 
in unloading the first locomotive ever 
brought to Louisville. It was shipped by 
river from Pittsburg. Mr. Caimichael has 
just completed si.xty-six miles of railroad 
in the Peninsula of Michigan, and is 
known as one of the most successful con- 
tractors in the west. In 1857, he removed 
his family to Tama county, settling in Ot- 
ter Creek township, where, for a number 
of years he was quite extensively engaged 
in farming. In 1868, he located in Tama 
City, and in 1871, became engaged in 
banking business. Today he stands at 



the head of one of the soundest banks of 
the county — the Bank of Tama. In poli- 
tics, the subject of this sketch is a staunch 
Republican, and in religion he is a Baptist. 
He is a Mason and received the 32d degree 
at Lyons, Iowa. In 1847, he was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Mary E. Bunce, a 
native of Hartford, Connecticut. Nine 
children were born to them, eight of whom 
are living: Mary Ella, now wife of Geo. 
E. Maxwell, a resident of Shelburne Falls, 
Massachusetts ; Henry F., a hardware 
merchant of Tama City; E. L., cashier of 
the Bank of Tama; Charles II., cashier of 
his father's railroad business; Stephen D., 
Aggie M., Hattie and Lina May. Mr. 
Carmichael was called to mourn the death 
of his wife on the 4th of March, 1873. 

E. L. Carmichael, cashier of the 
Bank of Tama, was born in Muscatine, 
Iowa, February 14, 1857. His parents are 
Lewis and Mary E. (Bunce) Carmichael. 
Shortly after his birth, the family removed 
to Tama county, where they have since 
resided. E. L.'s education was obtained 
in the Tama City public schools, and at 
the Davenport Commercial College, which 
latter he attended during 1874-5, gradu- 
ating in June, 1875. LTpon completing 
his education, he immediately entered 
the Bank of Tama as book-keeper. In 
May of 1879, he was appointed cashier, 
which position he still holds. Although 
a young man, Mr. Carmichael enjoys an 
excellent reputation for thoroughness in 
business; and the success of the bank is 
largely owing to his good business qu.ali- 
ties, combined with his genial, pleasant 
manner. January 30, 1879, he was joined 
in wedlock with Anna Spoiford, daughter 
of J. B. Spoiford, a former resident of 



^? 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



^l^ 



Tama City. They have had one son, Ed- 
win Earl, who died at Tama City, Feli- 
ruary '2.5, 1883, aged three years and two 
niontlis. 

The first warehouse was brought here 
Irom Chelsea, during the fall of 1862, by 
C. K. Bodfish, who purchased the first 
grain bought here. This warehouse was 
afterwards changed to an elevator, and 
was burned iu 1872. This building stood 
where the Monarch billiard hall now 
stands. 

The first elevator was built by P. K. 
Ilayden, in 1863, and stood where the 
present large elevator stands. It was 
burned at the same time with the other in 
1872. There are at present several firms 
in the grain trade. Bracken & Goodell 
taking the lead. 

The first hardware store was opened by 
J. L. Wagner in a building now occupied 
by Jocob (iatjens as a meat market. The 
hardware business is at present repre- 
sented by E. G. Penrose and H. F. Car- 
michael. E. G. Penrose established in 
the hardware trade in 1872, in the build- 
ing now occupied by Carmichael. In the 
spring ot 1881, he moved to his present 
location, where he does a business of ^25,- 
000 annually. 

Hall & Carmichael, established in 1879, 
sold out in 1880. In 1881, H. F. Car- 
michael opened up a large stock and does 
a business of about $25,000 annually. 

E. G. Penrose, a hardware and grocery 
merchant of Tama City, was born in 
Morgan county, Ohio, in August, 1844. 
He is a son of Thomas and Maria (Clen- 
denen) Penrose. His early life was spent 
at home, in his native county, where he 
received a common school education. In 



1860 his parents removed to Keokuk, 
Iowa, and during 1864-5, the subject of 
this sketch attended the University at 
Iowa City. In 1868, he came to Tama 
City and engaged in clerking for some 
months. The following year he removed 
to Grand Junction, Iowa, where he em- 
barked in the hardware trade with a Mr 
Park, the firm being Park & Penrose. In 
1872, Mr. Penrose returned to Tama City, 
and immediately opened a hardware store, 
in which business he has since been en- 
gaged, lie is also a member of the gro- 
cery firm of Tims & Penrose. In poli- 
tics, he is a Republican, and has held the 
office of Mayor one year, and also has 
been one of the Town Councilmen for 
five years. Mr. Penrose has always taken 
an active part in educational affairs, and is 
at present a member of the School Board. 
In March, 1870, he was married to Miss 
Jennie Stoddard, daughter of Joel Stod- 
dard, a native of Indiana. 

One son, Frank B., born July 14, 1871, 
blesses their union. Mr. Penrose's father 
died, in March, 1880, his mother on the 
the 1st of May, 1883. He is a member of 
the Masonic order, Hiram of Tyre Lodge, 
No. 203, and of the St. Bernard Com- 
mandery, No. 14, of Belle Plaine. He is 
also a member of the A. O. U. W., of 
Tama City 

H. F. Carmichael, hardware dealer, and 
eldest son of Lewis Carmichael, is a native 
of the hawkeye State, born in the town 
of Muscatine, December 9, 1854. A few 
years after his birth, he came to Tama 
county with his parents. His educational 
advantages were the public schools of 
Tama City, and during 1873-4, he attended 
the Rivermore Military Academy o{ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Poughkeepsie, New York. In 1875, he 
entered the Bank of Tama as book-keeper 
and teller, holding that position three 
years. During IS19, in company with B. 
A. Hall, he engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness; since 1881 he has been alone 
in the business. Mr. Carmichael is a 
member of the Masonic Fraternity, St. 
Barnard Commaudry, No. 14, of Belle' 
Plaine, Iowa, and has taken the degree 
of Knight Templar. On the 29th of De- 
cember, 1875, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary E. Hall, daughter of B. 
A. Hall, of Tama City. Two children 
bless this union: Louie, born December 
24, 1876; and Frank, born July 16, 1880. 
Among the very oldest of Tama City's 
general merchants, is J. Brice, Jr. He is 
a native of Washington county, Pennsyl- 
vania, where he was born Norember 27, 
1838. In 1852 he removed, with his fa- 
ther, to Ogle county, Illinois, where he 
engaged in clerKing until the second year 
of our late rebellion. He then enlisted in 
Company H, 92d Illinois Infantry, and 
after serving one year, was honorably dis- 
charged on account of disability. During 
1865, he came to Tama City and became 
engaged in the grocery business. Subse- 
quently he added a dry goods department, 
and is now one of the most thriving busi- 
ness men of the town. In politics, he is a 
staunch Republican, and in religion, he 
believes in the Methodist doctrines, being 
a member of that Church. In March 1858 
he was joined in the holy bonds of matri- 
mony with Miss Sarah J. Hill, a native of 
Waverly, New York. Two children bless 
this union: William E. and Maud. 

The first livery stable was started by B. 
F. Myers & Co., in 180.3. They opened 



one at Toledo at the same time. Sole- 
man Brothers are the present principal 
liverymen. H. K. Miller and M. C. Mur- 
dough are also in the business. 

The agricultural implement trade is rep- 
resented by three firms: H. Soleman, 
who established in 1878, and does a large 
business; E. S. Carpenter & Son, who suc- 
ceeded VV. H. Hawk in 188;i; and McClung 
& Peak, who succeeded McClung & Car- 
penter. 

James McClung, of the firm of McCluns; 
& Peak, is a native of New York, born 
in Seneca county, July 31, 1820. He 
is a son of James and Maria (Conklin) 
.VIcClung, the former a native of New 
Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. His 
grandfather James, served as a private 
in the Revolution. In 1834, his par- 
ents came west to Ohio where James 
remained until 1852, attending the district 
school until twenty years of age, then 
went to the Academy at Republic, Ohio, 
and aftfirward taught school. In 1852, he 
went to California and until the fall of 
1855, engaged in mining and express busi- 
ness. In 1856 he came to Iowa and 
taught the grammar school at Tipton for 
one year, when he was elected Superin- 
tendent of Schools, of Cedar county, and 
served two years. He then served for 
three years as County Surveyor, and re- 
signing, weni to Davenport, Iowa. 
Soon after, he went to Montana, where he 
spent a year and a half, and then returned 
to Iowa and settled in 1 ama (. ity. He 
first engaged in teaching school for one 
year, then in company with others built 
the flouring mill at this place, and contin- 
ued in business one year, since which time 
he was engaged in the lumber business 



^1 



.^ 



^1 



:i^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



for ten years, as agent iot W. J. Young & 
Co., of Clinton. In March, 1881, in com- 
pany with G. W. Carpenter, he engaged 
in tlie agricultural implement business, 
which partnership was continued until the 
spring of 1883, as the firm of McClung 
& Peak. 

Mr. McClung was one of the original 
members of the Tama City Water Power 
Com])any, and has been one of the Direct- 
ors ever since the organization of the com- 
pany. He was married, in 18-58, to Miss 
N. J. Gregg, a native of Ohio. They have 
four children living: Fanny B., now As- 
sistant Principal of the Tama City schools; 
liiirtis W., now at Mount Vernon College; 
and Florence. Fanny attended the Iowa 
State University, and also one year and a 
half at Mount Vernon College. She has 
been teaching in the schools of Tama City 
for two years. In politics, Mr. McClung 
is a (ireenbacker. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. 

E. S. Carpenter, of the firm of E. S. 
Carpenter & Son, is a native of Ohio, 
having been born in Noble county, of that 
State, July 31, 1841. There he received 
his education and reached his majority. 
During 1864 he enlisted in Company G, 
1 74lh Ohio Infantry, and served his coun- 
try until honorably discharged at Colum- 
bus, Ohio, in the fall of 1865. He partici- 
pated in the battle of The Cedars, the 
battle at Decatur, Alabama, and was also 
in the engagement at Kingston, North 
Carolina, besides being in several skir- 
mishes. At the close of the war he 
returned to his native county, and in 
March of 1869, came to Tama county, 
Iowa, locating in Howard township. There 
ho remained until December of 1877, 



when he settled on his present place on 
section 27, of Columbia township, where 
he now owns ICO acres of land. In poli- 
ties he is a Republican. While living in 
Howard township, Mr Carpenter held the 
office of Justice of the Peace four years 
and was also Constable of the town some 
time. At present, he is one of the Town 
'Trustees of Columbia. His marriage 
with Miss Ellen House, a native of Noble 
county, Ohio, occurred in 1860. They 
have eight children living : George W., 
Armada C , Nathan E., Sarah A., Eve- 
lena, Harvey C, Edna E. and Hilda M. 
Early in 1883, Mr. Carpenter and his son, 
George W., purchased the business of W. 
H. Hawk, of Tama City. They took pos- 
session February 15, and under the firm 
name of E. S. Carpenter & Son, are now 
doing a large business in agricultural im- 
plements, wagons, carriages, barbed wire 
and all goods found in a well assorted 
ware-house of that character. They will 
soon add a complete stock of hardware. 
W. H. Hawk, formerly dealer in 
agricultural implements, is a native of 
Canada West, having been born 100 
miles west of Toronto, on the 6th of 
January, 1847. He is a son of Piercifor 
and Jeanette ( Lawson ) Hawk. He re- 
mained at home helping his father with 
the farm work, until he had attained 
his majority and then came to Tama 
county, Iowa, settling in Perry township, 
where he engaged in farming until 1876. 
At that time he embarked in the agricul- 
tural implement business, at Tama City. 
Mr. Hawk is a much respected resident of 
the town and enjoys an extended trade. 
March 13, 1873, he was joined in wedlock 
with Miss Dora A. Granger, a native of 



A 



■i^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



969 



Michigan. Four children have blessed 
their union, three of whom are now 
living : W.alter, Aggie and Frederick. 

The tirst harness shop was opened by 
John Shannon, in 1865. There are two 
firms here at present. 

The boot and shoe trade has two repre- 
sentatives. W. A. Inscho, established 
here in 1882, and by square dealing and 
honest goods, has succeeded in building up 
a large and growing trade. W. F. Ster- 
ling is the other representative in this 
line. He has been in the business for 
about sixteen years and has a large trade. 

The buying of live stock is one of the 
important industries of Tama City. It is 
well represented by John Fife and Horace 
Day, who each do a business of at least 
$100,000 annually. 

II. Day is a native of New York State, 
having been born in Clinton county, on 
the 11th of June, 1820. Jle is a son of 
Ezra and Betsy ( Lathrop ) Day. His 
early life was passed in his native county, 
and there he obtained his education. 
While in that section of our country Mr. 
Day was engaged for eleven years in 
boating, his trip being from Lake Cham- 
plain to New York City and back. During 
the spring of 185.3 he removed to Dodge 
county, Wisconsin, where he tilled the 
soil for eleven years and then removed to 
Linn county, iowa. In 1868 he settled in 
Tama City, engaging in the agricultural 
implement business. The following spring 
after his arrival, he embarked in the grain 
trade and subsequently began buying and 
selling stock also. Mr. Day, at present, is 
one of the Town Trustees. In 1851 he 
was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca 
Beaman. They have three children living: 



Julia, Emma and Cassius. Mr. and Mrs. 
Day and their daughter Julia are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church. 

HYDRAULIC FLOURING MILLS. 

These mills were built in 1877-78 by B. 
F. Crenshaw, at a cost of $12,000. The 
original building was 40x60 feet, three 
stories; additions were soon after made, 
20x60 feet, three stories high and 20x50 
feet two stories high. In the fall of 1870, F. 
B. Ramsdell bought a half interest. 
Various changes have taken place. The 
mill is now owned by the Ramsdell's and 
Hopkin's. It is supplied with the roller 
process and has a pearl, barley and hominy 
mill in connection. 

B. F. Crenshaw, the founder of these 
mills, was born in Brownstown, Jackson 
county, Indiana, on the 16th of January, 
1816. He was reared in his native village 
and continued to reside in that county 
until the year of 1852, at which time he 
came west. His first settlement was at 
Marengo, Iowa county, Iowa, where he en- 
gaged in the milling business, owning the 
steam flouring mill of that place during 
his residence there. In 18U1 he built the 
Helena flouring mills, of Helena, Tama 
county, which he still owns and operates. 
In 1868 he settled in Tama City, and has 
since lived in that city. 

<;RIST MILL. 

The first grist mill established here was 
built by Bodfish & Iloman, in 1868. It 
was a three story brick building 40x40 feet 
and contained at that time two run of 
stone. A saw mill was also built at the 
same time in connection with it, the 
whole costing $10,000. In 1871 Charles 
Homan succeeded to the proprietorship, 
and has since been sole owner. Another 



r 



970 



-t^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



run of stone was added to the grist mill in 
1H75. He employs an average of one man 
in the grist and seven in the saw mill. 
This is the only saw mill -in the place. 
The power used is a thirty-horse power 
engine, which is used for both mills. 

Charles Homan is a native of Jefferson 
county, New York, born .January 1.3, 1831. 
He is a son of Piatt and Frances (Ingham) 
Homan, who also were born in that State. 
The first thirty-seven years of his life were 
passed in his native county, and there in 
his young manhood, he learned with his 
father the millers trade, which occupa- 
tion he has always followed. During his 
residence in New York State he spent six 
years in Oswego county. On his arrival in 
Tama county, in 1868, he, in company 
with C. K. Bodfish, built a grist and saw 
mill, which they operated together for two 
years and then dissolved partnership and 
Mr. Homan has since continued the busi- 
ness alone. In politics he is a Democrat, 
and has held the office of Councilman for 
one terra. He is a Master Mason and a 
member of Doric Chapter, Tama city. 
During the year 1853, he was joined in 
wedlock with Miss Charlotte Phillips, a 
native of Oswego county, New York. 
They have one child, a daughter, Lillian. 

J. F. Ward is a .son of Chauncey R. 
and Martha T. (Climer) Ward, and was 
born in Chillicothe, Ohio, March 3, 1828. 
His mother is a native of Harper's Ferry, 
Virginia, and his father, of Steuben 
county. New York. In 183.5 the family 
removed to Stark county, Illinois, locating 
where the present village of Toulon now 
stands. Shortly after they removed, to 



Oquawka,Illinois,thenceto Warren county. 
During the month of October, 1839, they 
came to Iowa, making their home in Iowa 
City until 1842, and while there his fa- 
ther, who was a millwright by trade, built 
the saw mill on the Rapid river at that 
place. In 1842 the family returned to the 
State of Illinois, locating in Henderson 
county, where Mr. Ward, Sr., erected a 
large flouring mill. Two years later they 
again settled in Iowa City, where he re- 
mained for twenty years, then came to 
Tama county, and built the Monticello 
mills. From there he went to Benton 
county and now resides in Belle Plaine, 
being seventy-eight years of age. When 
nineteen years of age the subject of this 
sketch began learning the millwright's 
trade under his father, and in 1852, in 
company with him, built the first saw mill 
in 'lama county, at Monticello, and subse- 
quently built at the same place, the first 
grist mill in the county. In 1857 he set- 
tled in Monticello, where, April 26 <f 
the same year, he was married to Miss 
Eva A. Overmire, who was born in San- 
dusky county, Ohio, April 8, 1839. She is 
a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Over- 
mire. Early in 1852 her father located a 
farm on section 6 of Toledo township, 
Tama county, and in March settled ther.e. 
He now lives in Howard township. In 
1860 Mr. Ward returned to Johnson coun- 
ty, Iowa, where he remained nearly four 
years, then spent one year in Benton 
county, and in 1865 came to Tama City, 
where be has since resided. Mrs. Ward 
has been a member of the M. E. Church 
since she was fifteen years of age. They 
have five children living: Guy P., Iran E., 
Leila M., Lee S. and Bessie. 




*f 



.1 



-'14.,:, 




CL/y^. 



A.yiJ-^'^ly-Z/L^ 



-t/.^W'. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



UNION PLOW COMPANY. 

This company established their sho|38 
here in 1875, which at that time consisted 
of a blacksmith shop 30x90 feet, a foundry 
30x50 feet and were built at a cost of $3,600. 
The stockholders were G. H. Warren, A. 
A. Howe, J. Sandage and A L. Houghton. 
The object was to manufacture plows and 
do a general jobbing business. They af- 
terward began the manufacture on an ex- 
tended scale, of the Fearless plow and 
the Wauchope grading machine. In 1877 
they bought the manufactory owned by 
the Carpenter's Association, making an ad- 
dition 30x90 feet to their buildings. In 
this department they manufactured a full 
line of wood-working machinery. In 1870 
the whole business was sold to J. W. 
Howe, of Worcester, Massachusetts, who 
has since carried on the business. The 
establishment employs twenty men and 
does a business of $30,000 annually. The 
power used is water from the Hydraulic. 

COOPER SHOP AND BUTTER TUB MANUFAC- 
TORY. 

A. L. Howard is the proprietor of this 
establishment. He commenced business 
on the water power in 1878. Of the tubs 
he turns out about 7,000 annually. 

A. L. Howard was born in Morrow 
county, Ohio, September 3, 1838. Four 
years after his birth, the family removed 
to Chautauqua county, New York, and in 
1855 they emigrated to Jackson county, 
Iowa, where A. L. Howard remained until 
the second year of our late rebelion, at 
which time he enlisted in Company A, 
26th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served 
until honorably discharged in June, 1865, 
at Clinton, Iowa. The following year he 



came to Tama county, locating at Tama 
City, and in 1867 opened a cooper shop. 
Mr. Howard has since followed that busi- 
ness with the exception of five years spent 
in farming and carpentering. During 
1867 he was united in marriage to Miss 
Elnora Leasure. Six children have been 
born to them, five of whom are living: 
Herbert L., Ella, Charles R„ Bessie and 
Frank. Gorege died in 1871 aged nine 
months. Mr. Howard's father died in 
April, 1881; his mother now resides at 
Dysart in this county. 

BROOM FACTOKIES. 

The manufacture of brooms is becoming 
an important feature in Tama City's en- 
terprises. The first shop was opened by 
P. Hixson October 1, 1879. Francis Diehl 
is now the only manufacturer in Tama 
City, and does a large business, manufac- 
turing 1500 dozen annually. W. E. New- 
come & Son have a factory two miles east 
of town. 

P. Hixson is a native of Indiana and 
was born in Montgomery county, Septem. 
ber 10, 1839. His parents were Matthew 
and Elizabeth (Quimby) Hixson. He was 
reared on a farm, and his youth and early 
manhood were passed in his native county. 
In 1867, he became engaged in manufac- 
turing brooms, and two years later re- 
moved to Tama City, Iowa, where he 
opened the first broom factory in this part 
of the county. Mr Hixson is an honest as 
well as industrious man, well deserving 
the patronage he receives. During 1861, 
he was married to Miss Phtebe Kincaid, 
who bore him one child, M.attie, wife of 
Francis Diehl. She died March 16, 1864. 
He was married the second time, March 



974 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



19, 1866, choosing for a helpmeet. Miss 
Margaret Stocl<lanl, who has borne him 
one child. 

TAMA CITY BEEWEEY. 

One of the leading enterprises of Tama 
City is its brewery. The main part of the 
building, 44x48 feet, jt'as erected in 18'7'7 
by Andrew Mathern & Co. at a cost of 
?;'7,000. It is a two story brick above 
ground. In 1879 the firm changed, and 
Andrew Mathern became sole proprietor. 
During this year he erected an addition, 
40X.5.5 feet, at a cost of $5,500. Another ad- 
dition .38x48 feet was added in 1880, at a 
cost of $5,000. The basement of the main 
building is divided into four compart- 
ments, three of which are used for storing 
beer, and the other for brewing and 
washing purposes. A part of the room 
above the basement is used for storing 
material, and the remainder, 48x58 feet, is 
used for storing ice. That part of the 
building built in 1879 is used for a malt 
room and dwelling, the basement being 
used for the former. The basement of 
the main building is built of stone. The 
walls on the north side are three feet 
through, with a four foot foundation; on 
the east side a four foot foundation and a 
thirty inch wall; on the west and south, 
three foot foundation and a two foot wall. 
The part built in 1879 has a sixteen inch 
wall. From four to six men are employed, 
varying at different seasons of the year. 
The power used is a twelve-horse engine 
and a sixteen-horse boiler. The capacity 
of the establishment is twenty-five barrels 
every twelve hours. 

A. Mathern is a native of Elsac, France, 
where he was born January 10, 18.32. Ilis 
father and family emigrated to America 



in 1843 and settled in Muskingum county, 
Ohio. There Andrew remained until 
1853, engaged in farming and working on 
public works by the month. During 1852, 
he was married to Frances Brecht and at 
that time had hardly a dollar to his name. 
The following year he removed to Iowa 
county, Iowa, where he remained until 
1856, and then came to Tama county and 
settled on section 1 1 of Carroll township, 
where he purchased 100 acres of land 
which he improved and lived upon eight 
years. At the end of that time he located 
on a farm of forty acres of improved land 
on section 30 of Howard township, for 
which he paid *25 per acre. On this farm 
he remained about thirteen years and then 
came to Tama City, where he immediately 
began the erection of a brewery, which 
establishment he has since been running. 
Mr. Mathern now owns in Carroll town- 
ship 240 acres of land. This with his other 
property has been earned by persevering 
industry and economy. In politics, he is 
a Democrat. His mother is still living 
but his father died in January of 1881. 
Mr. and Mrs. Mathern have six children 
living: Mary E., John W., Phebe, Clara, 
Frank A. and Christina. 

TAMA CRBAMEEV. 

Although the making of butter and 
cheese on an extensive scale is of but re- 
cent date in this part of the State, Tama 
City was among the first to encourage 
this growing industry among her manu- 
facturing enterprises. In May, 1881, Hil- 
ton Brothers & Co., of Boston, Massachu- 
setts, built the Tama Creamery. The main 
building is 26x60 feet, a story and a half, 
with a wing 30.\45 feet, the whole built at 
a cost $4,500. They employ during tiie 



¥' 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



9V5 



summer months fifteen men and twelve 
teams. During their first month they 
made on an average of 400 pounds of but- 
ter per day. During 1882 their average 
was 700 pounds. During the winter of 
1882-83 an ice house 24x26 feet was built, 
and another large additios adding more 
room for cold storage for butter. The 
power used is an eight-horse power en- 
gine. Their patrons now number 300. 
The entire business is under the charge of 
C. A. Hilton, a man of large experience in 
the butter trade. Hilton Brothers & Co., 
the proprietors of the concern, are exten- 
sive and well known commission mer- 
chants of Boston, Massachusetts. 

BRICK. 

The manufacture of brick was begun in 
1867 by C. B. Bently, who has since con- 
tinued in the trade, manufacturing a supe- 
rior quality of brick, which is extensively 
used here. He manufactures 1,000,000 
•brick annually, about half of which 
amount is shipped abroad. He employs 
an average of fifteen men. 

C. B. Bentley, brick manufacturer of 
Tama City, was born in Dayton, Ohio, 
November 3, 1840. He is a son of John 
A. and Maria (Ogan) Bentley. When he 
was sixteen years of age his parents re- 
moved to Miami county, Ohio, and there 
C. B. reached his majority. At seventeen 
years of age he made a trip to Iowa, re- 
turning to his native State one year later. 
In 1862, became to Iowa, locating in Mar- 
shall county, where he engaged in brick 
making two years and then settled in Tama 
City, where he has since been engaged in 
tlie same business. Mr. Bentley has held 
the ottice of Trustee of the township, and 
has always voted with the Republicans. In 



April, 1861, he was married to Miss Sarah 
A. Carroll, a native of Miami county, Ohio. 
Eight children have been born to them, 
five of whom are now living: Lawrence 
E., Angle, Cora, Maude and John. Callie 
died at seven months of age; Lilian died 
at five months, and Charlie was killed on 
the railroad when thirteen years of age. 

PAPER MILL. 

One of the leading manufactories of 
Tama City and of which her citizens are 
so justly proud is the paper mill. This 
institution was built during the winter of 
1878-79 by the Tama Paper Company. The 
main part of the building is two stories 
high, 30x66 feet, with a wing 30x66 feet. 
The main building is used for a beating 
room, a bleach room and a rag room. In 
the wing is the paper machine, a forty- 
eight inch cylinder machine. The power 
used is water from the Hydraulic. A six- 
ty-horse power boiler is used for cooking 
straw and drying paper. The entire build- 
ing and machinery cost $20,000. The 
Tama Paper Company was organized in 
1878, with J. Ramsdell, President; T. A. 
Hopkins, Agent and H. E. Ramsdell, Sec- 
retary and Treasurer, the proprietors be- 
ing J. Ramsdell, T. A. Hopkins, 11. E. 
Ramsdell, George Gregg and John F. 
Ellsworth. They employ fifteen men on 
an average. The entire concern is under 
the immediate supervision of H. E. Rams- 
dell. They do an extensive business. 

FURNITURE IIANUFACTORY. 

This branch of industry was established 
in 1880, by R. C. Cleveland, the present 
proprietor, in a frame building 40x60 feet 
and two stories high, erected for the pur- 
pose on the water power. He keeps con- 
stantly employed from six to eight men 



-4-®- 



r^-.^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'k 



inanufacturingall kinds of furniture, mak- 
ing a speciality of extension tables. The 
machinery in the building cost ^1,500. He 
does a business of $10,000 annually. 

K. II. Cleveland was born at Athol, 
Massachusetts, December 12, 1855. In 
18G2, his parents removed to the State of 
Vermont, and there the subject of our 
sketch grew to manhood. He was reared 
on a farm and received his education in 
the common schools of that State. Dur- 
ing ISY", he came to Tama City, Iowa, 
\vli«re he soon became one of the firm of 
Cleveland Brothers & Gilbert, who opened 
a sash, door and blind manufactory, on the 
water power. In 1878, he embarked in 
the furniture business, and is now one 
of the leading furniture dealers in the 
town. Mr. Cleveland was married, in 
1 870, to Miss Martha D. Harris, a native 
of Pennsylvania. 

TAMA riYDKAULIC POAEE. 

No one branch of business or industry 
in Tama City and probably in Tama 
cDunly has produced such good results as 
the TamallydraulicPower, which is the 
result of energy, pluck and perseverance, 
displayed by some of Tama City's most 
prominent business men, meeting at every 
sli']) obstacles which were almost insur- 
mountable, and which would have been so 
to a less energetic class of men. In the 
early history of the town it became appar- 
ent to the people of Tama City, that 
although they had railroads and a good 
farniiiig country to back them, still some- 
thing more must be done in order that 
this young city should reach out, and its 
presence be felt in the commercial world. 
It is a well known fact that to build a 
town and make it a commercial center. 



capital is needed. To bring capital, 
inducements must be made whereby the 
shrewd capitalist can see that by investing 
capital, dividends of a larger or smaller 
per cent, will be made upon the amount 
invested. There is no better way of bringing 
this capital than by establishing manufac- 
tories. But in nearly all of the larger cities 
when millions of dollars have been invested 
in manufactories,8ome inducements, natural 
or otherwise, are to be found which in- 
duced the first to invest. A good water 
power is generally the first inducement. 
\'illages have sprung up and cities have 
been built, where some shrewd observer 
has seen that the water power, if properly 
utilized, could be made much use of for 
manufacturing purposes. This, Tama 
City did not have, and had the business 
men been of the same stamp as those of 
most inland towns, she would be no better 
off to-day, and to use the words of -one of 
the early settlers: "In the language of 
Mahomet reversed, if Tama City can't go 
to the water, then the water must come to 
Tama City." In the early days of this 
part of the county, Charles Irish, wliile 
surveying in company with J. H. Ilollen 
and others, made the discovery of the 
fact that there was fall enough in the 
Iowa river to render possible an extensive 
water power, but this was years before 
Tama City was laid out, and at that time 
those intrusted could not control the capi- 
tal necessary for any undertaking that 
would require the amoimt of money that 
woidd be necessary to utilize the waters of 
the Iowa, conseipiently the matter dropped. 
After the town had been started and the 
business men had awakened to the fact th.it 
something must be done to build up thf 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



977 



town, the subject of the water power was 
revived, and meetings were called, resolu- 
tions adopted, committees appointed, and 
a stir made that would kindle to a flame 
the water power subject. While a few 
were using their every power to get 
moneyed men interested, some opposed it, 
but thanks to the few who undertook this 
improvement, Tama City to-day has a 
water power of which all are justly proud, 
and which has brought capitalists who 
have established manufactories, which, 
were it not for the water power, would 
have been located elsewhere. Prelimi- 
nary surveys were made by Mr. Irish to 
obtain the amount of fall that would be 
desired. D. B. Sears, of Rock Island, 
also visited Tama City. He was a man of 
large experience in hydraulics, and after 
a careful examination, assured the citizens 
of the entire feasibility of the undertaking. 
The services of J. D. Arey, an hydraulic 
engineer, of Illinois, were engaged; he 
made a complete survey and plat of the 
contemplated work, and fully corroborated 
the survey made by Mr. Irish, and disclosed 
to the people of Tama City that when com 
j)leted she would have a water power of 
from one to ten thousand horse power. 

A dam is built across the Iowa river at 
a place called the Narrows, in the north- 
west quarter of section 30, and a race 
nearly three and a half miles in length, 
runs tiirough sections 30, 29 and '28 and 
into the reservior in section 34. The 
natural fall is sixteen and a half feet, 
the dam was originally six feet but was 
found to be too large, and has since been 
cut down to four feet. The race has an 
.averiige width of one hundred feet, and a 
sutticcnt depth to carry, while low, 



nearly all the water of the river. For the 
first mile it is dug in the natural ground, 
the remainder of the way it is made by 
heavy banks of earth, which at the east 
end are seven feet high. The inside of the 
banks are thickly set with water willows, 
which effectually prevent the water from 
reducing them. The water crosses Deer 
creek in an aqueduct and here a most in- 
genious arrangement is displayed. Should 
the resorvoir overflow from the breaking 
of the dykes that surround it, or from ex- 
treme high water, there are gates provided 
in the aqueduct which would run the water 
down Deer creek and into the river. 
Gates are provided in the lower end and 
four on either side of the aqueduct. Thus 
by shutting the end gates and opening the 
side, the water would be stopped in its 
course to the resorvoir, until it could be 
repaired or the water abated, and flow 
through the side gates into Deer creek. 

The reservoir covers forty-three acres of 
land, and has an average depth of six feet 
of water, when full. The banks are of 
earth, very heavy and about seven feet 
high. The water is drawn from the 
reservoir by flumes to produce the power 
to run the machinery, and a tail race is 
provided to carry it back to the river. 

The Tama Hydraulic and Manufactur- 
ing Company was organized in February, 
1874, for the improvment of the water of 
the Iowa river. The principal place of 
business to be Tama city, Iowa. Capital 
stock $100,000 consisting of 1,000 shares 
of $100 each, stock may be increased to 
§1.50,000. The incorporators were B. A. 
Hall, Thomas Murray, J. H. Ilollen, L. 
Merchant, M. C. Murdough, R. H. Ryan, 



978 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Horace Day, G. V. Goodell, S. C. Brown, 
S. M. {.'hapiiian and G. H. "Warren. 

Tliis company owned and operated the 
hydraulic power until 1881, when it passed 
into the hands of Parley Starr. January 1, 
1882, it became the property of the Tama 
Water Power Company, which was or- 
ganized December 12, 18S1, for the pur- 
pose of purchasing and operating the water 
power formerly owned by the Hydraulic 
Company. The capital stock was -*!30,000. 
The incorporators were B. A. Hall, A. J. 
Tyler, C. E. Hayes, John Ramsdell, Fred 
B. Ramsdell, James McClung and J. W. 
Willett. 

The present officers of the company are: 
President B. A. Hall; Secretary J. W. 
Willett. 

B. A. Hall, President of the Tama 
Water Power Company, was born in 
(ruernsey county, Ohio, on the 7th of July, 
1821. His parents were Benjamin and 
Sarah (Stubbs) Hall. His youth was 
passed on his father's farm, and his early 
educational advantages were such as good 
common schools afforded, together with 
an attendance at a select school. In 1854 
he turned his steps westward in search of 
a good location and finally, in 1857, set- 
tled in Tama county, Iowa, where he pur- 
chased a farm of 240 acres, on which a 
part of Tama City now stands. Mr. Hall 
made farming his principal business until 
the completion of the railroad to this place, 
at which time he became engaged in other 
branches of trade. Grain dealing was the 
first outside enterprise to gain his atten- 
tion, and soon after, the agricultural im- 
plement business. Subsequently, in com- 
pany with C. B. Wyman, he opened the 
first lumber yard in Tama City. Upon 



the organization of the First National 
Bank, Mr. Hall was one of the incorpora- 
tors, and was elected its first President, 
which position he held for many years and 
finally resigned in consequence of ill 
health. Probably the crowning point in 
Mr. Hall's business career and the place 
where he displayed to advantage his en- 
ergy, perseverence and business qualifica- 
tions, was the share he had in bringing to 
Tama City its water power. At the outset, 
Mr. Hall saw what a great benefit it would 
be to the town, and immediately began 
pushing the enterprise with all his will 
power, backing every move with his hard 
earned dollars; and it is largly due to his 
energy and perseverence that Tama City 
to-day has her water facilities. In politics 
Mr. Hall is a staunch Republican, eternal 
hostility to oppression being his motto, he 
is also a strong advocate of temperance. 
Mr. Hall has held the office of County 
Supervisor three terms, but has not been 
an office seeker. Instead, he ha.s always 
used his influence in securing the positions 
for other worthy men. Upon Mr. Hall's 
settlement in the State of Iowa, his capital 
was very small, but by making use of the 
powers of mind and body given -liim by 
God, he is to-day counted one of the 
wealthiest citizens of Tama county, and is 
also a true and honest man. He was 
united in marriage December 21, 18.54, to 
Miss Elizabeth Milhous, and they now 
have two children : Ada, now Mrs. W. T. 
Plumb and Mary E., now Mrs. II. F. 
Carmichael. 

The work was completed the first of 
November, 1874, and on the i:3th of the 
same month a grand celebration was giv- 
en on the fair grounds at Tama City over 



■i' 



A=^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the completion of the works. The Tama 
City Press had the following to saj^ of the 
jubilee: 

"Friday, the 13th, was the day set for a 
jollification by the people over the water 
power prospects, and lai'ge numbers of the 
good friends of Tama City came in from 
the neighboring towns and country, deter- 
mined to partake of the roasted ox, and 
join in the general festivities. 

"The immense reservoir in front of the 
town had commenced tilling the evening 
before, and on Friday a broad sheet of 
water lay there, sullenly tossing and surg- 
ing under the prevailing heavy winds, like 
a very lake, indeed. 

"Many were present from abroad; some 
of the speakers expected were, for one rea- 
son or another, deterred from coming, but 
when the throng assembled within the 
fair ground, there were excellent and en- 
couraging speeches made by Rev. G. F. 
Magoun, President of Iowa College; Hon. 
James Wilson, M. C; E. A. Chapin, Esq., 
editor of the Marshalltown Times and 
others. Rev. O. A. Holmes read a His- 
torical essay, and O. H. Mills, Esq., read 
that which the Inter Occ«« reporter styled 
'the event of the day,' a first-rate poem. 
Then after music by the Cedar Rapids 
Cornet Band and the Tama City Brass 
Band, the people repaired to Floral Hall, 
enlarged and well fitted for a dining room, 
and ate roasted os and cake, and 'chicken 
fixin'g,' and drank hot coffee and tea, till 
hunger and thirst were things of the past 
and the possible future only, and not at 
all of the present time." 

Taken altogether, notwithstanding the 
very unfavorable weather, the people who 
came were well contented, and Tama City 



enjoyed a new evidence that the masses 
of her neighbors in town and country 
take pride in her enterprise and rejoice 
over her success. 

The poem read by O. H. Mills, Esq., 
was an excellent one. It was entitled: 

HOW THE WATER CAME DOWN AT TAMA. 

You've undoubtedly heard of the * 'Falls of Lodore." 
How the water came down with a rush and a roar — 
With a dash and a bound — a lull and a swell; 
Such circles and whirls — 'tis a wonder to tell. 
But the way it comes down through the 1 ama Hy- 
draulic, 
(The name seems an odd one, but that's what they 

call it) 
Is another, a different and separate fall. 
It can't fail to remind of the ' 'raffing- kanawl." 

On the river, at the Narrows, 'twas oftentimes said: 
"Were the water only here, 'twere twenty feet 

head!" 
But how could we get it?— the project seemed rash. 
'T would take months of hard labor and mountains of 

cash. 
But a handfuU of men whose watchword was Pluck ! 
Who never by trifles were hindered or stuck. 
Said: "The work must be done, whatcver's to pay, 
The funds shall be raised and the ditch dug- straight- 
way." 

So a meeting was called to have a good talk ; 
But little was said, but Lord '. how the stock 
Of the ' 'Tama Hydraulic" was taken that night. 
And the water, to the brave, seemed plainly in sight. 

There were men who were poor and of money had 

none. 
Said: ■ 'We'll work on the ditch and when it is done. 
Just give us our time, be it ever so small. 
And stock we'll receive in this "Hydraulic Fall." 
.\nd one had a farm— he made us a deed, 
' 'Here take my broad acres, the work must proceed." 
There were cattle and horses, they were all put in. 
In fact, all we could spare was put into "tin." 

A nd good Tama City, the mother of all. 
Woman-like, she wanted a good "waterfall;" 
She wanted the hum of machinery to hear; 
She wanted factories and mills by her side to appear; 
She wanted more thrift, more labor for all; 
So she expended twelve thousand in this ' 'Hydraulic 
FaU." 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Unheeding- the jeers of the doubting and wiseacres 

too, 
Witha might and a will we've put the work throuih; 
We've dammed the broad river with wood and with 

stone. 
A (jlorious old guard-lock, 'tis finished and done. 
We've cut through the hills and filled up the sloughs. 
And made a rugged, hard bank for the water to use. 

We've got a. nice lake as elear as the sky. 
Whose blue waves forever will ilance merrily. 
And make our hearts glad, our souls to rejoice, 
For they speak with a sure, unmistakable voice: 
• ■'!' was that watchword of yours, that gritty word 

"Pluck," 
'Tis worth a million such words as "Fortune" and 

"Luck." 
'Twa.s that union, that might, that effort sincere. 
That makes us so happy on our cosy banks here, 
And the whirl of my wheels will be merrier still. 
I will factories build and a glorious mill. 
And business .shall come and nestle by me: 
I'm a nice little lake and happy Fll be." 

So forget all your troubles and now we'll rejoice. 
And make the air ring with jubilant voice. 
United we were; still "Union's" our song; 
That's how the water in the Hydratilic came down. 

POISTOFFICE. 

luka postoffiee was established soon 
after the town was platted. The first 
poslmasier was J. H. Beaumont, who kept 
the office in the building now used for the 
City Hotel. During the summer of 1865 
he was succeeded by Thomas Murray, who 
removed the office to a building where the 
First National Bank now stands; that build 
ing now stands on lot 11, block 2, of J. 
H. Hollens addition to Tama City, and is 
used Ijy George Blair as a residence. In 
the si)ring of 1866, Mr. Murray moved the 
office to the west room of the Empire 
l)l()ck. In June, 1866, he resigned in 
favor of John Zehrung, who moved the 
office to the east room of the Empire 
block. During the summer of this year, 
the name was changed by the postoffice 
department to Tama City. The office re- 



mained in this building until January, 
1867. A. W. Thompson was the next 
postmaster and moved the office to H. 
Soleman's drug store. In July, 1868, he 
was succeeded by J. B. Tims, who re- 
mained postmaster until July 1, 1869, dur- 
ing which time the office was kept in the 
Predieau.Y building. F. J. M. Woiiser 
was the next postmaster, he moved the 
office to a building on the south side of 
Third street, erected for the purpose. He 
remained postmaster until April, 1870, 
when he was succeeded by Thomas Mur- 
ray. March 1, 1883, F. J. M. Wonser 
again became postmaster. The office is 
kept on the south side of Third street. 

It was made a money order office July 
7, 1873. The first order drawn was for 
f;2.50 ; the remitter being Isaac Madeii, 
the payee L. T. Lemon, of Freeport, Illi- 
nois. It was made an international 
money order office, in 187.5. 

HOTELS. 

The first hotel built in Tama City, was 
known as the City Hotel, now Commer- 
cial, and was built during the winter of 
1863-4 by M. C. Murdough. It was first 
opened to the public in 1864. The part 
that was then used for an office is now 
used for a sitting room, and the part now 
used for an office was then used for a store 
by Mr. Murdough. There are now four 
hotels in the town ; the Grand Central, 
Northwestern, City Hotel and Commer- 
cial House. 

The American was the first express 
company to establish an office in Tama 
City. This was done at the time of the 
completion of the Chicago & Northwest- 
ern railroad, in 1862. The U. S. express 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



company, established an office here upon 
the completion of the Chicago & Milwau- 
kee railroad in 1881. 

A prominent contractor here is L. L. 
Rhoads. He is a native of Pennsylvania, 
and was born in a house that stood on the 
line dividing the counties of Berks and 
Chester. He was born December 1, 1833, 
and is a son of Jeremiah and Martha 
(Linderman ) Rhoads, who were also born 
in the State of Pennsylvania. Until six- 
teen years of age, his life was spent on 
his father's farm, but from that date until 
he attained his majority, he was engaged 
in stone cutting. In September of 1855, 
he was united in marriage with Miss 
Catharine McAnulty, who was born in 
Pennsylvania. They have three children 
living: Ida M , Martha- C. and Wesley 

E. During the early part of 1857, Mr. 
Rhoads, with his family, started for Tama 
county, Iowa, arriving hce in April. He 
first located in Howard township, where 
he remained about six years engaged in 
carpentering, and then removed to Tama 
City, engaging in the same business. In 
February, 1880, he, in company with L. 
H. Pennel, began a general contracting 
work, which branch of business they still 
follow. In politics he is a Republican, 
and has held the office of Justice of the 
Peace one term. 

Lewis H. Pennell, one of Tama City's 
carpenter's, was born in Fayette county, 
Pennsylvania, November 9, 1834. He 
was the eldest son born to H. M. and A. 

F. (Lewis) Pennell, who were the parents 
of nine children, seven of whom are now 
living. Lewis' parents were also born in 
Pennsylvania, and married there in 1824. 
Ilis father died in 1874, but his mother 



still lives, at the advanced age of 82 years. 
In 1853, his father and family, removed to 
Ohio, and three years later, settled in 
Linn county, Iowa, where the subject of 
this sketch engaged in carpentering until 
1861, at which time, he turned his atten- 
tion to farming. During 1865, he came 
to Tama City, where he has followed his 
old trade — that of carpentering. He was 
married in March of 1861, to Miss Mary 
Bailey, a native of Ohio. She bore him 
one son: Fred A., and died in February of 
1873. Mr. Pennell's eldest sister, Eliza- 
beth, is now living with him. She was 
born August 21, 1828, and was married in 
Washington county, Ohio, during 1859, to 
Silas Brown, a native of Vermont. Three 
children were born to them, two of whom 
are now living: Clara A. and Lucie F. 
Mr. Brown died March 7, 1862. 

W. A. DeLand, dairyman, is a native of 
Michigan, having been born in Monroe 
county of that State, March 9, 1847. When 
three years of age, his parents removed to 
Fon-du-lac, Wisconsin, where their son 
obtained a good education and grew to 
manhood. He began the study of dent- 
istry at eighteen years of age, and after- 
wards followed that profession two years. 
He then began working in a sash factory 
and there had the misfortune of losing his 
right hand. Afterwards he learned tele- 
graph}', which business he followed during 
the remainder of his stay in Wisconsin. 
In April of 1873, Mr. DeLand came to 
Tama City, where he was in the employ 
of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad 
as telegraph operator until July 1, 1880, 
at which date he resigned his position and 
became engaged in the dairy business. 
Two years later, he removed to his farm, 



84 



r 



Jl 



982 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



which is situated one and a half miles 
west of Tama City, and is at present en- 
gaged in the dairy business. He is one 
of the Directors of School District num- 
ber 2. Mr. DeLand was united in mar- 
riage, in IS'Zi, with Miss Julia J. Pre- 
dieaux, a native of Wisconsin. They have 
two children: John R. and Lelia E. 

James Harper Brooks, one of the most 
enterprising men of Tama county, is a 
native of Ashtabula county, Ohio, and 
was born to James and Mary (Harper) 
Brooks, on the 3d day of April, 1829. His 
early life was passed in his native county, 
and there he received an academic educa- 
tion at Kingsville Academy, Ohio. Dur- 
ing his younger days, he assisted his father 
in his various enterprises; at one time fill- 
ing the position of clerk on The Ohio, a 
steamer owned by his father. In 1851, he 
removed to Kane county, Illinois, where, 
for three years he was engaged extensively 
in farming and sheep raising. During 1854, 
he became engaged in railroad building, 
his first contract being with the Chicago 
& Northwestern road, where he furnished 
all the wood-work, including ties etc., from 
Turner Junction to Dixon, Illinois, and in 
this undertaking, was engaged two years. 
Although Mr. Brooks started in life with 
little else than a good education, he 
found himself at the age of twenty-seven, 
the possessor of $20,000. He was the 
owner of an intelligent brain, a brave 
heart and a strong and willing pair of 
hands; with these, he determined at the 
outset to overcome all obstacles on the 
road to fortune. The financial crash of 
1856-7, left him, with thousands of others, 
penniless; however he still possessed more 
than he began with, for the year had giv- 



en him experience and he determined to 
seek new fields, and build up again on a 
firmer basis. In 1857, he came to Iowa, 
settling in Otter Creek township, of Tama 
county, where for three years, he turned 
his attention exclusively to farming. At 
the end of that time, he again began rail- 
road contracting, which has since been his 
principal business. Success has followed 
upon success, until to-day, he stands 
among the wealthiest men of the county. 
He was one of the founders of the Bank 
of Tama, and is at present, a member of 
the banking firm of Brooks & Moore, of 
Traer. For nine years he was engaged 
in the merchandise trade at Tama City. 
In the spring of 1866, heremoved to Tama 
City and subsequently erected one of the 
finest residences in the county. In poli- 
tics, he was formeriy a Whig, but since 
1855, has been a Republican. On the 5th 
day of December, 1850, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Harriet Hartshorn, of 
Erie county, Pennsylvania. Both are ac- 
tive members of the Baptist Church, and 
generously respond to all the calls of a 
religious and charitable nature. Two 
children have been born to them, one of 
whom is now living: Arthur Lee, living 
four miles east of Toledo. 

Hugh McAnulty, one of Tama county's 
pioneers, was born in Berks county, Penn- 
sylvania, March 4, 1831. He is a .son of 
Patrick and Catherine (O'Neal) McAnulty. 
The father died in Pennsylvania when 
Hugh was about twenty years old, and 
about four years later, in 1855, the subject 
of this sketch went to Minnesota, going as 
far north as Pembina, in the Red river 
country. His mother moved to Tama 
county, Iowa, and settled in Howard town- 



?1« r- 



5)p7* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ship, where she still lives. She is the 
mother of fifteen children, and is now 
eighty years of age. In 1859, Mr. Mc- 
Aniilty came to Tama City, settling in 
Howard township, where he bought forty 
acres of land, which he subsequently sold 
and then purchased eighty acres. He im- 
proved the land and lived there until his re- 
moval to Tama City. For the past ten 
years, Mr. McAnulty hns done most of the 
couuty bridge building. In politics, he is 
a staunch Republican, has held the ottice 
of County Supervisor, and at present is a 
member of the Tama City School Board. 
In 1860, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Prudence Carlisle, a native of Illi- 
nois, and a daughter of Lewis M. Carlisle, 
an early settler of Benton county, Iowa. 
Five children bless this union: Lewis, 
Martha, Elmer, Mable and Florence. 

Truman Bricker is a native of Ohio, 
born in Knox county, of that State, on the 
17th of November, 1834. His father was 
John Bricker, who was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, and when Truman was but two years 
of age his father removed to Knox county, 
Ohio, where he settled on a farm and re- 
mained until his death. In the spring of 
1855, the subject of this sketch located in 
Greene county, Wisconsin, where he re- 
mained about fifteen months and then came 
to Iowa. He first settled in Hardin county, 
this State, where he lived until January of 
1858, at which date he located on a 
farm in Otter Creek township, Tama coun- 
ty. In 1861, Mr. Bricker went back to 
Ohio, remained four weeks, and returned 
to Tama county. On the 4th of Novem- 
ber, 1861, he was married and remained 
on his farm until 1882, when the family 
moved to Tama City. Mr. and Mrs. 



Bricker have been blessed with five chil- 
dren, one son and four daughters. The 
son is deceased. 

Garrett Soleman, an early settler of 
Tama county, was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, August 20, 1820. When fourteen 
years of age he came to the United States, 
settling in Sandusky county, Ohio, where 
he lived until 1865. During the fall of 
that year he came to Tama county, Iowa, 
locating in Toledo. Before settling here 
Mr. Soleman had made a visit to this 
county in May of the same year, at which 
time he had entered 160 acres of land on 
section 7, of Otter Creek township. In 
1856, he removed to Iowa City, where he 
remained two and a half years, engaged 
in freighting. He then returned to Toledo, 
settling on a farm two miles southeast of 
the place, where he continued to live 
until 1863 and then removed into town, 
where he engaged in mercantile business. 
One year later, he removed to Tama City, 
and has since lived a retired life. In poli- 
tics, he is a Democrat and has always 
taken an active part in the political affairs 
of the county. In the year 1841, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Angeline 
Mountler, a native of Germany. Five 
children have blessed their union, four of 
whom are now living: Henry, Charles, 
.John and Ella. 

.Lewis Merchant, one of Tama county's 
pioneer merchants, is a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, born in Mercer county, of that 
State, on the 29th day of December, 1824. 
He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Davis) 
Merchant, also natives of that State. His 
youthful days were spent on his father's 
farm. He received an academic educa- 



*^'~" 



;tv* 



k. 



084 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



tion at Mercer, and subsequently engaged 
in merchandising. In May of 1855, Mr. 
Merchant arrived in Tama county, and 
located at Toledo, where he embarked in 
mercantile pursuits. There he remained 
eight years, and then engaged in trade 
one year at Boonesboro, Iowa During 
.March of 1805, the subject of our sketch re- 
turned to Tama county, locating in Tama 
City, where the following year he became 
engaged in trade. In 1874, Mr Merchant 
disposed of his stock, since which time 
he has led a retired life. Socially, he is a 
genial, pleasant and affable gentleman, 
which (jualities combined with his busi- 
ness capacity, has made him a successful 
man, and secured to him many warm 
friends and well wishers. In politics he 
is a staunch Republican, and has always 
taken an active part in political affairs. 
Mr. Merchant was at one time one of the 
Directors of the First National Bank. 
He is a Master Mason, and a member of 
St. Barnard Commandery of Belle Plaine. 
He has always adhered to single blessed- 
ness. 

Another prominent resident of Tama, 
Milton Reed, is a son of Josephus and 
Nancy (Rice) Reed, and was born in 
Union county, Ohio, November 8, 1834. 
He remained in his native county until 
eighteen years of age and then removed 
with his parents to Alamakee county, 
Iowa, where they were among the first 
settlers. His father entered some Gov- 
ernment land and Milton followed farm- 
ing wnile in that county. In December of 
18(it) he came to Tama county, settling on 
section 19 of Richland township, where 
he now owns a fine farm of 320 acres, 
which, when he came in possession of it. 



was rough prairie land, but is now under 
excellent cultivation and valued at ^40 
per acre. While Mr. Reed lived in that 
township he took an active interest in edu- 
cational affairs. During the fall of 1882 he 
removed into Tama City, and is now lead- 
ing a retired life. In 1857 he was joined 
in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss 
Artemissa Reed, a lady of the same name, 
but no relation. They have two children 
living, Fred and Nessa. 

Captain William Gallagher (deceased) 
was a son of William and Elizabeth (Kirk- 
patrick) Gallagher, born in Chestercounty, 
Pennsylvania, on the 23d of December, 
] 833. Subsequently the family removed 
to the State of Indiana, and in 1854 lo- 
cated in Linn county, Iowa. During the 
spring of 1856 they settled in Howard 
township, Tama county. December 2, 
1802, the subject of this fketch was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary Craw- 
ford, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth 
(Hall) Crawford. She was born near 
Pittsburg, in Alleghany county, Pennsyl- 
vania, December 31, 1836. Shortly after 
her birth the family removed to West- 
moreland county, and in November of 
1854, came to Iowa. They remained in 
Cedar county about two years and then 
settled in Howard township of Tama 
county, where her father died December 
21, 1879. Her mother still resides there. 

Mrs. Gall gher is one of a family of 
eleven children, all of whom are still liv- 
ing, the youngest being now thirty-four 
years old. In October of 1861, Mr. Gal- 
lagher enlisted in Company G, 14th Iowa 
Infantry as Second Lieutenant. He was 
afterwards promoted to the First Lieuten- 
ancy and in April of 1802 was taken ])ris- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



'.[L. 



oner at the battle of Shiloh. He remained 
in Confederate prisons until released on 
parole in October of 1862, when he re- 
turned home, and as above stated, was 
married in December. The last of the 
latter month he was exchanged and some 
time after was made Captain of his com- 
pany, which rank he held until honorably 
discharged from service during the last 
month of the year 1864. While in the 
army Mr. Gallagher purchased his present 
farm near Tama City, upon which he set- 
tled in the spring of 1865. His death oc- 
curred in January, 1872. In politics he 
was a staunch Republican, and held several 
offices of trust. Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher 
were blessed with two children: Anna 
Cora and William S., who are now living 
at home. 

INCOEI'ORATION. 

A petition was made to the Judge of 
Tama county, signed by fifty of the legal 
voters of Tama City, asking that the fol- 
lowing described territory be set apart for 
municipal purposes, to be known as Tama 
City, commencing at the northeast corner 
of the northwest quarter of the southwest 
quarter of section 26, township 8.3, north 
of range 15, west of the fifth principal 
meridian, thence running west to the north- 
east corner of the northwest quarter of 
the southwest quarter of section 27, thence 
south to the township line, thence east on 
said township line to the southeast corner 
of the southwest quarter of the southwest 
quarter of section .35, thence north to the 
place of beginning, as marked and platted 
on the map hereunto attached, and your 
petitioners further represent that the num- 
ber of inhabitants' within the territory 
embraced within said limits, is not less 



than 1,000 souls. A census was taken 
by Asa Critchfield and the number of in- 
habitants found to be 1,026, and an affida- 
vit was made to that effect March 2, 1860, 
before F. J. M. Wonser, a Notary Public. 
April 23, 1869, the County Judge ap- 
pointed B. A. Il.nll, J. H. HoIIen, Thomas 
Murray, C. E. Heath and William P. 
Browne, as Commissioners to hold an 
election. In accordance with this the 
Commissioners appointed an election to 
be held at the office of F. J. M. Wonser in 
Tama City, on the 29th day of July, 1869. 
The Judges of this election were B. A 
Hall, J. H. Hollen and Thomas Murray; 
the Clerks were C. E. Heath and W. P. 
Browne. At this election the subject of 
incorporation was voted upon, the result 
being 105 for and five against. The first 
election of officers was held at the office 
of F. J. M. Wonser, on the fourth day of 
September, 1869. The officers elected 
were : M. A. Newcomb, Mayor; J. H. 
Brooks, Thomas Murray, J. Brice, jr., S. 
W. Cole and J. B. Spofl"ord,Councilmen. 
George W. Walton, Recorder. 

The following comprises the list from 
that time to the present : 

1870— J. B. Spofford, Mayor ; R. H. 
Ryan, J. H. Smith, L. Carmichael, S. W. 
Cole and J. H. Brooks, Councilmen; G. E. 
Maxwell, Recorder. 

1871— J. B. Spofford, Mayor; O. J. Stod- 
ard, G. W. Cowles, ?mith Patterson, R. 
Harris and J. F. Hegardt, Councilmen ; 
B. W. Homan, Recorder. 

1872— J. B. Spofford, Mayor; G. W. 
Cowles, L. O. Merchant, J. Stoddard, J. F. 
Hegardt and R. Harris, Councilmen ; R. 
H. Moore, Recorder. 



VI 



a »w 






986 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1873— W. n. H. Tiffany, Mayor; C. R. 
Parmer, H Soleman, E. Parks, S. M. 
Chapman and George W.Cowles, Council- 
men; J. McClung, Recorder. 

1874 — C. H. Kentner, Mayor; B. 
Thompson, C. L. McCIiing, J. F. Hegardt, 
B. F. Crenshaw and M. Bostwick, council- 
men; M. Lefi, Treasurer; J. McClung, Re- 
.corder ; J. H. HoUen, Assessor; William 
Granger, Street Commissioner. 

1875 — C. H. Kentner, Mayor; .1. Brice, 
jr., Charles Homan, M. Bostwick, B. 
Thompson and Oscar Parks, Councilmen. 

1876— E. Harmon, Mayor; B.Thomp- 
son, L. Carmichael, O. H. Mills, G. V. 
Goodell and E. G. Penrose, Councilmen; 
William Maxwell, Recorder ; M. Lefi, 
Treasurer. William Maxwell afterwards 
resigned, and George D. Sherman was 
elected to fill the vacancy. 

1877^Madison Bostwick, Mayor; Wil- 
liam Blodgett, D. W. Bressler, John He- 
gardt, J. H. Smith and W. H. Cummings, 
Councilmen; G. D. Sherman, Recorder. 

1878— E. G. Penrose, Mayor; F. W. 
Warren, Recorder; James McClung, Treas- 
urer; W. E. Newcomb, Assessor; P. B. 
Hill, Street Commissioner; C. H. Kent- 
ner, W. A. Sharpe, R. Forker, G. E Hig- 
ley and J. W. Ingersoll, Councilmen. 

1879-0. H. Mills, Mayor; E. G. Pen- 
rose, W. H. Cummings, H. Soleman, F. B. 
Ramsdell, J. H. Bruhn and B. Thompson, 
t'ouncilmen; F. E. Warren, Recorder. 

At a Council meeting held March 6, 
in 79, a movement was made, seconded by 
11. Soleman, that there be six pieces of pa- 
per marked as follows: two for two years, 
two for one year and two for three years, 
and the ones by whom they were drawn 
to hold office the number of years desig- 



nated on the slip of paper. Upon these 
papers being drawn, F. B. Ramsdell was 
elected for three years, J. H. Bruhn for 
three years, H. Soleman and E. G. Pen- 
rose for two years, B. Thompson and W. 
H. Cummings for one year. 

1880— O. H. Mills, Mayor; F. E. War- 
ren, Recorder; E. L. Carmichael, Treas- 
urer; J. J. McAllister, Assessor; P. Har- 
tell. Street Commissioner; B. Thompson 
and W. H. Cummings, Councilmen. 

1881 — J.J. McAllister, Mayor; Thomas 
Williamson, Recorder; E. L. Carmichael, 
Treasurer; C. L. McClung and W. H Al- 
brecht, Councilmen; E. Harmon, Asses- 
sor; S. Maynard, Street Commissioner. 

1882 — John Ramsdell, Mayor; Thom.as 
Williamson, Recorder; E L. Carmichael, 
Treasurer; F. B. Ramsdell and Stephen 
Smith, Councilmen; E. Harmon, Assessor; 
Fred Shoff, Street Commissioner. 

EDUCATIOXAI.. 

The first school in the township is like- 
wise the first school in the village, and 
was taught in a house, owned at that time 
by J. H. Hollen, by Miss Armenia Wilcox, 
during the summer of 1858. This build- 
ing is now owned by J. C. Kendrick. 
The first building erected for school 
purposes is the small frame building stand- 
ing just west of the present school build- 
ing and now used for a primary school. 
The present school building was built in 
1865-6, at a cost of §20,000 and is divided 
as follows: the first fioor has the Second 
and Third Primaries; the second floor the 
First and'Seeond Intermediates; the third 
floor the Grammar and High School. The 
present Principal is S. M. Cart. 



^a 



r 



A 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Prof. S. M. Cart, Principal of the pub- 
lic schools of Tama City, was a native of 
Indiana, born near Goshen, Elkhart 
county, of that State, February 25, 1849. 
His parents were William and Nancy 
(Cart) Cart. In 1854, his father's family 
settled in Kansas, where they remained 
but a short time, when they removed to 
Marion county, Iowa, at which place his 
mother and father still reside, in Wheel- 
ing. His early educational advantages 
were such as the public schools afforded, 
but later, he completed a course at Simp- 
son College, Indianola, Iowa, graduating 
with the class of 1875. Previous to his 
graduation, Mr. (^art had been teaching 
for some years. He first taught one year at 
Carlisle, Iowa, and then removed to his 
birth-place, wbere he spent three years in 
teaching. His marriage with Miss Belle 
Mercer, a native of Indiana, occurred in 
1879; and shortly after, the young couple 
removed to Knoxville, Iowa, where Prof. 
Cart conducted the academy of that place 
one year. During this time he was called 
to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death 
occurred May 4, 1881. In September of 
1881, the subject of our sketch entered 
upon his duties as Principal of the Tama 
City schools, holding said position with 
entire satisfaction to all. He was mar- 
ried, September 16, 1882, to Miss Minnie 
E. Poyneer, daughter of E. M. Poyneer, 
of Montour. In politics, he was a Repub- 
lican — early in life, a Whig. 

RELIGIOUS. 

Tama City has not been unmindful of 
the spiritual wants of the community. 
Whatever opinions may be held in refer- 
ence to these organizations, all will agree 
that the influence of Church societies has 



much to do with the peace, quiet and hap- 
piness of a town, and few would be will- 
ing to dispense entirely with these relig- 
ious associations, and none able to suggest 
anything else whicii could fill their 
place. 

The first Baptist Church was organized 
in 1869. November 5, 1869, several per- 
sons gathered at the house of Lewis Car- 
michael to appoint a committee to make 
necessary arrangements and call a meet- 
ing for the purpose of organizing a 
Baptist Church in Tama City. Lewis 
Carmichael, S. W. Cole and C. R. Veber 
were appointed as that committee; a call 
was made for November the 26th, 1869, at 
the M. E. church, when a society was 
organized. The parties signing the 
articles and covenant were Samuel W. 
Cole, James H. Lewis, James H. Brooks, 
Lewis Carmichael, George H. Warren, 
George E. Maxwell, Charles R. Veber, 
John Herbage, Mary E. Carmichael, M. 
Ella Carmichael, Emeline C. Lewis, 
Elizabeth Morris, Harriet Brooks, Susan 
M. Veber and Caroline Herbage. Samuel 
W. Cole was chosen Moderator and C. K. 
Veber, Clerk. C. K. Veber, J. H. Brooks 
and S. W. Cole were chosen a pulpit 
committee. The first officers were: J. H. 
Lewis and C. K. Veber, Deacons; G. E. 
Maxwell, Clerk; G. H. Warren, Treasurer; 
S. W. Cole, Lewis Carmichael. J. H. 
Brooks, John Herbage and Eli Harmon, 
Trustees. L. L. Gage, of Sycamore, Illi- 
nois, was the first paftor, and began his 
duties some time in March, 1870. During 
the sum-nier and fall of 1870, a church 
building was completed at a cost of *8,000. 
In February, 1871, Rev. Gage was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. T. W. Powell, who came 



Vl-F 



M 



li:^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



from Davenport, Iowa. At that time the 
membership of the church had increased 
to forty-eight. Rev. T. W. Powell 
tendered his resignation to the Church at 
a regular meeting held September 28, 1871. 
At a prayer meeting held October 5, 1871' 
his resignation was accepted. Rev. O. A. 
Holmes was the next pastor, coming from 
Marshalltown, Iowa. He remained as 
pastor of the Church until January 1, 
188.3, at which time he resigned. In 1883, 
the Church had a membership of 
1 1 0, and was in a flourishing 
iag condition spiritually and financially. 
Their Sunday school was organized Octo- 
ber, 1870, and has ever since been in good 
running order. 

In 1883, the society purchased a lot on 
the opposite corner from where their 
church then stood, and were already break- 
ing the ground preparatory to erecting a 
fine church edifice. They worshiped for 
a long number of years in the old church, 
and the need of a new place in which to 
worship had long been felt. At last the 
matter was taken in hand and a sufficient 
amount pledged to justify active steps 
towards the erection of a new building. 
The proposed church was to cost upwards 
of |!6,000. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church held 
its first session in Tama City in a frame 
school house, in 1865. Rev. D. M. Mallory 
was the first jjreacher who was there on 
the Toledo charge. That same year a 
church building was erected on lots dona- 
tod by W. P. Brown, in the northwest 
part of town. This building was comple- 
ted and dedicated in the fall of 1866, Dr. 
A. J. Kynett, of Philadelphia, officiating, 
assisted by James Todd, the pastor of the I 



Church. The first members of the Church 
were Maria Soleman, W. T. Hollen and 
wife, Cyrus King and wife, J. W. Mcln- 
tire and wife, John Sullivan and wife, 
James Hall, Milton Griest and wife. 

The official members were Cyrus King, 
W. T. Hollen, Milton Griest and James 
Stewart. The several pastors which were 
in charge up to 1883, were Revs. D. M. 
Mallory, James Todd, R. M. Wade, D. M. 
Mallory, A. Critchfield, J. G. Wilkinson, 
M. T. Smedley, L. Catlin, E. S. .Bargett, 
S. B. Warner, B. C.^ Barnes, J. F. Baker, 
R. W. Milner and S. A. Lee. In 1874, the 
chcOpel was moved to a more central loca- 
tion. In 1883, the society was raising a 
fund by which to build a more suitable 
church. This society built the first church 
in the town; contributions came in liber- 
ally from the various denominations. Upon 
one occasion the society held a festival in 
Murdough Hall where 700 per- 
sons took supper; the affair netting the 
church $600. During the seventeen years 
which the Methodist chapel has stood, it 
has been used for all kinds of moral enter- 
tainments and the proceeds therefrom 
amount to about |!4,000. Could the walls 
of this old church but speak, they would 
give expression to many a hallowed asso- 
ciation. 

The present pastor of the M. E. Church, 
Rev. Simon A. Lee, is a son of Hugh and 
Mary Ann ( Kincaid ) Lee, born in Dela- 
ware county, Ohio, on the .5th day of 
December, 1829. His father was a mer- 
chant, and therefore young Lee grew up 
behind the counter. When he was four- 
teen years of .age, his parents removed to 
Union cotinty, Ohio, where Simon re- 
ceived a common school education and 



-• apT*" 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



grew to manhood. During 1847 or 1848, he 
left his father's house at Tiffin, and located 
at Woodville, Sandusky county, where he 
engaged in the harness and leather trade. 
On the 27th of August, 1850, he was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Eliza Ann 
Williamson, a native of ^Marion county, 
Ohio Mr. Lee's parents were members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and he was 
reared in that doctrine. Upon his arrival 
at Woodville, he found none of that per- 
suasion and therefore joined the Methodist 
Ciiurch and soon became nn active worker 
in the Sunday school. Not long after his 
marriage he was licensed to preach the 
gospel, and from that time dates his life 
in the ministry In July, 1851, he was 
received on trial in the North Ohio Con- 
ference, and was appointed junior preacher 
on Risdon Circuit, now called Fostoria. 
The following five years were spent in 
the ministry in northern Ohio ; and in 
May, 1856, he i-emoved from Sandusky 
City, where he was then located, to Tama 
county, Iowa, and in .July of that year, 
located at Toledo. Mr. Lee had, however, 
made this county a visit two years pre- 
vious to his removal here, at which time 
he had purchased land and also preached 
one of the first sermons ever listened to in 
Toledo. This was in September, 1854, 
and the meeting was held in a shoe shop, 
owned by one, Yost; at that time Mr. Lee 
decided to make this State his future home. 
During the first week in August, 1856, 
he attended the organization of the Upper 
Iowa Conference, at Maquoketa, and was 
there appointed to the charge at Dyers- 
ville, Dubuque county, where he remained 
two years, the greatest length of time a 
minister was then allowed to stay at one 



"71^ 



place. While there he built a fine brick 
church, and through his instrumentality 
130 additional members were made to the 
church. Since that time he has had the 
following charges, in some of which more 
apparent work was done than in others, 
however, in all of them he has held re- 
vivals, and through his teaching many have 
been brought to the fold of the Savior; 
first Rockdale, second Fayette, where he 
was also agent of the Upper Iowa Univer- 
sity, third, Lamotte, fourth, Bellevue, at 
which place he was stationed during the 
opening years of the late rebellion; here 
he labored with great zeal and was awarded 
many converts, some of whom went to 
fight for their country's honor, fell in bat- 
tle, and when brought home cold and still, 
he lovingly and tenderly performed the 
last sad rite over them. From Bellevue, 
the subject of this sketch was sent to Vin- 
ton, and then to Waterloo, where he was 
instrumental in completing a fine church 
edifice. While there his health became 
precarious and he therefore asked to be, and 
was appointed to Toledo, where by taking 
more exercise in looking after his farming 
interests, his health was restored. From 
Toledo he moved to Independence and 
while there built a neat church. He was 
then appointed Presiding Elder of Cedar 
Falls district, which at that time embraced 
thirteen counties. During his first year 
Mr. Lee organized fifteen new pastoral 
charges, in consequence of which, Charles 
City district was formed. After three 
years service in this work, he was com- 
pelled to resign on account of sickness and 
death in his family. Later he was ap- 
pointed successively to Waterloo, Mar- 
shalltown, Marion, Tipton and Belle 

85 -* — 



riV" 



<3 
•1^ 



990 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Plaine, remaining three years each in 
the two last mentioned places. He was 
then appointed to Tama City, where he 
had property interests. Mr. Lee always 
contributed largely of his means to fur- 
^er the church interests of Tama county. 
In the temperance cause he was ever an 
earnest worker and leader. For many 
years he was one of the Trustees ^of Cor- 
nell College, and always took an active 
part in the educational interests of the 
State. In fact he was always found in the 
front ranks of every good and worthy 
cause. Although his duties called him 
elsewhere, his interests were always in 
Tama county, and it was regarded as his 
real home. Mr. and Mrs. Lee were blessed 
^ith four children, one of whom, William, 
is now living, who graduated at Cornell, 
June, 1880. Ro.se died at eight years of 
age, .n Cedar Falls ; George H. died at 
same place, aged thirteen ; and Mary M. 
died at Tipton, aged twenty-four. 

An organization of the Presbyterian 
society was effected in 186'7,by Rev. Mar- 
tin. Among the lirst members were Isaac 
Toland; Mrs. H. Soleman, Miss Beaman, 
A. L. Howard, Mr. Harvey, Mrs. Spofford 
and others, whose names could not be 
learned, ah' the records had all been de- 
stroyed, or lost. The .society held meet- 
ings twice a month for some time. 

Rev. Mesmer succeeded Rev. Martin, 
and afterwards came Rev. Gordon. The 
organization disbanded in 18/5. October 
.31, 1882, a re-organization was effected by 
D. L. Hughes of Traer, assisted by Rev. 

A. R. Day of Marshalltown, and Rev. R. 

B. Clark of State Centre. 

The officers elected at this organization 
were J. S. Carson, Wilson Stuart, J. Mc- 



Clung and O. Van Dyke, Elders; John 
Fife, S. M. Cart and J. L. Bracken, Trus- 
tees. 

The first members were J. S. Carson and 
wife, James McClung, C. C. Harris, Mrs. 
E. L. Graham, Mrs. Austin, Mrs. J. IJran- 
nen, John Fife, Mrs. A. J. Fife, Mary A. 
Toland, Mary L. Toland, Elizabeth Stew- 
art, W. S. Stewart and wife, O. Van Dyke, 
Mary Van Dyke, Mr^. C. Jackson, S. M. 
Cart, Mrs. M. E. Cart, David Toland and 
wife, E. .7. Johnson and wife and Mrs. F. 
Russell. 

The first religious services were held at 
the Methodist church. Up to 1883 the 
society had no church building, but were 
about to erect one. 

The Catholic Church was .first organ- 
ized as a Mission at Toledo, in 1860, by 
Father Emmons, with a membership of 
about twenty families. Five years later a 
church was built in Toledo, at a cost of 
^1,000, including furniture. Father Em- 
mons was succeeded by Father Urban, 
who attended to the missions for five 
years, and was followed by Father Bru- 
menschenkel, after which came Father 
Charles .McCabe, who was serving in 1875, 
at which time trouble arose between the 
Irish and German elements. The former 
being the stronger, they removed the mis- 
sion to Tama City, where a church was 
built at an expense of $2,000. Father 
McCabe remained at Tama City one year, 
after which Father Edward O. Farrell and 
M. Meagher, the latter being pastor in 
1883, when the church membership was 
about 300. 

Rev. M. Meagher became pastor of the 
St. Patrick's ciiurch of Tama City in 1877, 
and is still retained in that capacity. He 



V^fir 



5J^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



was born near Fethard county, Tipperary, 
Ireland, on the 10th day of February, 
1848. He received hie classical education 
in his native country and also apart of his 
theological education; however, upon his 
arrival in America, in 1671, he continued 
the study of theology at St. Francis' Col- 
lege, Milwaukee. He was ordained at Du- 
buque, Iowa, in 1874, and was appointed 
assistant Priest of the church at Charles 
City, Iowa. There he remained one and 
a half years, and then removed to Pleas- 
ant Grove, Dubuque county, where he had 
charge of St. Mary's Church until De- 
cember of 1877, at which time he became 
pastor of St. Patrick's Church at Tama 
City, where he has since remained. 

SOCIETIES. 

Hiram of Tyre Lodge, No 203, A. F. 
and A. M. — A dispensation was granted 
by the Grand Lodge of the State, Decem- 
ber 20, 1806, and a charter granted to E- 
Harmon as W. M. , A. Stolter, S. W. and 
W. P. Browne, J. W., to organize the 
said lodge. The charter members were 
E. Harmon, A. Stolter, W. P. Browne, 
Turner Forker, John Hanna, G. W. 
Louthan, L. Stoddard, James Trowbridge, 
L. B. Blinn, Thomas Murray, Lewis Mer- 
chant, L. Carmichael, A. B. Louthan, J. 
L. Stewart, M. S. Butler, C. H. Kentner, 
W. F. Hollen, J. R. Burgess and James 
Smith. 

The first meeting was held February 
I'i, 1867, in a hall in the Empire block. 

The first officers elected were E. Har- 
mon, W. M. ; A. Stolter, S. W. ; W. P. 
Browne, T. W.; C. H. Kentner, Treasurer ; 
L. B. Blinn, Secretary; J. R. Burgess, S. D. 
W. T. Hollen, T. D.; L. Merchant, S, S., 
Thomas Murray, T. S.; James Smith, Tyler. 



The presiding officers since are E. Har- 
mon, J. B. Spofford, Frank Ward, W. T. 
Hollen, J. D. Landi and O. H. Mills. The 
present officers of the Lodge are O. IL 
Mills, W. M.; E. G. Penrose, S W.; D" 
W. Bressler, J. V^'.; H. McAnulty, Treasu- 
rer; J. J. McAllister, Secretary; W. T. 
Hollen, S. D.; Z. Solomon, J. D.; Wm. H. 
Cumraings, S. S.; W. H. Gilbart, J. S.; S_ 
D. Dye, Tyler. 

The deaths of members have been Jona- 
than Burgess, who died at Le Grand, 
Iowa; R. M. Wells died after leaving 
here; Frank Patterson died at Sterling, 
Illinois; M. Boughton died in the Black 
Hills; Charles E. Morris died at Dysart, 
Iowa. 

The Lodge has had a successful career, 
has a membership at present of fifty- 
five, and is in a fiourishing condition. 

Benefit Lodge No. 22, A. O. U. W., was 
organized April 3 1875, by I. M. Crissingar, 
Deputy Grand Master of the State of Iowa, 
with A. W. Guernsey, R. H. Ryan, E. G. 
Penrose, G. E. Maxwell, S. C. Brown, B. 
Thompson, J. B. Spofford, J. J. McAllis- 
ter, O. H. Mills, S. F. Ricker, C. F. Ricker, 
R. E. Austin, A. .1. Blodgett, P. B. 
Hill, J. F. Ward, C. D. Terry, Adam 
Zehrung and G. H. Mosier, as charter 
members. The first officers were R. H. 
Ryan, M. W.; A. W. Guernsey, P. M. 
W.; E. G. Penrose, G. F.; S. F. Ricker, 
O. G.; E. Maxwell, Receiver; C. F. 
Ricker, Financier; J. J. McAllister, 
Recorder; A. J. Blodgett, Watchman; S. 
C. Brown, O. H. Mills and R E. Austin, 
Trustees. The presiding officers have 
been R. H. Ryan, J. B. Spofford, J. J. 
McAllister, Hugh McAnulty, G. Fl. Mosier, 
R. Forker, O. II. Mills, G. A. Graves, L. P.. 



T 



T 



'Xu 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Kalian, C. D. Williams, J. W. Coburn and 
John (iadbtiry. The present officers are 
John Gadbury, M. W.; J. W. Coburn, P. 
M. W.; H. McAnulty, F.; William Rich- 
ards, O.; J. J. McAllister, Recorder; E. 
G. Penrose, Financier; E. L. Carmichael, 
Receiver; C. D. Williams, Guide; F. L. 
Wilrodt, O. W.; P. Peterson, I. W.; H. 
McAnulty, P. B. Hillard and O. H.Mills, 
Trustees; 11. McAnulty, Grand Repre- 
sentative. There has been two deaths: 
John Kinert, who died October 19, 1877, 
' and C. W. Snyder, who died August 29, 
1882. The present membership of the 
lodge is forty-eight. The average assess- 
ments to date have been llO. per year. 
The Lodge is in a flourishing condition. 

Amity Lodge, No. 16, Iowa Legion of 
Honor, was organized May 19, 1879, 
by the Deputy (-J rand President of the 
State, Frank Listenwalter. The char- 
ter members were G. E. Higley, A. 
E. Axtell, G. W. Hapgood, B. Thomp- 
son, J. B. Mahana, C. D. Williams, John 
Ballhouse, O. O. Brown, C. B. Bentley, C. 
W. Snyder, W. H. Hawk, J. W. Dubbs, 
F M. Warren, J. J. McAllister, G. W. 
Hochlander, L. L. Rhoads, F. R. Holmes, 
J. W. VVillett, E. W. DeWitt, G. H. War- 
ren, F. B. Ramsdell, H. E. Ramsdell, 

C. D. Terry and W. H. Black. The 
first officers were G. E. Higley, P.; 
B. Thompson, D. P.; J. B Mahana, 
Chaplain; A. E. Axtell, Usher; F. M. 
Warren, R. S.; J. J. McAllister, F. 
S.; F. R Holmes, Treasurer; J. W. Dubbs, 

D. K.: C. B. Bentley, S.; J, B. Mahana, J. 
Ballhouse and G. W. Hapgood, Trustees. 
The presiding officers have been: G. E. 
Higley, J. J. McAllister, CD. Williams 
and A. L Howard. The member- 



ship at present is twenty-eight. Their 
average assessments are $9. a year. The 
Lodge is in a sound financial condition. 

Tama Lodge, No. 88, V. A. S., 
was org.anized March 15, 1882. The 
charter members were M. C. Murdough, 
J. F. Hegardt, J. E. Davidson, F. A. Gad- 
bury, R. C. Cleveland, E. E. Kamsdell, T. 
A. Hopkins, W. B. Barstow, C. D. Terry, 
Thomas Brice, C. A. Hilton, J. J. McAl- 
lister, E. L. Carmichael, W. R. Lesser, 
William Corns, B. F. Hill, H. T. Potter 
and L. L. Rhoads. The first officers were 
W. P. Barstow, R.; T. A. Hopkins, V. R.; 
J. J. McAllister, Scribe; E. L. Carmichael, 
Q.; C. A. Hilton, U.; E. E. Ramsdell, S.; 
M. C. Murdough, F A. Gadbury and R. 
C. Cleveland, Trustees. Themembershij) 
at present is twenty-two. They were as- 
sessed six times prior to January, 188.3. 

Doric Chapter, No. 54, R. A. M., was 
organized February 5, 1870. The charter 
members were C. H. Kentner, W. P. 
Browne, Smith Patterson, C. N. Davis, A. 
W. Guernsey, C. D. Terry, A. H. Wil- 
letts, M. A. Newcomb, J. B. Spofiford and 
L. Carmichael. 

The first officers were C. H. Kentner, 
High Priest ; W. P. Browne, E. K.; Smith 
Patterson, E. S.; C. N. Davis, Captain of 
Host ; A. W. Guernsey, Principal Soiour- 
ner ; C. D. Terry, Royal Arch Captain ; 
A. A. Willetts, Grand Master of the First 
Vail ; M. A. Newcomb, Grand Master of 
the Second Vail; J. B. Spoflord, Grand 
Master of the Third Vail ; L. Carmichael, 
(irand Master of the Fourth Vail. 

The presiding officers have been, C. H. 
Kentner, A. ,W. Guernsey, C. D. Terry 
and O. H. Mills. The present officers are 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



993 



O. H. Mills, H. P.; J. W. WiUett, E. K.; 
W. H. Curamings, E. S.; Hugh McAnulty, 
Treasurer ; W. T. Hollen, Secretary ; J. 
D. Landi, Captain of the Host ; A. W. 
Guernsey, Principal Sojourner ; H. F. 
Carraichael, Royal Arch Captain ; J. B. 
Wolgmuth, Grand Master of the First 
Vail ; J. J. McAllister, Grand Master of 
the Second Vail ; S. M. Cart, Grand Mas- 
ter of the Third Vail ; A. J. Blodgett, 
Tyler. 

The Lodge has a membership of sixty- 
four, is constantly meeting with good 
success, and is in a flourishing condition. 

Tama City Lodge, No. 152, L O. O. F. 
was organized on the S^th day of Septem- 
ber, 1867, by Benjamin Ruput, M. W. G. 
M., with the following officers and charter 
lUeinbers : M. A. Newcomb, N. G.; C. R. 



Bodlish, V. G.; Frank Patterson, Secre- 
tary ; Wm. M. Clag, Treasurer; A. M. 
Wartendyke. 

The following named persons have 
served as Noble Grands since the organi- 
zation : A. M. Wartendyke, A. M. Batch- 
elder, O. T. Brainard, C. L. McClugg, W. 
T. Hollen, John Nicholson, C. E. Morris, 
C. M. Bentley, J. T, Matson, J. A. Shan- 
nan, M. Baker, Henry Shawn, George 
Hollenbeck, G. Williamson, Cyrus King, 
O. H. Mills, S. D. Dye, P. Hixson, B. F. 
Hill and H. Schroder. 

There have been two deaths in this 
Lodge. Its total membership since organi- 
zation is 120, and the present member- 
ship is forty. The Lodge has been success- 
ful and is in excellent working order. It 
holds its meetings every Friday evening. 



CHAPTER XXXIX 



TOLEDO TOWNSHIP. 



Toledo township lies in the southern 
part of Tama county, in the second tier of 
townships. It is bounded on the north by 
Howard township, east by Otter Creek, 
south by Tama and west by Indian Vil- 
lage. It embraces the first twenty-four 
sections of land in township 83, range 15, 
and therefore contains an area of 15,360 
acres. The soil in this township is gener- 
ally a dark loam, which is invariably 
underlaid with a subsoil of sandy clay. 
The surface is rolling, and in some places 



is (juite hilly, but is nearly all fit for culti- 
vation. The scenery in the northern part 
of the township, in places, is magnificent. 
It is well watered by Deer creek and its 
tributaries. This stream has been used 
as a force to propel machinery, but the 
water power is not sufficient to be valua- 
ble. The Toledo & Northwestern rail- 
road passes through the township. 

The farmers in Toledo townslii]) are a 
well-to-do and thrifty class, as the many 
fine farms and bnildings abundantly 



^ 



994 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



testify. A good many of the farmers are 
turning their attention to stock with good 
success, for pasturage is abundant. The 
land is mostly under a high state of culti- 
vation and is adapted to the raising of all 
cereals common to this latitude. Under 
the prairie the subsoil is of a sandy mix- 
ture, clayey on the bluffs and a stiff clay 
in the timber lauds. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

The first permanent settlement made in 
the territory now comprising Toledo town- 
ship, was effected by Peter Overmire, in 
March, 1852. Peter Overmire and faruily, 
in company with Christian and David F. 
Bruner with their families, and Widow 
Hill and family, left Ohio in September, 
1851, for the west. They arrived at Iowa 
City in November, and here they all re- 
mained during the winter, some of them 
purchasing lands in Tama county. In 
March, 1852, a party set out to move the 
Overmire family from Iowa City to Tama 
county. In this party there were Peter 
Overmire and his famly, consisting of 
wife and five children — David F. Bruner, 
.lacob Bruner, Samuel Bruner, Henry 
Lance and young Bruner, a lad fourteen 
or fifteen years old, who nearly froze to 
death on the way. They had to bridge 
Deer creek by laying poles across and 
then planking it with the lumber that they 
brought. Overmire took a quarter of sec- 
tion 6, Toledo township. As soon as they 
arrived, all set to work to "put up a little 
shanty for the Overmire family. This 
was erected mostly during the night, as 
it was dusk when they arrived, and stood 
about on the line between Howard and 
Toledo townships. D. F. Bruner returned 
to Iowa City the following day, and the 



rest, except the Overmire family, followed 
afterward. Jacob, Samuel and Cristian 
Bruner, assisted by Henry Lance, then 
erected a barn and cabin for their father. 
Christian Bruner, but were unable to raise 
it until Christian Bruner came in the 
spring with a number of hands. This, 
however, was in Howard town.ship, as 
Christian settled just over the line. Late 
in the summer he commenced building a 
saw-mill on Deer creek, which was com- 
pleted the next spring. It was a building 
of heavy timber and was run by water 
power furnished by Deer creek, through 
the medium of an old fashioned Parker 
water wheel. It was equipped with an 
"up and down saw," having a capacity for 
sawing about 1,500 feet of lumber per day 
and night, when the water was right, but 
not more than half the time was the water 
sufficient to propel it. This mill was 
afterward changed to a flouring mill and 
provided with the best of machinery 
J. S. Reedy, son of another pioneer, 
Vjought an interest in the mill about the 
time it was changed. The mill is a four 
story building, and has a good business. 

Solomon Bruner, present proprietor of 
this mill, came to the State of Iowa when 
a boy. He was born in Sandusky county, 
Ohio, April 26, 1846, where he received 
his education and early training. When 
seventeen years of age he went to work in 
his father's mill, becoming a thorough and 
pracjtical miller, which occupation he made 
a life business. In December, 1867, he 
was married to Nancy Reedy, of Fairfield 
county, Ohio, where she was born April 
11), 1.S50. By, this union there were three 
children — Gerard L., Jesse O. and Ray K. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



On August 29, 1852, David F. Brnner 
with his family came from Johnson county, 
where they had spent the summer, coming 
with teams and bringing their household 
goods. Mrs. Bruner's brother, David 
Hill, came with them. Mr. Bruner settled 
on section 4, and while building a log 
cabin lived with his father in Howard 
township. The cabin he erected stood 
just across the road from where he yet 
lives. David F. Bruner and his wife are 
still living upon their original place. 

Christian Bruner died in September, 
1869. The only members of his family 
who are yet living in the township are 
David F. and Solomon Bruner, the oldest 
and the youngest. 

Peter Overmire is still living in Tama 
county, a resident of Howard township. 

Henry Lance remained about one year 
when he returned to Ohio. When the 
war broke out he enlisted and died of 
disease. 

In the summer of 1852, Richard Pod- 
more came to the township and in 1853 
settled on section 21 with his wife. He 
erected a little shanty; spent most of his 
time while here in hunting, and remained 
until his death, which occurred in the fall 
of 1883. 

.John Golwitzer came from Iowa City, 
in June, 1852, and worked all summer 
breaking ground for Christian Bruner. In 
the fall be erected a cabin and settled on sec- 
tion 9, where he remained for about two 
years when he went to Iowa City, was 
married, and a number of years later re- 
turned to Tama county, and now lives in 
Garwin. 

In June, 1852, Noah Myers settled on 
the northwest quarter of section 6 with his 



family, consisting of wife and several 
children. 

In the fall of 1852, Zebedee Rush set- 
tled on section 23, in Toledo township. 
He had a large family of children, having 
b( en married three times. He remained 
here for a number of years, when he re- 
moved to Iowa county, where he still 
lives. 

John S. Reedy, another of the pioneers 
of 1852, was born in Rockingham county, 
Virginia, on the Shenandoah river, August 
1'7, 1821. He is a son of Philip and Susan 
(Showalter) Reedy, who were married in 
the same county, and had a family of 
eight children. John's father died in 
Hardin county, in 1828, and the following 
year Mrs. Reedy emigrated to Zanesville. 
Ohio. She subsequently married Peter 
Lefler. When five years old John S. was 
bound out to an uncle, with whom he re- 
mained until nearly 19 years of age. He 
was married in March, 1846, to Miss Susan 
Hufford, a daughter of Daniel and Nancy 
Hufiford. By this union there were four 
sons and sii daughters, six of whom are 
living: Daniel H., John W.^ Maggie A., 
Zelda J., Melissa O. and Susan L. In the 
spring of 1851, Mr. Reedy came to Iowa, 
stopping over one winter in Linn county. 
In 1852 he came to Tama county, locating 
in Toledo township, where he entered 
land and opened up a farm. Mrs. Reedy 
died July 1, 1880 and Mr. Reedy subse- 
quently married Eliza E. Huff, widow of 
Uriah Huff. This is all that can be re- 
membered as coming in 1852. The win- 
ter following was quite severe, and very 
hard upon the settlers, who were ill pre- 
pared for it. The fall had been very wet, 
and an early snow came and covered the 



-si V ' 



996 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ground to such a depth that it remained 
unfrozen until spring. In the spring the 
snow went off suddenly, and turning very 
cold, the ground was frozen to a depth of 
three feet. During the spring and sum- 
mer of 1853, a number of pioneers came 
into the township, prominent among them 
being the following: Franklin Davis, 
John Ross, Adam Zehrung, George Zeh- 
rung, Samuel Mitchell, Tallman Chase, 
Spracklen, Richard Hillman and Wil- 
liam Hillman. 

Franklin Davis came to the county in 
May, 18.53, with his wife and family, and 
halted on the first day of June, 1853, at 
the house of John Ross. Mr. Davis 
erected a cabin on section 15, but did not 
own the land on which the cabin was 
located. In 1852 he had purchased eighty 
acres of land on the northwestern part of 
section 15. He erected a cabin and located 
upon it in March, 1854. He still resides 
there, although the little old cabin has 
been replaced by a neat and comfortable 
residence. He was the first Coroner of 
Tama county. 

John Ross and John Reedy came to- 
gether with their families, in March, 1853. 
John Ross settled on section 22, and the 
city of Toledo now occupies a portion of 
his claim. He was one of the first county 
officers. He died in Howard to inship 
many years ago. 

John Reedy settled upon the present 
Reedy farm on section 9. He still lives 
in this township. 

Adam Zehrung came in 1853, from 
Ohio, and settled on section 0, where he 
remained a number of years when he sold 
to a nephew and removed to near Toledo, 



where he died. His widow still lives in 
Toledo and is nearly ninety years old. 

John Zehrung settled on the land where 
Toledo now stands, in March, 1854, ami 
opened thefirstdry goods store in the place. 
He and T. J. Staley built a steam flour- 
ing mill in north Toledo, which in that 
early day was counted a good one. In 
1883, he was in Nebraska, running a drug 
store. 

Samuel Mitchell really settled with 
George Zehrung in Howard township, but 
entered a claim of forty acres on section 4, 
of Toledo township. He removed to To- 
ledo, in 1854, and built what was called 
the Dackbury House, a double log cabin 
which was the only tavern for many years 
in the place. 

Tallman Chase, very early in the spring 
of 1853, settled on section 8, where he jiut 
up a log shanty and remained for a few 
years. At the temporary organization of 
the county he was elected County Judge, 
but never qualified. He returned to Ohio. 

Mr. Spracklin came from Linn county 
and settled near Chase. He was a roving 
character and spent most of his time in 
hunting and sporting. His settlement 
here could hardly be called permanent as 
he soon left and went to Belle Plaine, and 
has since been lost track of. 

Richard Hillman was from Indiana and 
settled with his family on section 3, of 
Toledo township, early in the summer of 
1853. He erected a log cabin which, al- 
though remodeled, is still standing. He 
remained upon the place for many 
years, going from here to Traer and then 
to Kansas, where he still lives. He is re- 
membered as a good citizen and a man of 
intellisjence. 



•'^U 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



999 



William Hillman located land on section 
23^ in April 1853, his family coming the 
same fall, where he remained for many 
years. He still lives in Toledo township 
on section 5. 

During the summer and fall of 18.53, 
among the arrivals were the following : 
Peter McRoberts, George W. Free, Sr., 
H. C. Foster, R. L. Hillman, Mark Sad- 
dler, James Walkup, Solomon HuflFord, 
Jacob and T. J. Staley, John Spohr, An- 
gelo Myers, James Hunnicutt and Alex- 
ander La Dow. 

Alexander La Dow, one of the pioneers 
of Tama county, was born in Onondaga 
county. New York, February 1, 1810. He 
is a son of Uriah La Dow, a native of New 
York and of French descent, and Lucy 
Bostwick, of the old Puritan stock. They 
were married in New York where they fol- 
lowed the occupation of farming for a 
number of years. In 1812, Alexander's 
father enlisted and served his time in the 
war with England. In 1836, he removed 
to Lorain county, Ohio, and was soon fol- 
lowed by his parents, who remained in 
that county until their death. Alexander 
was reared in the wilds of Ohio, receiving 
a limited education in the log school houses 
of that State, which presented but mea- 
ger advantages for learning. He states 
that his first school house was made of 
round logs from the forest, with an old- 
fashioned fire-j)lace and the chimney made 
of mud and sticks. For writing desks 
they bored holes in the logs, drove in pins 
and laid on a board. The light was re- 
ceived into the house by cutting out a 
log, setting up sticks and pasting a piece 
of greased paper over the opening. March 
29, 1832, he was joined in wedlock, in 



T 



Bradford county, Pennsylvania, to Harriet 
Babcock, a daughter of Benjamin Babcock 
and Anna Brownson. Her grandfather, 
Isaac Brownson, was a soldier of the Rev- 
olutionary war, and an officer on General 
Washington's staif. In 1834, Mr. La Dow 
emigrated to Lorain county, Ohio, where 
he took up land and opened up a farm in 
a region which at that time was a vast 
wilderness. Here he remained eleven 
years, when they removed to Branch coun- 
ty, Michigan. In the fall of 1853, he 
turned his steps westward, coming through 
to Iowa with ox teams, and settling on sec- 
tion 14, of Toledo township, where they 
remained a number of years. In 1871, 
he removed to his present place. When 
they first came to the county, their near- 
est trading point was at Iowa City. Their 
milling was done at Cedar Rapids, it tak- 
ingthree days to make a trip with his ox 
team. Mr. and Mrs. La Dow were life- 
long members of the Free Will Baptist 
Church, and at the time of coming to the 
county took an active part in building up 
the same. Mr. La Dow supplied the pul- 
pit for a number of years. They have just 
passed their fifty years of wedded life. 
Mr. and Mrs. La Dow are the parents of 
nine children, one son and eight daugh- 
ters. Mr. LaDow was a soldier in the war 
of the Rebellion, enlisting in the 10th 
Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company K, 
and participating in the battles of New 
Madrid, Fort Pillow, Pittsburg Landing 
and the siege of Corinth, where he was 
taken lick and was discharged August 27, 
1862. 

B. B. LaDow, son of Alexander La- 
Dow, came to the county with bis parents 
in 1853. He was born in Bradford county. 



V*l« •^ 



80 



hK*" 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Pennsylvania, August 22, 1836. In Oc- 
tober, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixth Iowa 
Cavalry and participated in the Indian 
war. In February, 1863, he was married 
to Miss Mary H. Spayth, of Toledo. They 
have four children : Bertha, Carrie, Roy 
,and Benjamin R. In politics, Mr LaDow 
is a Republican and has affiliated with that 
party since its organization. Mr. and Mrs. 
La Dow are members of the Regular Bap- 
tist Church, of Toledo. He follows the 
business of a carpenter and joiner and is 
an excellent workman. 

George W. Free, Sr., was from Franklin 
county, Ohio, coming here in 1853 with a 
large family. There were two grown boys, 
George W., Jr., and Henry; Thomas S. 
and A. J. were quite young. They settled 
on section 9. 

H. C. Foster took a claim on section 
14 and built a log cabin. He now lives 
in Toledo. 

R. L. Hillman was from Indiana. He 
settled on section 3. 

Peter McRobert came in the fall of 1853 
and located on section 16. He afterwards 
removed to Carroll township where he 
died in 1879. He laid out several addi- 
tions to the city of Toledo. 

Mark Saddler settled on the north half 
of the quarter upon which Richard Hill- 
man located, where he built a house and 
lived there for several years, when he re- 
moved to section 5 in the same township, 
where he lived in 1883. 

Dr. Myers came in the spring of 1856, 
and in the summer of 1857 he leased the 
flouring mill of Christian Bruner and put 
in steam power. 

Samuel Walkuj) came from Indiana, and 
settled on section 10, Toledo township, 



where he erected a cabin. He only re- 
mained a short time, selling out and re- 
turning to his old home in Indiana. 

Solomon HufFord came in the fall of 
1853 and located on section 15. He now 
lives on section 16. 

In 1853, John Bishop came, and was one 
of the pioneers of Tama county. He was 
born in Dutchess county. New York, Feb- 
ruary 11, 1808. He was a son of Samuel 
Bishop and Amarilla Guthridge, of the 
same State. Mr. Bishop, when a young 
man, twenty-eight years of age, emigrated 
to Ypsilanti, Washtenaw county, Michi- 
gan. Previous to going to Michigan, June 
23, 1833, he was married to Mrs. Harriet 
Palmer; by whom he had three children. 
After coming to Michigan in 1836, he 
followed the trade of blacksmithing, which 
he had learned from his father in early 
life. He also had a small farm which he 
run in connection with his shop. 

In November, 1853, he pitched his tent in 
Tama county, in which they lived until 
they could construct a rude log cabin, 
where seventeen persons spent tlie winter. 
Their first introduction was a very lieavy 
thunder shower, always to be remembered 
by the party of pioneers. Mr. Bishop lo- 
cated on the place where he now resides, 
never moving off the old homestead. Mrs. 
Bishop died in Tama county, August 26, 
1874. She was a life-long Christian, a 
kind mother and a dutiful wife. No one 
knew her but to love her At the time of 
her death she was a member of the Bap- 
tist Church. Mr. Bishop built the first 
frame house and barn in Tama county. 
He is one of the old and respected citi- 
zens of the county and has lived to wit- 
ness many clianges. In jiolitics he is a 



^i==^ 



-^|>y 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



strong Republican. He has a beautiful 
farm under a high state of cultivation, 
which is valued at $50 per acre. His 
children were : Mary, deceased ; Sarah, 
Ellen, now wife of William Rogers, who 
is living upon Mr. Bishop's farm. 

JohnCorfman, who settled here in 1853, 
was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Jan- 
uary 21, 1814. His parents were Jacob 
and Magdalena (Bibler) Corfman, of Rock- 
ingham county, Virginia. They went to 
Ohio and were among the early settlers 
of that State. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Corf- 
man were the parents of eight children, 
four sons and four daughters. The sub- 
ject of this sketch grew to manhood in 
Ohio. In 18.34, he was first married to 
Miss Delilah Holmes by whom there are 
two children living: Rebecca and James 
W. Mrs. Corfman died in Perry county, 
Ohio, July 22, 1841. Mr. Corfman was mar- 
ried, in 1843, to Miss Catherine Hufford; 
nine children blessed this union, six of 
whom are at present living: Susan F., 
Lydia M., Lewis M., Matilda, Elizabeth 
and Elmer E. 

Mrs. Catherine Corfman died July 30, 
1876. She was a sincei'e Christian and 
highly respected. His present wife, Edna, 
was the widow of Cyrus Wycle. Mr. 
Wycle was killed in the battle of Win- 
chester, Virginia, while defending his 
country's flag. Mrs. Corfman, by her first 
husband had three children, two of whom 
are living: Frank and Clara. Mr. Corf- 
man left Ohio in 1852, coming to Jowa 
with teams, and locating for a short time 
in Linn county. In the fall of 1P53, he 
removed to Tama county, locating on sec- 
tion 10, Toledo township, where he entered 
wild land and opened a farm. Mr. and 



Mrs. Corfman are members of the Regular 
Baptist Church of Toledo. 

Among the arrivals of 1854 were 
Robert Foster, Henry Foster, Charles 
Stewart, Edward Grubb, John Bishop, R. 
K. Clark, Isaac Blosser and Alpheus Kin- 
ney. 

George Smith came in the fall of 1854, 
and settled in Toledo, where he remained 
a year or two when he went to Kentucky. 
Lindley Davis came here as early as 
1854 and located on section 18. He is re- 
membered as being a rank abolitionist. 
He moved from here into Howard, and 
subsequently to the southern part of the 
State, where he died. 

Dr. John Stone came here from Linn 
county, in 1854, and bought land on sec- 
tion 15, but did not remain long after lay- 
ing out an addition to Toledo. 

William Watts, in 1854, settled in To- 
ledo, or rather upon land that has since 
been included in the corporate limits. He 
was from Michigan, and remained in the 
county until 1819, when he went to Ne- 
braska. He was in the army. 

George W. Cowles and Daniel Carpen- 
ter also came from Michigan at about the 
same time. Mr. Cowles now lives in Ta- 
ma City. Carpenter makes his home with 
his children. 

Stephen S. Rugg came here as early as 
1854. He was from Michigan and settled 
with his family on section 13. Here he 
remained for a few years and then pur- 
chased, and removed to a place in Tama 
township, where he died. His second 
wife still lives on the place. 

A. B. Spooner, was from Ohio, and set- 
tled in Toledo, but had a piece of land 
near by. One incident is remembered re- 



I '» 



Ik 



1002 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



garding him. One day, iu the fall of 
1 8.5.5, after Richard Ilillman had been at 
work with Spooner, Hillman went home, 
stating that he had been at work — husking 
corn — for the hone.ste8t man that ever 
lived. Upon Vjeing asked for an explana- 
tion he said "Why, I met a man who said 
he wouldn't cheat a man if he got the 
chance." 

Robert Melick settled herein 1855. He 
was born in Knox county, Ohio, February 
21, 1821. His parents were George and 
Mary (Wilson) Melick. They were mar- 
ried in Green county, Pennsylvania, and 
immediately emigrated to Knox county, 
Ohio, where they engaged in farming. 
Here Robert was reared on a farm and 
grew to manhood, receiving his education 
in the log school houses of pioneer days. 
In 1852, he was married to Miss Delilah 
Ross, by whom he had eight children, four 
sons and four daughters, six of whom are 
living: George R., Samuel M., Sally M., 
Mollie E., Robert E. and Ida J. In 1855, 
Mr. Melick came to Tama county, and lo- 
cated on section 14, Toledo township. At 
that time he traveled extensively over the 
State. Eight years later he moved his 
family. Mr. Melick has a fine farm of 
240 acres of land adjoining Toledo, all 
under a high state of cultivation and val- 
ued at ^Vo per acre. Mr. Melick cast his 
first vote for William H. Harrison for 
President, voting with that party until the 
organization of the Republican party when 
he joined that party and has since affilia- 
ted with it. Mrs. Melick died April 23, 
1880, leaving a large number of friends to 
mourn her loss. She was a true Christian, 
a kind mother, a dutiful wife and was 
highly respected by all who knew her. 



In 1855, a number of additional arrivals 
swelled the population of Toledo town- 
ship, among whom were A. J. and IVIartin 
Wheaton, William Garner, the Edwards 
family, William E. Roger.s, J. P. Henry, 
Jehiel Bailey and family and A. B. 
Spooner. Andrew J. Wheaton settled on 
section 2 where he remained for twenty-one 
years, when he sold the place to the coun- 
ty to be used as a Poor Farm and re- 
moved to section 23, where he still lives. 
Mr. Wheaton, for a number of years, acted 
in an official capacity for Tama county, 
and in the chapter upon "Representation," 
is noticed more at length. 

Philander Edwards first settled on sec- 
tion 17, but soon moved to section 11; fi- 
nally sold and removed to the city of To- 
ledo, where he died. 

William Rogers was a native of New 
York, but came here from Ohio and set- 
tled upon section 14, where he still lives. 

Abraham Edwards settled on section 
1", where he lived a number of 
years and then moved near Toledo, where 
he died. 

George G. Edwards settled on section 
11, lived there three or four years and 
moved to town, where he died a few years 
later. 

Jehial Bailey and family came from 
Ohio, and settled on the northwest quar- 
ter of section 11, where he lived until he 
died. He was a good, honest citizen. 
Sylvester, the oldest son, was married, 
and now lives in Connecticut. George L. 
Bailey, is the only son who is yet in the 
county. Clark now lives in Carroll county, 
where he is in the lumber business. 






i- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



George Maiden, one of the old and re- 
spected citizens of Tama county, came in 
1S56. He was born in Knox county, Ten- 
nessee, nearlvnoxville, February 17, 1811. 
His father, James Maiden, was a soldier 
of the war of 1812. His mother was 
Elizabeth Julian. In an early day they 
emigrated to Lawrence county, Indiana, 
and settled in the wilderness. Here 
George grew to manhood, receiving his 
education in the primitive log cabins. Mr. 
Maiden says the first school he attended 
had a dirt floor, a log cut out of the wall 
and greased paper pasted over it for 
light, logs split open and pegs put in for 
seats. The fire-place reached clear across 
the end of the building, with a mud and 
stick chimney. It was customary in those 
days for the larger boys and teacher to 
furnish the wood. It was also customary 
to make the teacher stand treats on Christ- 
mas, and if he would not furnish the 
"budge," he found himself fastened out of 
the school house by the larger boys. On 
the 14th day of February, 1836, be was 
married to Jaley Chitty, by whom he had 
four children: Andrew, James, Joseph 
and Emily. The latter died December 
22, 1873. Mrs. Maiden died November 
10, 1844, and Mr. Maiden married again 
October 16, 1846, Miss Sarah Templeman. 
Four children have blessed this union: 
Henry, Jaley, George A. and Charles. 
November 1, 1853, Mr. Maiden lost his 
second wife. He subsequently married 
Sarah A. McAnulty, by whom he has had 
three children: Benjamin F., Annie E. 
and Mary E. Benjamin F. died August 
7, 1800. In 1840 Mr, Maiden emigrated 
to Whiteside county, Illinois, coming 
through with teams, in hoosier fashion, 



riding his wheel horse. In 1850 he sold 
out and came to Tama county, arriving in 
April, and locating land where he has since 
resided. Mr. Maiden cast his first vote 
for Jackson, and to-day is one of the 
strong supporters of the Democratic party. 
Mr. Maiden takes an active interest in 
schools as he knows the need of education. 
He has been School Director for the last 
ten years. 

D. Spayth, one of the early settlers of 
Tama county, first settled in Columbia 
township in 1857. He was born in West- 
moreland county, Pennsylvania, March 8, 
1822. His parents were David Spayth 
and Nancy (Trick) Spayth, who were 
married in Fayette county, and soon after 
moved to Westmoreland county, Penn- 
sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Spayth were the 
parents of seven children, four sons and 
three daughters. In 1859 Mr. Spayth em- 
igrated to Erie county. New York, where 
he embarked in the grocery business, in 
connection with farming. He died in 
Erie county, New York, in 1869, leaving 
a widow, who is still living in that county, 
at the advanced age of ninety-one years. 
The subject of this sketch grew to man- 
hood in Erie county, and received a com- 
mon school education. When seventeen 
years of age he learned the trade of car- 
riage making. In 1843 he was married to 
Miss Eliza Coe, a daughter of Thomas D. 
and Charlotte (White) Coe Mr. and Mrs. 
Spayth have two children living: Mary 
H., now the wife of B. B. LaDow and 
Warren D. In 1857 Mr. Spayth came to 
Tama county and located in Columbia 
township. In 1861 he removed to Toledo. 
Mr. and Mrs. Spayth are members of the 
Baptist Church of that place. 



^«- 



^f^ 



^t^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Daniel S. Ilineganlner, wlio came to 
Tama county in 1857, was born in Monon- 
galia county, West Virginia, November 
I", 1837. He is a son of Samuel V. and 
Veronica (Showallus) llinegartlner. Dan- 
ial S. was reared on a farm and received a 
liberal education. Soon after he came to 
Tama county. He became acquainted with 
and married Miss Mary J. Kenny, in May 
1-OiJ. She was a daughter of Alpliens 
and Elizabeth Kenny, natives of Vermont, 
who emigrated to Tama county in 1854. 
By this union there were three children : 
Willis S., Francis G. and Jesse D. Mr 
Hinegardiier came to the county with little 
means, but by industry and close attention 
to his occupation, has become well to do 
and has a comfortable home. He is a sup- 
porter of the Democracy, having voted 
with that party ever since reaching his 
majority. 

Abraham Hufford, one of the leading 
farmers of Tama county, settled on sec- 
tion .1, in 1860. He was a native of Perry 
county, Ohio, where he was born Septem. 
ber 29, 18.36. He is the son of Daniel 
Hufford, of Virginia and Nancy Welty, of 
Pennsylvania, who were married in Perry 
county, Ohio, in an early day. Eleven 
children were born to them, four sons and 
seven daughters, all of whom lived to be 
adults. Mr Hufford was, by occupation, a 
farmer, and was a member of the Dunkard 
Church in which he was an active worker. 
The subject of this sketch was reared as a 
farmer boy and received a liberal educa_ 
tion in his native State. In April, 1859, 
he vvas married to Sarah Kishler, a daugh- 
ter of George and Susan Kishler. She 
was born in Perry county, Ohio, January 
7, 1841. Hy this union four children were 



born : Mary A., born January 2, 1801 ; 
Calista N., born October 18, 1862 ; Willis 
S., born February 26, 1868 and George 
Edson, born September 9, 1869. In Sep- 
tember, 1860, Mr. Hufford left his home 
in Ohio for the broad prairies of Iowa, 
locating in Toledo township, on section 3, 
where he has opened up a fine farm and 
erected a good dwelling. He has 100 
acres of prairie land under a high state of 
cultivation, valued at ^50 per acre. In 
politics he is a Republican and has held 
several local offices of trust in the gift of 
the people. Mr. and Mrs. Hufford are 
members of the Regular Baptist • hurch 
of Toledo. 

Peter Lichty, farmer and stock raiser, 
was born in the city of Paris, France, on 
the 28th of November, 18.'54. When about 
five years of age, his parents emigrated to 
the United States and located in Delaware 
county, Ohio, w^here they remained seven 
years and then removed to Crawford 
county, where Peter grew to manhood. 
When eighteen years of age, he started 
out for himself, going to Huron county, 
where he became acquainted with and 
married Miss Julia Bradbrook. In the fall 
of 1861, he left Huron county and came 
to Tama county, Iowa, locating on the 
place where he now resides on section 11. 
Mr. Lichty has a fine farm of eighty acres 
under a high state of cultivation, about 
one mile north of Toledo, valued at *7r) 
per acre. He also has twenty-two and a 
half acres of timber land valued at %25 
per acre. He makes a specialty of raising 
hogs, and during the past season realized 
about * 1,000 from sales he made in that line. 
Mr. and Mrs. Lichty are ihe |)arent8 of 
seven children, five sons and two daiigh- 



J'. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ters : Charles II., Gustavus A., Clara O., 
Lulu, Rufus B., John and Harry. In pol- 
itics Mr. Lichty is a strong Democrat. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. 
U. W. of Toledo. 

John Hendricks, one of the enterprising 
farmers of Tama county, was born in Perry 
county, Ohio, on the 11th day of May, 
1821. His parents were George Hendricks, 
of Pennsylvania and Elizabeth Fink, of 
Maryland. They were married in Penn- 
sylvania, and in an early day emigrated 
to Perry county, Ohio, where he engaged 
in farming. Mr. Hendricks was reared on 
his father's farm, receiving his education 
in the pioneer log cabins of that State. 
Here he grew to manhood, and in 1849, was 
joined in wedlock witii Miss Nancy Huf- 
ford, daughter of Daniel HuflFord, of Per- 
ry county. Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks were 
the parents of six children, all of whom 
lived to be adults, three sons and three 
daughters: Daniel B., John P., George 
W., Elizabeth, Matilda and Lefiette. In 
January, 1863, Mr. Hendricks emigrated 
to Tama county, and located in Toledo 
township, on section 4. Mrs. Hendricks 
died in Tama county, in March, 1871. 
She was a sincere Christian and a member 
of the German Baptist Church. In poli- 
tics, Mr. Hendricks was an old line Whig 
until the organization of the Republican 
party, when he joined that party and has 
since been one of its warm supporters. 
He has a farm of 1.35 acres under good 
cultivation, valued at |i45. per acre. 

W. F. Young, who settled in Tama 
county in 1864, was born in Morgan coun- 
ty, Virginia, November 19, 1839. When 
six years of age, his parents emigrated to 
Grant county, Indiana, where he spent his 



early life on a farm, receiving his educa- 
tion in a log cabin of the rudest kind. 
February 17, 1859, he was married to Miss 
Tamer Jackson, a daughter of Samuel 
Jackson, a native of North Carolina. She 
was born in Madison county, Indiana, May 
18, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the 
parents of three children: Elmer E., Sarah 
N. and Edna M. In the fall of 1864, Mr. 
Young came to Tama county, and settled 
in Columbia township at a time when 
there were but five houses in Tama City. 
Here they remained three years, then re- 
moved to Toledo township where he at 
present resides. Mr. and Mrs. Young 
came to the county with little to start 
with, but by judicious management have 
accumulated a comfortable property, and 
to-day are among the well-to-do farmers of 
the county. They have 160 acres of land 
under cultivation, valued at i!45. per acre. 
Mr. and Mrs. Young are members of the 
Regular Baptist Church, of Toledo. Mr. 
Young, in politics, is a Democrat, having 
voted with that party ever since reaching 
his majority. 

HISTORICAL ITEMS. 

The first death in the township was a 
brother of Noah Myers, in the spring of 
1853. His remains lie buried in the To- 
ledo cemetery. 

The first marriage ceremony in the 
township was performed by Judge J. C. 
Vermilya, on the 25th of December, 1853. 
The parties were George Wier and Miss 
Mary Rush. 

The first birth, in what now constitutes 
Toledo township, was Rose, a daughter 
of Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Graham, in 1853. 
She is now the wife of Frank Ramsdell. 



vl* — »- 



:fr 



,M'. 






1006 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The first Justice of the Peace, for this 
part of the county, was James H. Hollen, 
now of Tama City. 

Tlie first boy born was C. B. Davis, a 
son of Franklin and Miranda Davis, Feb- 
ruary 10, 1854. 

The first religious services were held in j 
1853, when the Rev. David Pettefish 
preached in the house of John Ross. 

The first religious society organized, 
was Methodist. 

William Watts made the first brick in 
the townshij). 

ORGANIC. 

When Tama county was divided into 
three townships in 1853, the territory now 
comprising Toledo, was merged into How- 
ard township. In February, 1856, upon 
application of the County Judge, township 
83, range 15, was set off and organized as 
Toledo township. Thus it remained until 
18G8, when upon application of the voters 
in the southern part of the township, two 
southern tiers of sections were set off and 
organized as Tama township. 

The ofiicers in 1883 were Nathan Fish- 
er and John McCloskey, Justices; C. Cun- 
ningham, Clerk; D. F. Bruner, J. M. 
Winn and J. M. Canjery, Trustees. 

CITY OF TOLEDO. 

Toledo, the capital of Tama county is 
l)eautifully situated upon rolling prairie, 
high and dry, near the largest body of 
limber in the county It is surrounded 
by an excellent farming country, and the 
wealthiest portion of the county. It is 
about six miles south of the center of the 
cDiinty, and three miles north of the Iowa 
river. Toledo was platted and the county 
seat located here in the fall of 1853. The 
first sale of lots took place the same fall 



and was quite an event to the then small 
population. The county was permanently 
organized in August, 1853, and all has im- 
proved together surely and steadily. The 
organization of the county and location of 
the county seat is treated in the general 
chapters. 

The first dwelling house on the town 
plat was erected by T. J. Staley. A store 
room was put up previous to this, however, 
by John Zehrung. But very few build- 
ings were erected in 1853, on account of 
the ditticulty in obtaining materials. Sev- 
eral good buildings were put up, however, 
among which were a court house, and a 
steam saw mill by Myers & Blodgett, 
which soon after burned down and caused 
great delay in building. The mill was re- 
built in the summer of 1855, and a new 
one erected by Zehrung & Brother, the 
same year. This gave new impetus to the 
town and a rapid growth set in. During 
the summer a large number of dwellings 
were erected, and Toledo assumed the 
proportions of a town as well as county 
seat. 

In the spring of 1856, the Toledo 
Tribnne was established by M. V. B. Ken- 
ton. During the summer of 1857, Staley 
& Zehrung constructed, what in those 
days, was called a splendid steam fiouring 
mill. About the same time James Burge 
put up a shingle machine. In the fall of 
the same year George M. Taylor & Broth- 
er erected a patent lath establishment ca- 
pable of making 40,000 per day. A fine 
church was erected the same summer, l)e- 
iides several business houses. During all 
this time mercantile interests were ke«p- 
ing pace with other things. In 1857, To- 
ledo had »eTe"Ti dry goods and general 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1009 



merchandise store = ; one clothing, hat, cap, 
boot and shoe store; one drug store; 
one hardware store; one furniture 
store; a warehouse, a bakery and 
a due representation of mechanics, 
preachers, lawyers and doctors. 

The original town plat is treated at 
length in the chapter upon Organization. 
The county purchased a tract of land for 
an addition to that donated for county 
seat purposes. This was soon followed by 
the additions of Zehrung, Harrison, Mc- 
Roberts, first and second. Stone's and Ed- 
munds and Jerome. 

In 1857 there were four church organi- 
zations: The Methodists, under charge of 
Rev. Pettefish;the Baptists, under Elder 
G. G. Edwards; the Congregationalists, 
under Rev. G. W. Woodward; and the 
Presbyterians under Rev. L. Dodd. 

EARLY SKTTLER.S. 

The first settler upon the present site of 
Toledo was John Ross, who located in 
March, 1853, upon section 22 and erected 
a little log cabin., which would now be in 
the western part of town. 

William Garner came soon after and 
put up a little log shanty where Johnson's 
store now is. It is still standing. Garner 
went from here to Henry county and is 
now in Kansas. 

T. A. Graham came in 1853 and erected 
a building which is now owned by J. M. 
Gamery. It is still standing. Judge 
Graham remained in Toledo until the time 
of his death. 

Up to and during the year 1854, the fol- 
lowing settlers arrived in Toledo: Joseph 
and Mitchell Metcalf, Lafayette Cheney, 
John Zehrung, Merritt Turner, T. J. Staley. 
Clinton Olney, John Nixon, Jacob Yost, 



Dr. P. L. Baldy, Noah Myers, John 
Hughes, William and George Wignell, J. 
H. Van Horn, D. D. Appelgate, George 
Wier, Alford Phillips, O. T. Clark, Na- 
than Fisher, Dr. H. T. Baldy and others. 

BUSINESS INTERESTS. 

Toledo is a live, business town, and the 
various mercantile branches are well rep- 
resented. 

The first store was opened in 1844, by 
John Zehrung, who erected a building for 
that purpose and continued in the busi- 
ness for a few years. He then sold out 
and is now in Nebraska. 

Shortly afterward John Nixon and Lewis 
Merchant erected a building and engaged 
in the general mercantile business. 

The firms representing this line of busi- 
ness in 1883 were: W. S. Johnston & 
Co., Owen Brothers and Clarke Brothers. 

W. S. Johnston & Co. are engaged in 
general merchandise, their business hav- 
ing been established by Galley & John- 
ston, in 1858. The business has been car- 
ried on under the firm name of W. S. 
Johnston & Co. since ISTO. This is the 
oldest establishment in the city. 

W. S. Johnston was born on the 26th of 
May, 1852, at Mount Pleasant, Westmore- 
land county, Pennsylvania. He is a son 
of Uriah S. Johnston and Mary (Keister) 
Johnston. He received his education at 
the High School of Mount Pleasant, and 
remained in his native town until October, 
186'?, when he came to Toledo, Iowa. He 
was employed as a clerk in the establish- 
ment of W. F. Johnston & Co., where he 
remained until February, 1879. He then 
bought out the firm and formed a partner- 
.ship with J. A. Owen, under the firm 
name of W. S. Johnston & Co., which 



87 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



firm continued the business until the 
spring of 1882. Mr. Johnston then pur- 
chased the interest of his partner and sold 
the same to Wesley Johnston, leaving the 
firm name unchanged. He was married 
in May, 1878, to Miss Mary Emma Frazeei 
a daughter of R. H. and Docia ( Bog- 
gess) Frazee. He is a member of 
the M. E. Church of Toledo, Iowa, in 
which body he is Treasurer of the Sunday 
school, and a member of the official board. 
He has been a Director of the Toledo 
Saving's Bank since January, 1882, and 
has held five shares of the stock since its 
organization. He is a member of Toledo 
Lodge, No. 23, A. O. U. W. and Toledo 
Lodge, No. 26, Iowa Legion of Honor. 

Wesley Johnston, the partner of W. S. 
Johnston was born in Mount Pleasant, 
Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on 
the 26th of October, 1834. When ten 
years of age, he entered the store of 
Cherry & Boubright, and remained for 
three years ; then became errand boy in 
his uncle's store, and afterwards took his 
place behind the counter. Here he spent 
fourteen years, becoming thoroughly 
acquainted with mercantile trade, which 
he has made a life long business. In 1857 
he was married to Miss Sophia Porter. 
By this union there were four children, 
three of whom are living : John C, L^riah 
S. and W. F., Jr. In February, 1863, 
Mrs. Johnston died. She was a sincere 
Qhristian and a member of the United 
Brethren Church. Mr. Johnston subse- 
quently married Miss Emma F. Norton, a 
daughter of D. M. Norton, of Wisconsin. 
Four children blessed this union : Charles 
W., Frankie A., Robert E. and Harry F. 



Mr. Johnston came to Toledo in the 
spring of 1862, where he has since been 
engaged in the mercantile business. He 
is a member of the M. E. Church, where 
the family worship. Mr. Johnston is a 
member of Original Lodge, No. a3, A. O. 
U. W. and also of the Iowa Legion of 
Honor, Lodge No. 26. 

The present firm of Owen Brothers suc- 
ceeded Galley & Owen, early in 1883 ; 
the business was founded by H. Galley, in 

1868. 

J. A. Owen, of the firm of Owen 
Brothers, was born on the 29th of Novem- 
ber, 1854, in Newburg, Pennsylvania, and 
is a son of Rev. A. Owen and Rebecca 
(Howenstine) Owen, the former a minis- 
ter of the U. B. Church. J. A. received 
his education in the public schools of 
Ohio ; came to Toledo, Iowa, in 1872, and 
received employment in the store of W. 
F. Johnston & Co., as a clerk. He fol- 
lowed clerking until 1879, when he en- 
tered into partnership with W. S. John- 
ston and bought the stock of goods of 
W. F. Johnston & Co., in which firm he 
was interested until in the spring of 1882. 
Mr. Owen then sold his interest in that 
firm and formed a partnership with H. 
Galley, under the firm name of Galley «fc 
Owen, carrying a stock of general mer- 
chandise. He was married in September, 
1880, to Miss Delia I. Beam, a daughter 
of Dr. W. O. and Hester (Stewart) 
Beam. This marriage has been blessed 
with one child. February 1, 1883, J. H. 
Owen purchased the interest of H. Galley 
and formed partnership with his brother, 
J. A., under the firm name of Owen Bros., 
carrying a stock averaging about $8,000. 



'-^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COTHsTTY, 



1011 



Clark Bros, established their business 
in March, 1867, and have since continued 
under that firm name. 

The dry goods business of W. A. Fee 
was established in 1872, by Werum & Fee, 
and in January, 1877, Mr. Fee became sole 
proprietor. 

Mr. Fee was born in Marion county, 
Indiana, nine miles north of Indianapolis, 
on the 22d of February, 1841. His parents 
were Elias and Mary (Carter) Fee; the 
former is a native of Kentucky, the laterwas 
born in Clermont county, Ohio, near 
Felicita, where they were married and 
lived for a number of years. The father 
was a blacksmith by trade. From Cler- 
mont county the parents went to Augusta, 
Indiana, nine miles from the State Capital. 
The father died September 11, 1879, in 
Carroll township, where his widow still 
lives with her son George. The family 
came to the county in 1854, and have 
since resided here. William lived with 
his parents, working on the farm, till 
twenty-two. When he was twenty-one 
years of age his father deeded to him 120 
acres of land as he did to each of his .sons 
and daughters on their reaching their 
majorities. In 1863, William A. pur- 
chased eighty acres of land which he added 
to his farm, making 200 acres in all. Mr. 
Fee then worked on his own farm and 
assisted on his father's place for two years. 
In 1870, he built a good substantial house 
at a cost of $600, and in the fall rented 
the place to J. L. Surface for a cash rent 
of |!.300 per year. In 1871, Mr. Fee sold 
to Wm. Riley for 13,000, and purchased 
120 acres on section 27, township 84, range 
14, now Carroll township. He sold this 
land to J. Collupknik for $2,000, and 



about the same time sold eighty acres 
which he had previously purchased on 
section 7, same township, to William Hill 
for $1,200. In March, 1869, Mr Fee pur- 
chased the grocery store of Mrs. C. E. 
Miller, and continued this business till 
October, when he sold to S. Doolittle and 
returned to his farm, engaging in buying 
and selling horses and cattle until 1872. 
He then came to Toledo and purchased 
the interest of Elijah Gallion in the gen- 
eral store of Gallion & Werum, and under 
the firm name of Werum & Fee, the busi- 
ness was continued for five years. On 
January 1, 1877, this partnership was dis- 
solved, and W. A. Fee remained as sole 
proprietor. Mr. Fee also purchased the 
store building and now deals in dry goods 
and notions. He carries a large stock of 
goods, averaging about $6,000. He is a 
very careful man in his business relations; 
has closely watched his bills payable, 
never allowing them to run over ten days, 
and to this he attributes his success in 
business. Mr. Fee was married on the 28th 
of September, 1874, to Miss Fannie A. 
Frazee, daughter of R. H. and Docia E. 
(Boggess) Frazee. Her mother died when 
she was quite young. Mrs. Fee followed 
the profession of teaching before her mar- 
riage, and for four terms taught in the 
public schools of Toledo, and for six years 
clerked in her husband's store. Mrs. Fee 
is a member of the Regular Baptist Church 
of Toledo. In politics Mr. Fee is a Re- 
publican and held the oftice of Justice of 
the Peace in Carroll township for five 
years. He is a member of Toledo Lodge, 
No 179, I. O. 0. F. In August, 1879, he 
purchased 320 acres in Sac county, this 
land being under good im]>rovemeiits, hav- 



^ 



'f' 



^ S) ^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ing a good house thereon and three and a 
half miles from Sac City. He owns 120 
acres in Tama county, eighty in Pocahontas 
county, two miles from the county seat 
and also owns a residence in the south 
pact and one in the west part of Toledo. 

The grocery business of William C. 
Walterswas established by him in 1866. 
Mr. Walters was born in Story county, 
Ohio, July 13, 1843. His parents, William 
and Elizabeth (McKee) Walters, were 
also natives of Ohio, and are now resi- 
dents of Brooklyn, Iowa. Mr. Walters 
came west with his parents in 1865, lo- 
cating for a time in Brooklyn. In the fall 
of 1866 he came to Toledo, this county, 
and opened a grocery business in partner- 
ship with Mr. Parker. Within six months 
Mr. Parker sold his interest and went to 
Colfax, Mr. Walters continuing the busi- 
ness as sole proprietor. He was married 
the 22d of November, 1866, to Miss Mary 
H. Reynolds, daughter of C. P. and Mar- 
tha Reynolds, the former a native of Ohio; 
the latter of Kentucky. Her father has 
been a Methodist Episcopal minister for 
over thirty years, and is now living in 
Chester, Powesheik county, this State. 
Mr. and Mrs. Walters have two children: 
Charles Earnest, born September 20, 186T 
and John Perry, born October 3, 1879. In 
politics, Mr. VYalters is a Republican, and 
has held the office of Councilman for sev- 
eral years. Mr. jWalters owns 650 acres 
of farming land in Tama county; his wife 
owns 150 acres. Besides this, he has a 
fine residence in the east part of the city, 
and also owns the building and lot where 
he is in business. Mrs. Walters is a mem- 
ber of the M. E. Church of Toledo. 



J. H. Woodward succeeded Bartlett &, 
Davis in 1882, and now carries on a gro- 
cery business. He was born at Stratford, 
Fairfield county, Connecticut, November 
5, 1839. He received a liberal education, 
and came to Tama in company with his 
brother George at the age of seventeen. 
Here he engaged in farming until 1882, 
when he changed his occupation and en- 
gaged in mercantile business at Toledo. 
His parents, George H. and Annetta L. 
(Farrar) Woodward, were natives of New 
Hampshire They moved to Toledo in 
February, 1855, where Mr. Woodward was 
pastor of the Congregational Church. He 
died in November, 1880. James H. mar- 
ried Miss Hannah M. Struble, the daugh- 
ter of Isaac and Emma (Trusdale) Struble, 
natives of New Jersey. They have had 
one child — Raymond S., who died when 
seven months old. 

The grocery store of Harry E. Church- 
ill was opened by himself in 1881. Mr. 
Churchill was born in Linn county, Iowa, 
.July 16 1861. He is a son of Almond and 
Anna M. (Lovejoy) Churchill, natives of 
Stowe, Vermont. In 1849, his father went 
to California, where he remained three 
years engaged in mining. At the end of 
that time be returned to Vermont with 
about $15,000 which he had made in the 
gold country. In 1852 the family came 
to Iowa, locating in Benton county, where 
Mr. Churchill was engaged in farming 
and stock raising. In 1860, they removed 
to Linn county, where the father remained 
until his death, which occurred in the 
spring of 1869. In politics, Mr. Churchill 
was a Republican. His son, Harry E., 
was reared in Linn county, receiving his 
education itf the common schools, and at 



V^l 



-» -S V 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1013 



Western College, where he spent three 
years. In 1880 he graduated at the Dav- 
enport Business College. Mr. Churchill 
came to Toledo from Western, where for 
two years he had been teaching in the 
commercial department of Western Col- 
lege, and at once engaged in his present 
business. June 6, 1882, he was married 
to Miss Belle Van Osdall, of Geneseo, 
Illinois. They are both members of the 
United Brethren Church, of Toledo. 

Charles C. Quintard, a grocer of Toledo, 
established his business in March, 1880. He 
is a native of Knox county, Ohio, born 
June 18, 1848, his parents being Cyrus B. 
and Sarah A. (Canfield) Quintard. Charles 
was reared on a farm, receiving his educa- 
tion in the common schools, until 1864, 
when he came to Iowa, and followed farm- 
ing in Tama county for three years; then 
came to Toledo, where he followed car- 
pentering three years. January 1, 18T0, 
Mr. Quintard was married to Miss Anna 
A. Loop, a native of Crawford county, 
and who came to Iowa with her parents 
when quite young. Her parents were 
Charles and Delilah (Southwick) Loop. 
After his marriage, Mr. Quintard farmed 
for six years on a farm near the village of 
Traer, this county; then came to Toledo, 
where he clerked in a grocery store for 
three years. On the 9th of March, 1880, 
Mr. Quintard opened a grocery store for 
himself in Toledo, and has since been in 
tliebusiness,havingalarge trade. Mr. and 
Mrs. Quintard have one child living: 
Alton C. v., born April 5, ISTl. Mr. 
Quintard is a Republican in politics, and 
a warm supporter of prohibition Mrs. 
Quintard is a member of the M. E. Ciiurch. 



One of the leading grocery firms of To- 
ledo is Stone & Ross, who succeeded B. 
Stone, in December, 1881. 

Benjamin Stone was born in Yorkshire, 
England, in August, 1832, his parents be- 
ing Edward and Rachel (Croyesdal) Stone. 
His father was foreman in a cloth manu- 
factory in Yorkshire. Here Benjamin 
was reared, attending the common schools 
and when of sufficient age, learned the 
boot and shoemaker's trade. At twenty- 
six, he came to the LTnited States with his 
wife and one child, landing at New York 
city. From there he went to Cleveland, 
Ohio, where he engaged in the boot and 
shoe business, remaining seven years; then 
with his family he came to Toledo, and 
commenced business in a building which 
he purchased of Thomas A. Graham. He 
soon pulled that down and erected a brick 
block, now occupied byX'hurchill's grocery 
store. He occupied this building for some 
time, then sold to Wieting Bros, and 
built the brick store now owned by W. C. 
Walter. He next erected several resi- 
dences, and in the spring of 1882, put up 
the store building now occupied by Har- 
rison & Giger. Here he commenced in 
the boot and shoe business, which is still 
continued by the last named firm, to whom 
he sold in the spring of 1883. Mr. Stone 
is a member of the City Council, to which 
he had been elected^ several times. He 
was married in 1854, to Sarah Ann Wood, 
of Leeds, Yorkshire, England. 'I hey 
have nine children: Annie, Emma, Al- 
bert, Lizzie, Ida, Freddie, Harry, Jessie 
and Kittie. 

The first harness shop in Toledo was 
opened by Thomas Murray, in 1855. 



1014 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



IT. Wagner engaged in the harness 
Imsiness at Toledo in 1872, and is the only 
man in the business at present. He was 
born in Hamburg, Germany, May 6, 1829. 
His parents, Levi C. and Catherine (Lauth) 
Wagner, died in their native land. Henry 
Wagner attended school till thirteen years 
of age, then learned the tanners trade. At 
sixteen he commenced carriage trimming 
and harness making, continuing for three 
years, then as journeyman until the fall of 
18.53, when he came to the United States, 
first locating at Newark, New Jersey. 
There he engaged in the harness business 
until the spring of 1865, then moved to 
Sterling, Illinois, and engaged there at his 
trade. In 1872, he came to Toledo, Tama 
county, Iowa, and opened the harness shop 
in which he was engaged in 1883. He 
was married in November, 1851, to Miss 
Catherine Hustman, a native of Germany. 
They have had five children, all living: 
Josie S., Emma D., Clint A., Laura and 
Charles H. Mr. Wagner has been a Re- 
publican since 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Wag- 
ner are members of the Lutheran Church. 
He has been a Township Trustee for three 
years, a member of the City Council for 
the past five years, and also for four years 
was a member of the School Boai'd. He 
is doing a large business, having the sole 
trade of the place, and is carrying about 
as large a stock as there is in the county. 
lie was for three years in tbe military 
service in the Old Country, and partici- 
pated in the war between Germany and 
Denmark, which commenced in the spring 
of 1848, and ended in the spring of 1851. 
He went through the battles of Lajielle 
and Fredrickstedt, both very severe. 



H. Wagner <fe Son opened a bakery and 
restaurant in 1881, and now have as fine an 
assortment of goods in their line as there 
is in the county. 

The clothing business of Toledo is rep- 
resented by Louis Sime, who first opened 
his store on the 10th of April, 1877. 

The boot and shoe business is mainly 
represented by two firms: Harrison & 
Giger and J. W. Kremenak. 

The business of Harrison & Giger was 
established by B. Stone in April, 1882, and 
in July, same year, came under the man- 
agement of Stone & Harrison, and early 
in 1873, Mr. Stone sold his interest to Mr. 
Giger, the firm now being Harrison & 
Giger. 

J. W. Kremenak opened his business in 
1878. 

W. H. Harrison, Jr., established a 
wholesale and retail book store in Decem- 
ber, 1881, and still continues the same. 
The first year's sales amounted to 35,000 
volumes. 

The first photogra})h gallery of Toledo, 
and in fact of Tama county, was opened 
by Rev. G. G. Edwards. The business 
finally passed into the hand of J. C. Mil- 
ler, who in 1861, sold out to J. S. Moore. 
Mr. Moore is the present owner of this busi- 
ness, having remained sole proprietor 
since 1861. This is the oldest business of 
the kind in the county. 

Mr. Moore was born in Centre county, 
Pennsylvania, July 1, 1832. He is a son 
'of Daniel and Eva (Swarts) Moore. When 
J. S Moore was nine months old his par- 
ents emigrated to Ashland county, Ohio, 
where he was educated in the common 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



schools and grew to manhood. When 
seventeen years of age he learned the 
trade of house carpenter and cabinet 
maker which he followed for eleven years. 
In March, 185*7, he was married to Miss 
Many Miller, a daughter of John Miller, of 
Wayne county, Ohio, By this union 
there are six children: Alice C, Jennie L., 
Ward H., Walter, Nellie and Nettie. In 
1856 Mr. Moore turned his face towards 
the setting sun, emigrating to Linn coun- 
ty, Iowa, and the following spring came 
to Tama county, locating in Toledo, where 
he followed his trade until 1861. He then 
engaged in his present business and by 
close attention to business and fair deal- 
ing has built up a custom that is second to 
none in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Moore 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Mr. Moore is recognized as one 
of the best photographers in the State. 

The first jewelry business in Toledo 
was started by J. C. Miller in 1859, who 
sold out to- R. R. Frazee in 1863, which 
business he continued to engage in until 
1883, when he retired from the business. 

R. H. Frazee, one of the pioneers of 
Tama county, was born in Mason county, 
Kentucky, on the 23d of January, 1823. 
His parents were Squire and Abigail 
(Master) Frazee. When R. H. Frazee 
was three years old his parents emigrated 
to Claremont, Ohio, then a wilderness, 
where they purchased land and opened up 
a farm, where his father died in 1876. His 
mother died in Iowa in 1867. They were 
members of the Regular Baptist Church. 
The subject of this sketch was reared on 
the farm; his education being received in 
the pioneer school houses of Ohio. In 
those days a teacher was considered no 



account unless he knew how to handle the 
Pod. Here R. H. Frazee grew to manhood 
and for a number of years followed farm- 
ing. In the meantime, being of a me- 
chanical turn of mind, he turned his at- 
tention to the jewelry trade, which he has 
since followed. In 1846 he was married 
in Kentucky to Miss Docia Boggess, by 
whom there was a family of seven chil- 
dren, two sons and five daughters: Fannie, 
Elizabeth J., John S., now County Super- 
intent of Mills county, Iowa; Ira B., jew- 
eler of Ames, Iowa; Emma, Flora and 
Ella. Mrs. Frazee died in Ohio in 1862. 
In the spring of 1863 he came to Toledo, 
where he engaged in farming, and also the 
jewelry business. In 1868 he married 
Miss Emily Demming. In early life Mr. 
Frazee was a Democrat, but at the time of 
the organization of the Republican party, 
he joined it and has since affiliated with 
that party. Mr. Frazee is a member of 
the Regular Baptist Church. 

The jewelry trade was represented in 
1883 by A. A. Hart, who established his 
business in March, ]88i. 

The flour, feed and general produce 
trade, in 1883, was represented by W. H. 
Graham, who established his business in 
December, 1881. 

William H. Graham was born in Dela- 
ware county. New York, on the 16th day 
of September, 1816, and is a son of John 
Graham who is a native of Scotland. 
When sixteen years of age he came to 
America, and located in Delaware county. 
New York, where he became acquainted 
with and married Jane Rose. Nine chil- 
dren were born to them, eight of whom 
lived to be adults. 






1016 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



The subject of this sketch was reared on 
hi« father's farm, and received a coramoti 
school education. In March, IS-tO, he was 
married to Miss Milicent J. Luddington, 
of Delaware county, by whom he liad two 
children, — Gilbert H., and Ruth A., now 
the wife of J. D. Biggs of Colorado. Mrs. 
(Traham died in the fall of 1854, and the 
following March Mr. Graham was married 
to Miss Harriet A. Rogers, of Cortland 
county. New York. By this union there 
were four children, three of whom are 
living : William R., Florence E. and Rob- 
ert E. In 1857, he emigrated to Will 
county, Illinois, and in 1864, removed to 
Tama county, and located in Salt Creek 
township, where he erected the first house 
in Chelsea ; also sold the first goods in the 
place. In politics, he was formerly an 
old Line Whig, casting his first vote for 
William H. Harrison for President, and his 
first vote for Governor for W. H. Seward. 
At the time of the organization of the 
Republican party he joined it, and has 
voted with that party ever since. He has 
held the office of Justice of the Peace, 
and also a commission under Abraham 
Lincoln as postmaster. Mr. and Mrs. Gra- 
ham are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. 

The first set of abstract books were com- 
menced by T. S. Free and A. H. Lawence. 
These books are now in possession of 
J. M. Winn, who is prepared to do all 
kinds of abstract work. 

Cliarles Cunningham also has a set of 
abstract books, which were coniraenced 
by William Rieckhoff. 

The first drug business in Toledo was 
established in 1856, by Dr. Myers and Mer- 
ritt Turner. Drs. Hai-kins and Bunce 



were soon after in the drug trade; but the 
first one of any importance was by John 
Shanklin in 1859, on the site and in the 
building afterward occupied by Mr. Winn, 
as an abstract oflice. In 1860, T. K. Arm- 
strongbecame associated with Mr. Shanklin 
and the firm of Armstrong «fc Shanklin con- 
tinued for about two years, when Mr. 
Armstrong became sole proprietor and 
run the business twelve years, and sold to 
Berger & Yeiser, who subsequently sold 
to Mr. Thompson. 

A drug store was opened by John 
Zehrung, shortly after the war, which was 
sold to Rogers & Sauers, and in 1871 pur- 
chased by J. N. Springer, who still owned 
it in 1883. 

S. Stiger, who opened his drug store in 
1873, was born in Georgetown, Columbiana 
county, Ohio, August 29, 1832. His parents, 
John G. and Catherine Eve (Hohenstein) 
Stiger, were both natives of Germany. The 
father was a tailor by trade. Soon after 
his birth Stephen's parents went to Wayne 
county, Ohio, and when he was about five, 
they removed to Crawford county, where 
Stephen was reared, receiving his education 
in the district schools. In 1860, Mr. Sti- 
ger went to Missouri, locating in Benton 
county. The following summer he came 
to Iowa, locating in Madison county where 
he remained until 1863, then came to Tama 
county, and engaged in farming. In 1866, 
he purchased a farm and in 1867, sold and 
went to Toledo, and opened a grocery 
store and continued in that business until 
1873, at which time he opened a drug 
store, in which he has since continued, 
carrying about the largest stock in the 
county, and doing a large tiade. Mr. 
Stiger was married in Morrow county, 




■^ 4 " * ■ 



'k. 



HISTQRY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Ohio, October U, 1852, to Abigail Jack- 
eon, of Ktiox county, Ohio, and daughter 
of Joshua and Mary (Lewis) Jackson. 
Her father was a native of Maine ; her 
mother of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stiger had one child born to them : Harry 
J., born June 6, 1857. Mrs. Stiger died 
June 1, 1864 and Mr. Stiger was again 
married April 30, 1865, to Miss Lucy L. 
Musser, a daughter of Martin and Augusta 
A. (Clarke) Musser, the former a native 
of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ohio. They 
have two children : Martin G., born 
March 10, 1867 and Edith M., born De- 
cember 9, 1876. In politics, Mr. Stiger is 
a Democrat, and is at present one of the 
City Councilmen, being elected for a 
three year term. He also served in the 
same office in 1875 and 1876. He has 
been Chief of Fire Department since 1878, 
being the present incumbent. He is a 
member of Toledo Lodge, A. F. & A. M., 
and became a member of th t Fraternity 
in 1857, atBucyrus, Ohio. 

The drug business of Hinsdale & Son, 
was establislied by T. K. Armstrong, in 
the spring of 1879, and sold to the above 
named lirm, in January, 1883. Thomas K. 
Armstrong was born in Columbiana coun- 
ty, Ohio, December 20, 1810. His parents, 
Andrew and Rachel (King) Armstrong, 
were both natives of Pennsylvania, and 
settled five miles west of New Lisbon, 
Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1805. His 
parents were married in about 1806, in that 
county. Thomas K. was reared on a farm, 
receiving his education in the pioneer 
schools. At eighteen, he engaged with 
General John Armstrong, an uncle, to 
learn the carpenter's trade, serving an ap- 
prenticeship of three years. February 14, 



1832, Mr. Armstrong was married to Miss 
Amy Shirts, a daughter of George and 
Sarah (Lyons) Shirts, born near West 
Union, Ohio, in 1806. By this union, 
there were two children: Andrew and 
Sarah. Andrew died in 1833, and in 1834, 
the wife and mother passed away, fol- 
lowed in two weeks, by Sarah. In 1835, Mr. 
Armstrong sold his property in New Lis- 
bon, and engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness at Hanover, same county. In 1836, 
he was married to Malinda Craig, a native 
of Ohio, and daughter of Isaac and Eliza- 
betn (Davis) Craig, who were natives of 
Virginia. In 1837, they moved to Roches- 
ter, Columbiana county, where Mr. Ai"m- 
strong engaged in mercantile business 
until 1847, when he removed to Millbrook, 
Wayne county, Ohio, where he remained 
in business two years. In 1849, he removed 
to Berlin, Holmes county, same State, 
and engaged in merchandising until 1855; 
then came west to Iowa, locating in Lis- 
bon, Linn county, where he opened a drug 
store. In 1860, he came to Tama county, 
locating at Toledo, where he engaged in 
the drug business until January, 1883, 
when he retired. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong 
have been blessed with three children: 
Melvina J., widow of John M. Shanklin; 
Carrie S., wife of Henry Soleman, drug- 
gist of Tama City, Iowa; Ann E., wife of 
J. Q. Clark, a merchant of Toledo, Iowa. 
Mrs. Shanklin is now engaged in the mil- 
linery business at Tama City. 

H. W. Rebok & Son, hardware dealers, 
succeeded the firm of Stoner & Jones, in 
January, 1883. This business was first 
opened by A. Bartlett, in 1855, and was 
the first business of the kind in Toledo. 
Mr. Bartlett sold to Stoner & Jones, who 



1^^ 

If 



88 



r 



1020 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



conducted the business for a number of 
years, and then sold to the present own- 
era, H. W. Rebok & Son . 

Philip K. Rebok, Jr., member of the 
above firm, was born on the 2d of March, 
1855. He is a son of H. W. Rebok, a 
minister of the United Brethren Church, 
and Liddie E. (Cormany) Rebok, both of 
whom were natives of Franklin county, 
Pennsylvania. He received his education 
in the public schools of Franklin county, 
and worked on a farm until he was twenty- 
one years old, when he went to Richland 
county, Ohio, where for two years he fol- 
lowed farming. At the end of this time, 
he moved to Moultrie county, Illinois, 
worked on hLs father's farm for two years 
and then purchased a farm of 160 acres, 
upon which he remained three years. He 
then rented his farm and on the 1st of 
January, 1883, came to Toledo, where 
he formed a partnership with his father, 
engaging in the hardware business, under 
the firm name of H. W. Rebok & Son. 
Philip K., still owns his farm in Moultrie 
county, Illinois, and has also a fine resi- 
dence in Toledo, this county. He is a 
member of the United Brethren Church. 
On the 24th of September, 1879, he was 
married to Miss Mattie B. Thuma, daugh- 
ter of Peter and Mrs. (Kelso) Thuma, of 
Richland county, Ohio. They have one 
daughter: Lona B., born September 18, 
1881. 

J. M. Camery have carried a limited 
stock of hardware in connection with their 
machinery business since 1870. They are 
about to put in a full stock of this line of 
goods. 

The hardware store of C. W. Conant 
was first opened by A. J. Ilassell, in 1876. 



He, however, only kept stoves and tinware. 
In April, 1880, Mr. Hassell associated him- 
self with C. W. Conant, under the firm 
name of Ilassell & Conant. This part- 
nership continued until in November, 
1882, when Mr. Conant became sole pro- 
prietor. 

The first firm to engage in the machinery 
business in Toledo was Graham & Nelson- 
They continued in trade for two or three 
years. Since Toledo was started there 
have been several to engage in this busi- 
ness, but most all have been transients. 

J. M. Camery & Son represent the ag- 
ricultural implement business of Toledo. 
In 1870, this firm purchased the business 
owned and established by Edie, Guilford 
& Company, and have continued it with 
good success ever since. In 1880, they be- 
gan handling coal in connection with their 
other business and have also kept on hand 
a full line of buggies, carriages, wagons, 
etc., since 1881. They do a business 
which amounts to about $.'?0,000 annually. 

James M., senior member of the firm, 
was born in Rockingham county, Virgin- 
ia, on the 11th of May, 1825. His parents 
were Christian and Nancy (Messick) Cam- 
ery, natives of the same county. When 
James was ten years old the family moved 
to Ohio and settled on a farm in Knox 
county. The subject of this sketch was 
married there in September, 1845, his wife 
being a daughter of John and Catherine 
(Hunt) Wilson, natives of Hagerstown, 
Maryland, and both of whom died in Knox 
county, Ohio, the father in 1861, the moth- 
er in 1881. Mr. Camery's father died in 
Marshall county, Illinois, on the 10th of 
March, 1874, lacking but twenty-four days 
of being eighty-five years of age. His 



1' 



(^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



mother died April 9, 1883, in the same 
county. After mai'riage Mr. Camery re- 
mained in Knox county, engaged princi- 
pally in farming until the fall of 1861, 
when he came to Tama county and set- 
tled on section 31, Buckingham township, 
where he bought 120 acres of land. He 
improved his farm and, in 1865, added 
eighty acres to it. He continued improve- 
ments and in 1 869, broke and fenced 
eighty acres, erected good buildings and 
remained until the spring of 1870, when 
he came to Toledo and engaged in busi- 
ness as above stated. At that time he sold 
his farm, eighty acres, to J. M. Winn and 
120 acres to Edie, Guilford & Company, 
whose stock he and his son purchased un- 
der the firm name of Camery & Son. In 
politics, Mr. Camery is a Republican and 
lias held the office of City Councilman for 
two years, in 1876 and 1877, and was re- 
elected in the spring of 1882, for a two 
years' term. Mr. and Mrs. Camery have 
had two children: Denton and Dorton, 
who died at the age of three years. 

Denton Camery, junior member of the 
above firm, was born July 1, 1846, in 
Knox county, Ohio, and came with his 
parents to Iowa when he was fifteen years 
old. He lived with his parents until 1863, 
then came to Toledo and clerked in the 
store of Galley & Johnston for about eight 
months. He then enlisted in Company K, 
47th Iowa Infantry, in the one hundred 
days service, joining his regiment at 
Davenport. From there, the regiment 
went to Helena, Arkansas, and rendez- 
voused at that plaee under the command 
of General Buford. Mr. Camery received 
his discharge in October, 1864, and re- 
turned to Toledo, where he was again em- 



ployed as clerk in the store of Galley & 
John.Hton. He worked with this firm until 
the spring of 1866, then during the sum- 
mer attended the Bryant & Stratton Busi- 
ness College at Davenport, Iowa. That 
fall he returned to Toledo and was em- 
ployed as deputy in the County Recor- 
der's and County Treasurer's office, mainly 
in the latter, until 1870. He then formed 
a partnership with his father to carry on 
their present business. Mr. Camery was 
married November 16, 1869, to Miss Vio- 
let Arb, daughter of David Arb, of Tole- 
do. They have one child, Edith, born 
April 13, 1882. Mr. Camery is a Republi- 
can and is a member of the I. L. of H., 
Toledo Lodge, No. 26. The Ifirm of Cam- 
ery & Son carry a large stock, wnich will 
average in value about $5,000, and do a 
business amounting to $30,000 annually. 
Father and son each own a fine residence, 
besides the building and lot where they 
do business. They have for a number of 
years engaged quite largely in buying and 
selling farms and now own 480 acres of 
land : 320 in O'Brien county, eighty in 
Clay and eighty in Green county. 

The first furniture store opened in To- 
ledo was owned by O. T. Clark. One of 
the first pieces of work done by him was 
a coffin for a man who had been shot in 
Whiskey Bottom. Mr. Clark's shop was 
destroyed by fire in June, 1855. 

The second cabinet shop was opened by 
Matt Churchill, in 1855, and was contin- 
ued by him for several years. James 
Wallace, another transient, ran a shop for 
a few years, and then went to Kansas. 

Arb & Wadley established business as 
dealers in, and manufacturers of, furniture 
in 1805, and here continued in tlie same 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-l^ 



until tlie present time. They now do the 
largest business of the kind in the county, 
and at present are the only furniture deal- 
ers in Toledo. 

The first elevator was built by W. F. 
Johnston, Henry Galley, Launder Clark 
and W. H. Harrison, at a cost of 7,000. 
It was first run by Wm. Brown. In 1863 
it was owned by B. L. Knapp and B. L. 
Johnson, and operated by B. L. Knapp. 
Another elevator was built in 1874-5, by 
a stock company, and known as the 
Farmer's Elevator. In 1883 it was owned 
by W. F. Johnston. 

B. L. Knapp, grain and stock dealer, of 
Toledo, was born in Wayne county. New 
York, on thelGth of August, 1836. Here 
he grew to manhood and received an 
academic education. His time was spent 
on the farm in summers, and teaching 
school during the winters. In 1868, he 
was married to Miss Lucy M. Wright. In 
1S6G he went to Michigan and purchased 
a flock of 1,500 sheep and drove them to 
Tama county, arriving here October 3, 
1866, where he followed sheep growing 
for five years. Then he disposed of his 
sheep and followed farming until the fall 
of 1878, when he embarked in his present 
business. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are the 
parents of four children: Charles M., 
Lorenzo T., Harland G. and Arthur. Mr. 
Knapp is a member of the A. O. U. W. 
In politics he is a Republican, and has 
alHliated with the party since its organiza- 
tion. 

Tiie first blacksmith in Toledo was 
George Weir. He was a poor man, and 
the citizens, by private subscription, assist- 
ed him in fitting up a shop. This was 
sometime in 1855. He paid those who 



had helped him to start in work, and soon 
after moved his shop into the town. A 
number of years ago he left and his 
whereabouts are not known. 

Lewis Loupee, blacksmith of Toledo, 
is of French descent. He was born in 
Baden, Germany, on the 16th erf August, 
1827. When he was three years old his 
parents emigrated to Pennsylvania, where 
they remained a'lx years and then removed 
to Wayne county, Ohio. In 1840 they re- 
moved to Cass county, Michigan. Here 
Lewis grew to manhood, and, when twen- 
ty-three years of age, he commenced to 
learn his trade. Be was married in Cass 
county to Miss Ph(Ebe Brown, a native of 
Ohio, by whom he had six children, three 
of whom are living: Ellen M., wife of W. 

E. Appelgate; William A., of Dickenson, 
Kansas and Ida May. In the fall of 1850, 
Mr. Loupee turned his face westward, 
came to Iowa and located in Cerro Gordo 
county. Here he remained but a short 
time and then I'emoved to Kossuth county, 
settling near Algona. In June, 1859, he 
came to Tama county, living in Crystal 
township for a short time, when he pur- 
chased land in Howard township, and en- 
gaged in farming. In August, 1862, he 
joined the Union Army, enlisting in the 
28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company 

F, and participated in the following en- 
gagements: Siege and capture of Vicks- 
burg, from May 22, until its capture, July 
4, 1863; Jackson, Mississippi, July 11, 
1863; Sabine Cross Roads, Louisiana, April 
8, 1804; Cain River, Louisiana, April 23, 
1864; Medde Bayou, May 8, 1864; Man- 
sura, May 19, 1864; Opeguou Creek, Vir- 
giniii, September 19, 1804; Fisher's Hill, 
Virginia, September 22, 1864 and Cedar 



j±=Al^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1023 



C'reek, October 19, 1864. He was made 
2(1 Sergeant, June 20, 1863. Mr. Loupee 
was always found at hia post of duty. He 
was mustered out of the service at Savan- 
nah, Georgia, July 31, 1865. After the 
close of the war he returned to Tama 
county, located in Toledo, where he has 
since been engaged at his trade of black- 
smithing. Mr. Loupee is a member of the 
Grand Army of the Republic and A. O. 
U. W. In politics he is a Republican, and 
has affiUiated with the party since its or- 
ganization. Mr. and Mrs. Loupee are 
members of the Freewill Baptist Church, 
of Toledo. 

The first shoe shop was opened by John 
Aldrich, in the fall of 1854. At present 
there are two shops in Toledo, Fred .Junk- 
er's and Max Reusch. 

Frederick William Junker was born in 
Prussia, province of Westphalia. When 
fourteen years old he was apprenticed to 
learn the trade of boot and shoe making, 
and worked at that business for four 
years. In the fall of 1858, he left his na" 
tive country and came to America, land- 
ing at New Orleans, from whence he came 
by river to St. Louis. In August, 1862, 
he enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Iowa 
Volunteer Infantry, Company E, in an- 
swer to the call for 600.000 men, partici- 
pating in the following engagements: 
Port Gibson, Champion Hills, siege and 
capture of Vicksburg, .Tackson, Red River 
Expedition, under General lianks, when 
hiscomiriand was transferred to the Shen- 
andoah Valley, where he participated in 
the battle of Winchester, Cedar Creek 
and saw General Sheridan come in on his 
famous twenty-mile ride. They were af- 
terwards sent to Savannah, Georgia, 



where they joined Sherman's army and 
were at the surrender of General John- 
ston, being mustered out of service at Sa- 
vannah at the close of the war. Mr. .Junk- 
er was always found at his post, leaving 
the Regiment but once in three years. In 
1861, he was married to Miss Minnie 
Brighthaupt, who has borne him five chil- 
dren: Minnie, Emma, Clara, W^illie and 
Ida. Mr. Junker came to Toledo, in 1865, 
where he has since followed his trade. In 
politics, he is a Hepublican, and cast his 
first vote for President for Abraham Lin- 
coln. 

J. W. Kremenak, dealer in boots and 
shoes, at Toledo, was born in Bohemia, in 
1856. In 18'70^he emigrated with his par- 
ents to America. When seventeen years 
of age he learned the boot and shoe trade 
in Belle Plaine. Mr. Kremenak is at pres- 
ent engaged in the boot and shoe business 
in Toledo, where by fair dealing and close 
attention to business he has built up a lu- 
crative trade of which he may well feel 
proud. February 9, 1880, he was married 
to Miss Mary Krier. They have been 
blessed with two children. His father is 
living in Otter Creek township, where he 
has a farm of ninety acres of land under 
a high state of cultivation. On the 22d of 
August, 1878, Mr. Kremenak came to To- 
ledo, Iowa, and opened a shoe shop. In 
the fall of 1879, he added a stock of boots 
and shoes, and in October, 1880, became 
agent for the sale of the Domestic sewing 
machine in Tama county. 

Union Stoner established business in 
Toledo in the year 1877, and is well known 
as a young man of high reputation and 
good business talent. He carries a stock 



•^. 



W 



:±z=f.t 



1024 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



of goods consisting of every article in the 
confectionery line. 

The Stiekney Hotel has been under the 
management of E. E. Stiekney for a num- 
ber of years. He became sole proprietor 
in the year 1874. Since then he has re- 
modeled and re-fitted it at a great expense 
and itow his hotel ranks with any first- 
class hotel in the county. 

The Toledo House, in 1883, was under 
the management of J. G. Brown, who 
took possession in 1882 The bouse is a 
substantial structure, is comfortably fur- 
nished and is run in excellent shape. 

Edward Reichmann keeps a neat and 
cozy hotel and boarding house, a short dis- 
tance from the depot. , 

Edward Reichmann was born on the 
28th of September, 1827, at Schleswig, 
Holstein, Germany, and is a son of Chris- 
tian and Anna Dorothea (Hansen) Reich" 
mann. Mr. Reichmann remained in his 
native town until 1847, when he took up 
the trade of a glassblower, at which he 
worked in several cities in Europe until 
1 858. In the summer of that year he emi- 
grated to the United States, landing at 
New York city, in September. Here he 
followed picture-frame making for a pe- 
riod of nearly twenty years. In 1877 he 
came to Toledo, Tama county, Iowa, and 
eng.aged in selling pictures, frames and 
like goods, which, however, did not prove 
profitable. He soon closed out his stock 
and started a boarding house near the de- 
pot, where he is still engaged, and in con- 
nection with which he is farming. In 1862 
he was married to Miss Caroline Burgauer, 
a daughter of Gerson and Fanny 
(Kohn) Burgauer, a native of Wurtemberg, 



Germany. By this union there are three 
children: Henry J., Herman Eddie and 
Gustav. 

William E. Appelgate, liveryman at To- 
ledo, was born in Cedar county, Iowa, 
August 17, 1847. His parents were Jacob 
W. and Mary Ann Appelgate, natives of 
Indiana, where the father was reared on a 
farm. When William was five years of 
age his parents came to Tama county, 
where the father engaged in buying and 
selling land for a few years, then settled 
on a farm in Indian Village township, 
and followed farming until the breaking 
out of the Rebellion. The father enlisted 
in Company C, 10th Iowa Infantry and 
died of small-pox in the Washington hos- 
pital, at Memphis, Tennessee. The mother 
afterward married Samuel Jones and is now 
living in Fort Madison, Lee county, this 
State. William was reared in Tama 
county and at the age of ten years hired 
to A. Richardson and worked on a farm 
until 1803. That year he enlisted in Com- 
pany I, 8th Iowa Cavalry, went south to 
Nashville, and was with General Sherman 
until the capture of Atlanta. His Com- 
pany was then placed under General 
Thomas in the campaign against Nashville. 
Mr. Appelgate participated in the follow- 
ing battles: Dalton, Stony Face, Tilton, 
Resaca, Cassvillc, Burnt Hickory, Mari- 
etta, Newman, Georgia and Lovejoy Sta- 
tion. He was taken prisoner at Lovejoy 
Station, hut escaped in about three hours, 
and rejoined the remnant of his Regi- 
mental Kingston, Georgia. The Regiment 
was re-organizcd and placed again under 
the command of General Thomas, partici- 
pating in the battles of Nashville, Frank- 
lin, Shoal Creek and West Point. He 



<ii 



V 



4« 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



was mustered out of service at Macon and 
discharged at Clinton, Iowa. Mr. Appel- 
gate then came to Toledo, Tama county, 
Iowa, and attended school for about one 
year; then worked at different occupations 
until 1876, when he went into partnership 
with C F. McGee in the livery business. 
This partnership continued until August 
15, 1878, when the firm was changed to 
McGee, Appelgate <fe Ross, -which was 
continued until September, 1880, when 
McGee withdrew. In November, 1881, 
Mr. Appelgate bought the interest of Ross 
and has since been the sole proprietor, 
June 20, 1872, he was married to Miss E. 
M. Loupee, a native of Michigan, and a 
daughter of Louis and Phoebe (Brown) 
Loupee. , They have two children living: 
Louis, born February 6, 1880 and Edna 
May, born January 4, 188-3. Freddie died 
September 11, 1876, aged three and a half 
years; Allie died September 29, 1876, 
aged about two years and Jessie died 
December 15, 1880, aged three and a half 
yea,rs. They all died of diphtheria. In 
politics Mr. Appelgate is a Republican, 
and cast his first vote for Abraham Lin- 
coln. 

John Wild, a brick maker, one mile 
west of Toledo, was born in Leeds, York- 
shire, England, August 2-3, 1833 and re- 
ceived a limited education. When a young 
man he learned the trade of a stone cutter 
and (juarryman. In 1854, he came to the 
United States, landing at New Orleans, 
and from there worked his way to Con- 
necticut, where he was employed at his 
trade. The following year he returned to 
liis native country, but not being contented 
and after a stay of eighteen months, he 



again came to America. He worked at 
various places until 1859, when he located 
in Cleveland, Ohio. Here .he married 
Mary J. Purdy, by whom he had three 
children: William, Harry and Nettie, who 
died August 17, 1876. Mrs. Wild died 
in January, 1869, and he subsequently 
married Jane Shunn, a native of Toronto, 
Canada. By this union there was a fam- 
ily of eight children, six of whom are liv- 
ing: Mabel A., born September 17, 1870; 
John, Jr., born March 3, 1872; Francis, 
born February 13, 1874; Maud, born Oc- 
tober 5, 1876, and died December 30, 1876; 
Merty, born February 14, 1878; Peter, 
born January 3, 1880; Lottie, born Janu- 
ary 26, 1883 and one who died in infancy. 
Mr. Wild enlisted in August, 1862, in the 
1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battery I, and 
participated in the engagements at Chan- 
cellorsville, Fredericksburg and Gettys- 
burg, where he was wounded in his arm by 
a piece of shell. The battery was then 
transferred to Alabama and joined in the 
battle of Mission Ridge under Thomas, 
and then to Kno-xville and the siege of At- 
lanta, where he was again wounded by a 
minnie ball striking him under his right 
ear and coming out of his left cheek, cut- 
,ing off an artery and tearing away a por- 
tion of his jaw. He came near losing his 
life from bleeding. He lay in the hospi- 
tal for six months, then returned to his 
command at Chattanooga, where he was 
three times detailed to carry a flag of 
truce to General Buford's headquarters. 
He was discharged in June, 1865, at the 
close of the war. He then came to Tama 
county, where he has since followed brick- 
making and turns oft' from 500,000 to 800,- 
000 yearly. Mr. and Mrs. Wild are mem- 



r 



jy! 



K 

".i^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



hers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
He has always voted with the Republican 
party. 

PVank E. Smith, formerly book-keeper 
of the Toledo City Bank, is a native of 
Ohio, born in Seneca county, on the I7th 
of May, 1848. His father, Gaylord G. 
_ Smith, though never a resident of Tama 
county, deserves more than a passing no- 
tice. He was born in Utica, New York, 
December 20, 180.3, and in early life re- 
moved to Scipio, New York, where he was 
married, on the 10th of January, 1820, to 
Miss Ada C. Covey. In 183.3, the yonng 
couple moved to Ohio, where they re- 
mained some time and then removed to 
(xarden Grove, Iowa. Mr. Smith was a 
great lover of freedom and while Girrett 
Smith was advocating publicly the doc- 
trine of universal freedom, Gaylord was 
feeding and sheltering the pursued slave. 
When the war broke out Mr. Smith was 
too old to shoulder his musket, but he did 
all in his power to encourage enlistments. 
In all great moral and political questions 
of the day he was always to be found on 
the side of right, the temperance cause be- 
ing as dear to his heart as was freedom. 
He was a good man and when death called 
for him on the morning of January 1,1883, 
it found him ready. Frank E. remained 
at home with his parents, attending school 
until 1804, when he went to Sandusky, 
Ohio, enlisted as a private in the 191st 
Ohio, and though but sixteen years old, 
served until the close of the war. In the 
fall of 18G5, he accompanied his parents 
to Garden Grove, Decatur county, Iowa, 
where for the ne.xt two years he occupied 
his time in attending and teaching school. 
During the next four years he clerked for 



D. and A. B. Stearns. In 1871, he attend- 
ed the Commercial Co lege at Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, and there graduated at the 
close of the term. Returr^ing to Garden 
Grove, he remained until 1874, then re- 
moved to Toledo and entered the land 
office of Nelson & Baker as book-keeper. 
He remained with this firm until 1878, 
when he relinquished his position and ac- 
cepted the place of assistant cashier of the 
Toledo City Bank. He has shown 'him- 
self to be a man of first class business 
qualifications and as a book-keeper, his 
books being models of neatness and accu- 
racy. Mr. Smith was married, in 1872, to 
Miss Hattie Chamberlin, a daughter of 
Thomas Chamberlin, of Mount Vernon, 
Knox county, Ohio. Four children have 
been born to them: Charles B., Fred A., 
Flora D. and Ada M. Mr. and Mrs. 
Smith are members of the Congregational 
Church of Toledo 

In 1883, there were two meat markets 
in Toledo — Jons & Tode and Henry I'ot- 
seoska, proprietors. The latter started 
in business in 1882, purchasing the market 
opened by W. S. Turbett, in 1854. 

Claus Tode, of the the firm of Jons & 
Tode, proprietors of one of the meat mar- 
kets of Toledo, is a native of Schleswig, 
Holstein, Germany, born on the 4th of 
September, 1855, a son of Claus and 
Soj)hie (Vog) Tode, received his education 
at the public schools of Hamburg, Ger- 
many, whence his father had moved to 
follow the profession of a brick mason. 
Claus Jr , worked on the farm from his 
fifteenth year until 1871, when he came 
to the United States, followed farming at 
different points, came to Tama county, 
Iowa, in 187.') and hero followed farmintr 



*7\i 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1027 



until 1879 when he formed a partnership 
with Glaus Jons, and bought out a meat 
market at Toledo, Iowa, which is now 
carried on under the firm name of Jons & 
Tode. On the Ist of January, 1880, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary Geibert, 
daughter of Henry and Bertha Geibert, 
which union has been blessed with one 
child — Glaus Henry William. 

His partner in business, Glaus Jons, was 
born on the 28th of June, 1850, in Schles- 
wig, Holstein, Germany, and is a son of 
Glaus Jons and Doratha (Dohr) Jons. He 
came to the United States in 1869, fol- 
lowed farming until 1874, then came to To- 
ledo, Iowa, and opened a meat market, when 
in 1879, he formed the partnership afore- 
mentioned. He was married in 1876, to 
Mary Potseoska, which union was blessed 
by four children : Frank, William, John 
and Anna. 

The lumber trade of Toledo is now repi'e- 
sented by the firm of Thompson & Smith, 
who purchased the yard of Mr. Terry in 
May, 1881. They carry a large stock, 
consisting of lumber, fuel, sash, doors, 
blinds, paints, oils, etc., and do a business 
amounting to $30,000 annually. 

In 1882, John Bohacek erected the 
Toledo steam flouring mill at a cost of 
$4,800. It is a wooden building 22x36 
feet, two stories high, and an engine room 
18x20 feet. The engine is of thirty-five 
horse power, and with three run of stone, 
Mr. Bohacek is fully prepared to do cus- 
tom work. 

Among the carpenters, builders and 
contractors of Toledo, in 1883, were: 
David Stoner and Henry B. Belden. 
David Stoner, one of the pioneers of 
Tama county, was born in Franklin 



county, Pennsylvania, on the 2d day of 
December, 1824. He is a son of Joseph 
and Mary Stoner, who were the parents of 
nine children, four sons and five daugh- 
ters. In 1847, Joseph Stoner emigrated 
with his family to Seneca county, Ohio, 
where he embarked in farming and re- 
mained until his death. David Stoner, 
when sixteen years old, learned the trade 
of carpenter and joiner. His education 
was received in the pioneer school houses. 
Mr. Stoner was married in Seneca county, 
Ohio, May 1, 1851, to Miss JLary Emer- 
son of Maryland. In the spring of 1856, 
he turned his face westward, coming to 
Iowa and locating in Toledo, where he 
has since followed his trade, building 
many of the public and private buildings 
in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Stoner are 
the parents of six children : Charles H., 
Mary C., Viola R., Virginia G., David E. 
and Victor. Mr. Stoner, in politics, is a 
Republican and cast his first Presidential 
vote for General Scott. Mr. and Mrs. 
Stoner are members of the Congregational 
Church of Toledo, where the family wor- 
ship. 

Henry B. Belden was born in Ashtabula 
county, Ohio, July 15, 1825. His parents 
were Henry and Frances (Bennett) Bel- 
den, the former born October 10,1790; 
the latter born December 3, 1791. They 
were married May 15, l&ll, in Massachu- 
setts, where two children were born. In 
about 1816, they emigrated to Ashtabula 
county, Ohio, being among the early 
settlers of northwestern Ohio, where ten 
children were born. In 1834, he removed 
to LaPorte county, Indiana, where Mrs. Bel- 
den died, April 21, 1851. His father is 
still living in Ashtabula county, Ohio, .at 



^l 



f 



•k 



1028 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



the advanced ae;e of ninety-two years. 
Henry B. commenced to learn the trade 
of carpenter and joiner when sixteen years 
of age with his father, and that has been 
his occupation for the last forty-two years. 
He was married in La Porte county, Indi- 
ana, to Adelia Kevins, in 1851. In 1856 
he came to Tama county, locating in To- 
ledo, where he has since resided. Mr. and 
Mrs. Belden were the parents of seven 
children, six ef whom are living : Sylvia, 
Lillie, Frances, Walter A., Arthur and 
Helen. Mr. Belden has been identified 
with the interests of Toledo for over a 
(juarter of a century, and has been active 
in all things pertaining to the welfare of 
the town. Mrs. Belden and a portion of 
the family are members of the Freewill 
Baptist Church. 

TOLEDO CITY BANK. 

This institution was organized in April, 
1878, with N. H. Wilder as President, 
and P. G. Wieting as cashier. It con- 
tinued under their sole management until 
January, 1883, when L. B. Blinn became 
associated with them as partner and he 
now acts as Vice-President. Their cor- 
responding banks are the First National 
Bank of Chicago and U. S. National of 
New York city. 

TOLEDO SAVINGS BANK. 

This institution was organized April 15, 
1873, and commenced business in May of 
the same year. The original Directors 
were: W. F. Johnston, L. Clark, L. B. 
Nelson, G. R. Struble, Theodore Shaffer, 
P. G. Wieting, S. Stiger, John Connell J. 
W. Youngman, T. J. Sweatt, Jacob Yeiser, 
Jr., C. J. Stevens, L. Carmichael, D. D. 
Appelgate and C. B. Bradshaw. 



The officers were: L. Clark, President; 
W. F. Johnston, Vice-President; L. B. 
Nelson, Cashier. The latter resigned 
June 13, 1881, and Hiram Baldwi-n was 
duly elected as Cashier. It had a capital 
of 8100,000 with 10 per cent, paid in. 

The Bank was re-organized in January, 
1875, with a paid up capital of |!50,000; sur- 
plus fund, $12,500. The bank has paid a 
dividend of 5 per cent, semi-annually. 

The bank building was erected In 1878 
at a cost of §4,020. Fixtures $2,182. 

The officers and Directors in 1883 were: 
L. Clark, President; W. F. Johnston, Vice- 
President; Hiram Baldwin, Cashier; John 
Connell, G. R. Struble, W. C. Walters, 
W. S. Johnston, Daniel Connell and T. J- 
Sweatt.. 

Hiram Baldwin was elected Cashier of 
the Toledo Savings Bank, in 1881. He is 
a native of Ohio, born in Columbus, July 
25, 1853. His parents, Hiram and Lucy 
(Clarke) Baldwin, were also natives of 
Ohio; the former died in 1865,the latter died 
July 30, 1880. Hiram lived with his par- 
ents in Columbus, attending the public 
schools, until 1801, then the family went 
to Washington, D. C. In 1S03, Mr. Bald- 
win went to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and 
was there during Lee's raid, in 1864. In 
1865, he returned to Washington and 
entered the House of Representatives as 
page, remaining there until appointed 
private clerk of the Commissioner of 
Pensions, in 1870. In 1872, Mr. Baldwin 
went to Texas, and was part of the time on 
the engineering corps and then in the 
general office of the Texas & Pacific Rail- 
way. In 1873, he returned to Ohio, and 
traveled for a wholesale iron house in 
Youngstown. -In 1S74, he came to Toledo, 



4 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1029 



Tama county, and was employed in Clarke 
Bros, store for one year; then went to 
Cedar Rapids, where he was correspond- 
ing clerk of the Iowa Railroad Land Com- 
paay until 1876. That year Mr. Baldwin 
returned to Toledo, being employed as as- 
sistant Cashier of the Toledo Savings Bank 
until 1881, when he was elected Cashier. 
January 17, 1880, he was married to Miss 
Agnes Struble, daughter of Judge G. R. 
and Sophia N. (Nelson) Struble, residents 
of Toledo, this county. In politics, Mr. 
Baldwin affiliates with the Republican 
party. While in Washington, Mr. Bald- 
win was acquainted with all the prominent 
Statesmen and Senators, and James A. 
Garfield was an intimate friend of his fa- 
ther and himself. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

In addition to the other early settlers 
who have been mentioned at length were: 
Ira Taylor, J. J. Dowd, M. B. Sapp, Or- 
rin Burright, E. R. Bowe, J. W. Young- 
man and Edward Reicbmann, who, in 
1883, were residents of Toledo. Ira Tay- 
lor was born in Luzerne county, Pennsyl- 
vania, on the 1 7th of June, 1799. When 
eleven years old, his parents emigrated to 
Delaware county, Ohio, where he grew to 
manhood. In 1824, he was married to Miss 
Dorinda Wheeler. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor 
were the parents of nine children. In the 
fall of 1852, Mr. Taylor, in company with 
his brother Giles, came to Iowa, spending 
their first winter in Cedar county. In Jan- 
uary, 1853, they came to Tama county, and 
purchased a claim of N. L. Osborne, and 
entered the land where a portion of Traer 
now stands. In the following March they 
moved their families to Perry township. 



In the summer of 1855, Mr. Taylor re- 
moved to Toledo, and in 1856, engaged in 
the mercantile business under the firm 
name of Harrison & Taylor, and soon 
took in S. W. Ingham as a partner, con- 
tinuinac in business until about the break- 
ing out of the war, when he sold to IngJ 
ham & Raines. Two years later he pur- 
chased the stock and about the close of 
the war retired. In 1863, Mrs. Taylor 
died, and two years later Mr. Taylor was 
again married to Fannie Johnston, who 
died in 1880. His daughter, Mrs. Cynthia 
Ingham, wife of S. W. Ingham, is now 
living with him. In politics, Mr. Taylor 
was an old line Whig; but has affiliated 
with the Republican party since its organi- 
zation. His first vote was cast for J. Q. 
Adams. He has been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church for over six- 
ty years, and was one of the Trustees of 
Buckingham township, which at that time 
included six townships as they are at 
present. 

J. J. Dowd was born in Athens county, 
Ohio, .lanuary 5, 1835. His parents were 
Jesse and Delilah (Dawson) Dowd. When 
J. J. was about five years old his father 
died and four years later his mother died 
also, and from that time he was principal- 
ly thrown.on his own resources. At the 
age of thirteen he entered a cabinet shop 
to learn the trade, where he remained 
three years; but not liking that business 
he served an apprenticeship at the car- 
penter's trade. In 1857 he came to 
Tama county. In 1864, he enlisted in 
the Forty-seventh Regiment Iowa Vol- 
unteer Infantry, Company K, and was dis- 
charged in the fall of that year. In 1805, 
he was married to Esther Adcock, of 



^fv* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Perry county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Dowel 
have been blessed with five children, 
three of whom are living: Owen H., Cora 
Belle and Edward Newton. Kate May 
died in June, 1881; and Jesse Afton in 
July of the same year. Mr. Dowd has been 
a citizen of Tama county for a quarter of 
a century. He came here in limited cir- 
cumstances, but by hard work has made 
himself and family a fine home. He now 
owns 100 acres of land near Toledo val- 
ued at S55 per acre. In politics, he is a 
strong Republican and cast his first 
vote for John C. Fremont. 

M. B. Sapp, one of the enterprising 
business men of Tama county, was born 
in Kent county, near Wilmington, Dela- 
ware, on the 4th of August, 1838. His 
parents were Hezekiah Sapp and Mary 
Ann (Bosket) Sapp. When M. B. was 
six years old, his parents emigrated to 
Bureau county, Illinois, where he grew to 
manhood. When nine years of age his 
mother died and he worked out during the 
summers, receiving a limited education. 
His father was married, in 1857, to Mary 
J. Vickery, by whom he had four children, 
two of whom are now living. Mr. Sapp 
was married in October, 1859, to Miss 
Salina M. Holroyd, a daughter of Mark 
Holroyd, a native of England and who 
came to the United States when eighteen 
years of age. Her mother was Cornelia 
Knickerbocker, a native of Pennsylvania, 
and raised in Madison county, New York. 
By this union were nine children, two sons 
and seven daughters, eight of whom are 
living. Her grandfather, Mark Holroyd, 
was a Baptist minister, and three of his 
sons became eminent ministers of the same 
denomination. Mr. and Mrs. Sapp have 



three children, one son and two daughters: 
Ida A., wife of J. G. Worrall and Nettie 
L., wife of Alonzo Gaskell; both of Oneida 
township, Tama county and Erwin E., 
now attending school at Toledo. In the 
spring ot 1865, Mr. Sapp came to Tama 
county, and purchased land in Oneida 
township, being one of the first permanent 
settlers of that township. In the year 
1872, he wenttoMt.Vernon and spent three 
years in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, for the pur- 
pose of educating his children. During 
this time he attended the college himself, 
adding much to his limited education. He 
again returned to his farm in Oneida 
township, where he engaged in farming 
until the fall of 1882, when he came to 
Toledo, where he is living a retired life. 
Mr. Sapp has 640 acres of land in Oneida 
township, under a high state of cultiva- 
tion and valued at §35 per acre. In poli- 
tics he is a strong Republican, taking an 
active interests in all the issues of the 
day. He has held the oflice of County 
Supervisor, Justice of the Peace and all 
the offices of the township with the excep- 
tion of Constable. The family are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Toledo. 

Orrin Burright, a native of New York, 
was born May 14, 1809. When a small 
boy his parents moved to Lake coimty, 
Ohio, where he grew to manhood. In 1830 
he was married in Johnstown, Licking 
county, to Miss Eliza Cavit, a native of 
Pennsylvania. They have had a family 
of twelve children, nine of whom are liv- 
ing: Joseph, Olive, Steward, Mary E., 
Margai-et, Cornelius, Lydia M., Jane and 
David. In 1847 he emigrated to Ogle 
county, Illinois, and in 1856, came to 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1031 



Crystal township, Tama county, Iowa, 
where he purchased a large tract of laud. 
In 1872 he purchased land in Toledo 
township, and remained until the fall of 
1881, then moved to Toledo where he is 
living a retired life. In early life Mr. 
Burright was a Whig, but since the organi- 
zation of the Republican party he has 
voted that ticket. Mr. and Mrs. Burright 
had three sons who served in the Union 
army during the rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. 
Burright are members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Toledo. At the time 
of settling in Crystal township, there were 
but four houses between their place and 
Toledo, and for his groceries he went to 
Cedar Rapids with an ox team. The fol- 
lowing winter after his coming was very 
severe and is remembered by him as one 
of the hardest he ever experienced. 

E. R. Bowe was born in Seneca county, 
Ohio, August 24, 1825. He is a son of 
Erastus Bowe, who was the first man to 
break ground for Fort Ball, and made the 
first improvement where Tiffin, the county 
seat of Seneca county, now stands. He 
was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was 
under Hull at the time of the surrender of 
Detroit. His mother was Eleanor 
(Swinerton) Bowe. Mr. and Mrs. Bowe 
were the parents of four sons and three 
daughters, all but one of whom lived to be 
adults. Mrs. Bowe died in 1838. Mr. 
Bowe subsequently married Margaret 
Alger, by whom he has had one son and 
three daughters. The subject of this 
sketch, when two years of age, left home 
and was reared and educated in Marion 
county, Ohio, until he was fifteen years of 
age. July 3, 1851, he was married to Miss 
A. J. Wells, a daughter of Luke Wells, of 



Wayne county. New York, where she 
was born October 6, 1832. Two children 
blessed this union: Hortense R., wife of 
Henry Reynolds, of DesMoines and 
Eleanor S., wife of W. S. Porter, of 
Hardin county, Iowa. In the fall of 1855, 
Mr. Bowe left his native State and emi- 
grated to Tama county, coming through 
with teams and locating on section 21, 
Toledo township, where he has spent more 
than a quarter of a century. Mr. and Mrs. 
Bowe came to the county poor, but by 
judicious management have accumulated a 
confortable property. They own 200 
acres of land valued at ^40 per acre. Mr. 
Bowe was at first an old line Whig, then at 
the organization of the Republican party 
joined its ranks. He is now a supporter 
of the National party. 

J. W. Youngman was born in Alsace, 
France, April 25, 1812, his parents being 
George W, and Elizabeth (Mecka) Young- 
man; the former was born in Lorraine, 
France, in 1735, the latter in Bavaria, in 
1794. His father was a military man of 
distinction, being a General under Napo- 
leon Bonapart, Emperor of France, and 
also under Louis Phillipe. He drew his 
pension from the government until 
his death, which occurred in 1862, he be- 
ing 127 years old. Mrs. Young- 
man died in 1842. General 
Youngman was a giant in stature, being 
six feet eleven inches tall and powerfully 
built. J. W. Youngman was reared near 
Metz, receiving his early education in the 
common schools. He attended the cadet 
and military schools, and in 1832, entered 
the active service, remaining till 1840. 
During this time he was promoted by 
degrees until he became First Lieutenant, 






1032 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



in March, 1846. He enlisted under La- 
fayette, came to America and was sworn 
into the United States service at New 
York city; then served in the Mexican 
War until its close. After the war he 
visited twenty-two States, all that were 
then in the Union. He was taken sick in 
Greenville, Ohio, and on his recovery was 
married to Elizabeth Schunberger, a 
native of Ohio, and daughter of George S. 
and Eva (Hop) Schunberger, natives of 
IJavaria. The first four years after his 
marriage he lived in Greenville engaged 
in teaching a German school, and then 
moved to Pittsburg, where he followed 
the same profession for three years. He 
then started for the west, coming to Iowa 
in 1852 and entering land in Otter Creek 
township, Tama county, on section 3. He 
did not remain, however, but in a short 
time went to Rock Island, Illinois, where 
he lived for two years engaged as clerk in 
a jewelry store. In 1854, he returned to 
Tama county with his family and settled 
on his farm where he remained engaged 
in farming and stock-raising for twenty- 
two years. In 1875, he removed to Toledo 
and erected the third brick building in the 
city, and engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness until 1882, when he closed out his 
stock and is now livins: a retired life. 
He is one of the principal stockholders 
of the Toledo Savings Bank, and was one 
of the first Directors. In 1882, he built a 
large dwelling house in the northeast part 
of the city, and is just about completing 
another residence in the same part of town. 
Mr. Youngman is now quite largely inter- 
ested, financially, in the development of 
Toledo. lie owns several residences and 
the brick store building now occupied by 



Ingham & Williamson, grocers. Mr. and 
Mrs. Youngman have had nine children, 
seven of whom are living: James L., 
Mary E., George W., Maggie M., Willie M., 
Reama L. and Leo M. Jonn E. died at 
thirteen years of age, and another son 
also named Leo M., died at the age of one 
year and two months. 



In 1860, the town of Toledo was incor- 
porated as a city of the third class, and at 
the first election, the following officers 
were chosen: Mayor, W. F. Johnston; 
Recorder, S. C. Rogers; Marshal, S. O. 
Bishop; Attorney, A. Stoddard; Assessor, 
A. H. Lawrence; Trustees, D. D. Appel- 
gate, N. Bates, W. H. Harrison, G. W. 
Free, Sr., and L. Wells. 

The following is a list of those filling 
the various oflices from organization up 
to 1883, as shown by the records: 

1866.— W. F. Johnston, Mayor; S. C. 
Rogers, Recorder; S. O. Bishop, Marshal; 
A. Stoddard, Attorney; A. H. Lawrence, 
Assessor; D. D. Appelgate, N. Bates, G. 
W. Free, Sr., L. Wells and William H. 
Harrison, Trustees. 

1867. — P. B. McCullough, Mayor; T. S. 
Free, Recorder; S. O. Bishop, Marshal; J. 
H. Struble, Treasurer; T. J. Rice, Attor- 
ney; T. H. Graham, Assessor; J. N. 
Springer, E. Gallion, George W. Free, C. 
G. Buttkereit and J. S. Moore, Trustees. 

1868. — J.N. Springer, Mayor; J. R. Mc- 
Claskey, Recorder; R. C. Wilson and John 
Thede, Marshals; Silas McClain, Assessor; 
George W. Free, Jr., II. Galjey, P. G. 
Wieting, J. Q. Clark and D. Stoner, Trus- 
tees. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1033 



1869.— H. Galley, Mayor; J. D. New- 
comer, Recorder; John Thede, Marshal; 
William H. Allen, Treasurer; Silas Mc- 
Clain, Assessor; C. C. Guilford, C. G. 
Buttkereit, Smith Newcomer, L. Clark 
and L. B. Nelson, Trustees. 

1870.— Alford Phillips, Mayor; J. D. 
Newcomer, Recorder; C. S. Bailey, Mar- 
shal; A. J. Free, Treasurer; C. H. Craw- 
ford, Attorney; William Reickhoff, As- 
sessor; W, N. Brown, W. H. Harrison, J. 
N. Springer, N. C. Wieting and C. W. 
Hyatt, Trustees. 

1871.— Alford Phillips, Mayor; J. D. 
Newcomer, Recorder; C. S. Bailey, Mar- 
shal; L. Wells, Street Commissioner; A. 
J. Free, Treasurer; L. G. Kinne, Attorney; 
J. H. Struble, Assessor; C. W. Conant, R. 
H. Frazee, H. Galley, L^ B. Nelson and 
N. C. Wieting, Trustees. 

1872. — L. B. Nelson, Mayor; J. D. New- 
comer, Recorder; W. E. Appelgate, Mar- 
shal; Luke Wells, Street Commissioner; 
H. Galley, Treasurer; G. H. Goodrich, 
Attorney; C. W. Conant, Assessor; J. Q. 
Clark, L G. Kinne, A. J. Free, Benjamin 
Stone and P. G. Wieting, Trustees. 

1873. — L. B. Nelson and L. G. Kinne, 
Mayors; G. L. Bailey, Recorder; W. E. 
Appelgate, Marshal; N. C. Wieting, Street 
Commissioner; Smith Newcomer, Treas- 
urer; J. W. Willett, Attorney; W. H. 
Alden, Assessor; J. Q. Clark, P. G. Wiet- 
ing, B. Stone, J. G. Safely and C. W. 
Conant, Trustees. 

1874. — Thomas S. Free, Mayor; George 
L. Bailey, Recorder; B. B. Houghkirk and 
C. S. Gerome, Marshals; J. H. Bates, 
Street Commissioner; G. M. Berger, 
Treasurer; J. W. Willett, Attorney; E.M. 
Bielby, Assessor; J. G. Safely, R. H. 



Frazee, C. W. Conant, W. C. Walters and 
N. Fisher, Truf^tees. 

1875.— D. D. Appelgate, Mayor; H. S. 
Bradshaw, Recorder; J. H. Bates, Mar- 
shal and Street Commissioner; C E. 
Olney, Treasurer; J. W. Willett, Attorney; 
E M. Bielby, Assessor; David Arb, G. H. 
Goodrich, W. N. Brown, S. Stiger and 
P. G. Wieting, Trustees. 

1876 — E. C. Ebersole, Mayor; Homer 
S. Bradshaw, Recorder ; O. F. Elmer, As- 
sessor; M. Austin, Attorney ; Clinton E. 
Olney, Treasurer ; J. H. Bates, Street 
Commissioner; S. Stiger, J. S. Moore, J. 
M. Camery, George M. Berger and H. 
Galley, Trustees. 

1877— E. C. Ebersole, Mayor ; J. S. 
Moore, D. Spayth, James B. Hedge, L. 
Loupee and J. M. Camery, Councilmen; 
J. Willett, Recorder; H. S. Bradshaw, City 
Attorney ; J. H. Bates, Street Commis- 
sioner ; A. H. Sterritt, Treasurer. 

1878 — L. G. Kinne, Mayor ; J. Q. Clark, 
G. M. Berger, H. Wagner. J. S. Moore 
and Benjamin Stone, Councilmen ; F. E. 
Smith, Recorder. 

1879— L. G. Kinne, Mayor; H. J. Stiger, 
Recorder; W. C. Walters, R. S. Clarke, 
Benjamin Stone, Henry Wagner, L. Lou- 
pee and F. Junker, Councilmen. 

1880 — M. Austin, Mayor ; H. J. Stiger, 
Recorder ; W. H. Stivers, David Stone, 
Henry Wagner, L. Loupee, Benjamin 
Stone and W. C. Walters, Councilmen; 
S. C. Leland, Attorney ; F. E. Smith, 
Treasurer; J. H. Bates, Street Commis- 
sioner. 

1881— E. C. Ebersole, Mayor; C. R. Ap- 
pelgate, Recorder; F. E. Smith, Treasurer; 
E. M. Bielby, Assessor ; J. H. Bates, 
Street Commissioner ; L. Loupee, W. C. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



4^ 



Walters, B. Stone, W. H. Stivers and 
Henry Wagner, Councilmen. 

1882— S. C. Leland, Mayor; E. S. Wie- 
ting, Treasurer; Newton Dodd, Recorder; 
J. M. Camery, Stephen Stiger, W. C. Wal- 
ters, David Stoner and W. H. Stivers, 
Councilmen ; E. M. Buly, Assessor ; E. 
A. Coates, Street Commissioner. 

1883 — S. C. Leland, Mayor: E. C. Eber- 
sole, Benjamin Stone, S. Stiger, W. C. Wal- 
ters, H.Wagner and J. M. Camery, Coun- 
cilmen; A. J Dingee, Recorder; P. G. Wie- 
ting Treasurer; J. H. Bates, Street Commis- 
sioner ; E. J. Cannon, Marshal. 

E. J. Cannon, City Marshal of Toledo, 
in 1883, and one of the early settlers of 
the county, was born in Belmont, county, 
Ohio, on the 30th of November, 1829. 
Here he grew to manhood, receiving his 
education in the subscription schools of 
that State. He was married November 2, 
1852, to Miss Harriet Collins, of Ohio. 
By this union tliere are seven children liv- 
ing : Allie, born July 30, 1853 ; Adda, 
born August 24, 1857 ; Laura, born June 
28, 1859; James T., born January 17, 1863; 
Jessie M., born December 9, 1870 ; Ralph 
L. D., born February 17, 1877 and Florence 
W., born March 26, 1880. In the fall of 
1856, Mr. Cannon emigrated with his 
family to Tama county, coming by way 
of Iowa City, where he and his brother- 
in-law hired a man to bring them to To- 
ledo, paying him ^QO in gold before start- 
ing. The team was poor and it took three 
days to make the trip. They spent their 
first winter in company with Mr. Chin's 
family, in a house 14x20 feet. Their 
goods not arriving, they were left desti- 
tute of beds and bedding, so they pur- 
chased muslin and the women made ticks 



and the men filled them with straw, on 
which they slept. Their table consisted of 
a dry goods box and their other furniture 
corresponded. The winter was cold, and 
occasionally they would wake up in the 
morning to find their bed clothes frozen 
to the walls of the house. The following 
year Mr. Cannon and Mr. Chin engaged 
in the furniture business, which they fol- 
lowed for five years, their's being the first 
establishment of the kind in Toledo. Mr. 
and Mrs. Cannon have been identified 
with the village of Toledo for more than 
a quarter of a century, and have seen 
many changes since they first located. Mr. 
Cannon is a member of the I. O. O. F., 
the A. O. U. W. and the Iowa Legion of 
Honor. 

POST OFFICE. 

The first postmaster at Toledo was 
John L. Zehrung, a native of Ohio, who 
came to the county in 1854, engaging in 
the mercantile business, with the post 
oftice in his store. The oflice was first es- 
tablished with J. H. Hollen as postmas- 
ter, outside the present city limits. In 
those early days, when the mail came, 
which was received once a week, a crowd 
would gather about the oflice, to wait its 
distribution. When a letter was picked 
up and the name called out, if the person 
was present he would yell, "here ! " at the 
same instant pressing his way through the 
crowd w'ith eagerness to receive it. As a 
rule the mail looked as though it had been 
handled with tongs. 

In the winter of 185.5-6, H. C. Foster 
was appointed postmaster. He resigned 
his office in about six months, when 
Thomas Murray was appointed. He was 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



afterward postmaster at Tama City. • He 
was succeeded by Wm. Harkins, who was 
followed by E. 13. Boleiis. The next was 
Mrs. Dillman, who held the office in 1883. 
Mrs. Dillman's husband, Sylvester S. Dill- 
man, deceased, was born in Summit coun- 
ty, Ohio, December 31, 1827. His family 
removed while he was yet young, to Wil- 
liams county, Ohio. Mr. Dillman prepared 
for college and took that course in Ober- 
lin, completing his studies with the class 
of 1854. From that time until 1856, he 
occupied the position of professor of 
mathematics in the IT. B. College, at Mt. 
Pleasant, Pennsylvania. August 20, 1856, 
he was married to Miss Emily Loughridge, 
at Manstield, Ohio. After their marriage, 
they came to Iowa, and were the first 
teachers at Western College, Linn county, 
the school opening January 1, 1857. In 
November, 1860, they removed to Toledo, 
Tama county, where Mr. Dillman was 
Principal of the public schools until the 
summer of 1862, then enlisted as private in 
Company E, 24th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. 
September 19, 1864, he was wounded by a 
shell at the battle of Winchester, Virginia, 
and died from the effects of the wound, 
September 23, four days after the battle. 
His body lies in the city cemetery at 
Winchester, Virginia, in a private lot be- 
longing to the Wrenn family, at whose 
house he died. During his service he was 
2d and 1st Lieutenant, and ai-ting Captain. 
Mr. and Mrs. Dillman were the parents of 
two sons: .Tamos W. L. and George L. 

EDUCATIOXAL. 

The greater part of the following article 
on the educational history of Toledo, is 
from the pen of Mrs. S. S. Dillman, and 



was first published in the Toledo papers. 
The building now known as the old school 
house was erected in 1861, under the 
supervision of W. F. Johnston, who was 
then Treasurer of the School Board, and 
S. S. Dillman, who was Principal, and 
drew the plans. They were instructed to 
provide the most room possible for the 
sum of $2,800. 

They requested and urged the School 
Board to allow them enough more to car- 
ry up the second story to a full height and 
put on a plain and neat though inexpen- 
sive cornice. But this was of no avail, 
and the consequence was that the building 
was of necessity very plain. It was worth 
all it cost, however. It wasn't long, how- 
ever, until the building proved to be too 
small and arrangements were commenced 
to provide more room. 

The district voted several times on the 
subject of issuing bonds, but every time it 
was defeated, until finally a square struc- 
ture was erected and planned so as to be- 
come a wing of another and larger build- 
ing. At last, however, in the winter of 
1877-8, the people came to the conclusion 
that the schools were suffering for the 
want of room, and accordingly an election 
was held to again get the decision of the 
people as to whether or not the necessary 
bonds should be voted to erect the new 
building. Plans were prepared, estimates 
made and the election held. At this time 
the people decided by a vote of nearly six 
for to one against the issuing of the bonds. 
The building was to cost «il 3,000 and 
bonds were accordingly issued for the 
amount, but as is usual in all such cases, 
some changes and additions of the origi- 



A 






HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



iial plans were made which made the cost 
somewhat in excess of the amount. 

Mr Billings, of Chicago, took the con- 
tract for furnishing everj' thing and put- 
ting up the building for §11,000, and work 
was commenced on Monday morning^ 
April 8, 1878. A large number of men 
were employed and the work pushed un- 
der the management of Mr. T. T. Moore, 
the foreman. But the Bankrupt Law was 
repealed by Congress and a date set for the 
expiration. There was a rush of people 
who were heavily loaded with debt to take 
advantage of it before it was too late. 
Among these was the contractor, Mr. Bil- 
lings. After some trouble, the Board 
took the matter into their own hands and 
appointed Mr. Foster, of DesMoines, 
architect, retaining Mr. Moore as foreman. 
The Board did the best that was possible 
under the circumstances. Every thing 
was done in the most thorough and work- 
man-like manner, and the building will 
doubtless stand the storm for centuries to 
come. It is 71x72 feet on the ground ex- 
clusive of the old part or wing. It is 
three stories high besides the basement, 
and is built of brick with a solid stone 
foundation. On the first floor are three 
school rooms 25x30 feet, respectively; on 
second floor are three rooms, high school 
room, 30 feet 4 inches by 41 feet 11 inches 
a recitation room 18 feet 8 inches by 30 
feet 4 inches and a school room 26 feet 11 
inches by 30 feet 8 inches. There is also 
a room in the tower for the Principal in 
which is kept Ihe apparatus. The third 
floor contains a large hall with a good 
stage and seated with chairs. There are 
also on the first and second floors good 
roomy closets or wardrobes provided with 



hooks for hanging clothes and packages. 
The basement is fitted up for a play room 
with the exception of a room large enough 
for the fuel. Entrance is made at the 
tower which is provided with two large 
double doors, one on the north and one on 
the west side, hung on first-class reversa- 
ble hinges. There is also a large door at 
the end of the hall extending through the 
building from north to south, at the south 
side of the building. The stairs leading 
to the second story are double, one flight 
being on the north and one on the south 
side of the hall. The doors are all hung 
so that they open into the hall to give bet- 
ter egress in case of fire or other accidents. 
The walls are heavy with cut stone trim- 
mings about the doors and windows. A mas- 
sive, substantial look is given to the whole. 
The roof is covered with slate and tin, 
and the cresting which is at cfnce neat and 
tasty was put up by Messrs. Spayth &, 
Fisher, the casting being done by the 
Union Plow Company, of Tama City; In 
the interior finish tiie same desire to have 
something which would be lasting as well 
as attractive has been made apparent. The 
rooms and halls are well wainscotted with 
Georgia pine, a species of pine which is 
almost as hard as oak. The floors are also 
made of the same wood, and both floor 
and wainscotting are finished in oil. The 
ceilings are high and neatly tinted and the 
whole job of finish in the interior is in oil 
tinting, the walls, etc., were done by P. G. 
Smith, of Fairfield. The exterior of the 
building is handsomely painted and tuck 
pointed, and in fact, the entire structure is 
built and finished in a thorough and work- 
man-like manner. Due credit should be 
tjiven to the School Board, composed of 



^. 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Messrs. L. Clark, J. S. Moore, II. Galley, 
E. C. Eborsole, A. II. Sterritt and A. J. 
Wheaton. 

Though the town was laid out early in 
185.3, the first school house was not built 
until 1855. It was a small frame structure 
and stood where the old school house now 
stands. It appears from the books of the 
first Treasurer, Franklin Davis, that order 
No. 1 on .school house fund was drawn in 
favor of C. D. Fanton, who plastered the 
house, and No. 2 was paid to T. N. Skin- 
ner, who did the carpenter work. The 
house was used for a long time for Church 
services as there was no church building in 
the place. Here the first Sabbath school 
was organized — a union Sabbath school. 
The first school, numbering about thirty- 
five or forty pupils, was taught in the sum- 
mer of 1855 by John E. Walker, assisted 
by Alza Wood, afterward Mrs. J. L. 
Graham. The next term, winter of 
1855-6, was taught by Jeremiah Hardin, 
assisted by Margaret McLaury. 

In those days there were no County 
Superintendents. Each Board of Directors 
satisfied themselves either personally or 
by proxy of the competence of the teacher. 
In this case, the Directors, T. A. Graham, 
Peter McRoberts and Franklin Davis, ap- 
pointed Lewis Merchant and C. D. Fan- 
ton examining committee. Miss McLaury 
taught alone in the spring of 1850, and 
then resigned for the sake of the first 
County Clerk, D. D. Appelgate, whom she 
married the same year. 

The summer terms of 1856-7-8, were 
presided over by John Shanklin ; the last 
term assisted by Mrs. M. Shanklin, his 
wife. By this time the school had out 



grown the house, which was afterward the 
residence of G. R. Struble, It is thought 
that the summer term of 1858 was taught 
by Miss Sarah Bunce, as it is known that 
she was a teacJher about that time. 

Mrs. E. N. Barker and her daughter. 
Miss Maria, now Mrs. L. Clark, had been 
teaching a select school, but in Septem- 
ber, 1858, they went into the public school. 
At the same time John McClain had 
charge of part of the school in the build- 
ing, now occupied by C. W. Concint as a 
store room. Mrs. Barker and daughter 
taught for some time, using a small frame 
house that stood west of the school house 
for one department. 

In the fall of 1860, S. S. Dillman was 
appointed Principal of the school, the 
former teachers continuing to use the 
basement of the Congregational church. 
The school was now graded. Mr. Dill- 
man teaching the more advanced pupils in 
the school house. 

In the spring of 1801, Mrs. Dillman 
taught in the basement of the church, as 
preparations were in progress for building 
a new school house. The old house was 
moved a little to the south and a new 
brick house erected on the old site. The 
old frame house was used for some time 
for a wood-house, but was burned down 
several years ago. 

The new house was arranged for three 
departments, and the school was more 
thoroughly graded than was possible 
before, crowded as it was. . Work com- 
menced in the fall of 1801, with Mr. Dili- 
man as Principal, Miss Jennie Logan 
teacher in the Intermediate and Mrs. 
Dillman in the Primary. 



•«> «- 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



In the Slimmer of 1862, Mr. Dlllman 
went into the army and now fills a soldiers 
grave in Virginia. Mr. C. W. Burton 
was then employed as Principal. 

In September, 1864, the term com- 
menced with a Mr. Shumaker as Principal. 
lie became discouraged and left after 
teaching three days and the school was 
left without a Principal, Mrs. Dillman 
teaching in the High School. In 1865 M. 
T. Bales was elected to superintend the 
schools. In 1866 J. R. Stewart became 
Principal and remained in that position 
two years, when he stepped into the 
County Superintendency and was suc- 
ceeded in 1868 by A. H. Sterrett. After 
five years service he followed in the foot- 
steps of Mr. Stewart and became County 
Superintendent. About that time a plan 
was adopted for a larger school house, and 
a building put up to accommodate two 
departments which was intended for a 
wing to a large house at some future time. 
This now is the east wing of our present 
fine building. In 1877 the school again 
outgrew its bonds and an overflow de- 
partment was housed in what is known as 
the Bradbrook building. 

The schools are made up of six depart- 
ments. First, second and third Primary, 
Intermediate, Grammar and High School, 
with an assistant in the latter. 

Below is given what is intended to be 
a complete list of names of teachers en- 
gaged in the .school from the beginning to 
the present time. If any names are omit- 
ted, it is not intentional. 

Teachers in District schools before 
grading: John E. Walker, Jeremiah 
Ilardin, Miss Irena Bailey, Miss Lucy 
Bailey, Mrs. E. N. Barker, Miss Sarah L. 



Bunce, Miss Alza Wood, Miss M. Mc- 
Laury, Miss Abby Ilillman, John Sliank- 
lin, Mrs. M. Shanklin, Miss M. A. Barker 
and John McClain. 

Principal of Graded schools: S. S. 
Dillman, W. C. Burton, Mr. Shoemaker, 
M. T. Bales, J. R. Stewart, A. H. Sterritt, 
J. J. Andrews and W. H. Brinkerhoif. 

Assistants in High School and Teachers 
Department: Miss Jennie Logan, Mrs. 
E. L. Diirman, Miss M. A. Barker, Miss 
M. Omwake, Miss C. Armstrong, Miss D. 
Gearhart, Miss Serena Ingham, Miss Bur- 
ton, Miss Carrie Fisher, Miss P. Morton, 
Miss J. McKnight, Miss Carrie Dodd, 
Miss M. Crawford, S. J. M. Bear, John B. 
Frazee, Miss Flora Wells, Miss A. Rey- 
nolds, Miss Lide Harlan, Miss Arrie 
Rogers, MissC. Stoddard, Miss A. McClel- 
land, Miss G. Roberts, Miss J. Brackney, 
Mrs. P. C. Galley, Miss Anna Bruner, Miss 
Lizzie Conant, Miss Etta Newton, Miss A. 
II. Sterrett, J. H. Rose, Miss Crittenden, 
L. J. Shepard, Miss H. Struble, Mrs. A. 
X. See, J. T. Archerd, Miss II. Guilford, 
Msss J. McCollister, Miss Emma Stewart, 
Miss Fannie Frazee, Miss LaDow, Miss 
Etta Fletcher, Miss Ida Loughridge, Miss 
Emma Lane, Mrs. M. A. Coats, Miss E. 
Ilazlctt, Miss A. E. Loughridge, Miss H. 
IloUingshead, Mrs.~ J. R. Stewart, Mrs. 
II. S. Bradshaw, Miss Ellen, Graham, Miss 
Anna Clark, Miss Nancy Hendry, Mis^ 
Etta Musser, Miss Mary Kern, Mrs. R. E. 
Gallion, Miss Ilattie Alden, J. J.Andrews, 
Principal; Hattie Alden, W. H. Witliing- 
lon, M. E. Potter and A. J. Wheaton. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

The Hope Fire Company of Toledo was 
organized October 12, 187G, at which time 
ofiicors were elected to serve until the fol- 



Ll^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1039 



lowing December. G. M. Berger was the 
first Foreman;W. E.Appelgate, first Assist- 
taiit; VVm. Clark, Secretary and G. Rich- 
man, Treasurer. At the first meeting the 
name of Plawkeye Fire Company was 
given to the department, but at the next 
meeting it was changed to Hope Fire 
Company, the charter members of which 
numbered forty. Afterward they were 
increased to sixty-five, but finally cut down 
by order of the City Council to forty, 
which was to be the limit. Soon after 
the organization was perfected they were 
provided with a Button Hand Engine, 
hose-cart, 600 feet of hose and four lad- 
ders, also a few hooks. Their first outfit 
cost $1,800. Sometime prior to 1883, six 
cisterns were built, the largest one being 
located at the southeast corner of the 
Public square, in the street, and was kept 
supplied with water from the town well, 
in the Court House square; the water be- 
ing elevated by a wind-mill pump. Two 
cisterns were located near the school 
house and supplied from its eave troughs; 
the other cisterns were supplied from the 
fireman's well, which was located one 
block east of the Court House square. This 
well was dug in 1877, and was twenty 
feet deep by eighteen feet in diameter. 
The same year an engine house was built 
on Broadway street. The company's 
apparatus, in 1883, consisted of the hand 
engine, two hose-carts with 1,100 feet of 
rubber hose, forty pails, four ladders 
besides other appliances, all of which were 
valued at -§.5,000. The company were uni- 
formed at their own expense, except their 
caps, which belonged to the city. The 
first time they were called upon to do duty 



at a fire was at the dwelling house of M. 
Gannon. They have responded to calls 
from Tama City at various times where 
they did valuable service. In 1883, they 
pi'oved themselves heroic at the fire of the 
Toledo House. The first Chief was G. M- 
Berger, who was succeeded by S. Stiger, 
who held the position in 1883, 
with H. L. Fisher as Foreman. 

RELicaous. 

The Free Will Baptist Church was or- 
ganized in September, 18.54, at the house 
of John Bishop. The first members were: 
Mr. LaDow, wife and son, J. J. Wilkins 
and wife, and A. Donaldson- and wife. J. J. 
Wilkins was the first pastor. A church 
was built in 1867, at a cost of |!l,500. 
Rev. Brown was the last pastor. 

The Christian Church of Toledo was 
organized at Monticello, in 1806, and con- 
tinued but a short time when it was re 
moved to Toledo, where a church building 
was erected.. Rev. Adam Cordner was 
the pastor of this church at Toledo after 
its re-organization. 

Rev. Adam Cordner was born in Jef- 
ferson county, Ohio, January 26, 1883, 
and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Shad- 
dock) Cordner. In 1839, his parents re- 
moved to Belmont county, and there he 
grew to manhood. As soon as old enough 
to be of service, the subject of this sketch 
began working in his father's woolen fac- 
tory, where he remained until eighteen 
years of age, at which time he began 
studying for the ministry. In 1856, he 
began active labor as a minister of the 
gospel, by taking charge of the Christian 
Church, at Nottingham, Harrison county, 
Ohio. Mr. Cordner remained in the min- 



n' 



Iff* 



^"—^ 



£lA 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



istry until July of 1862, at which date he 
enlisted in Company E, 98th Ohio Infan- 
try, as -2(1 Lieutenant He was subse- 
quently promoted to the Captaincy of said 
Company. Many times, while in service, 
he filled the place of the Chaplain of his 
Regiment. He participated in several 
skirmishes and was in one regular engage- 
ment — that of Perrysville. After eight 
months of service, he was compelled to 
leave the army because of disability, and 
was therefore honorably discharged. He 
returned to Ohio, and there again followed 
his chosen calling until the spring of 1864, 
when he came to Tama county, Iowa, and 
in June, of that year, located at Toledo, 
where soon after, he organized the Chris- 
tian Church of that place and also the 
one at Marshalltown. In Toledo, he la- 
bored five years and then removed to 
Tama City, and afterward was pastor of 
several surrounding Churches. In 1883, 
he was pastor of Bethel Church in Mar- 
shall county, and also of the Church at 
Garwin, Tama county. In politics, he 
was a staunch Republican, and was an ac- 
tive worker in the cause of Temperance, 
Mr. Cordner was married in 1852 to Miss 
M. E. Collins, a native of Ohio. They 
have one adopted daughter — Etta. 

The Congregational Church was organ- 
ized in December, 1854, by Rev. A. Man- 
son. Nine persons constituted the Church 
on its organization, one of whom, a dea- 
con, died during the first month of its 
existence. The Church was without a 
stated ministry until in 1855, when Thom- 
as N. Skinner received a license to preach 
the gospel, and was ordained at Marion, 
.Tuly 25, of that year. After preaching for 
the congregation here some six months 



he removed to another field of labor. On 
the l.st of February, 1856, Rev. G. II. 
Woodward commenced his ministrations 
at this point, his time being given altern- 
ately with a congregation at Indiantown. 
Mr. Woodward came under the auspices 
of the American Home Missionary Society. 
The Church at this time numbered but 
three meml>ers. The first meetings of the 
Church were held in a small building, af- 
terward used as a wood-house for the 
town school, and occasionally in the old 
court room. In May, 1857, steps were 
taken to erect a house of worship. Pledges 
were secured for an amount sufficient 
to warrant the commencement of the 
building, and on the 9th of March, 1858, 
the congregation voted to begin the work. 
After gathering someof the materials sub- 
scribed, building the foundation and 
erecting a part of the frame, the work 
came to a stand. The hard times, which 
began in the east the previous year, be- 
gan to be felt, money there was not and 
the subscriptions, could not be collected. 
Various expedients were suggested for 
continuing the work, but without avail, 
and the unfinished building remained in 
the state in which it was left in the fall of 
1858, till thespringof 1860. Atthistime, 
the pastor started east to visit the wealthy 
congregations of that locality and solicit 
aid. Success crowned his efforts and 
means were secured to complete the build- 
ing. Its dimensions were 30x45 feet. It 
was duly dedicated to the service of Al- 
mighty God, December 13, 1860. Rev. J. 
A. Reed preached on the occasion, while 
the dedication prayer was offered by Rev. 
J. W. Woodward. For several years, the 
Church enjoyed great prosperity, increas- 



r 



^ 4* — ^ 



-* — *l>^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1041 



ing its membership from time to time, and 
observing all the commandments and or- 
dinances of the Lord's house. During the 
rebellion, eleven of its membership, and 
six others connected with its congrega- 
tion, served in the Union Army. Rev. 
Woodward's pastorate continued till Feb- 
ruary, 1867. On November 24, 18.56, he 
preached the first Thanksgiving Sermon 
in the county. The first musical instru- 
ment used in a church in the county, was 
one purchased by the pastor of this Church, 
in 1862. Rev. Woodward died Novem- 
ber 19, 1877, at the age of 70 years. 

The following pastors succeeded him: 
Revs. Wilkinson, three years; Gilbert, 
two years; Childs, one year; Rindell, two 
years; Buck, two years; Parker, two years; 
and Rev. Douglass, who was pastor in 
188.3. 

The Presbyterian Church of Toledo was 
organized about the year 1859, with fif- 
teen members, by Rev. L. Dodd. In the 
year 1862, a house of worship was erected 
at a cost of $1,(500. The original mem- 
bers were as follows: James Shanklin, 
Eliza Shanklin, John Foster, Elizabeth 
Foster, Malissa Foster, John Fife, David 
Arb, Mary Arb, Jacob Staley, Margaret 
Staley, Louisa Dodd, Caroline Dodd, Gil- 
bert M. Fox, Hannah Fox and John 
Shanklin. 

James Shanklin, Jacob Staley and John 
Fife were unanimously elected Ruling 
Elders. Messrs. Shanklin and Staley 
having previously served in that office, 
Mr. Fife was ordained and installed. 

The various pastors have been Rev. 
Luther Dodd, from 1859 until March 31, 
1866; Rev. J. L. Martin, from 1866 to 
1871; during his time, in 1869, one of the 



largest revivals was held, and a goodly 
number taken into the church; Rev. W. 
S. Messmer, who supplied the pulpit for a 
few years; Rev. D. B. Gordon, two years; 
Rev. James Stickel, who served for five 
years, leaving in 1882. 

The officers of the church, in 1883, were; 
Rulijag Elders: Isaac Strtible, S. McClain 
and J. Q. Clarke; Trustees: J. M. Winn, 
Isaac Stoner and J. N. Springer. 

The membership in 1883 was about fifty. 

The Sabbath school was organized in 
1863. John Shanklin was the first Super- 
intendent. The enrollment in 1883 was 
seventy with a general attendance of sixty. 
The present Superintendent is J. M. 
Winn and Isaac Stoner, Assistant; Ida 
Springer, Secretary; Winnie Winn, Li- 
brarian. 

The teachers in 1883 were J. Q.Clarke, 
Bible Class; Isaac Stoner, Charles Cun- 
ningham, Mrs. U. Kidner, Mertu Jarvis, 
T. K. Armstrong and S. McClain. 

The first Regular uapiist Church of 
Toledo, was organized at the house of 
Franklin Davis, May 26, 1855, with the 
following named constituent members: 
Rev. George G. Edwards, Lucy A. Ed. 
wards, Franklin Davis, Miranda Davis, 
John niggins,Mary IIiggins,John Corf man, 
Catherine Corfman, Benjamin Hammitt, 
Mrs. Hammitt, A. O. Morse and Bethany 
Morse. The first officers of the Church 
were John Corfman, Deacon and Treas- 
urer; Franklin Davis, Secretary; J. Corf- 
man, B. Hammitt and F. Davis, Trustees. 
On the 16th of June, 1855, Rev. G. G. Ed- 
wards was called to the pastorate, and on 
the following day the Church was recog- 
nized before a large and attentive audi- 
ence. Several were added to the ('hureli 



•^ «■" 



'9 

r 






K 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



by letter during the year, and in the win- 
ter of 1856, an interesting series of meet- 
ings were conducted by the pastor in the 
little old log school house, three miles 
east of Toledo, which resulted i,n a num- 
ber of conversions and additions to the 
Church. 

Soon after the organization of the Church, 
John C. Vermilya, County Judge of Tama 
county, gave and deeded to the Church, on 
behalf of the county, a lot upon which to 
build a house of worship. In 1860_ an 
effort was made to erect a church edifice, 
but for lack of funds it was not completed 
until 1863. It cost about *2,000. Pre- 
vious to the erection of the house services 
were held in the first school house erected 
in the town, then in the old Court House, 
and occasionally in the Methodist Episco- 
pal church edifice. 

Since its organization the Church has 
enrolled 266 member, with a membership 
in January, 1883, of 73. 

Rev. George G. Edwards the first pastor 
was born in Washington, Massachusetts, 
January 3, 1827. He removed to north- 
ern Ohio, with his parents in 1831. In 
early life he was a subject of religious im- 
pressions, and at the age of eleven 
was converted, and following in his Mas- 
ter footsteps in the ordinances of his 
house he joined the Baptist Church and 
feeling the vows of God were upon him, 
he left all and went about his Master's 
business, a boy preacher of only nineteen 
summers. At twenty-one he was ordained 
at New London, Ohio, where he was pastor 
for several years, but came to Central 
Iowa early in 1855. He settled at Toledo, 
when soon he gathered a small band of 
brethren together, and in May of that 



year, was organized the First Baptist 
Church of Toledo. . He was fhe pioneer 
Baptist minister in all the regions of Iowa, 
occupied by the Iowa Valley Association, 
and was for years the only Baptist minis- 
ter within the radius of forty miles; and 
was obliged to travel far and wide across 
bridgeless streams and pathlessprairies, to 
meet his appointments and attend funerals, 
sometimes compelled to swim the Iowa 
River bearing his clothes above his head. 
In September 1860, he was called to bury 
his wife, but felt that though great was 
his loss, yet it was her eternal gain. 

In 1862, he entered the army as a pri- 
vate in the 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 
Company F, but was at length promoted 
to a Chaplaincy and transferred to the 
40th United States Colored Regiment, 
stationed in and around Vicksburg, Missis- 
sippi. He was in the first field fight of 
Colored troops at Milliken bend, June 7, 
1863. He was the first Chaplain of a 
Colored Regiment. Resigning his Chap- 
laincy he received an appointment under 
the American Free Mission Society, and 
was stationed at Vicksburg. He was an 
earnest worker in the cause of Free Mis- 
sion and the Anti-Slavery movements. 
But with the close of the war he felt that 
these questions of difference were finally 
settled, and that there were no longer 
any n6ed of a division of Christian labor 
and sympathy, and accordingly, he entered 
most heatrily into the support of the Mis- 
sionary Union. From exposures in the 
south wgre planted the seeds of the dis- 
ease, which resulted in an early death. 
His last sermon was preached at Belle 
Plaine, Iowa, on Sabbath, July 4, 1869. 
As long as he- could sit or walk he felt 






A 



Lk 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1045 



that he must tell the storj' of the cross, 
and for some months he filled his appoint- 
ments at Irving when he could not stand to 
declare his message. He sat and preached, 
but often would become so engaged that 
he would forget himself and spring to his 
feet, and with all the enthusiasm of his 
youth, would he enforce the claims of the 
Gospel upon both saint and sinner. 

At length he was compelled to give up 
his labors; he then returned to his home 
in Toledo. Though gradually failing he 
felt that he mu-^t be present at the Ordi- 
nation of Brother H. A. Brown, pastor at 
Toledo, September 15, 1872, and though 
very feeble he took part in the exercises 
of the occasion. He gave the charge to the 
candidate, and as if standing at the portals 
of the world to come, he s]ioke as one who 
had experienced the verities of eternity 
and therefore was most earnest and posi. 
itive in all he said. Being able to sit up 
he felt that he must go to the Association 
once more, and that if it must be so he 
would as soon die on duty at Marshalltown 
as any where else. On Sabbath, Septem- 
ber 16, he spoke a few words to the 
children of the Sunday school; this was 
the last time he was permitted to speak in 
public for the master, though many were 
the appeals he made afterward, to those 
who had no hope in Jesus. 

He returned to Toledo, to die of slow 
flattering consumption. He was a great 
sufTcrer,butin all the pain of the dissolution 
he had the consolation of the Gospel to sus- 
tain him, and often enjoyed much of the 
Masters presence. In Christ his rock he 
had the utmost confidence. He had only 
one desire, to live to preach Christ and see 
sinners turn to God. In his sufferings 



often would he cry, "How long, O Lord." 
But on the evening of November 8, 1869, 
the message came, "child, come home," and 
he passed to his reward. He was married 
in Clarksfield, Huron county, Ohio, Jan- 
uary .3, 1848, to Miss Lucy A. Dowd, who 
died in Toledo, of consumption, in 1860, by 
whom there was one child. He was again 
married, in 1861, to Miss Drantha Bunce, 
a daughter of Charles Bunce, of Connecti- 
cut. By this union there were two children : 
Lucy M., now the wife of Ross E. Everett, 
of Tama county and George G. Mrs. Ed- 
wards is a sincere Christian and takes an 
active part in the cause of temperance and 
religion. 

Rev. Addison A. Sawin was the succes- 
sor of Mr. Edwards. He labored here from 
1862, till May 18, 1864, when he was re- 
moved by death. He was born in West- 
minster, Massachusetts. After serving 
very acceptably several churches in the 
east, he came to Iowa in 1856 and settled 
at Lyons. He afterwards preached at 
Marion Iowa where at the suggestion of 
influential friends, he led the enterprise 
of establishing a school at Irving, on the 
line between Benton and Tama counties. 
While in the midst of his usefulness he 
was stricken down with small pox. When 
made aware of his danger, he calmly said: 
"If I die, I know I shall be at rest." He 
died, as already stated, and in the still 
hours of the night, was quietly interred in 
the cemetery at Toledo. 

Rev. A. D. Low was the next pastor, 
and served from 1864 till 1866, being 
succeeded by Rev. G. G. Edwards for the 
second time. Mr. Edwards served one 
vear. 



91 



t 



^ 



1046 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Rev. H. A. Brown was called to the pasto- 
rate in 1869, and served ten years. He 
was a native of Ohio, born in Concord, 
Lake county. He graduated in the classi- 
cal course, Dennison University, Ohio, in 
the class of 1864 He was three years 
Superintendent of Public Schools of Tama 
county, after which he was Principal of 
the graded schools at Belle Plaine, Benton 
county. At present he is filling the chair 
of Ancient Language in the University of 
Des Moines. 

Rev. J. C. Johnson acted as pastor nine 
months, in 1881. He was succeeded by 
the present pastor, Rev. J. L. Coppoc, 
who began his labors here January 8, 
1882. He resides at Van Home, where 
he preaches half his time. He was born 
near Salem, Columbiana county, Ohio. 

Soon after the organization of the 
church, a Sunday school was organized, 
with Franklin Davis as Superintendent. 
W. H. Holstead is the present Superinten- 
dent. William Rogers held the office for 
several years. 

In the fall of 1853, Rev. David H. Pete- 
fish was sent by the Iowa Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church to form 
a new circuit, comprising Tama county. 
One of his appointments was in the im- 
mediate vicinity of the present town of 
Toledo. The first quarterly meeting was 
held at the house of Zebedee Rush, one 
mile southeast of the present town, in the 
fall of 1853. The quarterly conference 
consisted of Andrew Coleman, Presiding 
Elder; David H. Petefish, preacher in 
charge; Ira Taylor, class leader. John 
Ross was chosen as steward of this meet- 
ing. There were seven comuiiicants pres- 
ent. The village of Toledo springing up 



in the spring of 1855, Rev. D. H. Petefish 
formed a class in the village composed 
of the following: Ira and Dorinda Tay- 
lor, Mary Taylor, John and Elizabeth 
Ross, William Henry and Sally Harrison, 
John Zehrung, Jacob and Sally Stalcy, 
Mr. and Mrs. John Gettis, Leander 
and Nancy Randall. Rev. Mr. Petefish 
continued in the work two years and left 
greatly beloved by the Church. During 
his second year a church building was 
commenced, but was not cempleted until 
1856. Mr. Petefish was succeeded by Rev. 
William N. Brown, who remained one 
year and was followed by Rev. Solomon 
Dunton, a local preacher of Marshalltown. 
In the fall of ISoT, Rev. Charles Babcock 
was assigned to the charge. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. John L. Kelly, in the fall 
of 1858. He continued two years, having 
as colleague the second year, Rev. S N. 
Ingham, Jr. The success of the Church 
at this time was hindered much by the in- 
debtedness hanging over its house of wor- 
ship. In the fall of ) 860, Rev. Richard 
Swearingen was appointed to the charge. 
The Church Historian says of him: 'iHe 
liad a heavy voice, boisterous manner and 
fair talent. He remained two years with 
middling success. He was a warm politi- 
cian and worked lustily at the business." 
Rev. D. C. Worts was the next appoint- 
tee. He was a hard and systematic worker 
and remained two years, being succeeded 
by Rev. D. H. Mallory, with Rev. Mr. 
Hyde as colleague. During his first year 
the county appointments were withdrawn. 
Toledo, Tama City and Rines school house 
were made a separate charge, known as 
the Toledo charge. The indebtedness of 
the Church was removed this year. Tliis 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



=?k 



gave new life to the members, and an era 
of prosperity dawned upon the Church. 
In 1865 a small parsonage was purchased. 
At the close of Mr. Mallory's second year, 
Rev. S. A. Lee became pastor. He re- 
mained but one year but was quite suc- 
cessful in his work. He was a good man 
and a good pastor. During his year a 
small brick building near the church was 
purchased as the beginning of a perma- 
nent parsonage. 

In the fall of ISCT, Rev. J. S. Eberhart 
became pastor. He remained three years. 
He was a good man, a fair preScher and 
faithful in his work, but his physical 
strength was not equal to his task or will. 
lie was succeeded by Rev. R. N. Earheart, 
who also remained three years. He was 
a man of fine education, good address and 
social qualities. 

In October, 1873, Rev. F. M. Robertson 
was assigned to the charge. During his 
first year the church edifice was re-mod- 
eled at a cost of some Si, 200. Mr. Rob- 
ertson Avas a man of fine address, a good 
preacher and an uncompromising temper- 
ance advocate. He remained two years, 
being succeeded by Rev. W. B. Frazelle, 
who continued one sind a half years. The 
last half of hig second year was supplied by 
Rev. H. H. Green, who was quite popular 
with .all classes in and out of the Church. 
During his stay he assisted the young 
men in establishing alyceum, and exerted 
a great infiuence over them. lie was fol- 
lowed by Rev. J. B Taylor, who remained 
one year. Mr. Taylor was well advanced 
in yeans, but quite vigorous and a good re- 
vivalist 

Rev. H. O. Pr.att, well known through- 
out the State as having formerly been an 



eminent politician and member of Con- 
gress, but who had renounced the world 
and given his all to Christ, was the suc- 
cessor of Mr. Green. The Cliurch Histor- 
ian says of him: "He was a man of large 
and strong physique, fine address in pulpit, 
and a good, sound doctrinal and practical 
preacher, with a good degree of eloquence, 
a good pastor and with a wife well wor- 
thy of such a man and such a minister." 

In the fall of 1882, Rev. R. W. Keeler, 
D.D., was assigned to the charge. 

The Church in this city is in good con- 
dition, with an active membership of 1-35. 
Since its organization 334 have been en- 
rolled. The church edifice is now valued 
at $.5,000 and parsonage at §2,000. Dur- 
ing the conference year, ending October, 
1882, the congregation contributed $1,200 
to the pastor's, and $10 to the bishop's and 
presiding eldei-'s, support. It contributed 
$222 towards other expenses. The Sun- 
day school, which was organized about 
the same time as the church, is in a flour- 
ishing condition, with A. A. Hart, Super- 
intendent. 

Rev. R. W. Keeler, D. D., the piesent 
pastor of the church, was born in Colum- 
bia county. New York, February 14, 1824. 
His grandparents were Methodists of the 
olden type. His father was, at the time 
of the Doctor's birth, a local preacher; 
but in 1832 he joined the New York Con- 
ference, and is still a member. In 1837, 
while attending school at the Amenia 
Seminary, then under the Principalship of 
D. W. (since Bishop) Clark, Doctor Keel- 
er was converted and joined the church. 
He remained in that school three years, 
and thoroughly prepared him.self to enter 
Sophomore year in College. It was his 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



purpose to graduate from a tirst-class in- 
stitution of learning; consequently, in 
1840, he sent his name to enter the Wes- 
leyan University at Middletown, Connect- 
icut. But a lack of means prevented him 
from carrying out his cherished plan, and 
he, therefore, taught school and studied 
until the spring of 1845, when he united 
with the New York Conference. Late in 
the winter of 1844-45, he married Miss 
Frances E., daughter of J. L. Dickerson, 
a member also of the New York Confer- 
ence. He was ordained Deacon by Bish- 
op Hedding in 1847, and Elder by Bishop 
Hamlin in 1849. His appointments in the 
New York Conference for the eleven 
years of his connection with it, were as 
follows: Newington, West Suffield, South 
Canaan, Tyringham, South Lee and Stock- 
bridge, Courtland and Lakeville. In 1856, 
Bishop Simpson transferred him to the 
Upper Iowa Conference. This was the 
year that the Conference was organized, 
and Mr. Keeler was stationed at Fifth 
street, Davenport. He entered upon a 
most successful year of pastoral service, 
but before its close he was elected Presi- 
dent of Cornell, to fill a vacancy. After one 
year of his administration of the affairs of 
that Institution, he was unanimously elect- 
ed to the Presidency, and formally inaugu- 
rated. He organized its classes, arranged its 
departments and graduated its first class. 
In 1859, he took charge of Epworth Semi- 
nary, at that time also a Conference 
school, which had been opened two years 
before but was now suspended. It 
had been sold under a mechanic's 
lien, subject to the right of redemption. 
The trustees agreed, upon condition that 
Dr. Keeler would take charge of it, to re- 



deem it if possible, but the terrible finan- 
cial embarrassments of the country at that 
time, 1859, together with the breaking 
out of the war, rendered that absolutely 
impossible. He remained in charge of the 
Seminary five years, and though the coun- 
try was in a state of great financial pros- 
tration, and the war made large drafts uji- 
on the students from time to time, yet the 
school was well filled through the entire 
time, and during the last term there were 
a greater number of students in attend- 
ance than the institution ever had before 
or since. The Seminary now passed into 
private hands, and at the Conference held 
at Waterloo, in September, 1864, he was 
appointed Presiding Elder of the Daven- 
port district, succeeding Dr. Kj^nett. His 
four years in the district were marked with 
great prosperity in every respect. The 
finances of the district improved about 
fifty per cent. In 1868, he closed his la- 
bors in the district and was sent to Cedar 
Falls, where he remained three years. 
His labors in that city were highly appre- 
ciated, and will long be remembered by 
the Church and congregation. On the ex- 
piration of his three years at Cedar Falls, 
he took a supernumerary relation, but has 
since been the greater part of the time 
pastor of the Fourteenth Street Church, 
Davenport. Dr. Keeler was elected a del- 
egate to the General Conference in 1860, 
1864 and 1872. In 1858, the Ohio Wes- 
leyan University conferred on him the de- 
gree of A. M., causa honoris, and in 1870, 
tlie Upper Iowa University, the degree of 
D. D. He has been elected Secretary of 
the Conference at eight out of the sixteen 
sessions it l>as held, and has published 
the minutes each of these years and as- 



Vll 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1049 



sistecl in their publicatibn two more years, 
making in all ten editions of the sixteen 
already published. In 1873, he was ap- 
pointed Presiding Elder of Charles City 
district. Having successfully filled the con- 
stitution term, he was appointed, in 1876, 
Presiding Elder of the Dubuque district. 
His term expiring here in 1880, and it be- 
ing contrary to the usage of the Church 
to continue the same person in the Elder- 
ship more than two terms in succession. 
Dr. Keeler was remanded to the pastorate 
and appointed to Fayette,, the seat of the 
IJpper Iowa University, he being at the 
time President of its Board of Trustees. 
After two years in this charge, he was 
stationed in September, 1882, in Toledo. 
Dr. Keeler has held the responsible office 
of Presiding Elder three terms, which is 
more than any other member of his Con- 
ference has held it. He has been elected 
delegate to the General Conference 
three times, viz: 1860, 1861 and 1872. 
No other member of the Upper Iowa 
Conference, with a single exception and 
that a General Conference officer, has 
been elected as often. In 1864, he received 
a larger majority of votes for General 
Conference delegate than any man ever 
received in the history of the Conference. 
In 1868, he was elected reserve delegate, 
but afterward resigned. In 1876, he with- 
drew from the canvass before the final 
vote. In 1870, he was appointed histori- 
ographer of the Upper Iowa Conference, 
and since that time he has been collect- 
ing material for a complete history of 
Upper Iowa Methodism. Dr. Keeler is 
forty-eight years of age, and is the father of 
eight children, five of whom still live to 
siladden his heart and home. He attrib- 



utes much of his success since he entered 
the ministry to the steady Christian ex- 
ample, patient, earnest spirit and pure 
and noble Christian character of his wife. 
As an educator. Dr. Keeler has been very 
successful. During the fearful financial 
crisis of 1857-8, the number of students 
at Cornell College, then under his man- 
agement, was greater than any preceding 
year. But it is in preaching that his mas- 
sive intellect finds fullest scope. He 
stands almost unrivalled and alone, 
having but few equals. His sermons are 
productions marked with great originality 
of thought, eminently clear and logical, 
apt and forcible in illustration, practical 
in application and conclusive in argu- 
ment. Therefore not only the "common 
people hear him gladly,"but the educated 
and refined flock to his ministrations. 
Dr. Keeler is possessed of good business 
qualifications, is social and a most excel- 
lent pastor and administrator, which traits 
of character make him a favorite with the 
laity and add to his popularity as a minis- 
ter. May he long live to bless the Church 
and the world. 

The Catholic was one of the first 
Churches organized in Toledo. Among 
the original members were the following: 
M. Reusch and Anna, his wife; John 
Youngman and wife; William Roderick 
and Kate, his wife; John, Joseph and An- 
thony Menton; Adam Brecht and wife; 
John Boyer and wife; Madison Schrader 
and wife; John Haggerty and wife; Den- 
nis O'Connor and wife; Dennis Hag- 
gerty and wife; Enright and wife; Mr. 
Metz and wife; Jaquog and wife; Sharey 
and wife; John Feeley and wife; T. 
McDermott and wife; Donald McDonald 



1050 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and wife; Jolin Meyer and Anton Reusch 
and wife. 

In 1802, Father Emmons, of Iowa City, 
lield services here. Meetings were held 
in private houses for a number of years. 
Through the influence of Fatlier Emmons, 
a subscription was started and the present 
cluirch edifice was erected at a cost of 
about 11,000. The size of the building 
is 20x30 feet; a story and a half high, witli 
a seating capacity of 125. In 1883, the 
pastor was Father Patrick Mahen, the 
membership, 102. 

SOCIETIES. 

The A. O. U. W. Lodge, No. 23, was or- 
ganized at the rooms of the I. O. O. F., in 
April, 1875, with the following named 
charter members: A. H. Sterrett, Past 
Master Workman; H. S. Bradshaw, Mas- 
ter Workman; W. II. Stivers, Overseer; 
W. M. Brown, Financier; D. D. Appelgate, 
Recorder; W. E. Appelgate, Watchman; 
N. A. Stewart, Guide; G. M. Berger, G. 
F.; L. G. Kinne, H. C. Hemperley, W. 
Bradbrook, H. J. Patterson, Gus Reich- 
man, II. B. Belden, J. II. Bates, W. W. 
Soustcr, J. W. Willett and G. W. Sweatt. 
The Order continued until 1882, their 
Lodge numbering fifty-three, at which date 
a trouble arose between the Grand and 
Supreme Lodges, causing a division. Forty 
members withdrew, adhering to the Grand 
Lodge, while the other thirteen stood by 
the Supreme Lodge. 

One death had occurred up to 1883, 
W.ll. Blake, who died in 1880. $2,000, 
was paid to the widow promptly after his 
death. The Lodge also paid ^115 sick 
benefits. 

The oflicers for 1883 were: Peter Lichty, 
M. W.; II. B. Belden, Overseer; J. M. 



Winn, Financier; H. C. Hemperley, Re- 
corder; W. H. Stivers^ G. F. 

A. O. U. W., of Iowa, No. 23, withdrew 
from the Supreme Lodge in July, 1880, 
with forty members. The first officers af- 
ter the division were: A. J. Dingee, P. M. 
W.; James H. Ross,M. W.; J. C. Fitzger- 
ald, Foreman; W.E. Appelgate, Recorder; 
F. E. Smith, Receiver; C. E. Olney, Finan- 
cier; L. Loupee, Overseer; C. II. Tode, 
Guide; J. H. Bates, Inside Watchman. 

Officers of 1883 were: J. H. Ross, P. 
M. W.; J. C. Fitzgerald, M. W.; B. Stone, 
Foreman; L. Loupee, Overseer; A. J. 
Dingee, Recorder; C. E. Olney, Financier. 

Toledo Lodge, No. 118, A. F. A. M., 
was organized under dispensation in 1857, 
and received its charter from the Grand 
Lodge under date June 2, 1858. Its first 
officers were: Lafayette Cheney, W. M.; 
S. M. Wadley, S. W. and G. M. Fo.x, J. 
W. The charter members, in addition 
to the officers mentioned, were Jonas P. 
Wood, H. A. Williamson, John Allen, J. 
B. Louthan and Joseph Powell. The 
Lodge has had a steady growth since its 
organization, and has accomplished much 
good in the community, having numbered 
among its members some of the best citi- 
zens of the place. The following ramcd 
have occupied the position of Worshipful 
Master since its organization: Lafayette 
Cheney, John Allen, David D. Appelgate, 
A. J. Wheaton, David Arb, George R. 
Struble, A. J. Wheaton, A. H. Sterrett, A. 
J. Free and Isaac Stoner. The Lodge has 
at present a membership of forty-two, and 
is in a most prosperous condition, with the 
following named officers in the spring of 
1883: George R. Struble," W. M.; George 
L. Bailey, S. W.; J. N. Springer, J. W.; 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Isaac Stoner, Treasurer; A. J. Wheaton, 
Secretary; David Arb, S. D.; T.J. Swcatt, 
J. D.; D. Huston, Tyler. 

Toledo Lodge, No. 79, I. O. O. F. was 
organized September 18, 1869, by Deputy 
Grand Master, R. How Taylor, of Mar- 
shalltown Lodge, with Robert Blake, 
George P. Werum, S. C. Rogers, Jacob 
Reedy, C. N. Knapp and W. H. Stivers as 
charter members. The following named 
were chosen officers for the first term : S. 
C. Rogers, N. G. ; Jacob Reedy, V. G. ; 
W. H. Stivers, Secretary. The Lodge has 
had a prosperous existence, and now owns 
its Lodge room on High street, and has it 
well furnished with all the paraphernalia 
of the order. It has ample funds in its 
treasury and money at interest. It pays 
weekly benefits of |i4.50 to each member 
when sLck and one dollar per capita 
fimeral benefits. Since its organization 
three of its membership have been re- 
moved by death — C. N. Knapp, Jacob 
Reedy and Henry Geibert. W. H. Stivers 
has been Secretary of the Lodge the 
greater part of its existence, and is the 
present Secretary, with E. J. Cannon, N. 
G. ; W. A. Mc Anulty, V. G. 

Toledo Lodge No. 26, Legion of Honor, 
was organized in JuPy, 1879, by L. F. Bas- 
sett, Deputy Grand President of the State. 
The charter members were as follows : 
C. J. Stevens, A. J. Dingee, L. B. Blinn, 
J. M. Winn, T. S. Free, D. Camery, C. C. 
Quintard, F. B. Gault, A. J. Hassell, W. 
II. St.ivers, P. C. Jones, Isaac Stoner, F. E. 
Smith, Union Stoner, E. B. Coats, E. E. 
Stickney, E. M. Bielby, George Lichty, E. 
J. Connor, S. C. Leland, T. J. Sweatt, E; 
C. Ebersole, John Mather, S.M.Loomer, 
J. A. Fuhlendorf, S. Moore, A. J Bartlett, 



C. D. Coats, H. E. Wills, J.T. Wilson, G. 
W. Ingersoll, R. G. Mclntyre, J. B. M. 
Bishop, G. W. Free, Jr., F. S. Harlan, 
Benjamin Stone, Hiram Baldwin. C. S. 
Jerome, E. A. Coats, C. E. S. Conger and 
G. R.Struble. 

The first officers were: C. J. Stevens, 
President ; J. M. Winn, Vice President ; 
F. E. Smith, Recording Secretary ; A. J. 
Dingee, Secretary ; Isaac Stoner, Treas- 
urer : A. J. Hassell, Chaplain ; T. S. Free, 
Usher ; John Mather, Doorkeeper ; E. B. 
Coats, Sentinel; J. S. Moore, L. B. Blinn 
and T. S. Free, Trustees. 

The presiding officers from the organiza- 
tion to the present time, were as follows: 
C. J. Stephens, J. M. Winn, J. B. M. 
Bishop, F. E. Smith, W. Stivers and A. J. 
Hassell. 

The officers in 188:5, were: J. M. Winn, 
President ; C. E. Olney, Vice-President ; 
Newton Dodd, Recording Secretary ; 
Union Stoner, Financial Secretary ; 
Isaac Olney,- Treasurer ; J. W. Mather, 
Chaplain ; S. M. Loomer, Usher ; E. A. 
Coats, Doorkeeper; John Fuhlendorf, Sen- 
tinel; W. H. Stivers, Trustee ; Dr. L. II. 
Carey and Dr. J. W. Springer, Medical Ex- 
aminers; J. M. Winn, Representative to 
Grand Lodge. E. H. Smith died August 2, 
1882, being the only death in the Lodge 
since the organization. The Toledo mem- 
bership, since its organization, has been 
fifty-three. Membership in 188.3, fifty. 
Five of the fifty held an additional 
beneficiary, making fifty-five certificates 
in force. The Lodge was made up of the 
representative men of the county, and is in 
a dourishing condition. The society, npto 
1883 have had only twenty-three assess- 
ments, making a very cheap insurance. 



-bW* 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XL- 



YORK TOWNSHIP. 



This territory comprises all of Con- 
gressional township 82 north, range 13, 
west of the fifth principal meridian. It is 
watered by Salt creek and its tributaries, 
the main stream entering on section 5, 
and flowing toward the south and southeast, 
makes exit on section 36. East of this 
stream the surface lies gently undulating, 
and consists of a beautiful prairie. The 
soil is a rich dark loam. West of Salt 
creek throughout the township, the land 
lies quite rolling and sometimes hilly and 
bluffy, and the soil is a light clay. The 
inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agri- 
culture. East of Salt creek they are 
mostly American, and on the west, Bohe- 
mian. There are three towns in this 
township, Waltham, Ell)eron and Vining. 

EARLY SETTLEMENT. 

This is the oldest settled township in 
the county, the first settlement being 
made in 1849, by William Riley Vandorin, 
a native of Jennings county, Indiana, who 
came from Henry county, Iowa. He took 
a squatter's claim on section 22, but the 
land having been entered by another 
party he was forced to leave. In 1854 he 
entered the west half of the northeast 
quarter of section 14, where he lived until 
ISTO, when he sold out and went to Kan- 
sas. He now lives in Coon Rapids, Car- 
roll county, Iowa, where he is engaged in 
blacksraithing. 



Mrs. Phcebe Fowler, the setond settler 
in this township, came in 1851 and took a 
squatter's claim on section 23, where she 
lived a few years then moved to Oneida. 
She died in Iowa county a few years later. 

William Carruthers, a son-in-law of Mrs. 
Fowler came in 1852 and made a claim on 
section 23. He sold his claim in 1854 and 
removed to Kansas. 

Willis and James Vandorin and Isaac 
Smith were early settlers here, but the 
date of their settlement is not positively 
known. Willis entered the southwest of 
the northwest of section 15. In 1856 he 
went to Irving, where he built a hotel, 
which he sold a year later and returned 
to Henry county. James entered the 
southwest quarter of the southwest quar- 
ter of section 14. In 1858, he returned to 
Henry county. Smith took a squatter's 
claim but did not prove up on it. He 
went to California a few years later and 
remained a short time when he returned. 
In 1862, he enlisted in the army, went 
south, where, on account of his disability, 
he was discharged and returned home, 
where he soon after died. His oldest son 
now lives in Oneida. 

Zachariah T. Shngart, a native of North 
Carolina and his son Levi H., arrived here 
from Michigan, on the 21st day of July, 
1853, and entered land in this township. 
Mr. Shu"art entered the southeast of the 



^ « *^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1053 



southwest quarter of section 14. The son 
entered the west half of the southeast quar- 
ter of section 11, and the east half of the 
southwest of the same section. The father 
lived here until the time of his death, 
which occurred in 1881. The .son with 
his mother still occupy the original claim. 

Zachariah T. Shugart was born in Surry 
county, North Carolina, November 27, 
1805. He was but a small boy when his 
parents moved to Indiana and settled in 
Wayne county, where they were among 
the first settlers. The father bought tim- 
ber land and cleared a farm and also built 
a mill which he operated. Zachariah 
assisted his father on the farm until about 
eighteen years of age, when he engaged 
to learn the cabinet maker's trade. He 
was married January 4, 1827, to Miss 
Susanna Harris, also a native of Surry 
county. North Carolina. They remained 
in Wayne county for a time, then went to 
Randolph county, where Mr. Shugart pur- 
chased land and after clearing a few acres, 
sold and removed to Grant county. He 
lived in several different places in Indi- 
ana until 1840, when he went to Michi- 
gan, purchasing timber land in Cass 
county. With the assistance of his boys 
he cleared a farm and made that his' home 
until 1853, then sold and came to Iowa, 
settling in township S3, range 13, Benton 
county, now Tama county. He died Jan- 
uary 15, 1881. His widow still lives 
with her son Levi. Previous to the war, 
Mr. Shugart was a Lloyd Garrison Aboli- 
tionist, and his house was for many years 
a shelter for fugitive slaves. His parents 
were Quakers and Mr. Shugart was for 
many years an elder in that Church ; but 



in later years he became an Universalist 
and died in that faith. 

Levi H. Shugart came with his fatliev 
in 1853 and settled on the same section. 
He is the oldest living settler in the town- 
ship. He put up a log cabin, in which he 
lived several years, then built his present 
frame house. Levi was born in Wayne 
county, Indiana, October 22, 1827, and 
was thirteen years of age when his par. 
ents moved to Michigan. He there learned 
the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which 
he worked until coming to Iowa. Mr. 
Shugart was married February 17, 1850, 
to Miss Nancy Overturf, daughter of 
Simon and Lydia Overturf. This union 
was blessed with two children: Laura B. 
and Noah Kelita. Mrs. Shugart died Sep- 
tember 21, 1863, and August 4, 18G4, Mr. 
Shugart was married to Miss Catherine 
Ashby, of Indiana. They have six chil- 
dren: LucMida E., Joseph S., Lena L., 
Levi D., George Z. and Jessie L. Mr. 
Shugart has been successful as a farmer, 
and now owns 300 acres of well improved 
land. 

The same year, Dr. K. D. Shugart, a 
native of Indiana, came and bought two 
acres of land of his brother Levi on sec- 
tion ] 4, where he lived about two years 
and practiced medicine. He then went to 
Irving, where he lived .several years, 
thence to Colorado. After his return 
from this point he opened a drug store at 
Belle Plaiue, and continued in business 
there until 1870, when he went to Califor- 
nia and located at Riverside, where he is 
now following his profession. 

Hankerson Ashby, formerly from Indi- 
ana, was a settler of 1853 and claimed the 
east half of the northeast quarter of sec- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



tion 14. He sold this claim in February, 
lS5-t, and went to Michigan, and after a 
few years returned to this township and 
located at Redman, where he died in 1869. 

The first land actually entered in this 
township was by James R. and Thomas 
A. Graham, natives of New York, who 
came here from Illinois in 1853. The 
former selected the northeast quarter of 
section 25, which he improved and lived 
upon until the time of his death in August 
issi. His widow now makes this her 
home. 

James R Graham was a native of New 
York, born May 31, 1812. When a young 
man he learned the blacksmith's trade, at 
which he worked in his native State imtil 
1853, when he came to Iowa, and settled 
ill town 83, range 13, in Tama county, 
l)urchasing land on section 25. Mr. Gra- 
ham was married in 1838 to Miss Margaret 
Pound, a native of Orange county, New 
York. Seven children have been born to 
them, five of whom are now living: Mar- 
garet A., Charles H., James H., Jada E. 
and John W. Mr. Graham was one of 
the first township officers and was the first 
postmaster at Traer. 

In 1853, Elijah Thompson, of New York 
State, came here from Michigan and set- 
tled on section 23. He went to Kansas in 
the summer of 1872 and in September of 
that year died in that State. He is re- 
membered as a great hunter. 

David Reynolds came in 1854 and set- 
tled on section 29, where he remained only 
a short time. 

Thomas A. Graham entered the north 
half of the northeast quarter and the 
northeast quarter of the northwest quarter 
of section 30. In 1854 he moved to Tole- 



do, where he remained until the time of 
his death in December, 1882. 

Stephen A. Wilcox, a native of New 
York State, came here in 1854 and 
bought Hankerson Ashby's claim on sec- 
tion 14 and entered the land in June of 
that year. Afterward he sold this claim 
and entered 140 acres on the northwest 
quarter of section 3. This claim he also 
sold in 1855 and bought the northwest 
quarter of section 25. Afterward he also 
sold this claim and in 1 856 moved to Iowa 
Town, Benton county, where he now lives. 

Jeptha Edmunds, a native of Vermont, 
came here from Michigan in June, 1854, 
and entered the southwest (juarter of sec- 
tion 14, where he lived until IStJS, when 
he moved to Cedar Rapids and died there 
in November, 1871. 

Truman Prindle, a native of New York 
State, arrived in June, 1854, and bought 
land of Stephen Wilcox on sections 12 and 
14. In 1881, he sold eighty acres of his 
farm to the C. M. & St. P. R. R. Co., for 
a town site. He still lives on section 14. 

Truman Prindle, was born in Onondaga 
county, New York, November 6, 1821. 
When a young man, he went to Michigan 
and purchased a farm in Pokagon town- 
ship, Cass county. He improved the land, 
built a house and in 1853, sold out; then 
the year following came to Iowa, locating 
in Tama county, on sections 13 and 14, 
township 83, range 13, now known as 
York township. He lived in a log cabin 
for ten years, then built the frame house 
in which he now lives. In 1881, he sold 
eighty acres of his land to the CM. & St. 
P. Railroad Company, for a town site, and 
on this land the village of Elberon was 
platted. Mr. Prindle was married in 1855, 



^• 



(^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



to Miss Emily M., daugliter of Jepthaand 
Candis Edmunds, and widow of William 
Michael. Mrs. Prindle has one son liv- 
ing — Avling Michael. 

John Newton, a native of England, 
came from Will county, Illinois, in 1854, 
and entered land on section 36. In 1882, 
he sold and moved toNeosha Falls, Wood- 
son county, Nebraska. 

Simon Overturf, a Pennsylvanian, came 
here in 1854, and entered the southeast 
quarter of section 25, where he still lives. 

John Wilder and John Sayles, natives 
of York State, arrived in 1854. Sayles 
bought land of T. A. Graham, where he 
lived about six years then sold and moved 
to Iowa City. He now lives in Linn 
county. Wilder, who was a single man, 
entered land in Benton county, but made 
his home with Sayles. 

Samuel Royce, a native of York State, 
came in 1854, and entered the southeast 
quarter of section 25. The next year he 
sold and w ent to Benton county. He 
joined the Union Army and was killed at 
the battle of Pittsburg Landing. His 
widow now lives at Irving. 

Thomas Lewis, of York State, came in 
1855, settled on the northeast quarter of 
section 3, remained there one year and re- 
moved to Benton county, where he died 
in IS'iT. 

Lemuel Dresser, of Tioga county, New 
York, came in 1 855, and located on section 
24. He was a harness maker and carriage 
trimmer by trade. He made this his home 
until the time of his death in 1865. His 
widow now occupies the homestead. 

George W. Selvy, from Illinois, arrived 
in 1855, and located on the northeast <|uar- 



ter of section 23. In 1861, he went to 
Belle Plaine. He died in Illinois in 1865. 

Frank McClelland, from the same State, 
came also in 1855 and settled on section 
23. He went to the war and upon his 
return settled in Keokuk. 

Reuben Rogers, a native of York State, 
came in 1856 and bought land on section 
25. He improved the land and lived there 
until the time of his death, which occurred 
February 4, 1882. One of his sons now 
lives on the farm, while another is en- 
gaged in the lumber trade in Elberon. 
Reuben Rogers was born in Oneida 
county, New York, June 3, 1800, and was 
reared in Otsego county, to which place 
his parents moved when he was but two 
years of age. Here, in 1826, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Chloe L. Orcutt, and in 1835, 
moved to Ellery township, Chautauqua 
county, where he bought a farm and lived 
until 1856, at which time he came to Iowa 
to seek a home. He bought a farm on 
section 25, York township, on which he 
lived until his death, which occurred Feb- 
ruary 4, 1882. His wife died February 29, 
1864. Of their six children, five came to 
Iowa : Maria, Delos, Reuben O., Amos R.. 
.and Matilda. 

Amos R. Rogers, the youngest son, 
was born in Chautauqua county. New 
York, April 14, 1838, where he was 
reared to agricultural pursuits and re- 
ceived his early education in the district 
school. His education was completed in 
the Iowa State University, from the Nor- 
mal department of which he graduated in 
1862, being the first graduate in that 
school from Tama county. In the spring* 
of 1863, he went to Colorado, spending 
the summer in the Rocky Mountains, and 



^' 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-bt 



returnod homo in llu' fall. Since then he 
was oinj)loyed during the winter months 
in teachino;, and in the summer seasons 
farming in company with his brother, on 
the old homestead until 1881, when he 
came to Elberon and engaged in the lum- 
ber btisiness. On October 18, 1864, he 
was married to Miss Helen S., daughter 
of Lemuel and Mary (Hendry) Dresser. 
They have been blessed with fire chil- 
dren : Addie M., Delos C, Mary Bertha, 
Eftie C. and Herman G. Mr. Rogers is 
a man of energy and ability, as his suc- 
cess both in the school room and on the 
farm indicates. 

' Reuben O., third son of Reuben and 
Chloe (Orcutt) Rogers, was born in Chau- 
tau(jua county, New York, October 14, 
IS.T."), where his younger days were spent 
on a farm. His education was received 
in the common schools. He came to Iowa 
with his parents in 1856, and in 1861, was 
married to Miss Margaret Ashby, who 
bore him one child and died in 186.3. The 
child died when eighteen months old His 
second wife, to whom he was married in 
1860, was Miss Margaret, daughter of 
.lames R. and Margaret (Pound) Graham. 
They liave been blessed with four chil- 
dren : James G., Maggie May, Charles R. 
anil Matilda A. Mr. Rogers now occupies 
the farm which his father bought when 
ho came to Iowa, and which Mr Rogers 
and brother have managed for several 
years. Mr. Rogers is the i)resent A.ssessor 
of the township, having been elected to 
that office for a second term. 

Fred Williams, formerly from Ver- 
mont, came in 1856 and settled on .section 
•2<S, where he continued to live four or 



five years and then removed to .Johnson 
county. 

Michael Muselcame in 1866 and settled 
on section 31, where he now lives. 

Frank Matula came the same year and 
located on section 30 .and now lives in 
Salt Creek. 

John Budka arrived in 1856 and set- 
tled on section 30. In 1873, he went to 
Kansas. 

John Lovenburg, a shoemaker by trade, 
settled on section 29 in 1850 and romovod 
to Kansas, 1875. 

Anthony Weaver and family came from 
Bohemia and settled in York township. 

Frank, second .son of Anthony and Cath- 
arine Weaver, was born in Bohemia, No- 
vember 10, 1836, came to America with 
his parents in 1856, and settled with thorn 
in York township, this county. In 1801 
he was married to Miss Mary Caslavka. 
They lived with her parents for two years, 
then settled on land that he had previous- 
ly bought on section 18. Mr. Weaver 
now owns 120 acres of improved land and 
twenty acres of timber land. He has a 
family of seven children. 

William Ale.xander, Sr., settled in York 
township in 1856, on section 9. Mr. Alex- 
ander was born in Roughazie, near Glas- 
gow, Scotland, January 7, 1808. He was 
reared on a farm, receiving a liberal edti- 
cation in the country schools. Mr. Ale.x- 
ander was married in 1834, to Miss Mary 
Clelland, who bore him six children, three 
of whom are now living: Agnes, George 
and William. In 1851 they left their na- 
tive land, came to New York City, and 
from thence to Chicago, where Mr. Alex- 
ander w.as employed in the Galena ear 
shops. Their~ residence in Iowa dates 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Mj^ 



from 1850, at which time they settled in 
York township, Tama county, on section 9 
where Mr. Alexander had previously en- 
tered land. Here they built a log house, 
10x20 feet, in which they lived until 1865, 
then erected the frame house, where they 
now live. Mrs. Alexander died on the 2d 
day of February, 1875, being sixty-eight 
years of age. 

William Alexander, Jr., was born Sep- 
tember 26, 1845, and came with his par- 
ents to America, in 1851. While he 
lived in Chicago, William attended 
school, and, in 1850, came to York 
township February 23, 1815, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Mary A. McBride, by whom 
he lias had four children: Mary E., John 
E., Elsea G. and Archibald J. William 
now occupies the farm with his father. 

Michael Kupka also came in 1856, and 
settled on section 30, where he now lives. 

Anthony Weaver settled on section 1 7, in 
1856, where he died in 1875. His widow 
and son John now live on section 7. 

Jacob Kuchara came in 1857 and set- 
tled on section 15, where he now lives. 

Jacob Struble came this same season 
and located on the northeast quarter of 
section 24, where he now lives. 

Vinsel Hubel came in 1857 and located 
on section 20. He now lives in Vining. 

John Freeman came from Ohio in 1857 
and located on section 26. He enlisted in 
the Union army and died while in the ser- 
vice. His family returned to Ohio. 

Tlie same year Michael Ulch settled on 
section 35, and is still living there. 

Another of the early settlers of York 
township, is James B. Van Anken, who 
came here in 1858. He first lived in a log 
liouse near Redman for a few weeks, an<l 



then moved to a f irm which he had rented 
on sections 23 and 26. In 1859, he re- 
moved to another farm which he had 
rented, on section 30, and there lived until 
1862. He then purchased the McKern 
farm, of • ighty acres, on section 10, and 
moved there with his family. On the 24th 
of February, 1804, he enlisted in the 28th 
Iowa, Company D, went south and joined 
the Regiment at Kennerville, near New 
Orleans. Here he was taken sick and 
went to Washington with the Regiment, 
where he entered the ho.spital, and was 
soon afterward transferred to the hospital 
at Keokuk. In February, 1865, he was 
discharged from the hospital, and going 
south, joined his Regiment at Moorhejid 
City, North Carolina. He served until 
the close of the war, being mustered out 
of service at Savannah in July 1865, when 
he returned to his home in Iowa. Mr. 
Van Anken is a native of York State, born 
in Chemung county, March 15, 1825. His 
younger days were spent on his father's 
farm, and in the pioneer schools. In 1849, 
he went to Bradford county, Pennsylvania, 
where he was employed in farming, and 
where he was married in 1850, to Miss 
Esther McDuffie, a native of that county, 
and born February 20, 1829. They have 
been blessed with five children: Joseph, 
Josephine, Jessie, James L. and John. 
After his marriage, he bought a farm in 
Van Etten township, Chemung county. 
New York, and lived there until 1856, 
when he sold his land and came to Iowa. 
Mr. Van Anken first purchased a farm of 
eighty acres, but has kept adding to it and 
now owns over 200 acres Mr. Van Anken 
is a thorough gentleman, and is respected 
as a neighljor and a citizen. He has a 



7li- 



4i 



^l^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



jileasant lioiuo and the "latch-string" al- 
ways hangs out; any stranger who stops 
there is always treated in the most hospit- 
able manner. 

Among others who came in later years, 
and are now prominent citizens of the 
township, are: Milton H. Pierce, Samuel 
S. Countryman and John Struve. 

Milon II. Pierce was born in Broom 
county, New York, on the 31st of .January, 
18.34. He was raised in that county on a 
farm on the banks of the Susquehanna 
river, and received his education in the 
district schools. When eighteen years of 
ago, he engaged with a carpenter and 
joiner to learn the trade, serving as an ap- 
j)rentice for two years and then as a 
journeyman. In 1856, he came to Iowa, 
locating in Linn county, where he re- 
mained until 1858, then came to Tama 
county and bought laud in York township, 
on section 3. After making this purchase, 
he returned to Linn county and continued 
to work at his trade. On the 20th of 
August, 18G2, he enlisted in Company F, 
20th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, went south 
and was with the Regiment until the close 
of the war. The Regiment participated in 
many important engagements ; among 
them were Prairie Grove, siege of Vicks- 
burg, and the siege of Forts Morgan and 
IJlakely. On his return from the war, he 
lived at Belle Plaine for a short time, 
then went to Linn county, where he 
worked in a wagon shop. In 1866, he came 
to York township and settled on his land, 
where he has since resided. He has built 
two large cattle and hay barns, as well as 
comfortable sheds for his stock. Mr. 
Pierce has been very successful in his 
farming operations and now has 300 acres 



of improved land. Mr. Pierge was mar- 
ried December 26, 1867, to Miss Unity 
Sapp, a native of Delaware. They have 
one child — Roena. Mr. Pierce has been 
elected to offices of trust in the township, 
and is, at present. Secretary of the School 
Board. Mr. Pierce is a genial, warm- 
hearted gentleman and holds the resj)ect 
and esteem of his neighbors. 

Samuel S. Countryman was born in 
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, May •">, 
1837. He was reared on a fann and at- 
tended the district .schools of his native 
county. He was married September 8, 
1859, to Miss Dina Walker, also a native 
of Somerset county. They have been 
blessed with twelve children, eleven of 
whom are living : Thomas P., Robert E., 
N. Frank, William J., Jacob G., George 
H., May E., Oscar .h, Millard B., Cary C. 
and Nellie E. Frederick died in infancy. 
They lived in Somerset county until 1867, 
then moved to Illinois and rented land in 
Lee county, remaining there until 1873, 
when he came to Iowa and purchased land 
on section 1, of York township, of Mica- 
jah Emmons, a Quaker, who had lived 
there about ten years. On this land is a 
fine maple grove of twelve acres which 
was planted by Mr. Emmons. There was 
also a fine orchard which Mr. Countryman 
has replenished and enlarged. He has a 
large variety of fruits and interests him- 
self very much in horticulture. In 1882, 
he erected a very large frame house and 
now has one of the finest residences in 
this part of the county. 

John Struve is a native of Germany, 
born in Holstein, November 2, 1845. Be- 
tween the years of six and fifteen he at- 
tended schobl, and then went to soa, visit- 



Vl 



1« .- 



•k. 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1059 



ing England, Australia, South America, 
China and Japan. He followed the life of 
a sailor until he was twenty-one years of 
age, then came to America and located 
near Davenport, this State, where he was 
employed at farming for two years, then 
rented a farm until 1882. He then came 
to Tama county and purchased an im- 
proved farm of James Peck, on section 1, 
York township. He has a good set of 
buildings on his farm and is prepared to 
do thorough farming. Mr. Struve was 
married in January, 1876, to Miss Sena 
Ellis, of Scott county, this State, and they 
now have four children: Henry, Meta, Al- 
vina and .John. 

OKGAXIC. 

This township assumed its present 
boundaries and was organized April 7, 
185(>. The election was held at that time 
at the house of J. R. Graham, and the fol- 
lowing officers were elected: J. H. Wilder, 
Assessor; James R. Graham and Elijah 
E. Robinson, Justices; Simon Overturf, 
George W. Selvey and Jeptha Edmunds, 
Trustees; Z. T. Shugart, Clerk; Reason 
Overturf and J. S. Emisan, Constables; L. 
H. Shugart, Road Supervisor. At the 
general election held at Vining, Novem- 
ber 7, 1882, the following officers were 
elected: Hiram Loomis and Albert 
Kuchara, Justices; Frank Benesh, Clerk; 
A. C. Michall and Joseph Wolf, Consta- 
bles; R. O. Rogers, Assessor; J. H. Scott, 
Trustee. John Skrable and Antoine Dudek 
are the Trustees holding over. 

VILLAGE OF WALTHAM. 

This place was surveyed and platted, in 
18GS, by Horace Jacob?, County Surveyor, 
for Charles Mason. It is located on the 
west half of the east half of section 3, the 



plat containing fifteen acres. G. G. Mason 
started the first store, in 1867. Another 
store was started afterward by Frank 
Kakesh. He soon discontinued the busi- 
ness, but started again, and now keeps the 
only store in the place. The third store 
was opened by S. S. Dowret, about 1870, 
and another by Mr. Pratt, in 1879. The 
following named persons have been en- 
gaged in business in this village at dif- 
ferent times: Alonzo Cady, Emerson 
Lovejoy, Walter Hines, Phillips Brothers, 
Walter Bradbrook, Joseph Glover and 
William Peck. 

Benjamin Thompson opened the first 
blachsmith shop, in 1866. After a few 
years he sold out. John Wells, from Illi- 
nois, was foi-eman in Thompson's shop. 
It is said, that he was too much married, 
and hearing that one of the wives was 
about to visit the village, he took a spear 
and went fishing at Ale.vander's ford, on 
section 10. The spear was afterward found 
and on the handle was written, "Good bye 
Benjamin, you will never see me again," 
and that is the last that is known of 
him. J. H. Scott bought out Thomp- 
son in 1870, he then formed a partner- 
ship with a man by the name of Kerr, 
and they built a wagon shop, 20x40 feet, 
two stories high, where they continued in 
business a few years. This building has 
since been converted into a dwelling. The 
blacksmithing business is now represented 
by .Joseph Van Auken. 

A postoffice was established in what is 
now the village of Waltham, in 1865. 
Henry.L. Smith was the first postmaster, 
and kept the office in his house, on section 
:B. The following named have served as 
postmasters, since that time: George G. 



-5>lv' 



M* — *- 



A 

11^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Mason, A. W. Davies, A. B. Cady, Walter 
nines, G. Brown, Joseph Glover and 
Frank Kokesh, the present incumbent, who 
has the office in his store. Mail is received 
tliree times each week, from Elberon; 
formerly it was received from Belle Plaine, 
twice a week. 

Henry L. Smith, the fir-st postmaster at 
Waltham, and an early settler of the town- 
ship, was born in Orange county. New 
York, October 3, 1815. When he was 
nine years of age, his parents moved to 
New York city, where Henry received his 
education. When he reached the age of 
eighteen, he engaged with a carpenter to 
learn the trade. He served three years as 
an apprentice, and then he and his brother 
formed a partnership as contractors and 
builders. Henry was married October 
10, 1837, to Miss Jane Lounsbury, who 
was a native of Geneseo county. New 
York. When she was but a year old her 
father died and her mother moved to 
New York city. In 1856, Mr. Smith came 
to Iowa and settled in Irving, where he 
fiiuud employment as carpenter and mill- 
wriglil for five years, then came to York 
townsliip and settled on section 3, where 
he purchased an interest in a yrist mill. 
He made this his home urtil the time of 
his death, which occurred Ma; 8, 187'?. 
Mr. and Mrs. Smith had a family of four 
cliildren: Daniel O., Joseph H., Mary 0. 
and S. Elizabeth. Daniel O. was born in 
New York, August -2, 1838; died at Irving, 
August 6, ISO). 

Alfred W. Davies, who wa.'- postmaster 
here for some time, was born in Hereford 
county, England, November 4, 1832, and 
when ijuite young was apprenticed to learn 
the miller's trade. He served an ap])ren- 



ticeship of three years, then worked in 
the different flouring mills in Worcester 
and Stafford counties until the breaking 
out of the war with Russia, in 1853, when 
he enlisted in the Royal Lancers, joined 
the Regiment at Bristol and went to Rus- 
j sia, serving until the close of the war. 
He was in the famous battle of Balak- 
lava, and was one of the Light Brigade, 
immortalized by Tennyson in his poem: 

'Half a league, half a league. 

Half a league onward, 
All in the valley of death 

Rode the six hundred. 
"Toiward the Light Brigade! 

Charge for the guns!" he said. 
Into the valley of death, 

Rode the six hundred. 

When can their glory fade? 
Oh, the wild charge they made! 

All the world wondered. 
Honor the charge they made! 

Honor the Light Brigade, 
Noble six hundred." 

Mr. Davies was also in the battle of In- 
kaman and other minor engagements. At 
the close of the war, he returned to Eng- 
land and resumed work at his trade. In 
1857, he came to America, arriving at 
New York city on the 17th day of April, 
and went from there to Wayne county, 
where he was engaged at farming for a 
while, after which he was employed in a 
saw mill. On the breaking out of the War 
of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company 
F, 8tH Regiment, New York Volunteer 
Cavalry, and went to Washington. In 
1802, the regiment was ordered to the 
Shenandoah valley. Mr. Davies partici 
pated in the battles of Winchester, Antie- 
tam, Fredericksburg, Beverly Ford, C'han- 
cellorsville, Gettysburg and Culj)epper 



7h 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



t'ourt House. In the latter engagement,Au- 
gust 1, 1863, while charging a rebel bat- 
tery, he was wounded in the left arm near 
the shoulder. Amputation was performed 
on the battle field, and he was sent to Doug- 
lass Hospital, at Washington, D. C. He 
was honorably discharged October 14, 
180.3, and returned to Wayne county, New 
York. In July, 1865, he started with a 
liorse and wagon for Iowa, and from 
Michigan he helped to drive 2,500 sheep 
to Tama county. In 1 866, he went to 
Michigan and returned to this county with 
1,500 sheep. He then engaged in herding 
cattle, and in 1867, bought the mail route 
between Belle Plaine and Waltham. In 
1869, he was appointed postmaster at 
Waltham, and served one year. In 1870, 
he returned to New York and was there 
married to Miss Elizabeth J. Corlett. 
They returned to Waltham, purchased a 
residence and now make that their home. 
They have three children: Benjamin F., 
Alice J. and Hiram H. 

Since the railroad came through the 
township, other towns have started and 
Waltham is not in a very flourishing con- 
dition. In fact it is almost defunct, the 
trade being transferred to other towns. 
After its commencement, for some time it 
was considered that it would make, a place 
of some importance, but its projectors 
seem doomed to disappointment, and 
other places seem destined to make the 
important towns of the township. 

VILLAGE OF ELBEKON. 

This place was surveyed at the in- 
stance of the Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railway Company, in September, 1881. It 
is located on the northeast ijuarter of the 
northeast quarter of section 14 and the 



northwest quarter of the northwest qnar 
ter of section 13. The first building was 
a temporary shanty put up by N. L. 
Brown for a boarding house. The tir.<^t 
permanent building in the village was 
erected by Amos Rogers for a lumber of. 
fice. The first store building completed by 
N. L. Brown; located on the southeast 
corner of Main and First Streets. 

The first store, doing business here, was 
in a building moved from Waltham where 
J. Glover & Co. opened a drug and gj-o- 
cerj' store, and yet remain in the trade. 

William C. Gotthold opene'd the first 
dry goods store in December 1881, and is 
stil in the business, having a general stock 
of goods. William C. Gotthold was born 
in Canton, Ohio, February 11, 1861, and 
when he was but eighteen months old, his 
mother came to Iowa to join her parents 
who resided on a farm near Chelsea. His 
father was in the army at the time and 
died on his way home. William attend- 
ed the district school, and also the high 
school in Irivng, and completed his edu- 
cation at the business College at Canton 
Ohio. After completing his education, 
he engaged as clerk in a store in Chel- 
sea, this county, and in December, 1881, 
came to Elberon and opened the business 
in whichhe is now engaged. He does a 
good business in the dry goods line. 

John Skrable started the first hardware 
store, in 1882, and remains in the business. 
He is a son of Joseph and Magdalina 
Skrable, and was born in Bohemia, No- 
vember 10, 1845. He attended the com- 
mon schools until ten years of age, then 
went to colh ge for two years. At this 
time his parents came to America and loca- 
ted for two years at Iowa City, then 



^5 r- 



•t 



1062 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



came to Tama county and settled in 
York township, in 1857. "When John 
was fifteen years old he went to Belle 
Plaiue and hired as clerk in a hardware 
3nd dry goods store for eight years. Then, 
on account of his health, he returned to 
York township and enga^'ed in farming, 
on section 2-t; He remained on the farm 
until 1881, at which time he located in 
Elberon, erected a building and opened 
a hardware store. Mr. Skrable was mar- 
ried in 1868 to Miss Barbara Kvidera, 
who has borne him seven children : Mary, 
Fannie, Abbie, James, Emil, Joseph and 
Frank. Mr. Skrable has taken a lively in- 
terest in affairs of local importance, has 
held the offices of Constable and Assessor, 
and has been in some office every year for 
the past fifteen years. Mr. Skrable is ed- 
ucated in both Bohemian and English. 

The postoffice at Elberon was estab- 
lished in January, 1882, and N S. Brown 
was appointed postmaster, with the office 
in his store. This was a special office at 
that time, and the mail was received from 
Belle Plaine twice each week. The mail 
service was established on the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad on the 
10th of April, and mail is now regularly 
received daily. This town was first called 
Halifax, and was afterward changed to 
Elberon in honor of the place so intimate- 
ly connected with the death of President 
Garfield. The railroad was completed to 
this point in October, 1881, and there 
seems to be a pros-pect for a town here of 
some importance in the future. 

Charles Skrable engaged in the grain 
trade at Elberon in 1881, and in 1882 built 
an elevator with a capacity of 10,000 
l)ushels. Mr. Skrable still continues his 



business, doing a large trade. He is the 
youngest son of Josephine and Magda- 
line Skrable, born October 5, 183.5. He 
came to America with his parents and was 
reared on his father's farm in York town- 
ship, receiving his education in the district 
school. His marriage with Miss Mary Ulch, 
took place February 4, 1876. Mr. Skra- 
ble was employed at farming until 1881, 
when he moved to Elberon, built a ware- 
house and engaged in the grain trade. In 
1882, as mentioned above, he erecteil one 
of the best elevators in the county and is 
now doing a large business. Mr. and Mrs. 
Skrable have one child — Anthony J., born 
July 4, 1880. 

The medical profession was first repre- 
sented here by Dr. E. E. Holroyd, who 
came in January, 1882. He removed to 
Chicago, and is now a professor in a Medi- 
cal College. The profession is now repre- 
sented by Dr. Frank S. Smith. See Medi- 
cal Chapter. 

The first livery stable was opened in the 
spring of 1882, by A. C. Michall. In 
March, 188-3, however, he rented his stable 
and went to Missouri. 

In November, 1881, a saloon was started 
by Henry Boke, wlio still continues his 
business. 

VILLAGE OF VININc;. 

This place was surveyed and laid out 
in the fall of 1881, by the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, 
and is located on the west half of the 
northeast quarter of section 20. During 
the same fall the first building was erected 
by John Kotas, in which he opened a dry 
goods and grocery store, early in the 
winter. 



I '9 
spv*" 



■k 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Albert Ulch completed the second build- 
ing, in which he opened a grocery store 
in January, 1882. 

Frank Beneshput up ,1 building during 
the winter, and opened a hardware store 
the fol'owing spring, and still continues 
his business. Mr. Benesh was born in 
Bohemia, in 1844. He received a. liberal 
education in the schools of his native 
country, and, in 1859, came to America 
with his parents, who settled in York 
township, of this county. In 1865, Mr. 
Benesh was united in marriage with Miss 
Barbara Bistricky, and settled on a farm, 
where he followed farming until 1872, at 
wliich time he removed to Belle Plaine 
and engaged as clerk in the hardware 
store of C. W. Gore. In 1882, he formed 
a partnership with Mr. C4ore and opened a 
hardware store in Vining. Mr. Benesh is 
one of the leading citizens of the town 
and is at present Township Clerk, elected 
in November, 1882. He converses and 
reads in both Bohemian and English. Mr. 
and Mrs. Benesh have eleven children : 
Frank J., Charley, William, Emil, Theo- 
dor, Joseph, George, Mary Anna, Blanche, 
Emilie and Berta. 

Frank Simon and his son Joseph came 
to Vining in 1882, and engaged in the 
general merchandise business, which they 
still continue. Mr. Simon was born in 
Bohemia, in 1832. In 1852, he was mar- 
ried to Miss Kate Krejsa, who bore him 
two children : Kate and Joseph. In 
1869, they came to America and located 
at Racine, Wisconsin, where Mr. Simon 
worked at the tailoring business. lie re- 
mained there but a few months, then came 
to Tama county and worked on the 
railroad at Montour for six months. He 



next went to Chicago, worked two years 
at his trade, then returned to this county, 
and after working at tailoring for a few 
months, opened a general merchandise 
store, continuing in that business until 
1882. He then came to Vining, and in 
company with his son engaged in his 
present business. His son Joseph, post- 
master at Vining, was born on the 22d day 
of February, 1858, and came to America 
with his parents, with whom he made his 
home until 1873. He then engaged as 
clerk for .Tames Brice, for whom he worked 
until his father opened his store in Chelsea. 
He then went to work for his father and 
in 1882, father and son formed a })arlner- 
ship to carry on a mercantile business 
at Vining. .Joseph was married, April 7, 
1879, to Miss Sofie Macek. Joseph is a 
young man, full of energy and pluck, and 
bids fair to be one of the leading business 
men in the township. 

Joseph Michal opened the first saloon, in 
the fall of 1881, in a building moved here 
from Vining. 

Albert Kuchara opened the first harness 
shop, in the spring of 1882. The same 
spring Frank Musle started in the luml)er 
trade in company with J. W. Shaler. 
Musle now continues the business alone. 

The postoftice here was established in 
the spring of 1882 and Joseph Simon ap- 
pointed postmaster. He kept the same at 
his store. The first mail arrived the first 
day of May. 

A warehouse was erected in the fall of 
1881 by Joseph Ineck, and he is yet en- 
gaged here in the grain trade. This young 
town consists mostly of Bohemians and is 
in a prosperous condition. 



w 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



PoSTOIFlCES. 

Dryden posloflice was established in 
Oneida township, in 1808, with Miss Net- 
tie Kenner postmistress, and the office was 
kept at her home, on section 36. It was 
moved to York in 1872, when B. A. Peck 
was commissioned and the office was in 
his house, on section 1. It was moved from 
there to Benton county a few years later, 
and was discontinued in 1881. It was on 
the route between Belle Plaine and Dysart. 

Fox Point postoffice was established in 
August, 1870, and Miss Laura Fox ap- 
pointed postmistress. It was kept at her 
house, on section 23, and was discontinued 
when an office was established at Elberon, 
in 1882. It was also on the route from 
I)ollc Plaine to Dysart. 

MILLS. 

Alvin Clark built a saw mill on Salt 
creek, iii 185.5. But little lumber was 
sawed, when it was converted into a grist 
mill, with one run of stone. Mr. Clark 
sold out to Simon Dykeman. in 1857. 
Dykeman sold a one-half interest to John 
Allen. Henry L. Smith bought John 
Allen's interest in 1861, and a few months 
afterward purchased Dykeman's interest. 
In 1867, he sold one-half interest to S. A. 
Lewis. The mill is now owned and run 
by S. A. and Charles Lewis. They do 
custom work and manufacture first-class 
flour. Jacob Yount commenced building 
a flour mill on Salt creek, on section 22, in 
1873, but before completion sold an inter- 
est in it to his two sons, David and Dan- 
iel, with R. O. Rogers, A. Pryne and 
Ilottel. In 1874, William White bought 
an interest and the mill was completed 
that year. In 1876, Adam and Benjamin 
15runer purcha.sed the mill. In 1870 Ben- 



jamin Bruner sold his one-half interest to 
John Beal, and tliey sold a third to Sam- 
uel Barrett. It now has three run of 
buhrs and all the necessary machinery for 
the manufacturing of flrst-dass flour. It 
is operated at present by Bruner & Bar- 
rett, both of whom are iirst-class millers, 
and are obliged to run the mill to its full- 
est capacity night and day to meet the de- 
mand. The success of this mill dates from 
the time that the Bruner brothers bought 
it. 

Adam Bruner, senior partner of the 
above named firm, is th.e fifth son of 
Christian and Sopliia Bruner, born in San- 
dusky county, Ohio, June 8, 1842. His 
parents came to Iowa when he was but 
ten years of age. He made his home 
under the parental roof until in January, 
1856, when he was married to Miss Annie 
M. Fromra and settled in Howard town- 
ship, where he engaged in farming until 
187C. At this time he and his brother 
Benjamin came to York township and 
purchased the flour mill with which he is 
now connected. Mr. and Mrs. Bruner 
have been blessed with five children: 
Albert C, Norman C, Agnes T., Clara 
M. and Howard E. Mr. Bruner is a first- 
class miller, a man of enterprise and en- 
joys the trust and respect of his neighbors. 

Samuel Barrett, of the above named 
firm of Bruner & Barrett, was born in 
Somerset county, Pennsylvania, March. 4, 
1834. His parents moved to Knox coun- 
ty, Ohio, in 1836i Samuel remained at 
liome until sixteen years of age, then with 
the foolish whim of boyish thought, he 
ran away. He was fortunate in finding 
work in Clark county, Pennsylvania, in a 
saw mill. After two years he returned to 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1065 



Ohio, and in 1852, he came to Marietta, 
the county seat of Marshall county, Iowa. 
Here he engaged with .Tohn Hill in build- 
ing a flouring mill. Afterwards he run 
the same mill for thirteen years, giving 
entire satisfaction to all his customers. 
After this he moved to Nebraska and 
bought a farm of eighty acres and farmed 
one year, then sold and returned to Iowa 
and again engaged in milling in Coon 
Valley, Green county, for six years, and 
later in Cass and Guthrie counties. In 
1875, he bought the flouring mill at Irv- 
ing, and lived there until 1882. At the 
present time he is interested in Bruner's 
mill, having bought an interest in it in 
188-2. 

HISTORICAL ITKMS. 

Anthony Weaver was frozen to death, 
December 2.3, 1856, while on his way 
home from the mill at Irving. His body 
was found two weeks later by a deer 
hunter. His brother was in company with 
him and went for help to a house about 
one mile distant. Having secured assist- 
ance, they started back, but could not 
find him in the blinding storm which was 
raging. This brother, whose name was 
John, had his feet badly frozen and is 
now living in the township. 

The first marriage occurred April 16, 
1854, and celebrated the nuptials of Jacob 
Bruner and Susan Ashby. The marriage 
was performed by Judge John C. Ver- 
milya. 

The second de.ath was that of Mrs. Jej)- 
tha Edmunds, which occurred on the 6th 
of March, 1856. 

The first reaping machine was intro- 
duced into this township, in the summer of 



1 859, by J. B. Van Anken and I?. N. B. Dres- 
ser. It was sent here by L. B. Dodd, and 
was manufactured at Mendota, Illinois. 

The first school was kept in L. H. Shu- 
garts house on section 14, in 1854, and 
was taught by Miss Sarah Simpson. 

The next school was taught by Miss 
Libbie Graham in a log house on section 
25, in 1855. 

The first school house was erected at 
Redman in the fall of 1856, and the first 
school in this house was taught by Sarah 
Simpson. 

One of the early marriages was that of 
Joel S. Edmunds to Miss MelindaSliugart, 
February 17, 1856, at the house of the 
bride's parents. They settled on section 
14, where she died the 22d day of April, 
1859. He enlisted in the army and died 
while in the service. 

The first religious service in the town- 
ship was held in L. H. Shugart's log cabin, 
in 1855, by Elder Wilkins, a Baptist 
preacher. He preached in this same jilacc 
for some time. 

Elder Dwight was another Baptist 
preacher of an early day. 

A child belonging to Jacob Kuchara 
was lost during the summer of 186(1. It 
was but two years old and had wandered 
away from the house. The neighborhood 
was aroused and search began, which grew 
more and more exciting as the days passed 
by and no trace was found. It was 
thought it might have been taken by the 
wolves, and hole after hole was dug and 
searched. At length its body was found in 
Troublesome creek. 

William Riley Vandorn, the first settler 
as before stated, squatted on Salt creek 
bottom. He was not familiar with the 



1066 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



country ancBniilt his cabin on low ground, 
and when the rains came, the creek rose, 
overflowed its banks, and the little cabin 
was surrounded with water. He took his 
family in a dug-out which had been made 
for a feed trough, and thus transferred 
them to high ground. 

The streams of this section rise rapidly 
after heavy rains. On one occasion an 
Indian chief. Bearskin, was camping on 
the bottoms with his family, when a sud- 
den rise compelled him to seek safety by 
swimming to the bluffs. His family 
climbed trees, where they were obliged to 
remain until taken away in boats. 

RELIGIOUS. 

A Methodist Episcopal Class was or- 
ganized at the school house in Waltham, 
in 1874, by M. A. Goodell. Dr. W. C. 
Beam was the class leader, and the fol- 
lowing named succeeded the pastor: Hay- 
wood Barnes, Dolph Hoskins and Mr. 
Littler. Preaching was discontinued in 
the fall of 1882. 

A Catholic Church was V)uilt on section 
21, in 1875, and is the only church build- 
ing now in the township. 

. A United Brethren Society was organ- 
ized in Oneida township, and moved to 
Waltham in 1864. Rev. O. U. Crawford 
was the preacher at the time and meet- 
ings were held in the school house, (t. 
(i. Miison was a])pointed class leader. 



A Sabbath school was organized that 
spring, with G. G. Mason as Superintend- 
ent and Aaron Mason, Secretary. Rev. 
John Ollaraan succeeded Crawford in 
the ministry here, followed by the fol- 
lowing named: J. H. Yandeveer, H. B. 
Potter, Hyte Rodgers, L. B. Hicks, John 
Smith, George W. Benson and H. W. Re- 
bok, the present pastor. Meetings are 
held at the school house in Waltham. 
Charles Mason is the present class leader. 

EDUCATIONAL. 

The school interests received attention 
in this township at an early day. In 18.5(), 
a school house was built at Redman, and 
Sarah Sim])son taught the first school in 
this building. From that time to the 
present, the schools have kept pace with 
the settlements, and houses have been 
built and schools maintained in all locali- 
ties where there was a settlement, until 
now, within the limits of the township, 
there are nine organized districts, all, .with 
one exception, having good school build- 
ings, well furnished. The population has 
increased here, until in some districts the 
houses are not suthciently large to accom- 
modate, comfortably, the children, l)ut as 
a rule educational facilities are abundantly 
furnished to every district in the town- 
ship, and immediate ste])8 will doul)tless 
be taken to sec\ire additional buildings 
where needed. 




HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER XLI 



EVENTS OF INTEREST. 



The criminal history of Tama county 
may be said to hare started with the mur- 
der of a young man named Samuel Keen 
(frequently miscalled Reed) on the upper 
part of Whiskey bottom, in 1854 or 1855. 
The murderer was unknown. A company 
of five men, in company with Keen, one 
spring day started for a turkey hunt on the 
Iowa bottoms. When in the woods they 
divided, three of the men going in dif- 
ferent directions. Keen was in company 
with William Schamerhorn and another 
man. After being out some time the 
three men sat dowji on a log to rest. 
While conversing, the report of a gun 
was heard and Keen fell over on his face. 
Upon examination, it was found he 
had been shot in the back of the head. 
Suspicion was fastened upon Schamerhorn 
as having some knowledge of the shoot- 
ing, or of being connected with the crime 
in some way, as some feeling of jealousy 
had existed betweed Keen and him con- 
cerning a woman in the settlement, which 
had become public talk. Schamerhorn 
was arrested upon suspicion, but nothing 
could be proven. Keen was a single man 
and had no relations here. Soon after his 
examination, Schamerhorn left the county 
and pushed further west, leaving the mat- 
ter, as to the guilty party, a mystery. 

In the winter of 1854-5 the dead body 
of a man was found on Wolf creek. The 



body could not be identified as it had been 
partly devoured by the wolves. It was 
supposed he had been murdered. 

Sometime in .June, 1856, a man came to 
Toledo calling himself ".Jim Harris," rep- 
resenting that he came from the northern 
part of the county and had some business 
to attend to. At Monticello he made a 
few purchases from the Brush Brothers 
and passed a suspicious looking $5 bill, 
upon them. He next came to Toledo, and 
in a dicker with Tom Murray, left a like 
bill with him. The Brush Brothers made 
up their minds, soon after he left, that 
the bill was counterfeit, and at once 
started for Toledo to have the fellow ar- 
rested. Tom Murray came to the same 
conclusion, and it came to be noised about 
the village, that the fellow was a coun- 
terfeiter. C. J. L. Foster, a lawyer, hear- 
ing the report, and seeing the fellow cross- 
ing the public square, started out, called 
him, and detained the fellow by conver- 
sation until an ofKcer arrived and made 
his arrest. Upon search, %600 of counter- 
feit money was found in his pockets. 
The whole Harris tribe, consisting of this 
fellow and his relations, were a rough set. 
In September, 1855, Dr. P .L. Baldyhad 
a valuable horse stolen from him. It had 
been tied out to pasture and quietly dis- 
appeared, remaining unheard of for nearly 
a year. In the summer of 1856, Pete 



-^^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



Conklin, a brother-ii>law of Harris, drove 
into old Guinntown, having with him sev- 
eral horses. At this place, the brother of 
Dr. Baldy's wife was keeping hotel, and 
the family at once recognized one of the 
horses as the doctor's stolen one. Conk- 
lin imagined they suspected him and 
feared he would be arrested, so he got rid 
of a lot of counterfeit money which 
he had in his pockets by dropping 
it through a hole in the plastering, and it 
fell to the cellar, where it was picked up 
afterward by the landlord. Finally Conk- 
lin was told that he had Dr. Baldy's stolen 
horse, but he strenuously denied it. They 
persisted, and it was agreed, that, in case 
the animal recognized an old path which 
Dr. l^aldy's horse had been accustomed to 
traveling, it should be conclusive that it 
was the doctor's horse. When the ani- 
mal came within several rods of the path, 
he started on a trot and turned directly up 
it. At this point Conklin tried to escape 
by making a break for the woods : but he 
wa-i captured, and taken to Iowa City to 
jail and the horse returned to Dr. P. L. 
Baldy. When his trial took place at To- 
ledo, another incident occurred. While 
the crowd was at the court house, at about 
ten o'clock at night, some of the horse- 
thief gang attempted to get up a sensation 
in another part of town, hoping thereby 
to cause a stampede from the court house, 
and thus give the prisoner a chance- to es- 
cape, knowing that if he could get a 
single rod's start, he was so fleet of foot, 
no one in the village could keep in sight 
of him. At the hour named, Mrs. H. G. 
Haldy heard some one at her kitchen win- 
dow, and upon examination it was found 
to have been raised. After waiting for 



some time and hearing various noises in- 
dicating that burglars were about, Mrs. 
Baldy finally made up her mind to see 
what was the matter. She took down the 
gun, and quietly stepped out of the back 
door into the pitch-like darkness and driz- 
zling rain. She then went around the 
house, and a man sprang up from almost 
directly under her feet and ran away. 
She then turned to go into the house, 
and the back door was opened by the 
girl who exclaimed, "There's a man 
right behind you I" On wheeling, Mrs. 
Baldy stood face to face with the ruffian, 
who held a revolver in his hand. She at 
once brought the gun to bear, and in 
the .same moment he moved off in the 
darkness. Dr. H. T. Baldy was sent for, 
as there was an invalid at the house on 
whom the shock had had a bad effect, 
and he came at once from the court 
house. When he learned what had haj)- 
pened, a company of men were raised, 
and the surroundings carefully searched; 
but the intruders had gone. The fol- 
lowing day Mrs. Baldy went to the 
court house and singled out from the 
crowd the man who had stood in the 
door-way the night before, with the re- 
volver, and he was accordingly arrested. 
In 185V, the settlers of Tama County 
were startled by the brutal murder of 
William Stopp. The particulars of tlie 
affair are related as follows: A short 
time previous to 1857, a German, named 
Olleslaugher, a man named Butler, who 
had more than ordinary education and 
attainments and a professional lawyer, 
came to this county and setteled on a 
farm in Grant township. If reports 
are correct, they were of overbear- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ing and quarrelsome dispositions. Wil- 
liam Stopp, a young man of but four- 
teen years of age, from Cincinnati, Ohio, 
accompanied them to this county. The 
three occupied a small cabin on section 
23. Both of the men drank and caroused, 
and at times cruelly abused the boy. One 
severe, cold night, nearly in the dead of 
winter, they stripped the boy and gave 
him a shameful beating, then thrust him 
under the floor of their cabin, into a small 
cellar, where he died before morning from 
the effects of the cruelty received from 
the infuriated men, and from exposure to 
the severe cold. It was but a short time 
before the news spread over the entire 
neighborhood, and a crowd of excited peo- 
ple at once proceeded to the scene of the 
murder. In due time both Olleslaugher 
and Butler were arrested and placed under 
bonds. On the 2.3d of May, 1857, the 
grand jury found a true bill of indictment 
against them, and the same day they 
were brought before the court. A change 
of venue was asked and granted to Johnson 
county. The case was tried at Iowa City, 
but they finally escaped their just punish- 
ment through some lack of evidence or 
informality of the law. Shorly after, they 
left the country, leaving the whole matter 
a mystery, at that time, as to the true facts 
in the case, and their object in dealing so 
foully with the boy. But some time sub- 
sequent to their trial it was ascertained 
by the attorneys for these men, that the 
boy, Stopp, who at the time of the murder 
was about fourteen years of age, was 
to fall heir to a valuable property in Ohio 
when he became of age, and that Butler 
had succeeded in securing the legal guar- 
dianshij) over him, and without much 



doubt, removed with the boy to Iowa, to do 
what was finally accomplished, using Olle- 
slaugher for the purpose, as the gravest 
charges, the last severe beating and expo- 
sure, were done directly by him, but with 
the approval of Butler. 

In 1859, the wife of John Connelly, a 
resident of Buckingham township, was 
missing, and to all questions as to her 
whereabouts, Mr. Connelly would give no 
definite answer. The neighbors thought 
she had been murdered, and a thorough 
search was made, but no tuace of the miss- 
ing woman could be found. A warrant 
was issued for the arrest of Connelly, but 
he was not to be found. A jury was em- 
panelled and the forms of trial were gone 
through without the presence of the de- 
fendant; but as there was no evidence 
against him, the matter dropped. Con- 
nelly was soon married again. From some 
unknown cause, the family quarrelled, and 
a son of Connelly's informed on him, by 
saying that he had killed his wife by 
striking her on the head with an ax; that 
he first buried her for a few days, under 
the straw, and coarse manure of the stable, 
and a few days later removed her body, 
and with his son's aid, buried her on the 
southeast quarter of section 30, on the 
farm of Leander Clark, in Geneseo town- 
ship. The old man was conse<iuentIy ar- 
rested on a warrant issued by Nathan 
Fisher, Justice of the Peace, of Toledo, 
and by whom, after hearing the evidence 
of the case, he was held to appear before 
the next District Court for indictment and 
trial. But when the time for trial came, 
the son, who was the only witness, was 
not to be found, and the necessary testi- 
mony was not at hand. However, Con- 



!»l'r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 






nelly was not discharged from custody, 
and H. C. Foster, Constable, took him 
home with him on the evening after the 
trial, intending to start with him the fol- 
lowing morning for the jail at Marion, 
Linn county. About dark, while Connelly 
and Foster were seated near the open door in 
the front room of the latter's house, the 
Constable fell into a doze. Upon waking 
he found that his prisoner had flown, and 
snatching up his hat, dazed and bewil- 
dered, he blindly started out in rapid 
search of the escaping man. After spend- 
ing sometime in fruitless quest, he re- 
turned and aroused the town; but in the 
darkness all traces of the prisoner were 
lost and he succeeded in making good his 
escape. While Connelly had been in jail, 
his second. wife sold the property and 
moved from the county. 

The year 1860 was a memoi'able one in 
the history of Tama county, made so by 
the hanging of the Bunker boys. It was 
the first and last hanging affair in the 
county. The Bunker boys, says a local 
writer, Charles and William, were mem- 
bers of a large gang of cut-throats. These 
men were the representative characters of 
the gang. The operations of the gang 
extended from one end of the country to 
the other — from Texas up through the 
Indian Territory, Arkansas, Missouri and 
Iowa to Wisconsin; from the Ohio river, 
at Pittsburg, through the States of Ohio, 
Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, to the Mis- 
.souri river, as far as civilization extended. 
Their depredations were directed against 
society everywhere, and they preyed upon 
the substance of honest toilers, merchants 
and business men, with reckless and dar- 
ing impunity, sparing no one who was not 



in some way allied with their phmder- 
stained combination. In 1860, a gentle- 
man by the name of Small, a resident of 
Polk county, had three valuable colts 
stolen from the prairie just east of the 
city of DesMoines. When Mr. Small 
missed his colts, he procured the assis- 
tance of Constable Seaman, of the same 
county, and started on the trail, which 
they followed to the residence of the 
Bunkers in Hardin county, where they 
very soon found the colts. Advancing to 
the house the pursuers were met by the 
mother of the Bunkers, who barred their 
way, ax in hand. At length, and without 
violence, an entrance was effected and one 
of the boys arrested. Securing him, they 
kept guard until daylight, when another 
Bunker came in sight, and after a long 
chase, he too, was captured. The colts 
were haltered and the party started for 
DesMoines. While in Tama county they 
were joined by Stephen Klingaman, and, 
as the story goes, it was proposed to haiig 
one of their prisoner until he should reveal 
the names of his partners in crime. The}' 
had succeeded so far as to suspend one of 
them in mid-air — without, however, in- 
tending to continue the process until he 
was dead — when the other Bunker sprang 
away and started for freedom at a lively 
gait. Klingaman and Seaman started in 
))ursuit, leaving Small to take care of llie 
aerial Bunker. Small became so much 
interested in watching the pursuit and 
flight, that he forgot to lower the body 
and by the lime Kingaman and Seaman 
returned with the recaptured brother, the 
first was as dead as a smelt. As a mattor 
of precaution and to prevent his telling 
tales, the other Bunker was submitted to 



^^I^^ 



i^ 



,k 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1071 



the same strangling process and with the 
same result. Thus both bodies were left 
suspended on a Tama county tree in what 
is known as National grove, in Perry 
township. They were found hanging soon 
after th"e perpeti'ators had gone. Klinga- 
man, it is said, was drowned the next 
spring, near Helena, in the Mississippi 
river, having fled to that point, and Sea- 
man and Small were arrested shortly after, 
but escaped. The former was never seen, 
or heard of, afterward. Small, after pass- 
ing several years in the Rocky Mountains, 
returned to his farm and family in Polk 
county. In IS"??, Small was arrested at 
DesMoines by Deputy Sheriff, William 
E. Appelgate, and again escaped from 
custody, but afterward gave bond for his 
appearance at the February term of Court, 
in 1878. At this time he was tried and 
found guilty of murder in the first 
degree. A new trial was asked and 
granted by Judge Shane. At the Febru- 
ary term of the District Court, in 1879, the 
case was dismissed, Small paying all 
costs of prosecution. 

During the afternoon of the Sth of Oc- 
tober, 1866, A. H. Felter murdered his 
wife, Charlotte, by striking her a blow 
with the butt end of a Springfield rifle, 
crushing and fracturing the skull diago- 
nally from one eye to the opposite ear. 
Mrs. Felter was in the act of leaving the 
promises, having gotten just outside the 
door when the blow was given. Their 
little daughter, Ida, an only child, eight 
years old, ran to the nearest neighbor, 
Robert Provon, and informed them of 
what had happened. After striking and 
killing his wife, Felter set fire to the house; 
then with razor in hand lie attempted to 



sever the jugular vein in his neck, and 
would doubtless have succeeded had it not 
been for the heavy beard covering his 
throat and face, which so dulled the in- 
strument that the vein was left bare, but 
not cut. He then ran to the stable and 
stacks and laid down, evidently expecting 
he would soon die. In that condition he 
was soon found and taken to Buckingham 
village, where his wounds were dressed 
by Dr. Daniel. He was then arrested and 
held for examination on the charge of 
ihurder by W. H. Stivers, then County At- 
torney. After remaining a short time in 
Buckingham, he was taken to Toledo and 
there had a preliminary examination in 
the court of 'Squire Fisher, who bound him 
over to answer to the District Court for 
his crime. In consequence of having no 
jail in Tama county, he was taken to Iowa 
City and lodged there until the time set 
for his trial. His first trial was held in 
Vinton and he was sentenced to hard la- 
bor in the penitentiary for life, where he 
remained for one year and was then 
brought back to Marion and re-tried by or- 
der of the Supreme Court. He was again 
found guilty of murder in the second de 
gree, and sentenced, by Judge Rothrock, 
to imprisonment during the remainder of 
his natural life. Felter was a man of in- 
dustrious-habits, but had an uncontrolable 
temper, which, when irritated, knew no 
bounds. It was thought by some at the 
time that he contemplated killing his 
child as he followed her a short distance 
from the house. However, he deeded his 
real property in trustfor her maintenance. 
On the Uth of July, 1873. the Toledo 
postolRce was robbed of all the letters in 
the mailing and alphabetical boxes. No 



r 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



-^ 



trace of the letters was obtained until late 
in tlie fall, when they were found in the 
lirush near the residence of James Ross, 
who, together with Frank Graham, exam- 
ined and pronounced them torn and so 
fa<U>d by the heavy rains as to render them 
illegible. Among the letters taken was 
one from Frankfort, Germany, addressed 
to Carl Rest, which contained a New 
York draft for the sum of $71.19 gold. It 
was not definitely known at the time the 
letters were taken, that such a letter was in 
the office, but it was considered probable, 
as the letter had left Frankfort and had 
never reached the person to whom it was 
addressetl. In April, 1873, the postmis- 
tress, Mrs. Dillman, went to examine the 
l>ile of old letters as they were left in the 
brush, and among them she found the 
draft referred to, in a state of almost per- 
IVct preservation, and it was accordingly 
turned over to the owner. 

On Monday, July 27, 1875, another mur- 
der took place and passed into the history 
of Tama county. In the eastern part of 
the county, in the Bohemian settlement, 
two neighbors lived; Thomas Roubicek 
owning forty acres of land, and John 
Prusa, eitchty acres. There seems to have 
been a quarrel between these two families 
for some time, and each had warned the 
other from their premises. There being 
no public highway near these farms, a by- 
road was used which crossed both pieces 
of land. On the day mentioned, Mr. 
Prusa went to a neighbors, about a mile 
west, for an animal, and while coming 
l)ack and crossing the farm of Roubicek, 
the terrible deed was committed. When 
Roubicek saw Prusa coming he and his 
wife botii rushed down the road, he carry- 



ing an axe and she a knife. Prusa was 
struck by the axe in the for( head, both 
claiming in their testimony to have struck 
the first blow and seemingly proud of it. 
In trying to ward off the blow, he received 
a cut on the right arm, and it is supj)osed 
that the woman then stabbed him in the 
abdomen, there being two gashes there. He 
grabbed the knife and was cut to the bone 
by the woman drawing it from him. An- 
other blow from the axe laid the victim 
low, when the brutal murderers struck 
him twice after he was down, mashing his 
head almost to a jelly. They then went 
off and left him, while his life blood flowed 
in a stream down the wagon track. This 
was the shape in which he was found and 
the coroner was immediately summoned. 
After the incjuest both jiarties were arrest- 
ed, charged with murder in the first de- 
gree. The trial resulted in a verdict of 
guilty for the man and acquittal for the 
woman, iioubicek was sentenced to six- 
teen years in the penitentiary at hard 
work together with cost of the suit. 

A singularly shocking crime came to 
light at a Coroner's intpiest, held at Traer, 
on the 21st of January, 1877. The de- 
ceased was a new born babe, born to Miss 
Catharine Carstensen. Mr. J. C. Averill 
was sworn and testified that this C'atharine 
Carstensen was hired by himself, to do 
house work; that on the night of January 
20, he and his wife went to bed at about 
9 o'clock, and the girl retired a little later. 
About 1 1 o'clock, they were awakened by 
Miss Carstensen, who came down stairs 
and said she was very sick. Mr. Averill 
told his wife to get up and make her some 
ginger tea. The tea was made, but the 
girl would drink but little of it, saying, 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



that nolliingbut laudanum would ease her 
])ain. Mr. Averill finally got up and started 
out for the drug store to get some lauda- 
num for the girl, who by this time was 
suffering terribly. In the meantime, Mrs. 
Averill went to bed to wait until her hus- 
band should come back. The girl sat in 
the dining room for a few moments, then 
went into the kitchen and made such a 
racket with her groans and moving things 
about, that Mrs. Averill was afraid to ven- 
ture out. She called the girl by name 
several times, but received no response. 
Finally the husband returned with the 
medicine, and went to go into the kitchen, 
when the girl sharply told him to go back. 
Mr. Averill left the medicine on the table 
and went to bed. He had been in bed but 
a few moments, when the door of the 
kitchen, leading out of doors, opefied and 
shut, and the noises ceased. Mr. Averill 
told his wife that the girl had gone out of 
doors and would catch her death, out in 
the bitter cold night, and that she had bet- 
ter go after her. Mrs. Averill got tip and 
went to the door, when Miss Carstensen 
came in looking white as death, and shak- 
ing as with a severe chill. 1'here was 
blood on her cheek, and Mrs. Averill asked, 
"Why, Catharine, what's the matter now V" 
"Oh," was the rejjly, "you don't know what 
I have passed through; I haven't been un- 
well for two months; but it's all right 
now;'' and going to the basin, washed her 
hands and face and started for bed. Mrs. 
Averill following to see her safely in. 
When she got into bed Mrs. Averill no- 
ticed that her clothes were in a terrible 
condition, being literally saturated with 
blood. Mr. Averill, during this time, was 
courting sleep, with but little success. The 



occurrences of the night had so thoroughly 
wrought him up, that it seemed im])()ssible 
to sleep. Suddenly he heard the cry of a 
child's voice, and raising up in bed, lis- 
tened carefully, but heard nothing more. 
His wife soon came down stairs and told 
him ihe condition of the girl, and he at 
once decided that a child had been born. 
He and his \\ ife then went up stairs and 
told the girl what they believed had hap- 
pened; but she said it was not so. They 
came down stairs, and taking a lantern, 
Mr. Averill went out and around the house, 
but could find nothing. He then went to 
the coal shed, and looking behind a large 
box saw a large tin pail, in which was a 
newly born babe. The child was dead, 
and he carried bucket and all, into the 
house. He immediately went for Doctor 
Morison, who gave some medicine to the 
girl,and took the body of the infant. Dr. 
Morison testified that the child weighed 
six and a half pounds, was a sound liealthy 
child and in his opinion, was alive 
when born. The jury found that de- 
ceased came to its death by involuntary 
exposure to the severe weather, the expos- 
ure being intentional on the part of the 
mother. 

In July, 1877, another murder was com- 
mitted in Tama county. On the ninth day 
of the month named, C. S. Whitely, a 
Constable and highly respected citizen of 
Carroll township, attempted to arrest 
Martin Meahek upon a warrant for assault 
and battery. Meshek resisted, and in the 
struggle that ensued Whitely was shot 
and killed. Meshek was arrested and in 
September, 1877, the Grand Jury found an 
indictment against him for murder in the 
first degree. He was tried, found guilty 



^1 



^1 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



and sentenced to the penitentiary for a 
term of tea years. After the sentence was 
])ronounced, the attorneys for the defend- 
ant asked for a new trial, which was over- 
ruled, and the case was carried to the Su- 
preme Court of the State, where a new 
trial was granted at the June term, in 1 879. 
The case was then remanded to the Court 
of Tama county^ where a change of venue 
was taken to Benton county. There he 
was tried for murder in the second degree 
and sentenced to ten years in the peniten- 
tiary. He was then taken to the peniten- 
tiary and his case was again carried to the 
Supreme Court, where, in 1883, it was 
pending. 

In 1877, D. M. O'Connor was arrested 
for a crime and was placed in jail at Tole- 
do to await trial. There were four others 
in the jail at that time. In the latter part 
of June, of the y^ar named, the prisoners 
succeeded in obtaining posse.ssion of the 
key for a few moments while the Sheriff 
was in the room. A bar of soap, a small 
j)iece of hard wood and a case knife en- 
abled them to make a hardwood duplicate 
of the key. The case knife was then made 
into a saw, which severed the bars, the 
wooden key opened the iron door, the 
weight of five men forced the wooden 
door and the prisoners were free. Four of 
them were captured within a short time, 
but Murphy gained a hiding place in the 
l)rush, where he laid low the next day. The 
second night he secured passage in a stock 
car, and was punched out before morning; 
but finally succeeded in beating his way 
to Chicago; boarded a vessel and landed 
safely in Canada, where he remained 
about two years. He then went to Penn- 
sylvania, thence to Vicksburg, where he 



remained about one year. Then he made 
Minneapolis and St. Paul his home for a 
time, and finally went to Milwaukee. In 
February, he was married to a lady of that 
city, who in a short time became convinced 
that he was a hard case. She gave bim 
away and he was arrested by the police. 
In April, 1881, Sheriff J. C. Fitzgerald 
went for him and brought him back to his 
old resting place in the Tama county jail. 

On the morning of the 29th of Au- 
gust, 1878, Michael Straka, a Bohemian, 
was murdered in the woods near the vil- 
lage of Chelsea. The perpetrator of this 
foul and dastardly act has never been 
brought to justice. Mr. Straka came to 
Chelsea from Quarry Station, Marshall 
county, on the day before his murder, 
for the purpose of purchasing a team of 
horses. He entered a saloon and got 
recklessly drunk, showing money to the 
amount of several hundred dollars, which 
he was then carrying on his person. 
That evening he went out to a friend's 
house, near the village, and remained 
there all night. The next morning he 
started after his horses and when in tlu' 
woods was shot by some unknown per- 
son. He succeeded in crawling to a house 
nearby, and lived long enough to partially 
describe the murderer ; but his description 
was not sufficient to criminate any one. 
He had about $250 on his person, which 
was stolen by the man who killed him. 

On the 14th day of September, 187s, 
the residents of Carroll township were 
horrified by the murder of Perry Wheaton. 
The circumstances were as follows : Perry 
Wheaton was mowinggrass on his father's 
farm near tlie house of one Mr. Taylor. 
The latter's cattle came upon tlie hay field, 



<"l<i r~ 



J'- 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



doing considerable damage by tossing and 
trampling the hay shocks. Mr. "Wheaton 
set his dog on the cattle and drove them 
away. At this, William Taylor, a young 
man about eighteen years old, went to his 
father's house, and was seen coming back 
with a shot-gun in his hands. He ap- 
proached the hayfield where young Whea- 
ton was at work, and angrily asked why 
he had dogged those cattle. Perry re- 
plied, that he did not dog the cattle but 
that his father did. "Well," said Taylor, 

"I'm going to shoot the dog anyway." 

Wheaton told him he had better not, and 
advanced a few steps. Taylor retreated sev- 
eral paces and Perry again advanced, when 
young Taylor raised his gun and fired. 
Perry turned toward the mower, took a 
few steps, then fell over on the grass and 
in fifteen minutes was a corpse. Taylor 
then started on a run toward his home, 
and was there met by his father who 
started with him for Toledo. In the 
meantime the county Sheriff had been no- 
tified of the crime, and he at once started 
out to arrest the murderer. A few miles 
out of town he met Taylor, came into town 
with him and lodged him in jail. The 
grand jury found an indictment against 
Taylor for murder in the first degree. The 
case was brought before the District 
Court of Tama county, and a change of 
venue was taken to Benton county court, 
where he was tried and convicted of mur- 
der in the second degree, being sentenced 
to ten years in the State penitentiary, at 
hard labor. He is now serving out his 
sentence. 

On the same day of the murder of Perry 
Wheaton, another tragedy was being 
enacted in Buckingham township. W. H. 



Houd and J. L. Smith, with others, were 
helpiiig Mr. Dale with his threshing. Af- 
ter dinner, Mr. Houd was telling William 
Greene of a difficulty about a pitchfork 
which he had had with Smith in the morn- 
ing, when Smith came up calling Houd a 
liar. The latter paid no attention and 
went on with his conversation. Smith 

then called him a liar and made 

for Houd. Houd picked up a piece of a 
wagon tongue and threw it at Smiih, strik- 
ing him on the breast. The latter snatched 
up the club and again came toward Houd, 
who secured another stick and stood ready 
for battle. They faced each other with 
raised clubs, Houd getting in the first 
blow, knocking Smith down. It was a 
terrible blow, and Smith sustained a bad 
fracture of the skull, which caused his 
death. He died on the 16th day of Au- 
gust, two days after receiving the injury. 
The murderer was indicted by the grand 
jury of Tama county, for murder in the 
first degree. He was tried and convicted 
for manslaughter, at the February term 
of the District Court, being sentenced to 
two years in the penitentiary at hard la- 
bor. 

In May, 1882, the store of L. Sime was 
broken into and about ^500 worth of goodi 
were stolen. The perpetrators of this 
deed were William Henry, Ralph Mo- 
croff and Mike and John Hirouimus. They 
went down into the cellar, beneath the 
store room, and sawing off several boards 
in the floor, came up into the store. They 
bundled a lot of goods together, furnish- 
ing goods and jewelry, took them to W. 
E. Appelgate's livery stable, divided the 
property and each took care of his own 
share. Fifty dollars reward was offered 



ol'v 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



ili>. 



by Mr. Sime, for the detection of the 
theives and recovery of the stolen prop- 
erty. William Henry, one of the partici- 
pants in the theft, was at this time clerk- 
ing in the Stickney Hotel, and on the 
night of the robbery, did not return to the 
house until about four o'clock in the morn- 
ing, and as the doors were securely locked 
he raised a window and clambered in. 
This awakened Mr. Stickney, and on hear- 
ing of the burglary the next day, his sus- 
picions were aroused, and he determined 
to retain his clerk to watch him, and if 
he was one of the guilty party, to fasten 
the guilt where it belonged. A few days 
after the robbery, Mr. Stickney noticed 
that Henry was wearing a brand new shirt; 
so when it was put among the clothes, 
gathered together for the weekly washing, 
he examined it and took a copy of the 
trade mark of the manufactory, and the 
cost mark of the firm. He then went to 
Mr. Sime's, priced a number of his shirts, 
and without informing Mr. Sime, found 
that the marks were precisely the same as 
those he found on the shirt which young 
Henry had put into the washing. This 
fact strengthened his suspicions, making 
ing him almost certain that Henry 
was one of the thieves. About this 
time, or a few days later, Mr. Stickney 
came into the office suddenly and caught 
Henry in the act of removing the hinges 
from off a door of a small closet, where 
there was a quantity of cigars. Henry^ 
the next day told the boys of this, and 
wondered why Mr. Stickney did not dis- 
charge him at once, but Mr. Stickney was 
not yet through with liim; he had an ob- 
ject in retaining him in his employ. Some- 
where about two weeks after the robbery. 



one rainy morning, Henry was missing 
from the house. Just before noon he re- 
turned, attended to his chores and came 
in to dinner. Mr. Stickney waited for 
sometime in the office for him, but he 
did not return. The proprietor then went 
into the dining room and asked where 
Henry had gone. He was told that he had 
gone into the barn. Mr. Stickney sus- 
pected then that the stolen goods had been 
brought to the barn, and, going in, he 
caught a glimpse of Henry in the act of 
wringing water out of some garment. In- 
stead of halting, Mr. Stickney went rapid- 
ly by, saying that he had to take a man 
to Tama City and that he wanted his team 
gotten out at once. Henry hitched up the 
team, drove around to the front of the ho- 
tel and then Mr. Stickney told him he 
might drive the man to Tama City, as he 
(Stickney) had another engagement up 
street. As soon as Henry was out of sight 
Mr. Stickney went for Mr. Sime, and, re- 
turning with him to the barn, they found 
a large package of the stolen property, 
which apparently had been kept in some 
very damp place and was quite wet. They 
at once telephoned to the marshal at 
Tama City to arrest and detain Mr. Hen- 
ry until he should be sent for. The proper 
papers were then made out and the Sher- 
iff started to make his arrest, returning 
after a short absence with the guilty man, 
who then knew irhy Mr. Stickney hail not 
iKxchurtjed him. The culprit was taken to 
the law office of Ebersole & Willett, 
where he was searched and a quantity of 
the stolen jewelry found on his person. 
When he saw that he was completely 
caught, he divulged the manner of his as- 
sociates in Xhe theft and before night 



^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1077 



they were all arrested. A preliminary ex- 
amination was held before John McClas- 
key, Justice of the Peace, who bound them 
over to the District Court. Link West 
was also brought before Mr. McClaskey, 
but as there was not sufficient evidence in 
his case he was discharged. When their 
trial came off, the boys plead guilty 
and were all sentenced to one year in the 
county jail, with the exception of Ralph 
Mocroff, who, on account of being but a 
boy, was given only nine months. Near- 
ly all of the stolen property was recov- 
ered and Mr. Stickney was paid $50 as a 
reward for his services as private detec- 
tive. 

On Monday night, October 23, 1882, 
Gladbrook was the scene of a fearful riot. 
About fifteen railroad laborers, at work on 
the Diagonal, became drunk and disorder- 
ly, creating a great disturbance on the 
streets. The Marshal warned them to de- 
sist and drove them off into another part 
of the town. About 10 o'clock in the 
evening they returned and after breaking 
some windows in his house, returned to 
the east part of town. The Marshal gath- 
ered a small posse of men, in which were 
Mr. C. R. Appelgate, of Toledo, tempo- 
rarily there on business; Mr. M. L. Hess, 
Mr. Blodgett and one or two more. They 
found four or five of the disturbers in the 
east part of town near some cars, and when 
they proceeded to arrest them, suddenly 
the remainder of the gang appeared from 
their ambuscade and made a charge on the 
Marshal and his posse. The Marshal was 
struck several times and severely hurt, be- 
ing knocked insensible early in the en- 
gagement. His wounds were mostly on 
his head, but one severe blow from a stone 



or bullet struck his watch in his vest 
pocket. If it was a pistol shot, the watch 
saved his life. Mr. Appelgate and Mr. 
Hess were both prostrated and were then 
pounded and disfigured in a horrible man- 
ner. Mr. Hess was terribly cut and 
bruised about the head and face, and while 
Mr. Appelgate appeared less bruised, he 
was in reality very severely hurt, the 
blows he received being heavier. Mr. Ap- 
pelgate fainted on his return to his board- 
ing place, where he was taken and re- 
mained until Tuesday evening, when he 
was placed on a cot and taken to his home 
in Toledo, on the cars. His injuries were 
so severe as to cause the blood to flow 
from his ears and nose. Dr. Thompson 
and Mr. Appelgate's father went up to see 
him by train long before daylight Tues- 
day morning, having learned of the affair 
from Mr. C. Emerling, who came to Tole- 
do to give the information. Deputy Sher- 
iff Ross also went to Gladbrook at the 
same time. Mr. Blodgett was also con- 
siderably cut about the head and face. It 
did not take long, however, for other citi- 
zens of Gladbrook to learn of the state of 
affairs, and arming themselves with re- 
volvers, shot guns, axes and pitchforks, 
they soon surrounded several of the 
roughs in the basement of an elevator and 
then arrested them. A few others were 
captured at their camp before daylight, 
and Deputy Sheriff Ross, after his arrival 
with a posse went out and succeeded in 
securing three more, making eleven in all. 
Attorney J. W. Willett, went up to Glad- 
brook and filed information before Mayor 
Soleman; then a change of venue was 
taken before 'Squire Blakely and the par- 
ties held for further examination, when 



^us r~ 



95 



1078 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 




the witnesses should have suflSciently re- 
covered to appear and to testify against 
them. The Deputy Sheriff, with aids, 
brought the entire eleven to Toledo 
on the train on Tuesday evening and 
safely placed them in jail. One of the 
rioters was shot through the wrist. 
Late in November, Mason Hess died from 
his wounds. Coroner Kendrick held a post 
mortem examination, and after a careful 
investigation the jury found that he died 
of abscess of the brain caused by a blow 
from some blunt instrument, on the base 
of the skull, inflicted by some person or 
persons unknown to the jury. In Febru- 
ary, 1883, the rioters were indicted by the 
grand jury, for assault with intent to kill. 
The trial on the first charge was held dur- 
ing the last week of the February term of 
District Court, 1883, at Toledo. William 
Cooley was sentenced to one year in the 
penitentiary at hard labor; Matt Gleason 
was found guilty of an assault with intent 
to commit great bodily injury, and was 
sentenced to a year in the county jail; 
and John Gleason and Charles Johnson 
were found guilty of an assault and were 
given sixty days in the county jail; James 
McCarty was released on bail, and fled from 
the country ; the remainder were dis- 
charged on preliminary examination. In 
September, 1883, they are to be tried on 
the charge of murder. One of the worst 
of the rioters, and about the hardest char- 
acter in the gang, was shot through the 
i<houlder, but escaped during the night 
after the fracas. 

Another bold robbery occurred in the 
fall of 1882. The safe of Gore & Bcnesh, 
merchants of Vining, was blown open and 
burglaried of money to the amount of 



$2,000. The robbers left no clue by which 
they might be traced. 

The postoflice at Dysart was broken 
into early in the spring of 1883, and sev- 
eral hundred dollars worth of stamps 
stolen. There was no clue to the robbers. 

On the 11th of March 1883, Wallace 
Pattison broke into the store of Porter- 
field Bros., merchants of Dysart, and stole 
goods to the amount of about $60. He 
was arrested and part of the goods found 
on his person. He was brought to Toledo 
and lodged in the county jail. He will 
be tried September 17, 1883, at the next 
term of the District Court. He has made 
confession of the crime. 

GOLD IN TAMA COrNTY. 

In 1858 a furore of gold excitement 
swept over Iowa, in consequence of some 
having been found in small ijuantities in 
various parts of the State. Tama county 
had a slight attack of it, but it soon 
passed off. A very little gold was found 
in the northern part of the county, but 
hardly enough to pay for the search of it. 
The Toledo Tribune, which was published 
at that time by E. B. Bolens, ridiculed 
the idea, saying : ''The gold fever which 
has been raging with such contagious ra- 
pidity in many portions of the State for 
some time past, has at length taken hold 
of Tama county and produced its results. 
Several of our citizens having caught the 
disease, showed the furious symptoms 
thereof, and the result is — gold has been 
found. We have seen several specimens 
of both the dust and lump kind. The 
largest lump found was about the size of 
a partridge egg ; the dust we saw was in 
a vial. Quite an excitement is now rag- 
ing. We will receive Tama county 






'k 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY; 



lOTO 



gold in payment for subscriptions for the 
Toledo Tribune, at the usual rates, and to 
the person paying in the gold in the 
largest lumps, the paper for two years 
upon payment of one year's subscription." 

A BLIZZARD. 

One Sabbath afternoon in December, 
1850, Mr. and Mrs. Crampton were visit- 
ing at a neighbor's, in the northern part 
of the county, when a storm came up acd 
in a short time became a terrible blizzard. 
Mr. and Mrs. Crampton started for home, 
a distance of half a mile, became lost and 
perished in the storm. The next day par- 
ties went out in search of them. The 
body of Mrs. Crampton was found near 
by aud that of her husband was discovered 
twelve miles distant. 

ACCIDENTS. 

On the second day of September, 1868, 
Tama county was startled by the an- 
nouncement that a little son of John and 
Nancy Hiley (or Healy) of Spring Creek, 
had either been kidnapped or lost. The 
story was circulated to the effect that he 
had been kidnapped, and on the ninth of 
September, the Board of Supervisors 
offered a reward of $500 for the arrest of 
the kidnapper and return of the child. 
This reward was published for a number 
of weeks in the county papers. The citi- 
zens of Spring Creek township and vicin- 
ity turned out en masse to join the search, 
and the child was tracked by keen scented 
hounds to the banks of a small stream, 
where the trail was lost and the search 
finally abandoned as fruitless. The child 
was .given up by the parents, and all 
hopes of ever hearing of the little one 
gone. Early in the following spring, 



however, the remains were found near 
the creek by Mrs. Mary Blakely. 

Another sad case of drowning came to 
light on the oth of April, 1869. The 
body of a girl between eighteen and 
twenty-five years of age was found in Deer 
creek, about a half mile from Toledo. 
On investigation, the body was identi- 
fied as one Catherine Carstensen who 
had been missing from home for about 
five months. Different views were held 
as to how she came to her death ; but 
it was finally decided that while in a fit 
of insanity she had committed suicide 
by throwing herself into the creek. 
There were no marks on the body indi- 
cating violence or foul play. The night 
she left home she showed unmistakable 
signs of insanity ; but as she was some- 
times taken with these spells, as they 
were called, her folks thought but little 
of it. Some time after her disappear- 
ance from the house a letter was found, 
written by the missing girl, and con- 
taining these words : "The cats are squall- 
ing — the dogs are howling — the rain is 
pouring, and now's my time for eternity. 
Farewell." It is evident from this that 
she contemplated destroying herself. 

William Guilford, of Toledo, was 
drowned in the Iowa river, on May 7, 
1873. He, in company with William 
Free, had gone to the mill dam, about 
eight miles southeast of Toledo, for the 
purpose of fishing. While there, he got 
into a boat, that was above the breast of 
the dam, and, in endeavoring to cross, the 
boat got into the daw, and becoming un- 
manageable, went over the dam. Below, 
was a boiling cauldron, from which it 
was difficult to make an escape. As the 



>^ 



HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



boat passed over the dam it struck a 
snag, staving a bole in the side, and 
William, having more confidence in his 
ability to swim than in the boat, aban- 
doned it, and endeavored to swim to 
a bunch of willows. The backward cur- 
rent rendered it difficult to make headway, 
and after some effort, he gave up the at- 
tempt, and after bidding those on the 
shore "good bye," sank back into tlie 
whirlpool which swallowed him up imme- 
diately. The body was found on the eve- 
ning of the following day, about thirty feet 
from where he was last seen. The unfor- 
tunate young man was reading law with 
Appelgate & Kinne, and had a bright 
prospect for the future. He was eighteen 
years and eight months of age, and was 
held in high esteem by all who knew him. 

On Thursday evening, June 5, ISl^i, 
two sons of Mr. Houston, in Toledo, aged 
about fourteen and sixteen years, respect- 
ively, went down to the confluence of 
Deer creek, and a small tributary, both 
of which were high, and went in swim- 
ming. They got beyond their depth, 
and a younger brother who had accom- 
panied them, soon gave the alarm that his 
brothers were drowned. The bodies were 
soon recovered, and immediate action was 
taken to resuscitate them, but all efforts 
failed. A large number of persons gath- 
ered on the creek bank, but nothing could 
save the lives of the unfortunates. They 
were both buried in the same grave. 

A most shocking affair occurred at To- 
ledo on Sunday, July 27, 1873, the partic- 
ulars of which are described by the T<i- 
fedo Chronicle, as follows: 

"Mr. and Mrs. Reusch went to attend 
service at the Catholic Church and left 



two childreti at home, the older being 
about eleven years old. During the par- 
ents, absence, he built a fire in the kitchen 
stove. After starling the fire, he took a 
half-gallon can nearly full of kerosene 
and removing one of the stove lids com- 
menced pouring in the kerosene upon the 
wood. An explosion occurred, bursting 
the can and throwing a large portion of 
its contents upon the unfortunate boy. 
His clothes caught fire and immediately 
he started out of the house with his 
clothes, which were saturated with kero- 
sene, all ablaze. Dr. Thompson, who 
lived just across the street, heard the ex- 
plosion and the screams of the boy and 
rushed to his assistance. Before he 
reached the boy, he had fallen down and 
given up to the flames that enwrapped 
him. In tearing the clothes from him, the 
doctor burned his right hand severely. 
Others soon were on the ground and the 
boy was carried into the house and every- 
thing done that was possible. The heat 
had been so intense that the flesh was 
burned almost to a crisp, and the sight 
was simply heartrending. He suffered 
terribly until about two o'clock, when 
death relieved his suffering. The funeral 
took place on Monday afternoon." 

On the 29th of July, 1873, while An- 
thony Corrigan, of Buckingham, was cut- 
ting grain his horses became frightened 
and ran, throwing him upon the sickle. 
He fell upon his hip, cutting out a large 
piece of flesh. The sickle entered the 
right side .and cut forward, exposing the 
lungs, ribs and bowels, literally cutting 
him in twain. He was conscious after 
the accident and dictated a will. At the 
time the doctor left, he was still alive, but 



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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. 



1081 



soon died. Mr. Corrigan was about forty 
years old, was a hard worker, an indus- 
trious man and was highly respected by 
all of his neighbors. 

In August, 1873, a Bohemian woman 
living about eleven miles northeast of To- 
ledo, was burned to death. She had spilled 
kerosene on the floor and set fire to the 
oil to burn it, when an explosion occurred 
conveying the flames to the bed clothes 
and other combustible material in the 
room. She lived in great agony for about 
twelve hours after the fire. 

A sad accident occurred early in No- 
vember, 1874, in which John Saddler, a son 
of Mark Saddler, who resided about three 
miles northwest of Toledo, lost his life. 
The following is a brief history of the 
accident: It seems that John had taken 
the old array musket and left the house 
for a hunt. After going about eighty rods 
he saw a rabbit and prepared to shoot. 
Somehow, in stepping upon an old dead 
log that he might get a better view of the 
game, he missed his footing and slipped, 
striking the lock of the gun on the oppo- 
site side of the log, which inclined the 
muzzle towards him, and discharged the 
load of shot into his body. It made an 
ugly wound, not unlike that which a min- 
nie ball would have made under like cir- 
cumstances, except that the incision was 
much larger, and the cut not so clean. 



The charge entered the body about the 
center of the abdomen and ranged upwards 
and a little to the left, lodging about the 
back of the stomach a little below the left 
lung, lacerating severely the intestines, 
stomach and pancreas in its passage. 
After receiving ,the wounds, the boy 
walked to the house, put up his gun on the 
rack, pulled out a bed and laid down, after 
which he got up again, went out of the 
house and called his brother from near bv, 
his parents being absent at the time. He 
then entered the house and went to bed 
again. When his brother came in he told 
him of the accident, and requested him to 
go for a surgeon. The parents were also 
summoned and arrived about the time the 
physicians did. A brief examination dis- 
closed the fact that the case was hopeless. 
At 10 o'clock that evening death ensued. 

THE FIKST SETTLEMENT IN TAMA COUNTY. 

The following affidavit explains itself: 

"Coon Rapids, June 4, 18S3. 
This is to certify that we, William 
Riley Vandorin and wife, Rachel, settled 
in the territory which now comprises Tama 
county, Iowa, on the -2 1st day of May, 
1849. 

his 

[Signed.] William R. x Vandorin, 

mark 

Rachel Vandorin. 
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 
4th day of June, 1883. 

S. Preston, 
Notary Public inand for Carroll county, Iowa. " 



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